Podcast
Decluttering Untangled with Heather Tingle : How to declutter when you're overwhelmed, ADHD or Autistic
Hosted by Heather Tingle · EN
In this podcast, Heather will teach you what really works, and what doesn't, to successfully declutter your home - as when you're overwhelmed, ADHD or Autistic, it isn't just a case of hiring a skip and having a big sort out - it's not that easy!
Heather is an expert in working with families that live in chaos, and all the challenges that brings. She is Autistic and has ADHD so knows all about how neurodiversity links to clutter. As a naturally messy person herself, she can show you how to live in a clean, clutter free and organised home regardless of the issues you face. She thrives on creating strategies and systems that work for real families. Transforming your cluttered homes to calm, safe spaces can also improve your mental, physical and financial health, learn all about it in this podcast.
Heather Tingle has been a member of The Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers since 2016. She and her family have had hoarding tendencies, living in messy homes, stuck in that never ending, exhausting cycle of chores and tidying. She decluttered her home and found a new, calmer and more content way to live. She now supports clients in person and online to achieve the same outcome in their own homes - and now you can learn how she does it through this podcast too!
33episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
137 - Why Am I So Frustrated With My Decluttering Progress?
3d ago00:11:56Tap to summarizeSend me a text message about this podcast SummaryIf you've hit a wall with your decluttering and you're starting to get annoyed at yourself at your lack of progress, this episode is for you. Heather unpacks why lack of progress usually has nothing to do with laziness, and everything to do with what else is going on in your life.From the aftermath of a heatwave to the stress of everyday life quietly draining your energy, there are so many reasons why progress slows down. And then there's the middle bit: that slog that feels like it goes on forever before the end suddenly appears.In this episode Heather covers:Why your energy is probably being used up elsewhere without you even realisingThe middle bit of a project and why it feels so hardWhy microcategories are your best friend when you're running low on capacityHow to track your discards so you can actually see your progressMatching your plan to the energy you really have, not the energy you think you should haveWhy rest is not optional, and why giving yourself permission to stop is part of the processChapters00:00Introduction: Decluttering Frustration and Human Limits00:27You Are Not Lazy: Understanding Energy Limits01:25External Stressors Impact Decluttering Capacity02:17The Effect of Heat and Stress on Functioning02:45Life Overloads and Limited Energy for Optional Tasks03:12Middle-Project Slumps and Motivation Loss04:09The Importance of Micro Categories06:21Monitoring Discards to Track Progress07:12Reviewing and Adjusting Your Decluttering Plan08:36Rest Is Part of the Process09:31Upcoming DeclutterCon Event in SheffieldMentioned in this episode:DeclutterCon 2026, Saturday 10th October, Sheffield. Tickets available now at www.decluttercon.co.uk use code earlybird26 for a discount (for the first 20tickets sold or by the 30th June 2026, whichever comes first) Support the showIf you'd like to say 'Thank you', by buying me a virtual coffee (it'll actually buy me a cup of tea!), you can do so HERE. It will mean I can afford to continue to give help for free and continue with this podcast.Get started with my Zoning and Getting Started Workshop, everything you need to know on how to get started and have the best success when decluttering.Join my free Declutter Community for real support, tips and advice from Heather and other Untanglers that are just like you!Follow me on FacebookBuy my Declutter Your Home Planner from Amazon to start to declutter your home yourself! (affiliate link)Grab my current freebies to support a cleaner, tidier home.Follow me on instagramFeel free to email me: help@untangledbytingle.com Please note, I may not be able to reply, but do read all emails to me and appreciate them massively.
Transcribe →136 - Seeing potential in discards, are you in danger of Wishcycling?
1w ago00:10:42Tap to summarizeSend me a text message about this podcast SummaryYou can see the potential in it. You know someone out there would love it, fix it up, give it a new life. So into the charity bag it goes — because that feels like the kindest thing to do. But what if that well-meaning donation is actually creating a problem for the very charities you want to support? In this episode, Heather talks about wishcycling — the habit of donating items in the hope that someone else will do the rescuing — and what to do instead when something isn't quite charity-ready.Chapters00:00Introduction to Wish Cycling02:52Understanding Wish Cycling and Its Impact05:33Options for Responsible Decluttering08:47Finding Better Exits for Unwanted ItemsResourcesOlio App Decluttering Untangled Facebook Community Support the showIf you'd like to say 'Thank you', by buying me a virtual coffee (it'll actually buy me a cup of tea!), you can do so HERE. It will mean I can afford to continue to give help for free and continue with this podcast.Get started with my Zoning and Getting Started Workshop, everything you need to know on how to get started and have the best success when decluttering.Join my free Declutter Community for real support, tips and advice from Heather and other Untanglers that are just like you!Follow me on FacebookBuy my Declutter Your Home Planner from Amazon to start to declutter your home yourself! (affiliate link)Grab my current freebies to support a cleaner, tidier home.Follow me on instagramFeel free to email me: help@untangledbytingle.com Please note, I may not be able to reply, but do read all emails to me and appreciate them massively.
Transcribe →135 - When You and Your Partner See Clutter Differently (And the Resentment Is Building)
2w ago00:26:43Tap to summarizeSend me a text message about this podcast SummaryIf clutter is causing tension in your home, you are not alone. Whether it's a partner, spouse, housemate or family member, living with someone who has a different relationship with stuff than you do is genuinely hard, and the resentment that builds on both sides can start to feel impossible to navigate.In this episode, Heather Tingle draws on a decade of working in clients' homes, as well as her own personal experience, to talk honestly about what actually happens when one person is overwhelmed by the clutter and the other is overwhelmed by the pressure to let it go.This is not a one-sided conversation. Heather talks about why blame never helps, why the person with the clutter is not broken or lazy, and why the person feeling resentful is not wrong to feel the way they do either.You will come away with practical strategies including how to have the conversation before any decluttering starts, why proper decluttering looks messier before it gets better, how to get the other person genuinely involved without it becoming a battle, and how to find a shared finish line that works for both of you.Because the goal is not for one person to win. It is for the home to feel livable for everyone who lives in it.Chapters00:00Introduction to Decluttering Challenges02:56Understanding Resentment in Shared Spaces05:36The Importance of Communication08:17Navigating the Decluttering Process11:13Involving Others in the Decluttering Journey14:29Creating a Collaborative Environment17:01Establishing Practical Solutions20:06Celebrating Progress Together22:48Conclusion and Encouragement courses.untangledbytingle.com Getting Started and Zoning Workshop Support the showIf you'd like to say 'Thank you', by buying me a virtual coffee (it'll actually buy me a cup of tea!), you can do so HERE. It will mean I can afford to continue to give help for free and continue with this podcast.Get started with my Zoning and Getting Started Workshop, everything you need to know on how to get started and have the best success when decluttering.Join my free Declutter Community for real support, tips and advice from Heather and other Untanglers that are just like you!Follow me on FacebookBuy my Declutter Your Home Planner from Amazon to start to declutter your home yourself! (affiliate link)Grab my current freebies to support a cleaner, tidier home.Follow me on instagramFeel free to email me: help@untangledbytingle.com Please note, I may not be able to reply, but do read all emails to me and appreciate them massively.
Transcribe →134 - What to do when you hate your home
3w ago00:19:12Tap to summarizeSend me a text message about this podcast SummaryHeather Tingle shares practical strategies for coping with the overwhelming feeling of hating your own home. She discusses how to create pockets of calm, enjoy your space now, and find small ways to improve your environment despite ongoing decluttering efforts.Chapters00:00Coping with Home Discomfort06:06Strategies for Creating a Comfortable Space09:45Finding Joy Outside Your Home11:36Creating Pockets of Niceness15:45Enjoying Your Space Now18:33Call to Action: Reclaim Your Home Support the showIf you'd like to say 'Thank you', by buying me a virtual coffee (it'll actually buy me a cup of tea!), you can do so HERE. It will mean I can afford to continue to give help for free and continue with this podcast.Get started with my Zoning and Getting Started Workshop, everything you need to know on how to get started and have the best success when decluttering.Join my free Declutter Community for real support, tips and advice from Heather and other Untanglers that are just like you!Follow me on FacebookBuy my Declutter Your Home Planner from Amazon to start to declutter your home yourself! (affiliate link)Grab my current freebies to support a cleaner, tidier home.Follow me on instagramFeel free to email me: help@untangledbytingle.com Please note, I may not be able to reply, but do read all emails to me and appreciate them massively.
Transcribe →133 - The Junk Drawer Series: Decluttering those random screws and hardware
May 800:12:12Tap to summarizeSend me a text message about this podcast SummaryIn this episode, Heather Tingle tackles the clutter of DIY hardware bits in your junk drawer. Learn how to organise, declutter, and decide what to keep or let go of, making space and reducing stress.Chapters00:00Introduction to DIY Clutter02:48Identifying and Managing Spare Parts05:34The Guilt of Unidentified Items08:56Practical Tips for Organizing DIY Supplies11:48Conclusion and EncouragementResourcesEpisode 104 on dealing with miscellaneous bits Support the showIf you'd like to say 'Thank you', by buying me a virtual coffee (it'll actually buy me a cup of tea!), you can do so HERE. It will mean I can afford to continue to give help for free and continue with this podcast.Get started with my Zoning and Getting Started Workshop, everything you need to know on how to get started and have the best success when decluttering.Join my free Declutter Community for real support, tips and advice from Heather and other Untanglers that are just like you!Follow me on FacebookBuy my Declutter Your Home Planner from Amazon to start to declutter your home yourself! (affiliate link)Grab my current freebies to support a cleaner, tidier home.Follow me on instagramFeel free to email me: help@untangledbytingle.com Please note, I may not be able to reply, but do read all emails to me and appreciate them massively.
Transcribe →132 - The Junk Drawer Series: Decluttering Instruction Manuals
May 100:15:41Tap to summarizeSend me a text message about this podcast SummaryIn this episode, Heather Tingle tackles the common clutter of instruction manuals, exploring why we keep them and how to let go. She offers practical tips on assessing their value, reducing clutter, and managing related anxieties.Chapters00:00Introduction to the Manual Clutter Challenge00:29Why Do We Keep Instruction Manuals?01:21The Anxiety Behind Keeping Manuals02:14Assessing the Value of Manuals in Your Home03:09Common Items with Manuals You Can Discard04:33When Manuals Are Too Redundant or Unnecessary06:46Using Online Resources and QR Codes07:38Deciding When to Keep or Discard Manuals09:30High-Value Complex Appliances Worth Keeping Manuals10:49Organizing Essential Manuals in a Small Folder11:18Understanding Consumer Rights and Warranties12:14When to Recycle or Keep Manuals for Resale13:36Final Tips and Reassurance for Decluttering Manuals14:34Encouragement and Final Thoughts Support the showIf you'd like to say 'Thank you', by buying me a virtual coffee (it'll actually buy me a cup of tea!), you can do so HERE. It will mean I can afford to continue to give help for free and continue with this podcast.Get started with my Zoning and Getting Started Workshop, everything you need to know on how to get started and have the best success when decluttering.Join my free Declutter Community for real support, tips and advice from Heather and other Untanglers that are just like you!Follow me on FacebookBuy my Declutter Your Home Planner from Amazon to start to declutter your home yourself! (affiliate link)Grab my current freebies to support a cleaner, tidier home.Follow me on instagramFeel free to email me: help@untangledbytingle.com Please note, I may not be able to reply, but do read all emails to me and appreciate them massively.
Transcribe →131 - The Junk Drawer Series - Batteries
Apr 2400:12:19Tap to summarizeSend me a text message about this podcast SummaryIn this episode of Decluttering Untangled, Heather Tingle guides listeners through the process of organising and properly disposing of batteries found in junk drawers. She emphasises the importance of not throwing batteries in the regular waste bin due to fire hazards and provides practical steps for gathering, testing, and storing batteries. Heather also encourages listeners to create a routine for recycling batteries, making the process easier and more efficient. The episode is filled with actionable tips to help listeners declutter their homes and manage their battery storage effectively.Chapters00:00Introduction to Decluttering the Junk Drawer02:49The Importance of Proper Battery Disposal06:05Organising and Storing Batteries Effectively08:51Creating a Routine for Battery RecyclingBattery Testers (UK) (affiliate link)Battery storage cases (UK) (affiliate link)Mentioned in the podcast: Recycle Now website Support the showIf you'd like to say 'Thank you', by buying me a virtual coffee (it'll actually buy me a cup of tea!), you can do so HERE. It will mean I can afford to continue to give help for free and continue with this podcast.Get started with my Zoning and Getting Started Workshop, everything you need to know on how to get started and have the best success when decluttering.Join my free Declutter Community for real support, tips and advice from Heather and other Untanglers that are just like you!Follow me on FacebookBuy my Declutter Your Home Planner from Amazon to start to declutter your home yourself! (affiliate link)Grab my current freebies to support a cleaner, tidier home.Follow me on instagramFeel free to email me: help@untangledbytingle.com Please note, I may not be able to reply, but do read all emails to me and appreciate them massively.
Transcribe →130 - The Junk Drawer Series - How to deal with business cards
Apr 1700:13:12Tap to summarizeSend me a text message about this podcast SummaryIn this episode, Heather Tingle explores the clutter and inefficiency caused by business cards, offering practical tips on decluttering and modern alternatives like digital contacts and QR codes. Business cards feel too important to throw away but not important enough to actually do anything with. So they sit in a drawer for years, representing contacts you may not need, from companies that may not exist anymore, for reasons you can no longer remember. In this episode Heather walks you through how to finally deal with them, and shares practical strategies that means you might not need to collect them at all going forward.Chapters00:00The Decluttering Dilemma of Business Cards02:55The Evolution of Contact Sharing05:43Practical Steps to Declutter Business Cards08:32Preventing Future Clutter: Smart Strategies Support the showIf you'd like to say 'Thank you', by buying me a virtual coffee (it'll actually buy me a cup of tea!), you can do so HERE. It will mean I can afford to continue to give help for free and continue with this podcast.Get started with my Zoning and Getting Started Workshop, everything you need to know on how to get started and have the best success when decluttering.Join my free Declutter Community for real support, tips and advice from Heather and other Untanglers that are just like you!Follow me on FacebookBuy my Declutter Your Home Planner from Amazon to start to declutter your home yourself! (affiliate link)Grab my current freebies to support a cleaner, tidier home.Follow me on instagramFeel free to email me: help@untangledbytingle.com Please note, I may not be able to reply, but do read all emails to me and appreciate them massively.
Transcribe →129 - How to deal with purchases that didn't work out
Apr 1000:11:54Tap to summarizeSend me a text message about this podcast SummaryIn this episode, Heather Tingle explores the psychological reasons behind the difficulty of letting go of purchases that went wrong and provides practical strategies to resolve this common decluttering challenge.We've all been there. Something arrives from Amazon, Temu, or Shein, and it's just not quite right. Not quite what you pictured. Not quite what you needed. And instead of dealing with it, it ends up in a bag or a box, where it quietly sits, taking up space and mental energy, sometimes for months or even years.Heather unpacks why this happens, including the role of the sunk cost fallacy (explored in more depth in Episode 20), and walks through the three options available when a purchase hasn't worked out: returning it, actioning it so it works for you, or letting it go. She covers the real barriers to returning items, including postage costs, missed return windows, and the particular challenge this presents for ADHD brains, and why gifts add an extra layer of complexity to the decision.This episode is for anyone who has a pile of things they can't quite bring themselves to deal with, and needs permission to finally make a decision and move on.Chapters00:00Understanding the Stuck Feeling02:49Psychological Barriers to Letting Go05:50Options for Dealing with Unwanted Items08:36Taking Action and Moving Forward Support the showIf you'd like to say 'Thank you', by buying me a virtual coffee (it'll actually buy me a cup of tea!), you can do so HERE. It will mean I can afford to continue to give help for free and continue with this podcast.Get started with my Zoning and Getting Started Workshop, everything you need to know on how to get started and have the best success when decluttering.Join my free Declutter Community for real support, tips and advice from Heather and other Untanglers that are just like you!Follow me on FacebookBuy my Declutter Your Home Planner from Amazon to start to declutter your home yourself! (affiliate link)Grab my current freebies to support a cleaner, tidier home.Follow me on instagramFeel free to email me: help@untangledbytingle.com Please note, I may not be able to reply, but do read all emails to me and appreciate them massively.
Transcribe →128 - How to fix the problem of gifts that never get given
Apr 300:15:25Tap to summarizeSend me a text message about this podcast SummaryYou bought the gift. You meant well. You have absolutely no idea where it is now.This episode came in as a listener request and it is one of those topics that the moment you mention it, everyone nods. The gifts bought in a burst of excitement and never given. The birthday present found six months later still in the bag. The thing you ordered online that you are fairly sure is somewhere in the spare room.In this episode Heather explains why this happens so commonly for ND brains, and exactly what to put in place so gifts actually make it to their people.In this episode Heather covers:Why buying the gift is the thoughtful bit and the follow-through is a completely separate skillThe one-home rule for gifts and why your wrapping supplies need to live there tooWhy phone reminders often do not work for ADHD brains and what to use insteadPhysical, visual and habit-anchored triggers that are actually harder to ignoreWhy you should consider cutting yourself out of the delivery process altogetherExperience gifts and e-gift cards as a clutter-free, faff-free alternativeChapters00:00Introduction and Listener Request00:29The Thoughtful Act of Buying Gifts01:24The Dopamine Trap in Shopping02:22Challenges for Neurodivergent Brains and Executive Functioning03:12Designated Gift Storage Solutions04:35Keeping Gifts Organized and Accessible05:30Effective Triggers for Gift Delivery06:51Physical Reminders and Routine Integration08:11Accountability and Deadlines for Gift Posting09:58Simplifying the Sending Process with Direct Shipping11:51Reducing Stress by Cutting Out the Middle Step12:43Experience Gifts as Clutter-Free Alternatives13:36Summary and Final Tips Support the showIf you'd like to say 'Thank you', by buying me a virtual coffee (it'll actually buy me a cup of tea!), you can do so HERE. It will mean I can afford to continue to give help for free and continue with this podcast.Get started with my Zoning and Getting Started Workshop, everything you need to know on how to get started and have the best success when decluttering.Join my free Declutter Community for real support, tips and advice from Heather and other Untanglers that are just like you!Follow me on FacebookBuy my Declutter Your Home Planner from Amazon to start to declutter your home yourself! (affiliate link)Grab my current freebies to support a cleaner, tidier home.Follow me on instagramFeel free to email me: help@untangledbytingle.com Please note, I may not be able to reply, but do read all emails to me and appreciate them massively.
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