Decluttering Untangled with Heather Tingle : How to declutter when you're overwhelmed, ADHD or Autistic - 002 - The power of the do it now mentality and how it can change your life

002 - The power of the do it now mentality and how it can change your life

11/10/23 • 27 min

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Decluttering Untangled with Heather Tingle : How to declutter when you're overwhelmed, ADHD or Autistic

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Introduction:

Host: Heather Tingle
Duration: Approx. 18 minutes

Summary:
In this episode of Decluttering Untangled, Heather Tingle introduces a powerful strategy she uses with her one-on-one clients: the "Do It Now" mentality. This simple yet impactful strategy can transform your life and home when implemented consistently. It's not just about decluttering; it's about reprogramming your brain to make better decisions and understand time more effectively.

Key Takeaways:

The 'Do It Now' Mentality:
- Not directly related to decluttering but highly effective.
- Teaches your brain to make decisions and grasp time more efficiently.
- Reduces procrastination, a common problem for individuals with cluttered lives.
Clutter Is Delayed Decisions:
- Clutter mainly arises from postponed decisions and procrastination.
- The episode emphasises the importance of changing your brain's default "do it later" option.
A Load Off Your Mental Plate:
- Immediate action lightens your mental load.
- Addresses the tendency to postpone tasks that eventually become overwhelming.
Practical Applications of 'Do It Now':
- Respond to messages and emails immediately.
- Open and handle mail promptly to avoid growing piles.
- Tackle small tasks like washing dishes or picking up clothing right away.
Diary Planning for Longer Tasks:
- Craft projects and other lengthy tasks can be scheduled in your diary.
- Taking time to plan these tasks in advance prevents them from becoming clutter.
Living in the Present:
- The 'Do It Now' mentality encourages living in the present.
- This is more enjoyable and helps you make better use of your time.

Action Steps:

Challenge yourself to "Do It Now" for tasks taking less than five minutes.
Use your diary to schedule longer tasks, preventing them from becoming clutter.
Embrace the 'Do It Now' mentality to simplify your life and declutter effectively.

Conclusion:
Heather concludes by emphasising how procrastination and delayed decision-making create clutter, and adopting the 'Do It Now' mindset simplifies your life, ultimately making the decluttering journey more efficient. By acting promptly when tasks arise, you save yoursel

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Send me a text message about this podcast

Introduction:

Host: Heather Tingle
Duration: Approx. 18 minutes

Key Takeaways:

The 'Do It Now' Mentality:
- Not directly related to decluttering but highly effective.
- Teaches your brain to make decisions and grasp time more efficiently.
- Reduces procrastination, a common problem for individuals with cluttered lives.
Clutter Is Delayed Decisions:
- Clutter mainly arises from postponed decisions and procrastination.
- The episode emphasises the importance of changing your brain's default "do it later" option.
A Load Off Your Mental Plate:
- Immediate action lightens your mental load.
- Addresses the tendency to postpone tasks that eventually become overwhelming.
Practical Applications of 'Do It Now':
- Respond to messages and emails immediately.
- Open and handle mail promptly to avoid growing piles.
- Tackle small tasks like washing dishes or picking up clothing right away.
Diary Planning for Longer Tasks:
- Craft projects and other lengthy tasks can be scheduled in your diary.
- Taking time to plan these tasks in advance prevents them from becoming clutter.
Living in the Present:
- The 'Do It Now' mentality encourages living in the present.
- This is more enjoyable and helps you make better use of your time.

Action Steps:

Challenge yourself to "Do It Now" for tasks taking less than five minutes.
Use your diary to schedule longer tasks, preventing them from becoming clutter.
Embrace the 'Do It Now' mentality to simplify your life and declutter effectively.

Support the show

Previous Episode

001 - Where to start decluttering - the magic of zoning

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Introduction

Host: Heather Tingle
Introduction to the podcast "Decluttering Untangled."
Explains the importance of zoning as the first step in decluttering.
Highlighted the chaos caused by clutter and "doom piles."
Heather shares personal anecdotes about disorganised paperwork.

The Purpose of Zoning

Zoning is introduced as a method for creating designated areas for specific activities or purposes.
Emphasis on the importance of making these zones work for daily life.
The story of a client's experience where zoning was the initial focus.
Discussion of the differences between zoning and decluttering in terms of mental energy and decision-making.

Benefits of Zoning

Zoning serves as a roadmap for decluttering.
Zoning aids in identifying the volume of items in specific zones, helping determine storage needs.
Preventing duplicate purchases by having a clear view of what you already own.
It helps in visualising and quantifying your belongings, making it easier to decide what to keep or discard.

The Types of Zoning

Examples of zoning in various rooms of the house, including the kitchen and living room.
Explanation of how zoning should reflect your personal activities and lifestyle.
An ADHD tip on setting realistic expectations for your zones and activities.
A reminder to organise your items as you live your life and not someone else's.
A teaser for upcoming episodes on decluttering and the PAVES system.

Conclusion

Recap of the benefits and challenges of zoning.
Heather's analogy of zoning being like playing Tetris or a sliding puzzle.
Encouragement to start your decluttering journey by zoning.

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Next Episode

003 - Decluttering with your heart, using emotions not logic for lasting success

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[INTRO]
Heather Tingle introduces today's topic on Decluttering Untangled: the use of emotions, not logic, as a guide to decluttering.

Acknowledges the controversy surrounding emotional decluttering and explains that it's her preferred method.
Highlights the relatability for those who are emotionally attached to their belongings, providing an alternative approach to decluttering.

[THE LOGIC PITFALL]

Describes the common problem of using logical reasoning when decluttering and how it doesn't always fit each person's situation.
Mentions the typical logical questions like "When did I last use this?" and "Do I still need it?"
Emphasises that decluttering isn't a one-size-fits-all task and why logic alone might not be suitable.

[NO MAGIC NUMBER]

Addresses the myth of finding a right number for things like towels, cups, or bras.
Explains how logical reasoning often results in keeping items based on endless scenarios.
Highlights the irrationality of this behaviour, considering we're emotional beings, not purely logical ones.

[THE NEW VS. OLD DILEMMA]

Explores the logic behind keeping new items just because you bought them recently, especially when the older ones are cozier.
Questions the common tendency to save new items for a "special" occasion.
Encourages the audience to consider how often they reach for the comfortable, worn-in items over new ones.

[THE COAT HANGER METHOD]

Strongly criticises the logic-based coat hanger method, which encourages turning hangers around and ditching clothes not worn in a year.
Shares a personal example of why this method might lead to regret.
Discusses the complications when sizes fluctuate, and emotional attachments get dismissed based on logic.

[REGRETS DERAIL PROGRESS]

Discusses how regrets become roadblocks to further decluttering, emphasising how they deter individuals from making decisions.
Shares a personal story about the only item Heather regrets decluttering – a vintage Red Dwarf t-shirt.
Explains why using logic to decide can lead to regret when circumstances change.

[EMOTIONS OVER LOGIC]

Presents the alternative of using emotions for decluttering and why it's a transformative experience.
Advocates for the idea that caring more for what you own leads to a greater appreciation of items.
Discusses the

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