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Summary

In this episode of Decluttering Untangled, Heather Tingle discusses the common issue of dining tables becoming cluttered and underutilised spaces in homes. She explores the reasons behind this phenomenon, particularly in neurodivergent households, and offers practical solutions for reclaiming the dining table as a functional space. Heather emphasizes the importance of understanding the emotional and practical barriers to decluttering and provides actionable tips to minimize clutter and restore the dining table's original purpose.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Dining Table Clutter

02:20
Understanding the Use of Dining Tables Today

05:31
Strategies to Reclaim Your Dining Table

08:13
Addressing the Clutter Under the Table

Support the show

If 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!

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Buy 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.

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Feel 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.

Send me a text message about this podcast

Summary:

Struggling to make decluttering decisions? You’re not alone. In this episode, Heather explores why so many of us need time to process before letting things go and why that pause is not procrastination. You’ll learn how to work with your brain rather than against it, how to avoid “maybe piles,” and how irritation and repetition can actually help you make calmer, more confident decluttering choices that stick.

Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome and introduction
Heather explains why this topic matters, especially for neurodivergent listeners who often feel pressure to make quick decisions.

01:00 – Why your brain needs processing time
How emotional attachment, fear of regret and decision fatigue affect decluttering.

02:30 – The danger of forced decisions
Why rushing to decide often leads to guilt, panic or keeping everything.

03:45 – How to pause without procrastinating
The difference between productive processing and avoidance.

05:00 – Keep similar items together (and skip the maybe pile)
How to give yourself time without creating another job you’ll avoid.

07:00 – The irritation stage
Why noticing annoyance or relief around your stuff gives you useful data for next time.

08:30 – A story about the pan lid
Heather shares a client example that shows how clarity often comes naturally over time.

10:00 – Building trust in your own decisions
How slow processing helps you rebuild confidence and reduce guilt.

11:30 – Letting go with kindness
Recognising when you’ve processed enough and can finally say goodbye to an item without regret.

13:00 – Final thoughts and permission to pause
Heather wraps up with encouragement to go at your own pace and trust that processing time is progress.

Support the show

If 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 Facebook

Buy 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 instagram

Feel 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.

Send me a text message about this podcast

Summary

In this episode, Heather untangles the fine line between a comforting collection and overwhelming clutter. She explores why collecting feels so soothing for neurodivergent brains, how it can quietly shift into pressure or guilt, and what questions to ask if your “treasures” have taken over. You’ll learn how to spot when you’re keeping things for love, nostalgia, or the hope they’ll be worth something one day, and how to keep the joy without drowning in stuff.

Chapters:

Intro: When Treasures Take Over

Why We Collect

When Comfort Turns Into Clutter

Are You Still Enjoying It?

Holding On to Past You

The “It Might Be Worth Something” Trap

The Emotional Layer Behind Collecting

Keeping What Truly Matters

Redefining What You Keep

The Sunk Cost Reminder

Loving Collections Without Letting Them Take Over

Support the show

If 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 Facebook

Buy 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 instagram

Feel 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.