Insights from Katie Brumley
In the latest Healthy Home Show Podcast, Katir Brumley founder of Organised To Thrive, shared with me her expertise on how decluttering and home organisation can transform not just our spaces but also our mental and emotional wellbeing. From personalised solutions for neurodivergent individuals to the importance of mindful consumption, Katie offered a wealth of actionable tips. Here’s a breakdown of her insights, supported by relevant statistics and strategies to inspire you to take charge of your home and mind.
Decluttering: More Than Just Tidying Up
Katie defines her role as a professional organiser and declutterer, emphasising that these two practices go hand in hand. Decluttering removes excess, while organising gives purpose to what remains, resulting in a home that supports mental clarity and calm.
Mental Health Benefits: Research shows that cluttered homes contribute to elevated cortisol (stress hormone) levels, particularly in women. Clearing physical clutter creates mental space, reducing anxiety and improving focus.
Katie’s Tip: Start small—focus on a single drawer or a specific category like clothes. Celebrate each step forward to stay motivated.
Supporting Neurodivergent Individuals
Katie highlighted her growing work with neurodivergent clients, including those with ADHD. Her personalised approach involves breaking tasks into smaller, manageable chunks and reducing overwhelm with clear categories.
Common Challenges: Neurodivergent individuals often feel paralysed by the sheer volume of items or struggle to finish tasks once started.
Katie’s Strategy: Pre-sorting items into categories (e.g., “chargers,” “books”) allows clients to make decisions without the distraction of a chaotic environment.
Stat to Know: Studies suggest that decluttered spaces enhance cognitive function and reduce decision fatigue, critical benefits for those with ADHD or similar challenges.
Sustainable Decluttering: Mindful Choices
Katie addressed the common guilt many feel when discarding items, whether for environmental or sentimental reasons. She encouraged mindful offloading:
Options for Offloading:
Donate to charity shops or community organisations.
Repurpose sentimental items (e.g., transform t-shirts into wall art or quilts).
Sell via platforms like Vinted or Facebook Marketplace, but only if the time investment is worth it.
Katie’s Insight: Consider whether holding onto an item for potential sale is costing more in mental health than it will return in monetary value.
Less Is More: Organising Kids' Spaces
Parents often face a flood of toys and items that overwhelm both their children and the home. Katie offered strategies to create calm, creative environments:
Rotating Toys: Store some toys and rotate them periodically to keep children engaged without overwhelming them.
Prioritising Open-Ended Play: Items like LEGO and magnetic blocks encourage creativity compared to one-function toys.
Supporting Insight: Research from child development experts shows that fewer toys lead to more imaginative and sustained play.
Wardrobe Wisdom: Simplify and Celebrate
Katie shared that most of us wear only 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time. She encouraged clients to keep only the items they love and feel confident wearing.
Key Questions to Ask:Does this fit?Have I worn it in the past year?Does it make me feel good?
Creative Tip: Sentimental items like old concert t-shirts can be framed or repurposed into memory quilts, transforming clutter into meaningful décor.
The Emotional Weight of Clutter
Katie recounted a powerful story of helping a client with chronic health issues transform her bedroom in just four hours. By simplifying her space, the client regained not only physical accessibility but also a sense of mental relief.
Supporting Stat: A Princeton University study found that physical clutter competes for attention, reducing focus and productivity.
Katie’s Insight: Sometimes, the cost of holding onto clutter isn’t financial—it’s emotional. Creating clear, functional spaces can lift a significant weight off your shoulders.
Preparing for a Move: Declutter First
Moving house is the perfect opportunity to reevaluate your belongings. Katie advised clients to edit before packing:
Key Questions:Does this item align with my vision for my new home?Does it serve who I am now, or who I was?
Katie’s Tip: Decluttering before the move reduces packing and unpacking time and costs. Plus, it ensures your new space feels fresh and intentional.
Home Staging for Selling Success
Katie shared her insights on staging homes for sale, highlighting the importance of creating a neutral and inviting space:
Depersonalise: Remove family photos and personal knick-knacks to help buyers envision the space as their own.
Streamline Each Room: Assign clear purposes to every space (e.g., transform a junk room into a guest bedroom or office).
Sensory Appeal: Simple touches like fresh coffee, scented candles, or even a tidy garden can create a lasting impression.
Katie’s Insight: Buyers are drawn to homes that feel well-maintained and easy to settle into. Streamlining and depersonalising your space can significantly increase its appeal.
Decluttering as Self-Care
Katie’s approach to decluttering isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about reclaiming your mental and physical space. By editing your belongings and creating systems that work for you, you’ll not only enhance your home but also improve your overall wellbeing.
For more details on the work of Katie Brumley please check out the links below:
I hope you have enjoyed hearing about how Decluttering and Home Organisation can benefit our MIND and Mental Health in this week’s episode. If you are interested in diving into the other 12 main concepts that create a Healthy Home and Lifestyle, there’s loads more info on my website – www.charlielemmer.com
Please leave a review for the show, if you are so inclined. It really helps me understand where to guide the content next or you can just give a rating. And, if you prefer to watch your content on Youtube, we have that covered too!
Be WELL
Charlie x
0 Comments