No, Thank you! I recently had a workshop participant stating this as her ‘light bulb moment’. Trying to accept no, make it easy for people to say no, say no yourself – gracefully. It comes up in the de cluttering workshops when I talk about donations – in the context that not all giving is well received, not all giving is good. Charities have a huge problem with waste – unwanted donation that they have to PAY to get rid off. (I have written about this in more detail here) We might do the same to neighbours and friends – bully them into taking our stuff Our stuff is our responsibility! We let i ..read more

Most people who ask me for help have tried to get organised before. It might have been through books, TV shows, courses or help from family and friends. I am not a great believer in ‘self-help books’. They are mostly from America and let’s face it, over the big ditch, there is a completely di fferent lifestyle to here in Australia. Does any Aussie really have a basement and a TV in the kitchen? Books can give good advice but are not tailored to your situation. TV shows do the same, although they can sometimes get people going and motivated. Friends and family… you love them too much to take t ..read more

I write everything in pencil in my calendar – which is also my notebook and catcher of my to do list: Until 12 years ago, I never used a calendar or planner Until I started LessMess more than 15 years ago, I did not have a calendar – didn’t need it. Live was simple and appointments came regularly and routinely. Small kids come with their own routine, and I always felt my life easier for following it. Finding the right solution for you Once I felt the need for a calendar I searched – for something that works for me and supports how my brain ticks. I did find something in America, a week per do ..read more

Are you prepared for the Silly Season? Do you have the feeling that Christmas comes earlier every year? And I mean earlier in the shops? I think so too, but take it as a sign to get started on an organised, stress-free Christmas this year. The trick is in the planning part – but everybody knows that. My background is German, and we celebrate Christmas Eve rather than Christmas day. So we have to be ready 12 hours earlier. Why not aim for that so you can have a relaxing night on the 24th and a good night’s sleep. I love it because we are done and dusted when the neighbours are still busy puttin ..read more

Have a Merry Christmas with Less Mess and more Joy!  Don’t aim too high with presents. Take a good look at what you think are your gift giving obligation. Approach people about it. They might be more than happy and relieved to arrange a less expensive way to show your appreciation towards each other. Most people, after outgrowing their 20’s, have enough stuff and are happy with small gestures or non “stuff” things. It’s not the dollar value that matters Don’t have a set amount to spend on each person in your head. Yes, do have a budget and a maximum amount, but a lot of people, espec ..read more

Now that we are at the tail end of the summer school holidays (as you might have guessed by the amount of sibling fighting going on in your house), here are a couple of tips I have found helpful over the school years with my three boys: School uniforms for fast growing kids Don’t be tempted to buy the school uniform too early! When I helped at my kids’ primary school on Orientation Day in October, I couldn’t believe how many parents bought every item available, even winter clothes. Kids can grow considerably in three months and you end up with too-short pant legs and arms. The same g ..read more

These last few weeks before Christmas and school holidays can be like running the last leg of a marathon. You’re already exhausted from the past 11 months but there seem to be more events, tasks and challenges in the run up (or is that run down?) to the end of the year – even in exceptional years like this one. Conquer the holiday season like a pro If you’re like me and many women of the sandwich generation with children and parents/parents-in-law to cater for, the thought of trying to contain the amount of stuff entering the home in the next few weeks can seem daunting. Add to that the fact t ..read more

Every object you own is an item on your to-do-list… … that is, unless you are completely comfortable living amongst clutter, and aren’t troubled by being late, missing appointments or paying extra fees. But most people aren’t comfortable with this “too much” situation – not in our social environment. There are various reasons you feel down when you have too much stuff: You can’t find things when you need them, so you are constantly purchasing things you know you already have (somewhere) Your thoughts are constantly occupied by the clutter and the huge task it will be to conquer it ..read more

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