Finding hope amongst the clutter

Hello, my name is Allie, I am the owner and founder of The Decluttered Home. I help women declutter and organise their homes, my role is otherwise known as a Professional Organiser or a Declutter Coach. I am based in Gawler, South Australia and service most of Adelaide. I am a mum of three, two teenagers and an eleven year old with special needs. Home life is crazy, sometimes good crazy, sometimes nuts crazy. I love organisation, structure and quiet. I am an avid amateur photographer, lover of indoor plants, I love being out in nature and drives in the country. I'm a wanna be gardener who spends no time in the garden....

One of my photos from Mount Lofty Botanical Gardens

There was a time about 8 years ago when I had never even heard of a Professional Organiser or Declutter Coach. I was recovering from post natal depression and figuring out what life was like with a special needs child. At the same time I was struggling to tame the desire to buy. I was trapped in a feel bad, go shopping, feel better..... feel bad, go shopping, feel better cycle. But I was also realising this special needs child of mine was very curious and any home decor I bought (or anything else for that matter) may or may not last five minutes.

I had three kids within four years, so the days were long, very long. Every day was busy. I longed for just a minute's peace. Some days I'd hide in the pantry for a short while, thankful for the step ladder in there which I'd sit on and enjoy the solitude. This became by sanctuary. Maybe you can relate?

Photo from Canva

We had a playroom for the kids but their toys would still spill out into the living areas. My Saturday nights became a ritual, a caffeinated coffee at 5 pm so I could stay up late, either catching up on paperwork or decluttering toys. I often wondered how I got here, spending my Saturday nights sorting through toys and sifting through paperwork.

Mountains of paperwork consumed me, I knew nothing about the world of disability - and the magnitude of paperwork that came with it. This was a whole other realm to navigate. I was stuck between the life that could have been and the life that actually was.

I recall reading this self help book about acquiring what you want, I remember being so dissatisfied with what it had to offer I had to stop reading it. There was so much I wanted but having a little boy with special needs who was into everything all the time, meant that it wasn't worth buying anything in case it got broken or ruined. After much anguish, I gave up buying stuff.

One of my photos taken at the State Library of South Australia

Shortly after I came across a guy called Joshua Becker. You may have heard of him. There was something very different about this guy, I couldn't put my finger on it. He was all about giving, not about acquiring and I found him very refreshing. There was another way and I was starting to see some light.

I found quite an in depth article on psychology and decluttering, I have no idea who wrote it. But as I sat on my bed consuming this article, I got what I can only describe as a direct download straight from God, I heard him say "I want you to help women declutter and organise their homes." I thought great, that's an awesome idea, I would love that. And the idea was born, the seed was planted, my enthusiasm blossomed... albeit temporarily.... I returned to my living room to find a mess scattered everywhere, I said "God, really? Are you mocking me? I can't even look after my own household. How am I supposed to help anyone else?" He didn't answer. I felt foolish, but I held onto that hope, that idea, that one day, somehow this idea would come to fruition.

I have now been in business for nearly 4 years, there's been plenty of interruptions with covid19 and my son being diagnosed with epilepsy. There are times when I have lost momentum until some encouragement from a friend fires me back up. And I am reminded that this is my passion, and that helping people declutter and organise their homes brings me great joy.

I called my business The Decluttered Home because I want everyone to have a decluttered home. The plant growth on my logo represents short term and long term growth. The roof on the house is slightly off centre because life isn't perfect.

I especially love seeing women shift from overwhelmed to empowered. When life throws challenges our way it is easy to lose momentum. What was once easy for us can become debilitating, through no fault of our own. I have many clients who have been organised in the past, before their unique challenge made its way into their lives. But with a few decluttering and/or organising sessions they can soon start to find their momentum again. If this is you, I am here to help you! No judgement! I get it!