Here’s what you missed if you didn’t join us live for the Informi Talking Small Business lunchtime webinar, where Sophie Cross talked to professional organiser Siân Pelleschi about tackling physical and mental clutter in your business and personal life.
Introducing Siân Pelleschi…
Siân is an award-winning professional organiser who takes a firm but fair approach to help those struggling with their space, both physically and mentally. She is the president of the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers (APDO), PTA chair at her children’s school, and has been running her business All Sorted since 2011. She believes that decluttering is not just about throwing things away or creating beautiful surroundings, but about providing practical, long-lasting processes that can support you going forward.
23 key takeaways from Siân Pelleschir on decluttering strategies
1. It’s about physical and mental wellbeing
Decluttering addresses both the physical aspect of what’s in your space and how that impacts your mental health and mental wellbeing. The two are deeply interconnected.
2. Different clients, different needs
Siân works with a whole array of clients, including neurodivergent individuals struggling with systems, elderly people downsizing, those dealing with grief and bereavement, and young families who are time poor.
3. Overwhelm is the common thread
Whether it’s business clutter or personal possessions, overwhelm is the word that comes up time and time again when people are struggling to get organised.
4. Events management was the stepping stone
Siân started in event management before pivoting to organising for SMEs in 2015. The key driver has always been the same: making things better for people and creating that “wow” moment.
5. Trust comes through conversation
Understanding who the person is, why they think they’re hanging on to clutter, and what they think they’re struggling with forms the foundation of successful decluttering work.
6. It’s a process, not a quick fix
Decluttering is very much about training your brain to work in a different way. It’s not about quick fixes and definitely won’t happen overnight.
7. Consumerism creates constant challenges
We’re surrounded by things we can buy to make our lives better, creating a quick endorphin fix that quickly fades. Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest are designed to make impulsive people buy by showing the same advert multiple times.
8. Environmental concerns can cause paralysis
Many people hold onto things because they want to do better environmentally and reduce their carbon footprint, but they don’t know where or how to dispose of items responsibly, so things just pile up.
9. Give yourself two months’ grace
When you rediscover something you’d forgotten about, give yourself a couple of months before deciding to let it go. Your brain remembers it’s there and you might find a use for it. If not, you’ll feel more confident letting it go.
10. Use community apps for easy disposal
Olio and Nextdoor allow you to gift items locally, with people collecting from your doorstep. This removes the physical effort barrier of getting to charity shops or recycling centres.
11. Hoarding disorder is a recognised mental health condition
It was recognised as a disorder in 2018. People with hoarding disorder have an element of fear that if they let something go, something negative will happen, often stemming from trauma.
12. Seek help through your GP
You can take a form to your GP requesting help for hoarding behaviours, or contact social services for support. There are also hoarding support groups throughout the country.
- Ice-breaker form for help with hoarding via the GP: https://hoardingicebreakerform.org/
- Hoarding Support: Hoarding Disorders UK / Hoarding UK
13. Winter is a hunking down time
Remember we’re coming into winter, traditionally a time for getting cosier and wrapped up. Don’t put excessive pressure on yourself to have everything sorted by 1st January.
14. Focus on direction, not perfection
Sometimes you just need to know what direction you want to take your business in the next 12 months. Write down your ideas and rank them numerically from highest to lowest priority.
15. Turn the narrative around
Instead of focusing on what you haven’t done, celebrate what you have achieved. Keep a “done list” rather than just a to-do list so you can see your progress.
16. Clear your desk for headspace
A 10-minute desk reorganisation can give you the mental clarity to focus on your priority tasks without being bothered by the noise of clutter around you.
17. Break big tasks into smaller chunks
Large projects like “2026 planning” are overwhelming. Split them into smaller, manageable parts on separate Post-it notes to make progress feel achievable.
18. Asking for help isn’t failure
We call a plumber when pipes leak because they have the skill set we don’t. The same applies to professional organising, content planning, or any business support. Acknowledging you need help is a strength, not a weakness.
19. A goal wouldn’t be a goal if you could achieve it now
Goals require upskilling, support from others, or developing new capabilities. Don’t feel bad that you haven’t instantly achieved your goals.
20. Schedule everything in your calendar
Block time for client work, business development, and personal activities. If it’s in the calendar, it’s more likely to happen.
21. Find your one thing just for you
Identify what makes you happy and carve out time for it. When, one day, someone asked about her hobbies, Siân realised most of her time was work or with the kids. She’s now joining a choir because singing brings her happiness and fulfilment.
22. Use the APDO community to find support
The Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers operates on a “colleagues, not competitors” motto.
23. Small steps lead to big things
Siân’s business motto perfectly encapsulates her philosophy. Just acknowledging you have a problem and taking one small step is a big feat, moving you towards your goal.
Watch the whole webinar back…
Connect with us…
Connect with Siân on LinkedIn (or visit her website: all-sorted.co.uk)
Connect with Sophie on LinkedIn
Connect with Will on LinkedIn
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