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Take a look at the latest issues of the ClutterGazette, a monthly newsletter that highlights a selection of decluttering issues around the home and the office.

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May 2020
Standstill or a chance for change?

Anyone who is forced to spend a lot more time indoors than usual will find that the mind’s eye is being drawn to certain things going on in your home that normally won’t register at all or are being pushed to the back of the list of things to do. And then conveniently forgotten. I’m talking about that ecosystem of dust bunnies under the bed or in that narrow gap between the wardrobe and the wall, or the growing collection of postcards on the mantlepiece that keeps falling down when you walk by. I’m sure you’ll find your own examples just glancing up from your device and taking a good look around you.

What could you possible look at? First of all, it may be a good idea to TIDY UP. What does that entail? It’s simple, really: find items that are not where they should be. That could be those plates hanging out on the lounge table from last night’s binge watching. Or maybe some clothes in your bedroom that are neither in the hamper nor back on their hangers. Maybe you have taken out lots of books and never bothered putting them back. Taking care of those is the first step, it’s just dealing with items that have a home they miss dearly. And after that step you’ll already see a change: things will look a bit less disorganised.

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Published books

I have published two books so far, both dealing with particular aspects of decluttering both the spaces you live in and the mindset that is associated with your living situation.

We often hear that one of the key points to success in decluttering is that "you have to do it at the right time". This is rather a vague statement, so I have set out to find a way to better pinpoint such times, to facilitate the process and increase the chances of successful decluttering.

My new book "Clutter Tides" describes my findings, how life stages and clutter phases can help determine the best time to get started, and what to consider at each phase in the process.

The book holds a lot of guidance to help you understand why you hold on to things - a.o. in the shape of thought experiments - but also lots of practical tips and tricks to help you along and get you thinking along the right lines.

first published in February 2020
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More often than not, decluttering is seen as an intervention when stuff has already accumulated, but I wonder if there isn't a way to address the reasons that lead us to accumulate things and ideas in the first place.

My first book "Promise Broken. Moving On." talks about how advertising, branding and marketing contribute to the sheer number of items that we choose to bring into our lives. Besides that, it addresses the idea that 'how' we bring things in is in part responsible for our inability to let go.

Being aware that you are being manipulated by the industry, social pressures and your own habits can be instrumental to holding back the tides of stuff that enters your life.

first published in April 2019
click the image to visit Amazon