Since we don't have the luxury of a face to face chat, you may like to know a bit about me, how I got to be where I am, think the things I think, and say the things I say in this book. So, here goes with a quick overview: I have had a long and varied career - and I have the grey hairs to prove it! I started out as a librarian, then I worked on a nudist magazine (some might say that this is the ultimate in decluttering - not even a pocket to fill), then I bought a motorbike and worked in a small aviation company as a receptionist and dogsbody. Not long after that, I got married, went to university, became a teacher, taught in the outback, taught in Canberra, taught in Darwin (phew, ten years in ten words). I've been in sales (time management, insurance and financial planning), I've been a public servant and a bus driver and a dozen other things along the way. My life experience is varied and I have loved most of it. I've read widely and I've done a few self-development courses along the way too. I love to talk and share ideas and have been blessed in my friends and my spouses - they bring variety and colour and new experiences into my life.
So, although there is no formal training for a declutterer (there's not even a job title yet) I think I have the training I need in spades. Some people who declutter call themselves organisers. And organising is definitely part of the deal, but only part of it. The spiritual (or “divine”) is also part of the deal, and to my mind the most important part of it, but don't worry, I won't bludgeon you with my thoughts. There'll be references to it in the book, but you can skip them if they don't appeal.
I came to decluttering in a roundabout way. Because I have done so many things, and lived in so many places (I was bit of a gypsy in my early days and certainly followed my star), I learned how to make a home quickly, how to keep things to a minimum in case I wanted to pack up and go (I used to restrict myself to two suitcases), how to keep things in order so I knew where they were when I was travelling, how to pack so that things don't get crushed or broken, how to keep what I really needed and how to release what I could really do without.
And so eventually I turned what I was good at into a business - decluttering. I found that I liked it, it was satisfying, I was good at it, and best of all, often I made a real difference in the life of my clients. Sometimes they benefited far more than just getting rid of excess stuff, sometimes their lives changed; one woman was even able to get on and write her book!
My work has evolved, and continues to evolve; each time I work with someone I learn something new. Each person is so different, and yet so much the same! The same issues come up again and again, but the results are always different, and so far, they have always been marvellous.
I decided to write this book because I know you can do it, you just need a little nudge. This book is your "nudge". There's not much theory in the book, just enough to get you thinking. The main part of the book is actually the step-by-step stuff (like the wardrobe example); it's extensive and painless and I think you'll really enjoy it.
(The full version of "About The Author" is in my book)
