The joy of less
A professional organiser reveals how to reclaim space and sanity through decluttering and spring cleaning.
Helen Pidwerbesky, a professional organiser and decluttering consultant from Neat Spaces in Christchurch, has seen it all. From dining tables buried under laundry to homes overflowing with sentimental belongings and wardrobes packed to bursting. Her clients come from all walks of life, but most share a common feeling: they’re overwhelmed and don’t know where to start.
“I help people who are time-poor, moving house, downsizing, or dealing with the loss of a loved one,” Helen says. “Many of them feel emotionally stuck. They know things need to change, but the task just seems too big.”
A common theme among her clients is a lack of systems.
“One woman had nowhere to put clean laundry, so it lived on the dining table and stairs. Her wardrobes were full of clothes no one had worn in years. We cleared the excess, added storage solutions, and created space. Suddenly, the table was usable again and so was her home.”
Clutter cure
Helen often works with women in their 40s and beyond, many living alone or with children. “They’ve reached breaking point, but it’s not about laziness. It’s just life, emotion, and stuff piling up, sometimes for decades,” she says.
“I do work with couples as well, but that can be problematic because they tend to blame each other for the clutter and try to throw each other’s things out. That’s why I like working with women on their own because I know they’re the sole decision maker.”
There are many reasons why people find themselves swamped with clutter in their own homes. Sometimes it’s from a lifetime living in the same house, other times it’s from the death of parents. People suddenly find themselves the custodians of a houseful of belongings loaded with sentiment and memories. At the same time as they’re processing their own grief.
“People need someone like me to give them permission to get rid of old family belongings because they feel guilty. They say, ‘Great Aunty Edna gave this to me, who’s going to remember her if I don’t keep these things…’ They need reassurance that there are many ways to honour Edna and that throwing away her old things does not mean that you’re ‘throwing away’ your beloved aunt.”
Gen Z shopping therapy
Lately, Helen has noticed a rise in younger clients struggling with clutter caused by excessive online shopping. “I see people using consumerism to fill emotional voids,” she explains. “In one case, it took me 45 minutes just to break down the empty delivery boxes.”
Whether it’s physical clutter or emotional baggage, Helen believes decluttering helps restore control. “Doing a little every day really does bring results,” she says.
“Decluttering and tidying up is not rocket science, but people get overwhelmed at what seems like the immensity of the task. That’s why a professional organiser can be so helpful, we hold their hand, talk them through it, and we can see the wood. The client usually can’t see the wood for the trees.”
What does Helen do with all the old belongings? She can arrange for them to be sent to charity organisations, recyclers, or op shops, and she does a tip run if needed. For big ticket items, she encourages the client to either sell or give away to friends and family. “The challenge there is expectation,” says Helen. “Everyone thinks their stuff is precious and worth much more than it is. Some people do have beautiful, quality and vintage items, but the sad reality is that there is no market for much of this stuff.”
8 decluttering tips:
- Start small: One drawer, shelf, or category at a time. Avoid overwhelming yourself.
- Create systems: Homes need structure. Use organisers, labels, and zones to simplify life.
- Let go of guilt: You’re not dishonouring a deceased loved one by parting with their things, chances are, they would have decluttered as well if they were still alive. Memories aren’t in objects. Keep one memento, not the whole box.
- Set a timer: Commit just 15-30 minutes a day. Small actions build big momentum. Don’t aim for perfection, aim for progress.
- Sort by category, not room: Tackle all clothes, books, or paperwork at once.
- Be realistic about value: Most items aren’t worth what you think. Donate, gift, or recycle.
- Limit storage: The more storage you have, the more stuff you’ll keep. Boundaries are healthy.
- Ask for help: If you’re stuck, bring in a friend or professional. You don’t have to do it alone and someone not emotionally invested can see more clearly than you can.
