Telephone Accountability Calls can work!
Not everyone wants me to come into their home! …Here is an account of how I worked with someone over the ‘phone!
While I don’t necessarily share before and after photos they can be fantastic for you to see your progress!
Here is a testimonial from someone I supported over the phone and her fabulous ‘jigsaw’ analogy!
I’d thought about contacting a decluttering expert on & off for more than a decade. A combination of events prompted me to message Pauline in May 2021.
I’d dipped into various decluttering books; seen Pauline’s information on my local Facebook page; my daughter passed on one of her leaflets & spending more time at home through the lockdowns all culminated in me deciding to get in touch.
After an initial telephone consultation I requested that we have a monthly phone call to check in, report back & set goals.
Pauline was very accommodating & happy to support my wishes.
In between calls I sent some before & after photos of different areas of my house I’d managed to clear, and updates about items I’d found new homes for as well as pictures of things that I was enjoying making eg: cards, jigsaws, macrame.
Everything seemed connected in different ways & it was great being able to share the photos and get Pauline’s feedback.
Now looking back at the photos I’m reminded again of the progress I made.
With Pauline’s gentle non-judgemental input, I explored a variety of options including viewing a house with the possibility of moving & also hosting a Ukrainian refugee.
Decluttering is an ongoing process for me.
I stopped having phone calls with Pauline in August 2022.
In March 2023 I became a landlady for the first time & took in a lodger. I know my time sharing with Pauline paved the way for this to be possible. It gave me a belief that I could tackle specific areas to provide comfortable accommodation for a lodger. There’s still more decluttering to do & probably always will be!
One thing that stands out from my experience with Pauline is being able to spend time on little details. I’d had my bedroom decorated & sent Pauline some photos. I asked her about the four cushions on my bed & she suggested that perhaps three would give a better balance. She was right. It made me smile & I couldn’t think of anyone else in my life at that time who would have paid attention to such domestic minutiae. Little things matter.
Thank you Pauline.
Julia.
Julia’s Jigsaw analogy!
Philosophy for Life.
Decluttering is like doing a jigsaw!
- No matter how big or how many pieces it is finite. Believe that you can do it!
- Every piece has its place, even if yet to be found
- Take time out, slow down & breathe deeply so you can focus, think & see clearly
- Persist, bit by bit, even when the solution is not obvious
- Celebrate your progress
- & Relax!