I’m a Coach, NLP Practitioner, Holistic Therapist and Trainer who specialises in decluttering and letting go. Over the last two decades I’ve studied many disciplines, initially undertaking a B.A. Degree in Media and Communications and a Higher Diploma in Systems Analysis: Business Systems Development before completing courses in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Project Management, Life Coaching, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Quantum Thinking Technologies (QTT), Style Consultancy, Training and Reiki Mastership.
I’ve always had a knack for helping people identify and drop the baggage in their lives, and every day I’m committed to my own personal growth. In this way, I’ve been able to develop and empower my students and clients with the decluttering and life information, tools and techniques that inspire transformation at the deepest of levels.
Having worked in IT for 10 years, I left my Software Test Team Lead role in 2010 to focus on developing my concept and running my own business full-time. Although there was some talk of decluttering on a practical level, I felt there was very little awareness of the therapeutic nature of the process and no talk of “Declutter Therapy”, and I wanted to share what I had personally learned about these benefits. Having experienced my own challenges with “letting go”, I was also frustrated by the limited understanding – and even insensitivity – around the complex and often deep-rooted decluttering blocks with which so many people struggle.
After setting up “The Declutter Therapist™”, I made the decisions to create National Declutter Day (now International Declutter Day) and write my Declutter Therapy book in 2011. My Declutter Therapy™ approach has also since become an international modality.
Decluttering is very misunderstood. It’s complicated, sensitive and much more than a love of cleaning, efficient tidying, clever organising, on-trend storage solutions or “great at throwing things out” – sadly, none of these alone bring us much relief from our clutter. I founded The Declutter Academy Certified Training in 2016 to teach students to declutter professionally. People around the world who had come across my work were asking me to show them how to create a similar business, and I felt a need to share a holistic, best-practice approach that is honest, compassionate and impactful in the long-term in all areas of life, beyond just the physical.
I once daydreamed about decluttering wardrobes, homes and lives, and, years later, empowering students to help their clients to “LET IT GO” still warms my heart every day. Learn how Declutter Therapy transformed my own life below.
HOW DECLUTTER THERAPY TRANSFORMED MY LIFE
What I teach in Declutter Therapy and through The Declutter Academy professional certification I do my best to live myself. Every day I practice letting go of what’s not serving me or weighing me down – in my living space and in all other parts of my life. Although this hasn’t always felt like the easier path, committing to “LET IT GO” in a thoughtful and meaningful way has transformed my life in a way that I never imagined possible! After 23 years I found myself inexplicably drawn back to painting abstract art.
In the short time since, many of my paintings been awarded and featured in international art competitions and juried exhibitions and shows, including in Milan, Italy. I’ve also received an international contemporary artist award and have recently had a month-long solo art exhibition. I love to create beautiful, energetic, vibrant artwork that makes people think and feel. Many of my “Soul Vision” paintings are used by holistic therapists and individuals as tools for reflection, meditation and healing, and, in line with my letting go teachings, this is the side of painting that fills me with the greatest joy.
Some of my Lightbridge Art “Soul Visions” are below and you can view and purchase the original paintings and limited-edition giclée print collection here. Hope you enjoy!
BREDA’S DECLUTTERING INSIGHTS
Why “logic” in decluttering only gets us so far
I know from personal and professional experience that going into decluttering with emotions like impatience, overwhelm, guilt, shame, procrastination or sadness continually results in failure and disappointment, as we never see any real results. Although we may have some awareness around which emotions are hindering our progress, this logical understanding alone doesn’t get us very far.
Unless we actually learn how to let go of these unhelpful feelings, unfortunately we stay stuck in our clutter. This letting go is not something we’re ever really taught – in any aspect of our lives – yet this is the only skill that guarantees our ability to declutter and feel free. My specialty is in teaching others to “LET IT GO”, gently and meaningfully, so that they can finally create the wardrobes, homes and lives they love and deserve.
