139 - The Placeholder Method: Stop Waiting, Start Acting 'As If'

Send me a text message about this podcast SummaryHave you ever stood in a room, able to see exactly what needs to happen, but nothing will move because one thing is waiting on another thing, which is waiting on another thing?That is the bottleneck, and in this episode we're sorting it out.I walk you through the placeholder method: a simple, slightly-messy-in-the-short-term approach that gets everything moving again, even when the thing you're waiting for hasn't arrived yet. We use the sideboard example, but this applies everywhere in your home, and once you see it, you will not be able to unsee it.We also talk about why the placeholder does something that waiting never can: it gives you real information. About volume, about what you actually use, about whether the storage solution you've been dreaming of is really going to do what you think it will.Spoiler: sometimes it is. Sometimes it absolutely isn't. Either way, you'll know.In this episode:What the bottleneck actually is and why ND brains are especially prone to itThe placeholder method explained, and what to use if you don't have the real thing yetWhy messy short term is absolutely worth it for movement long termHow placeholders tell you the volume of what you're working with before you spend a penny on furnitureTest-driving a rehome before you commit to itDitching the rose-tinted glasses on storage solutions that haven't arrived yetWhere else this method works beyond the living room sideboardChapters00:00Introduction to the Waiting Game02:50Understanding the Bottleneck Effect05:46The Placeholder Method Explained08:51Testing the Placeholder: Real Feedback11:30Applying the Placeholder Method in Various Spaces14:37Encouragement and Community EngagementCome and tell me where your bottleneck is. I genuinely want to know. Find me on Instagram or come into the Untangled Life community and let's talk about it.ResourcesDeclutterCon Support the showIf you'd like to say 'Thank you', by buying me a virtual coffee (it'll actually buy me a cup of tea!), you can do so HERE. It will mean I can afford to continue to give help for free and continue with this podcast.Get started with my Zoning and Getting Started Workshop, everything you need to know on how to get started and have the best success when decluttering.Join my free Declutter Community for real support, tips and advice from Heather and other Untanglers that are just like you!Follow me on FacebookBuy my Declutter Your Home Planner from Amazon to start to declutter your home yourself! (affiliate link)Grab my current freebies to support a cleaner, tidier home.Follow me on instagramFeel free to email me: [email protected] Please note, I may not be able to reply, but do read all emails to me and appreciate them massively.