Clare90, have you ever heard of the magnificent FLYLady? Google her this minute, I tell you! Only because, of all the unclutter people, she is the sweetest and best.

She understands why we cling on to our messes and helps you to give them up at the right pace for you.

I have been slowly decluttering for a couple of years and the benefits are immediate. You really do sleep better in a tidy, neat bedroom. And, as my best mate so irritatingly said - and was right - if you leave a mess somewhere, another mess comes along to enjoy it.

Personally I think messes are usually symbolic of something else in our lives that we are not happy with but we can change all that. some people feel their mess denotes them as a creative, spontaneous person. I thought this too until I lost a big cheque under my desk mess and that was it—no more mess for me.

Good luck with your clearing. You’ll feel so good about it and you’ll deserve to!