In a remarkable turn of events, a professional organiser has transformed the cluttered bedroom of a neurodivergent 12-year-old girl, helping her and her mother navigate the process of decluttering successfully. With an impressive following of over a million on TikTok, Kayleen Kelly, 40, has gained a reputation for her ability to create functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces, while also empowering children to participate in their own organisational journeys.
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The situation began when the girl, along with her mother, found themselves overwhelmed by attempts to tackle the chaos that had accumulated in her room. Both of them struggled with executive functioning skills, which made tasks such as organizing, planning, and decision-making particularly challenging. Despite numerous efforts to clear the clutter, they often ended in exhaustion and frustration. It was at this point that the mother decided to seek assistance, after discovering Kelly’s work on social media, where she showcased other rooms with similar issues.
Upon scheduling a consultation, Kelly emphasised the importance of involving the young girl in the organisational process. She stated, “It’s very important that children who have the capacity to make decisions themselves be involved in the process. It’s their space, their belongings, and developing decluttering skills early on is crucial.” Kelly acknowledged that parents often struggle with these skills themselves, having not learned them in their own upbringing, which creates a cycle of disorganization.
When Kelly arrived at the family’s home, she was confronted with a bedroom filled with a significant amount of clutter—piles of personal items intermixed with clothing made navigation nearly impossible. After assessing the situation, she estimated that between 50% and 75% of the girl’s belongings might need to be removed. However, Kelly prioritised understanding the girl’s emotional readiness before proceeding.
“We wanted to find out how she felt about letting go of items,” Kelly recalled. She needed to know if the girl was feeling nervous or if she was open and excited about the process. Fortunately, the girl showed excitement and readiness, which became a green light for Kelly to begin the organising journey.
An essential strategy Kelly introduced was the “three-second rule,” a tool employed with each of her clients to facilitate quick decision-making. The rule encourages individuals to assess each item rapidly: if they need more than three seconds to decide, the item automatically gets kept. This approach helps maintain momentum and prevents decision paralysis.
To Kelly’s surprise, the girl was already familiar with this method. “She piped up and said, ‘My mum already taught me your three-second rule!’” Kelly recounted. This recognition rapidly propelled the decluttering process, and over two sessions, the young girl managed to sift through her belongings, resulting in the removal of over 30 bags of donations and trash.
Throughout the decluttering, Kelly continually checked in with the girl to ensure she was comfortable and confident in her choices. Each positive affirmation from the girl reinforced the teamwork approach that Kelly aimed to foster.
Once the clutter was cleared, Kelly shifted her focus to creating an inviting and personal space for the girl. She meticulously ensured that the new arrangement reflected the girl’s interests and personality. “I want them to feel good and be proud of their space,” Kelly expressed, emphasising the significance of personal touches amid the organization.
During the final reveal, the reaction from the girl was invaluable to Kelly. “When she saw her transformed room, her smile was priceless. I could feel her breathe a huge sigh of relief,” Kelly recounted. The redesign included making the girl’s favourites easily accessible, ensuring her sensory toys were organised, and leaving her personal decorations intact.
To sustain the newly created space, Kelly provided strategies for both the mother and daughter. Regular decluttering sessions, intentional shopping practices, and a simple 10-minute nightly tidy were recommended to manage future clutter.
The mother and daughter left the consultation feeling revitalised and ready for new beginnings, particularly with the school year approaching. Kelly underscored the success of the project, crediting the mother’s proactive decision to reach out and the daughter’s commitment to making meaningful choices throughout the process.
“This was a fantastic project with incredible results. It couldn’t have happened without the mother’s foresight and the daughter’s willingness to embrace change,” Kelly concluded, highlighting the importance of engagement in the journey to a more organised life.