Why? Because collecting clutter clutters your home, your life and your mind. A cluttered home is symbolic of cluttered thinking. Rules Players are clear and direct in their thinking and don’t collect junk. If only. We all do of course. All I am suggesting is that occasionally clearing some of it out might be a good idea before it overwhelms you emotionally and gets more and more cobwebby.

Pruning your stuff gives you a chance to get rid of anything that is useless, broken, out of date, un-cool, un-cleanable, redundant and ugly. It was, after all, William Morris who said not to have anything in your home that wasn’t useful or beautiful. Having a good clear-out refreshes you, revitalizes you, makes you conscious of what you are collecting – and anything that makes us conscious is a good thing in my book.

Again, I have noticed a difference between successful people and those who seem to labour in a backwater never really getting their lives off the ground. Those who are punchy and getting on with things are also those who have an amazing ability to prune stuff, clear the clutter, sort the wheat from the chaff. Those who are having trouble getting lift-off are those running along the tarmac still clutching black plastic sacks full of useless stuff they bought from the charity shop and have never thrown away – or never opened since they bought them. They have cupboards full of junk that is just taking up space, drawers full of broken things and wardrobes full of clothes they can no longer get into or which have so long gone out of fashion they may be worth something as collector’s items but will never be worn again.

There is an ‘unburdening’ effect that comes with pruning. You have more space in your home, a feeling of being more in control, and you get rid of that slightly overwhelmed feeling that comes with having piles of stuff accumulating everywhere. You don’t have to live in a spotless house full of designer furniture and minimalist styling. All I’m suggesting is that if you want to find out what’s holding you back, try looking in the cupboard under the sink or under the bed or on top of the wardrobe in the spare room.