Last week, I stepped outside my comfort zone in the biggest way yet: delivering a talk as part of the Eye Storm Woman public speaking course. This six-week journey wasn’t just about learning to speak on stage; for me it was about pushing through self-doubt, perfectionism, and the rollercoaster of emotions that come with doing something truly meaningful.
The course consisted of modules, weekly Zoom calls, and guidance as we worked toward presenting a talk on a topic close to our hearts. For me, that topic was the cycle of overconsumption, our relationship with "stuff," and why so many of us mistakenly believe that material items can bring us happiness.
After four intense weeks of writing my talk, I was determined to memorise it, bringing my message to life with as much authenticity and passion as possible. But as someone who struggles with perfectionism, this process wasn’t easy. The last two weeks were particularly emotional, with moments of procrastination, tears, and constant self-pressure. I’d wake up thinking, I must work on my talk today, only to get through a long workday and realise I hadn’t touched it.
On the day of the talk, I knew my nerves could derail me if I let them. Four visualisation meditations later, I stepped onto the stage, and something incredible happened: calm washed over me. Halfway through, I had this moment of clarity. This is where I’m meant to be. This is what I want to do.
By the time I finished, I was overwhelmed with relief and joy. The audience laughed in all the right places—something I’d hoped for, as I’d woven humour into my talk to make it relatable and memorable. Afterwards, three people came up to me to share how clutter was affecting their lives and how my words had sparked a desire for change.
That’s why I do this. To be the lightbulb moment for someone.
Titled “The Clutter Epidemic”, my talk was about how overconsumption traps us in a cycle of buying, disappointment, and clutter. I opened with a humorous but relatable example:
"Remember when we all convinced ourselves we needed a spiralizer to make our lives healthier and simpler? But let’s face it—soggy courgette strands never really hit the spot like real carb-filled spaghetti. Now, where’s your spiralizer? Tucked in the back of a cupboard? Or maybe on a charity shop shelf, alongside others just like it?"
This simple question sets the stage for a larger conversation about how we’re constantly chasing the high of the next purchase. I shared how dopamine drives this addiction to buying, but the excitement quickly fades:
"Retail therapy feels fantastic, doesn’t it? But like any high, it fades. When the item arrives, it’s like receiving a surprise gift, something you forgot you even ordered. You excitedly open the package, only to be hit with the smell of cheap plastic and chemicals. Oh, it doesn’t quite look like the picture, feels cheaper than expected. Oh well, it was only £5. No idea where to put it, shove it in the cupboard that is already overflowing. Maybe I could gift it to someone at some point."
I also opened up about my own past struggles with overconsumption:
"Seven years ago, I was doing exactly this, trapped in that same cycle. I was struggling financially, feeling low, and turning to shopping for comfort. Looking back, I see how I was using shopping as a way to numb my pain—a temporary distraction that never addressed the real issues."
This was a turning point in my life. After watching a life-changing documentary about minimalism, 'Minimalism', I began to declutter not just my home, but my mindset. I realised that happiness isn’t found in things—it’s in experiences, memories, and the people we love.
My talk wasn’t just about identifying the problem—it was about finding solutions. I encouraged the audience to take small but meaningful steps, starting with this simple but powerful advice:
"Do NOTHING. Resist the urge to go tearing through your house, throwing things into bags to declutter. We must turn off the tap before dealing with the flood. Think about where the stuff is coming in. Where are the clutter leaks?"
I shared practical tips for creating friction in our shopping habits, such as unfollowing tempting social media accounts, removing one-click checkout options, and reflecting on why we’re buying in the first place.
Above all, my message was this:
"In a world that pushes us to consume more, it takes courage to say, ‘I have enough.’ Life is too short for soggy courgette spaghetti—and too precious to spend buried under things we don’t need."
This experience confirmed something I’ve felt for a long time: public speaking is the direction I want to take. Over the past year, I’ve dipped my toes into podcasts, Instagram Lives, and even a radio interview, but standing on that stage—bright lights, camera rolling—was the most rewarding and affirming experience yet.
Moving forward, I’m excited to share clips of this talk on Instagram and continue spreading the message of mindful consumption. I want to keep being that lightbulb moment for others.
To those who are overwhelmed by clutter, drowning in possessions, or searching for true contentment, I’m here to help. Simplifying isn’t about depriving yourself—it’s about creating space for what truly matters.
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