Curious Freedom with Kirsty Farrugia & friends

In my curiosity over the summer break, I was able to slow down enough and listen to my heart. In this quietness, I realised that running this business doesn’t feel like freedom anymore for me or my family. 

From that revelation, I announce that Curious Freedom is closing its doors and ceasing operations in its current iteration.

While this decision has been heartbreaking in many ways, it has also brought a feeling of peace. Therefore, I know it is the right and timely decision.

I am going to be taking a period of time to rest and process what has been a massive few years for my family and me. In this time, I am hoping that dreams will start developing for what is next for myself and Curious Freedom. I believe my season of working in the decluttering and organising industry is finished, however there is still so much growth in myself and others that I want to champion. I am hopeful that Curious Freedom and the podcast will be reborn, but I am holding all of it loosely as I lay down this chapter and rest.

So what does this mean?

1. Curious Freedom as a decluttering and support service will cease trading as of 29th February 2024. 
2. If you wish to access decluttering services and support, please get in touch before then to express your interest and we will connect you with individual team members who are continuing to offer these services. Our wonderful existing clients have already been notified of this change and their options moving forward.
3. If you wish to be informed of any future rebirthing of Curious Freedom and the Curious Freedom podcast, then stay subscribed to emails and the podcast. 
4. Curious Freedom’s social media accounts will be deactivated, allowing me to reactivate them in the future.
5. The Curious Freedom website will retain the podcast page so you can continue to access past episodes via the website.

The words thank you simply don’t do justice to my gratitude for every single one of you. 

Some of you have been with me on my business journey since I first started as Feels Like Home Professional Organising eleven and a half years ago, and some of you have only recently joined. What a wild and wonderful journey it has been, and what a privilege it has been to have you along for the ride. 

For everyone who has a connection to Curious Freedom - the clients who have trusted us and invited us into their homes, the people who have listened to our podcast episodes, those of you who have followed along on social media and opened emails when they’ve landed in your inbox, and those who’ve reached out to share how much the work we put out into the world has impacted your life - my most wholehearted thank you. 

To all of my team, past and present, thank you for caring and supporting our clients and for doing the same for each other and me. My life is all the more beautiful because of your friendship.

I could say many more words, but for now, it is time for me to honour myself and my family and rest.

Here’s to staying curious about finding freedom in all areas of our lives.

With love and gratitude,

Kirsty - Founder and Director of Curious Freedom

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In this episode, we explore riding the tracks of joy, love, pain, and challenges simultaneously. 🌈 It's a journey we all share, and our hope is that you find moments of both joy and trickiness this season.

As you navigate your days, especially if you're enjoying the Southern Hemisphere's school holidays, we encourage you to turn up the volume on the voice inside your head that speaks of love and acceptance. 🌟 Let the whispers of guilt and shame fade away, replaced by self-love, grace, and compassion. 🌺

🎧 With over 380 past episodes, our podcast is a treasure trove of insights. Whether you're decluttering or seeking a friendly voice, we've got you covered.

Consider revisiting episodes, as sometimes, a second listen reveals new perspectives.

Thank you all for your incredible support in 2023. 🙏 Wishing you a beautiful Christmas, a rejuvenating break, and a fantastic start to 2024. Here's to a restful and joyous holiday season filled with love, laughter, and a sprinkle of fun! We'll be back in 2024 super excited about Season Three, and during the school holidays, we're offering kids sessions in Sydney and Melbourne. If you need support, reach out to us!

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

● Curious about Burnout

● Curious about Overwhelm & Trauma with Trish Beckenham

● Curious about Stress

Join our community

● Follow us on Instagram & Facebook

● Join our Facebook group

● Leave a review on Apple Podcast

Thanks to our incredible sound engineer, Kris Wright from Mumble & Pop.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Curious Freedom podcast, host Kirsty Farrugia interviews Kate Johnson about burnout and self-advocacy. They discuss the signs of burnout, its impact on our bodies and relationships, and strategies for recognising and managing burnout. Kate also shares her three-step approach to self-advocacy: reflect, regulate, and respond. They explore the importance of prioritising our needs, challenging our mindsets, and modelling self-advocacy for others.

Key Takeaways:

• Burnout can manifest as physical and emotional exhaustion, difficulty sleeping, heightened sensitivity, and strained relationships.
• The three-step approach to self-advocacy: reflect on the situation, regulate your body and emotions, and respond thoughtfully and intentionally.
• Slowing down, recognising our needs, and prioritising self-care is essential for preventing burnout and maintaining well-being.
• It is important to challenge societal expectations and mindsets that prioritise productivity over self-care and to treat ourselves with kindness and compassion.
• Modeling self-advocacy and empowering others to recognise and communicate their needs can lead to healthier relationships and a more balanced life.

Kate Johnson is a counsellor, project manager, and advocate for neurodiverse individuals and their families. She co-hosts the Average Advocate Podcast, sharing stories and amplifying voices to empower women and families.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

● Average Advocate Podcast

Join our community

● Follow us on Instagram & Facebook

● Join our Facebook group

● Leave a review on Apple Podcast

Thanks to our incredible sound engineer, Kris Wright from Mumble & Pop.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Curious Freedom Podcast, it's just me, Kirsty Farrugia, and I'm diving into a fantastic topic suggested by Sarah in our Facebook group: "Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Family Organised Throughout the Week."

Here's a sneak peek at what I cover:

1️⃣ Weekly Planning Sessions: Join me in sharing my favourite tip for a well-organised week—sitting down as a family to plan out the upcoming week's activities. It's a game-changer, trust me! 🗓️

2️⃣ Routines, Routines, Routines: Discover the power of daily routines, morning routines, and evening routines. Plus, get insights into setting up a cleaning schedule for smoother household management.

3️⃣ Meal Planning Magic: Don't miss out on the benefits of meal planning, especially in today's economic climate.

4️⃣ Delegate the Load: Let's talk about assigning chores to the entire family. It's time to share the responsibility and reduce the mental load, especially for all the wonderful mums out there!

5️⃣ Avoiding Overcommitment: Discover the art of saying no and strategically managing your family's commitments. It's all about finding the right balance and prioritising joy.

Remember, these tips are here to inspire, not dictate. Every family is unique, and neurodiversity adds an extra layer of complexity. So, take what resonates with you, and feel free to share your thoughts on our Facebook page. I'd love to hear from you!

And to all the amazing listeners dealing with neurodiversity challenges, you are seen, heard, and supported. 💖 Take care, and I can't wait to be back with you next week!

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

● Mental Load episode

● Homeschooling episode (teaching chores to kids)

● Meal Planning episode

Join our community

● Follow us on Instagram & Facebook

● Join our Facebook group

● Leave a review on Apple Podcast

Thanks to our incredible sound engineer, Kris Wright from Mumble & Pop.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join me, Kirsty Farrugia, in this latest episode, where I chat about the upcoming festive season, navigating the chaos with curiosity and freedom.

As we approach Christmas and the end of the school year in Australia, I share some thoughtful ideas on how to embrace the spirit of the season without the overwhelm.

Special shoutout to Lauren from our Facebook community for the fantastic suggestion that sparked this episode!

Discover ways to reduce holiday spending, like exploring your gift stash for treasures that can be re-gifted. Let's declutter, reevaluate, and find joy in meaningful gestures.

I also tackle the challenge of balancing social commitments during this busy period. How can you honour your needs, whether craving connection or seeking solitude? Dive into self-reflection and embrace the freedom to say 'no' when needed.

I also reflect on preparing for the whirlwind of family events, celebrations, and end-of-year activities. How can you find joy, create whitespace, and be intentional in this season of giving?

Shoutout to Sazzadazza for the wonderful review! Your words warm my heart, and I'm thrilled to be a part of your journey to a more organised life.

Join our community

● Follow us on Instagram & Facebook

● Join our Facebook group

● Leave a review on Apple Podcast

Thanks to our incredible sound engineer, Kris Wright from Mumble & Pop.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this solo episode, I take inspiration from our wonderful Curious Freedom Community on Facebook, where a friend, Jodie, posed a thought-provoking question: "Can you talk about when freedom feels so far away because you have so much to declutter?" 🤔

I'm thrilled to tackle this topic and share my perspective on how Curious Freedom isn't a distant destination but a companion in your everyday life. It's all about intentionality—choosing what you bring into your home, where you place things, and what you let go of.

You already have the seeds of Curious Freedom within you, whether your space is cluttered or minimalistic. It's about embracing the process and being intentional in your daily life. I'll even share a heartwarming poem by David Henson, reminding us to "count your losses" and find the right time to let go.

Remember, Curious Freedom is a journey, not a destination. It's an ongoing process, and it's perfectly normal to have moments when it seems out of reach. But rest assured, it's always unfolding before you, inviting you to step into more freedom and curiosity.

So, if you've found value in this episode or any of our previous ones, I'd be grateful if you could leave a review on your preferred podcast platform or reach out to me with your thoughts and feedback. Your support means the world to me.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

● David Tensen's poetry

Join our community

● Follow us on Instagram & Facebook

● Join our Facebook group

● Leave a review on Apple Podcast

Thanks to our incredible sound engineer, Kris Wright from Mumble & Pop.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Kirsty chats to Mike Gore, the co-founder of the Charitabl app, about the power of giving and making a difference in the world. After working for many years in the Not for Profit sector, Mike decided he wanted to make it really easy for Australians to continue to be generous in our giving. Charitabl is designed to be convenient, kinda like the UberEats of giving for charities, and to give you control of when and how you give.

We have a really interesting conversation about politics, generousity, and have a positive ripple effect with our choices in life. Mike is inspiring and so passionate! We hope you enjoy this episode and sign up to use this awesome App!

Let's make a difference together! 🌍💙

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

● Charitabl

Join our community

● Follow us on Instagram & Facebook

● Join our Facebook group

● Leave a review on Apple Podcast

Thanks to our incredible sound engineer, Kris Wright from Mumble & Pop.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you ever find yourself setting plans for the next day and then failing to follow through? If so, it might be a form of self-sabotage. I've been there, and I'm sure many of you have too. It's time to address it.

Sometimes, our inner critic can be pretty loud, and it can be tough to confront those aspects of ourselves that we'd rather not acknowledge. But here's the thing, we're not alone in this. We all go through it, and we all have a tendency to self-sabotage at times.

In a recent conversation with a friend, I realised some ways I had been sabotaging myself, and it was a real eye-opener. It's not easy when someone points out things you can't see about yourself, but it's incredibly valuable.

The key here is to start showing up for ourselves, to become our own best friends and cheerleaders, rather than abandoning ourselves. So join me as I have a quick conversation with you about how we can show up for ourselves!

Thank you Ooberina for your kind review of the podcast!

Join our community

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● Join our Facebook group

● Leave a review on Apple Podcast

Thanks to our incredible sound engineer, Kris Wright from Mumble & Pop.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast we have the incredibly heart-centered, Star Hansen, as our guest. Star is a Certified Professional Organizer from the States and she oozes love and compassion in everything she does. Star celebrates the beauty and resilience in every individual, even amidst life's mess, (you can see why she’s now Kirsty’s BFF!).

Kirsty and Star have a candid conversation, exploring Star’s book ‘Why the F Am I Still Not Organized’ which focuses on the profound connection between emotions, healing, and the decluttering process. You'll learn about the unique approach Star brings to organising, emphasising trust, mindfulness, and starting small to reimagine the process from a gentle and loving perspective. Star encourages you to make peace with your inner critic and overcome self-doubt. 

Star encourages Curious ones to explore how clutter in different areas of your home corresponds to various aspects of your life, from nourishment to partnership, and how decluttering can help you identify and heal areas that may be causing blockages. Star doesn't see clutter as the enemy but as a friend and helps you reframe your mindset and find grace in organising, addressing the mental and emotional dimensions of clutter. Discover some of the ways people use clutter to meet their needs, and how understanding the "why" behind clutter can lead to creative and transformative solutions.

As a bonus, Star invites you to join her monthly community group for emotional healing and support, and get a sneak peek into their upcoming books.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

● Star Hansen's website  where you can get a free copy of her book!

● Star's Chaos to Calm membership

● Follow Star on Socials: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok

● Atlas of the Heart - Brene Brown's book

Join our community

● Follow us on Instagram & Facebook

● Join our Facebook group

● Leave a review on Apple Podcast

Thanks to our incredible sound engineer, Kris Wright from Mumble & Pop.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Curious about your why for decluttering? 🤔

This week in the podcast I discuss the motivations behind decluttering and organising your home, and unlocking the key to long-lasting success.

I encourage you to explore how neurodiversity can impact resistance to tidying, and learn strategies for embracing your unique approach to organisation. I reflect on the influence of societal expectations on our desire for a decluttered home, and encourage you to find freedom in creating a space that truly reflects your own values and needs. Aligning your living spaces with your individual values and identities, and experience the joy and fulfilment that comes from living in a home that truly feels like yours.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

● Four Tendencies with Gretchen Rubin episode

● Vision podcast

● 2020 Vision episode

Join our community

● Follow us on Instagram & Facebook

● Join our Facebook group

● Leave a rating and review

Thanks to our incredible sound engineer, Kris Wright from Mumble & Pop.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.