Dilly Carter, also known as @declutterdollies, is a Professional Organiser and one of the lead presenters on the award-winning TV show @sortyourlifeout alongside @staceysolomon. Like many successful women, her life story has endured many ups and downs. Adopted from Sri Lanka at age 3, she has supported her mother through a life struggling with bipolar disorder and survived a stage 1 womb cancer diagnosis, all whilst building her incredibly successful business ‘Declutter Dollies’, an organising and home-styling service that empowers people (particularly women) to use home organisation as a form of empowerment. She is an exceptional woman and a friend of Kent Brushes, and we’re very excited to have interviewed her for our International Women’s Day feature.
WHAT DOES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY MEAN TO YOU PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY?
Personally, I want to raise a strong, independent daughter with strong morals and values. Professionally, I aim to help empower, teach, and motivate other women to start their own careers that work around their family life. To do something new for themselves, which they love.
- Dilly Carter with her daughter
WHY DO YOU THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO CELEBRATE AND RECOGNISE WOMEN ACROSS ALL INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING DECLUTTERING AND HOME ORGANISATION?
I think women have become really good at raising each other up. We didn’t use to do that, but we are supporting each other in all roles and all industries. We want each other to win. Working together means building bigger communities and relationships, which can be so powerful.
IN YOUR LINE OF WORK, HOW DO YOU SEE DECLUTTERING AS A TOOL FOR EMPOWERING WOMEN IN THEIR DAILY LIVES?
We all know the power of decluttering and what that means for our mental health. If the house is chaotic, so are we. We want calm in our lives, and by introducing, teaching, and motivating households to pay more attention to their environment creates a more harmonious home.
HOW HAVE WOMEN PLAYED A ROLE IN SHAPING YOUR CAREER AS A PROFESSIONAL ORGANISER AND TV PERSONALITY?
I have a few women in my life who have played huge roles in my career. My mum, despite her illness, helped me turn a negative into a positive. Because of her, I carved out a career in helping others. My manager has been unwavering in her support and guidance. I’d be lost without her. My sister-in-law, my friends, my neighbours, my school mum friends. They all help support me day in and day out. Without them, I can’t do what I need to.
WERE THERE ANY KEY FEMALE MENTORS, COLLEAGUES, OR FIGURES IN YOUR LIFE WHO INFLUENCED OR GUIDED YOU ALONG THE WAY?
I’ve always loved Oprah! And most recently, I’ve found Emma Grede incredibly inspiring.
HAVE YOU HAD ANY MEMORABLE MOMENTS WHERE A WOMAN'S TRANSFORMATION THROUGH HOME ORGANISATION HAS DEEPLY IMPACTED YOU?
My mum’s care and home changed my life.
The below is taken from Dilly’s Instagram post from Sept 2024:
“83 years old, I have cared for her and worried about her since I was 11 years old. Seeing her in and out of psychiatric care her whole life when I was in my teens, being sectioned ten times, to finally being diagnosed with bipolar late into her 50s ( years too late) and being pumped full of different tablets, it’s always been a roller coaster of emotions.
I feel like being ill myself finally allowed me to let go of the reigns and ask for help, not just for me but for my family. It was all too much, and I think this release, which I won’t feel for a while because the weight has been heavy, on top of everything else, at times felt like I was drowning.
But this is the beginning of what I hope will be a new lease of life for her.
I am so hoping that by being surrounded by others similar to her, she can flourish and enjoy the friendships and company she will have constantly.
She has lived at the bottom of our garden since lockdown and with us for nearly 7 years. We’ve never had our house, just ours. It’s going to be a big but positive change for us all.”
AS A WOMAN IN THE PUBLIC EYE AND BUSINESS WORLD, WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED, AND HOW HAVE YOU OVERCOME THEM?
Illness was my only challenge, but I managed it all with amazing support. I continued my business, work, and home life. It was hard, but I did it. It’s been a huge team effort. Even though it’s International Women’s Day, I couldn’t be the woman I am without my husband’s support. I don’t do this alone.
HOW DO YOU THINK WOMEN'S ROLES IN HOME ORGANISATION, MENTAL WELL-BEING, AND BUSINESS HAVE EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS?
I think shows like Sort Your Life Out, Marie Kondo and The Home Edit have shown people the potential of change and how it can benefit you in a positive light. It’s given people the tools to make changes themselves and see how it benefits them.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WOMEN LOOKING TO RECLAIM CONTROL OVER THEIR SPACES AND, BY EXTENSION, THEIR LIVES?
Focus on how the clutter affects your relationships and how your home functions. Which area is the worst? What causes the most problems? That’s where you focus on changing first.
HAVE YOU EVER WORKED ON A PROJECT THAT SPECIFICALLY CELEBRATED OR SUPPORTED WOMEN?
I have worked for some women’s charities that help women fleeing domestic abuse. That has been very rewarding. I’m also an ambassador for a gynae cancer charity called Eve Appeal. These are projects which mean a huge amount to me. To be able to give back and help others is so important.
IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO YOUNG WOMEN PURSUING THEIR PASSIONS - WHETHER IN BUSINESS, MEDIA, OR HOME ORGANISATION - WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Do it. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. And don’t give up! Keep going even when you don’t think anyone’s listening. Focus on your goal, and don’t stop until you achieve it!
- Dilly Carter with her Mum, The Presenters of 'Sort Your Life Out' and her Husband.
To find out more about Dilly, please follow her @declutterdollies
