People with Purpose: Lauren Winzar

In a world increasingly obsessed with aesthetic perfection and Pinterest-worthy pantries, Lauren Winzar offers something far more radical, realness. She’s not here to sell you on a perfectly colour-coded wardrobe or minimalist bookshelf. Instead, Lauren invites you to figure out what matters to you, and how your home, and your life, can better reflect that.

As a Decluttering and Organising Coach based in Canberra, Lauren is quick to point out that she’s “not naturally organised.” She doesn’t make her bed every day, her laundry often goes unfolded, and she openly shares that anxiety and depression have long been companions on her journey. Her magic isn’t in being flawless. It’s in being honest and deeply human.

“I like a good hike, long road trips, and singing too loudly in the car,” she says. “I’m usually the one people talk to when they’re trying to figure something out. I’m a good listener, and I like finding the ‘why’ underneath things.”

And that’s exactly where her work begins.

More Than Just Tidy

Decluttering, Lauren insists, isn’t about surface-level tidiness. It’s not about being ‘neat’ or performing cleanliness for social media. It’s about freedom.

“I wish more people understood that decluttering isn’t just about cleaning or having a minimalist, magazine-worthy home,” she explains. “It’s not about counting your books or fitting into someone else’s idea of ‘tidy.’ The real work is about figuring out who you are, what matters to you, and how you want to live.”

Lauren’s approach, called D.C.L.T.R., is built around this philosophy. “We start with your vision, choose what supports it, and build something sustainable from there,” she explains. Whether she’s sorting toy explosions, paper piles, or just sitting with someone as they talk through the emotional weight of their belongings, it’s clear that her work is more therapeutic than transactional.

Reclaiming Confidence, One Cupboard at a Time

One of Lauren’s most powerful memories as a coach isn’t about bins of junk being thrown out or perfect pantries being photographed. It’s about a woman who didn’t think she’d ever let another person into her home again.

“This woman had been struggling with her home for years,” Lauren recalls. “It was severely impacting her quality of life, she felt unable to have people over, and it was really limiting her social connections and sense of belonging.”

Worse still, previous well-meaning interventions had left her feeling dismissed. “Like her needs were being overridden by someone else’s idea of what should happen.”

After just two sessions with Lauren, things started to shift. “She started to notice small but significant improvements, not just in her home, but in herself. Over six months, she built enough momentum and confidence to plan a dinner and host guests, something that once felt impossible.”

What that woman said next has stayed with Lauren ever since: “I’ve had more progress with Lauren in two weeks than in the last two years of talk therapy.”

“It wasn’t just about the guests,” Lauren reflects. “It was about her reclaiming her space, her confidence, and her ability to connect with others, all on her own terms.”

Unpacking the Emotional Load

At the heart of Lauren’s work is a quiet but fierce belief: people deserve to feel comfortable and comforted in their own homes and lives.

“Even in the middle of the mess, you’re allowed to take up space, ask for help, and do things your own way,” she says. “You deserve support that actually feels good, not just what other people think should help.”

Her work often touches parts of people’s lives that have gone unseen or unspoken for years. That forgotten drawer full of paperwork? That spare room that became a dumping ground during a hard season? They’re not just clutter, they’re storylines. Lauren helps people rewrite them.

“Decluttering is deeply emotional,” she explains. “You’re dealing with old dreams, lost time, sometimes even grief. It’s okay to feel that. We’re not rushing past it.”

And if you’ve ever felt embarrassed by your mess? She gets it.

“My home’s not perfect,” she says with a grin. “We live here, and life’s messy. I can’t bake to save myself, but I’m great at buying snacks and even better at deep chats.”

Holding Space, Gently

For people going through a tough time, whether it’s burnout, loss, mental health challenges, or simply life overload, Lauren offers a rare kind of presence: one that doesn’t push, but partners.

“I’m really sorry you’re going through this,” she says, speaking directly to those who might find themselves overwhelmed. “You deserve comfort, and support that actually feels good. You deserve to trust yourself, to do life in a way that makes sense for you.”

There’s a reason clients feel safe in her presence. Maybe it’s the humour. Maybe it’s the empathy of someone who’s been through the trenches of her own mental health journey. Or maybe it’s because she knows that a clean kitchen doesn’t fix everything, but creating a space where you can breathe again just might.

Refilling the Cup

Unsurprisingly, Lauren’s own reset button is grounded in simplicity.

“Long walks or hikes with my bestie are my favourite kind of reset,” she shares. “I also love a good soak in my giant bathtub, or popping on an audiobook or podcast while I quietly reorganise some forgotten corner of the house.”

She laughs: “Honestly, the list is long, I’ve gotten pretty good at knowing what I need.”

Even the act of gently resetting a small drawer can feel meditative, a way to ground herself after a hard day. That’s the thing about Lauren, her rituals aren’t grand, but they’re intentional.

Real Talk and Revelations

Ask Lauren what surprises people most about her, and she doesn’t hesitate: “I’m not naturally organised.”

It’s a refreshing confession in an industry filled with ‘expert’ advice and impossible standards.

“I don’t make my bed every day, and most days the washing doesn’t get folded,” she says. “I’d rather find an easy way than force myself to hustle.”

Her honesty doesn’t end there. “I’ve had anxiety and depression for as long as I can remember, pretty sure my first panic attack was around 11. I still get them. And while I tremble every time I speak in public, I actually love doing it.”

Her willingness to show up, messy, vulnerable and brave, is what makes her work so resonant. Because it’s not about being better. It’s about being more you.

Living With Purpose, Not Perfection

Lauren’s story reminds us that comfort isn’t a luxury it’s a right. And that home isn’t about impressing anyone else. It’s about building a life that fits you, exactly as you are.

At Purpose Media CBR, we believe in amplifying the voices of people who bring heart, humour, and hard-earned wisdom to their communities. People like Lauren Winzar, show us that purpose doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. Sometimes, it sounds like a deep exhale, or a quiet “you’re not alone.”

As Lauren puts it: “People should feel as comfortable in their own homes and lives as possible.”

And thanks to her, many more are starting to believe that they can.

📸 All images supplied by Lauren Winzar. Want to learn more or work with Lauren? Visit laurenwinzar.com.au

✉️ Do you know someone with purpose? Nominate them to be featured by emailing hello@purposemediacbr.au