Wannabe Clutter Free | Declutter, Simplify, Find Freedom

Your kids are more capable than you think. Katie Kimball, creator of Kids Cook Real Food and founder of the LifeSkillsNow summer camp, shares the practical systems that take kids from passengers to contributors -- and why cooking is the gateway to all of it.

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RESOURCES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Snag your ticket to the FREE #LifeSkillsNow Family Workshops

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get the transcripts and more at wannabeclutterfree.com/309⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Katie:

• Raising Healthy Families Website

Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Effortless Home: Run your home in less than 20 minutes a day⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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What if the key to a calmer home (and a lighter mental load) was already walking around your house asking for snacks?

In this episode, Deanna Yates sits down with Katie Kimball of Raising Healthy Families, a former classroom teacher, two-time TEDx speaker, and mom of four. Katie created Kids Cook Real Food (named the best online cooking class for kids by the Wall Street Journal) and runs LifeSkillsNow, a virtual summer camp that teaches kids everything from cooking and budgeting to entrepreneurship and mending their own clothes.

This conversation is all about kids as contributors, not passengers. Katie shares how her teaching background shaped the way she thinks about agency, choice, and raising the bar for what kids can actually do. She talks through the moment she realized her mental and physical load didn't have to fall entirely on her, the summer she intentionally taught her kids to cook, and the chore system her family is still using ten years later.

You'll also hear why Katie calls cooking the gateway life skill, how the skills gap happened across generations, and the three-part framework she uses to help any parent hand something off to their kid in a way that actually sticks.

If you have ever stood in your kitchen thinking it would be faster to just do it yourself, this episode is for you.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• The summer everything changed: how Katie went from "forgetting the faces of the children she was feeding" to building a family system that actually works
• What her classroom teaching taught her about agency, choice, and why raising the bar is always a good idea
• Why teenagers need even more autonomy than young kids -- and how she built Teens Cook Real Food around that
• The story of her 14-year-old vacuuming on a day off with no one asking him to
• Cooking as the gateway life skill: why starting in the kitchen spills over into everything else
• The three-part framework for handing something off to your kid: teach the skill, find the motivation, set the expectation

TIMESTAMPS:

• 00:00 -- Katie's Parenting and Cooking Journey
• 04:37 -- What Teaching Taught Her About How Kids Learn
• 07:31 -- Raising the Bar: Kids Are More Capable Than We Think
• 10:33 -- Teaching Teens: Why Choice Is Everything
• 13:14 -- Cooking as a Pathway to Empathy
• 19:20 -- The Long Game: What It Looks Like When It Works
• 22:27 -- The Life Skills Gap: What Kids Are Missing
• 30:05 -- Values, Vertical Transmission, and Family Culture
• 32:36 -- Cooking Is the Gateway Life Skill
• 36:50 -- LifeSkillsNow Summer Camp and Where to Start

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You can declutter your entire home and still end up right back where you started. I know because I’ve lived it. This episode is the piece that makes everything permanent. I’m teaching you the closing shift, the exit bin, and why stacking habits beats scheduling them every time.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why I went from owning almost nothing to filling up a house, and what finally broke the cycle
• The restaurant-inspired closing shift my family does every night
• What the Lightning Tidy is and how to make it fun for your whole family
• Why the one-in-one-out rule doesn’t work (and what to do instead)
• The habit stacking trick that makes routines stick forever

Resources mentioned:

• ⁠Effortless Home Course ($27) ⁠
• ⁠⁠Instagram @WannabeClutterFree⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Episode 304: The 15-Minute Declutter Method⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Episode 305: The Joy Anchor Method⁠⁠
• Episode 306: The Motivation Cliff

If this episode resonated with you, share it with one person who needs to hear it.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you have two minutes, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts makes a real difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction to Clutter-Free Living

02:18 The Journey to Minimalism

04:45 Establishing a Daily Routine

07:13 The Closing Shift Explained

09:44 The Exit Bin Strategy

12:28 Habit Stacking for Success

14:23 The Invisible Weight of Clutter

21:03 Looking Ahead: Future Topics

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Behavioral scientist Leidy Klotz reveals how your home feeds or starves three core psychological needs, why clutter blocks connection, and how to make your spaces actually work for your family.

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⁠⁠⁠⁠RESOURCES⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get the transcripts and more at wannabeclutterfree.com/307⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Leidy:

• ⁠In a Good Place by Leidy Klotz: Available wherever you get your books
• Subtract by Leidy Klotz
• Leidy's website: leidyklotz.com

Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Effortless Home: Run your home in less than 20 minutes a day⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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What if the reason you feel stuck, distracted, or disconnected at home has less to do with your habits and more to do with your spaces?

Leidy Klotz, an engineering professor at the University of Virginia, is the author of Subtract and his brand-new book In a Good Place. He has spent over a decade studying the relationship between our physical environments and our psychological well-being, and today he is breaking it all down for us.

This conversation changed how I think about my home. We are not just talking about decluttering (although we do get into that). We are talking about why our spaces either feed or starve our deepest needs, and what we can do about it.

In this episode you will learn:

• The three core psychological needs your home either supports or works against
• How clutter literally gets between you and the people you love
• Why you use your spaces the same way every day (and a simple research-backed way to break out of it)
• The renovation trap: when updating your home actually makes it less meaningful
• How to involve your kids in decisions about your home (and why it changes everything)
• The beautiful story of Josie's Way and what it teaches us about legacy and space

Content note: Leidy shares openly about his daughter Josie, who passed away unexpectedly at four years old. Her story is woven throughout this conversation and is both heartbreaking and deeply beautiful.

Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Leidy's background

05:40 The intersection of environment and behavior

11:24 The three core psychological needs: agency, growth, and connection

17:25 Agency and connection in the home (plus tips for renters)

20:30 How clutter literally blocks connection

26:50 Behavioral changes through environmental cues

32:23 The family that moved dinner outside

36:06 Functional fixedness: why adults are worse at this than kids

40:42 Nostalgia, the renovation trap, and protecting what matters

50:57 Josie's Way: remembering through spaces and stories

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You started decluttering. It felt amazing. And then somewhere around day 7, your house felt just as cluttered as when you started, even though you know you did the work. That moment has a name. I call it the motivation cliff, and in this episode I'm explaining exactly why it happens and what to do about it.

In this episode you'll learn:

• What the recalibration dip is and why your brain makes progress invisible
• The one metric that your brain can't trick you on
• How to make decluttering enjoyable enough to actually sustain
• The identity shift that turns you from a starter into a finisher
• Why motivation follows action, not the other way around

This episode is Part 3 of a series. Start with Episode 304 (the 15-minute declutter method) and Episode 305 (the Joy Anchor Method for sentimental items) if you haven't already.

Comment HOME on my latest Instagram post (@wannabeclutterfree) and I'll send you the link to Effortless Home.

Resources mentioned:

• Effortless Home
• 19 for $19 Ultimate Decluttering Bundle (includes the 500 Item Challenge tracker)
• Decluttering Playlist on Spotify
• Episode 304: The 15-Minute Declutter Method
• Episode 305: The Joy Anchor Method

If this episode resonated with you, share it with one person who needs to hear it.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you have two minutes, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts makes a real difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Why the decluttering quit day hits around day 7

01:16 What the motivation cliff is and how to recognize it

04:01 The recalibration dip explained

08:37 Tool 1: Count items out the door, not how your home looks

13:04 Tool 2: Joy during the process, not after it

19:11 Tool 3: Finish what you start, even if it’s small

24:04 How Effortless Home and the 500 Item Challenge tracker can help

28:35 What’s coming next in the series

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you’ve ever held onto something not because you need it but because of what it means to you, this episode is for you.

I’m teaching you the Joy Anchor Method, a simple way to keep what matters and let go of what’s weighing you down.

What you’ll learn:

• the reframe that makes it easier to know what sentimental items to keep
• the step-by-step method for handling sentimental collections
• How to use the Photo Bridge for items you can’t keep but can’t release
• A simple question I asked my client to help her get unstuck

Comment PHOTOS on my latest Instagram post (@wannabeclutterfree) to get the link to Photo Freedom Formula.

Next episode: The Motivation Cliff – Why You Quit Decluttering at Day 7 (And How to Not)

Resources mentioned:

• ⁠Photo Freedom Formula Course ⁠
• ⁠⁠Instagram @WannabeClutterFree⁠⁠

If this episode resonated with you, share it with one person who needs to hear it.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you have two minutes, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts makes a real difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 The Emotional Weight of Sentimental Clutter

03:01 Understanding the Joy Anchor Method

10:34 Implementing the Joy Anchor Method

21:30 Creating a Photo Bridge for Memories

31:34 Navigating the Motivation Cliff

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you’ve ever said “I want to declutter but I don’t know where to start,” this episode is your answer.

I’m breaking down the sequencing mistake that makes decluttering feel impossible, the 15-minute pulse check method you can use in any room today, and a reframe that changed how I think about letting go.

Plus, I’ll tell you about Effortless Home, my room-by-room system for busy families who want a clutter free home without the weekend overhaul.

What you’ll learn:

• Why starting with the hardest room is the #1 reason people quit
• The 15-minute pulse check method (three categories, one timer, done)
• How to reframe “letting go” so it feels like a gain, not a loss
• The room-by-room system inside Effortless Home

Next episode: How to Declutter Sentimental Items Without Guilt (The Joy Anchor Method)

Resources mentioned:

• Effortless Home Course ($27)
• ⁠Instagram @WannabeClutterFree⁠

If this episode resonated with you, share it with one person who needs to hear it.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you have two minutes, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts makes a real difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00: Introduction to Decluttering

00:23: Identifying the Problem - "You have a sequencing problem."

01:41: Where most people go wrong with decluttering

4:29: Step One - Where to Start for Decluttering Success

07:23: Step Two - 15 Minute Pulse Check

08:51: The Sorting Categories to Get You Moving Quickly

15:41: The Mindset Shift that Flips Decluttering

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you feel like you're constantly managing your home instead of enjoying it? Like no matter how much you declutter, the chaos just keeps coming back?

In this solo episode, Deanna breaks down why routines are the missing piece and how building the right ones can completely change the way your home feels.

Resources mentioned:

• Effortless Home Course ($27): comment HOME on any Instagram post at @WannabeClutterFree and Deanna will send the link straight to your DMs, or grab it in the show notes
• Finish by Jon Acuff
• Join the email list to be the first to hear about something exciting coming soon

Links: Effortless Home Course Join the Email List Instagram @WannabeClutterFree

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why decluttering without routines is like mopping the floor with dirty water
• The real reason your mental energy is gone by 4pm (hint: it's not laziness)
• Why most routines fail on day two and what Jon Acuff calls "the day after perfect"
• The STICK framework: five steps to building routines that actually last
• Why fewer things in your home makes your routines easier to stick to

If this episode resonated with you, share it with one person who needs to hear it.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you have two minutes, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts makes a real difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 — Introduction 02:15 — Why decluttering without routines doesn't work 05:00 — Decision fatigue and why your brain is exhausted by 4pm 09:30 — Jon Acuff's "the day after perfect" and why day two is the danger zone 13:00 — The STICK framework: five steps to routines that last 20:00 — Why decluttering and routines work together 22:30 — Effortless Home + how to get the link 24:00 — Something exciting is coming soon

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professional organizers and sisters Meg DeLong and Ea Fuqua share practical, sustainable strategies for organizing your home based on function and intention rather than perfection. Discover how to create spaces that support your lifestyle and embrace real-life solutions without pressure.

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⁠⁠⁠RESOURCES⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/302
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tidy Up Book on Amazon⁠
• ⁠IKEA Storage ⁠⁠Solutions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Meg & Ea:

• The Tidy Home Nashville
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• TikTok

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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What does it actually look like when a professional organizer walks through your front door for the first time?

Spoiler: it probably doesn't look like what you're imagining — and it definitely doesn't require a Pinterest-perfect pantry.

Meg DeLong and Ea Fuqua are sisters and the founders of The Tidy Home Nashville. In nearly seven years of professional organizing, they've seen it all. And their message?

Refreshingly real. Function first. Perfection never. And for the love of all things tidy, stop organizing your fridge.

They also just released their first book, Tidying Up, and today they're breaking it all down for us.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What actually happens during a first consultation (everyone hides stuff in closets, yes, everyone)
• Why organization has to fit how you actually live, not how you think you should live
• The fridge organizing myth and why they're unapologetically anti-fridge
• How to create systems that grow and shift with your family over time
• Why the junk drawer is the best place to start (every. single. time.)
• What Tidying Up is really for (hint: it's not for people who already have it together)
• How to get your whole household on board without becoming the organization police
• Their evolution from perfection → function → intentionality, and what that means for your home

Time Stamps:

00:00 - Meet Meg & Ea: sisters, professional organizers, and the story behind The Tidy Home Nashville

01:33 - What a first consultation actually looks like (and why you don't need to pre-clean)

09:20 - Function over pretty: building systems that fit how you actually live

22:30 - Why big decluttering sessions backfire — and what to do instead

32:07 - Their new book Tidying Up: room-by-room, no perfection required

44:30 - The anti-fridge stance + intentional living as an organizing philosophy

55:55 - Getting the whole family on board + where to find Meg & Ea

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feeling burned out and stretched too thin? Former attorney turned burnout expert Michelle Niemeyer shares her "bending time" framework to help you find clarity, fill your energy reserves, and get more done in less time without losing yourself in the process.

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⁠⁠RESOURCES⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/301⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Michelle Niemeyer:

• ⁠⁠Michelle's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Free clarity meditation: text CLARITY to 33777

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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What if the reason you can't get it all done isn't a time problem but an energy problem?

Michelle Niemeyer is a speaker, consultant, and former attorney who burned out after 20+ years in law. That burnout led to an autoimmune diagnosis and became the wake-up call that changed everything.

She shares The Art of Bending Time, a framework that helps you expand what you can accomplish by getting clear on what matters, cutting the junk, and filling your energy reserves. The conversation also explores burnout warning signs, why women struggle with guilt around self-care, and how families can function as a team.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The burnout sign Michelle ignored for years that eventually made her body shut down
• How one dad doubled his sales in a single week by changing just one thing about his morning
• The simple clarity exercise that reveals what actually fills your cup (most people have never done this)
• Why the phrase "work-life balance" might be the very thing keeping you stuck and overwhelmed
• What 80 unused boats on a Miami dock taught Michelle about the clutter we're killing ourselves to maintain

Time Stamps: 0:00 Introduction 1:20 Who is Michelle Niemeyer and what she does 2:16 What is "bending time" and how it works 3:54 The 80/20 rule and why we waste time on busy work 5:51 Flow state and why physical health matters for productivity 7:11 Why "work-life balance" can actually be destructive 9:25 Signs of burnout: Michelle's personal story 13:56 The clarity exercise: finding what lights you up 17:47 How to weave your "sparks" into daily life 21:06 The power of small moments of connection 26:31 Why women feel guilty taking time for themselves 27:30 Treating your family like a team 33:51 Burnout to autoimmune disease: Michelle's health wake-up call 38:45 Bending time revisited: cutting junk, expanding capacity 41:38 Stop chasing a lifestyle that doesn't light you up 43:29 The boat dock story: things we own but never use

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Your clutter isn't a personal failing. It's the intended result of a system that profits from your overwhelm. Episode 300 is about opting out -- and taking back your power.

Resources Mentioned:

• No New Things by Ashlee Piper
• "Sit Still Look Pretty" by Daya
• Wannabe Clutter Free on Instagram (30-day declutter series)
• ⁠⁠Deanna's Best Decluttering Resources⁠⁠

Three hundred episodes. When I started this show, I thought decluttering was about getting rid of stuff. And it is. But it's not only that.

The more I've done this work, the more I've realized the stuff was never really the problem. The problem is what keeps creating the stuff. For episode 300, I finally go there.

Your clutter is not an accident. It is not a personal failing. It is, in significant part, the intended result of a trillion-dollar industry that profits from your overwhelm, your insecurity, and your desire to feel better right now.

Desire is manufactured. Algorithms aren't showing you what you love -- they're showing you what you're most likely to buy. The "treat yourself" culture is a sales strategy. And the chaos that keeps you too exhausted to pay attention? Worth money to the people selling it.

But here's where it gets good: once you see it, you can't unsee it. And that's where your power starts.

Buying less is not deprivation. It's defection. Every time you walk past a sale and keep walking, you are opting out of a system that is counting on you not to. Every purchase is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in.

In this episode I cover:

• Why clutter keeps coming back no matter how often you declutter
• How desire gets manufactured (and the Stanley cup is a perfect example)
• The $44 billion self-storage industry and what it says about all of us
• Why voting with your dollars is one of the most direct forms of civic participation
• The mental clutter side: what short-form content is doing to your sense of enough
• 5 low-lift ways to start opting out this week

If this episode resonated with you, share it with one person who needs to hear it. Text it to a friend who's been drowning in stuff and can't figure out why. The message that clutter is not your fault (and that you have more power than you think) deserves to reach more people. You're how it gets there.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you have two minutes, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts makes a real difference. Thank you for 300 episodes.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 -- Welcome + 300 episodes milestone

2:38 -- The story that changed how I see everything (the Amazon tab moment)

5:46 -- How desire is manufactured (ads, algorithms, "treat yourself" culture)

9:36 -- Why your overwhelm is worth money to someone

11:27 -- No New Things by Ashlee Piper + the reframe

12:42 -- Not buying is not deprivation. It's voting with your dollars

16:10 -- Feeling smaller and disconnected -- and what's still in your control

18:36 -- Mental clutter: what short-form content is doing to your sense of enough

19:57 -- The highlight reel fallacy

22:17 -- 5 practical experiments to start opting out

26:24 -- The hole in the boat: why decluttering without stopping the inflow never works

27:30 -- 300 episodes: what I actually believe

28:37 -- My one ask for episode 300

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you get dinner on the table every night without losing your mind? Melissa Griffiths shares her monthly meal planning system, how to get kids helping in the kitchen, and how to lighten the mental load around food.

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⁠RESOURCES⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/299⁠
• Pro tip from Melissa: Add "-AI" to your recipe searches to filter out AI-generated recipes!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Melissa Griffiths:

• ⁠Melissa's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

What if meal planning didn't have to feel like another thing on your endless to-do list?

Melissa Griffiths is the founder of Bless This Mess, a food blog she has been growing for over 13 years to help busy moms put simple, nourishing meals on the table. As a mom of five who recently moved her family from Utah to Vermont, Melissa knows what it takes to feed a family through every season of chaos.

In this conversation, Melissa shares her monthly meal planning system, including the master list method and how theme nights can take the decision fatigue out of dinner. We dive into getting kids involved in the kitchen and her "launch list" concept for life skills she wants her kids to have before they leave home.

Then the conversation takes an unexpected turn. Melissa opens up about her family's cross-country move after losing a family business, what it was like to downsize by two-thirds, and how to ask your partner for real help with the mental load.

Whether you are drowning in dinnertime decisions or just want a simpler approach to feeding your family, this episode will leave you with practical strategies and a fresh perspective.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The master list method for monthly meal planning
• How to get kids involved without it becoming a chore for mom
• How to handle picky eaters without shame or food battles
• Why smaller spaces can actually simplify your life
• How to ask for help and share the mental load

Time Stamps:

0:00 Introduction 1:54 Meet Melissa Griffiths 6:23 The monthly meal planning system and master list method 9:12 Theme nights and delegating meal choices to kids 15:49 Getting kids involved in the kitchen without the guilt 20:03 The "launch list" of life skills for kids 23:43 Moving from Utah to Vermont after heartbreak 26:12 Downsizing by two-thirds and why smaller is simpler 35:35 The mental load and sharing invisible labor 42:25 Handling picky eaters with grace

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After losing both in-laws within months of each other, life coach Amy Slenker-Smith shares what she learned helping them downsize and the conversations she wishes more families would start sooner.

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RESOURCES

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/298⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Amy Slenker-Smith:

• Amy's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

Are you dreading the day you'll have to clear out your parents' home while grieving? In this powerful episode, Amy Slenker-Smith shares her deeply personal experience of losing both in-laws within two and a half months of each other, and what she learned helping them downsize years before.

Amy walked her in-laws through a massive transition: from 3,400 square feet to a 1,200 square foot apartment. Because of that work, clearing their belongings after they passed took just 3-4 days instead of months. She's sharing exactly how you can give that same gift to YOUR family.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why proper downsizing takes 1-2 years (and what to do if you're already in crisis mode)
• The first thing to abandon when your timeline is short (hint: it's selling)
• How the "category by category" method makes decisions easier
• Why the things your family wants are NOT what you'd expect
• How to start conversations even when parents won't talk about "someday"
• The phrase "I'll let my kids deal with it" and why it's so devastating

Whether you're in the sandwich generation juggling kids and aging parents, starting to think about your own legacy, or already facing a home cleanout, this conversation offers both practical strategies and emotional permission to begin.

Amy's reminder that "more is caught than taught" offers a hopeful path: even if your parents won't budge, you can still lead by example in your own home.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro 1:36 Amy's background 6:05 Losing both in-laws within months 10:47 Why hospice is a gift 14:07 The first downsize: 3,400 to 1,200 sq ft 22:43 Why you need more time than you think 26:36 Tips for tight timelines 29:58 Category by category (17 side tables!) 35:53 What your family actually wants 43:30 "I don't want to do this to my kids" 57:05 How to start the conversation 1:00:35 Rapid fire questions

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Your teen's bathroom doesn't need 20 products. Double board certified dermatologist and mom of three Dr. Angela Casey breaks down the only steps tweens and teens actually need, the ingredients to avoid, and why simplifying skincare is one of the best habits you can give your kids.

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RESOURCES

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/297⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• Episode 292 with Tracy McCubbin - https://wannabeclutterfree.com/292

Connect with Dr. Angela Casey:

• Dr. Angela's Website⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

What if the secret to a clutter-free bathroom and healthier skin for your teen came down to doing less, not more?

Deanna Yates sits down with Dr. Angela Casey, a double board certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon, and mom of three teen and tween daughters, to talk about why skincare is healthcare and how families can simplify their routines for better results. Dr. Casey is also the founder of Bright Girl, a dermatologist-created skincare line designed specifically for young skin.

Whether you're a mom trying to guide your teen through the overwhelming world of skincare or looking to simplify your own routine, this conversation will help you cut through the noise and focus on what actually works. Plus, Deanna shares a personal connection to skin cancer prevention that makes this episode hit close to home.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• the truth behind the Sephora kids trend
• the only steps tweens actually need morning and night
• the popular ingredients (like retinols and exfoliating scrubs) that can actually harm developing skin
• how to tackle bathroom clutter
• some shocking statistics about skin cancer and prevention

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction
2:09 Meet Dr. Angela Casey
4:35 The Sephora kids trend: good or bad?
7:17 The bare basics every tween needs morning and night
8:30 Ingredients tweens and teens should avoid
10:45 What "clean beauty" actually means (hint: nothing official) 16:56 Decluttering the bathroom through simpler routines
18:26 Why too many products can make skin worse
20:29 The three-month rule for testing skincare
25:32 How to know if your products work well together
28:36 Makeup advice for tweens and teens
35:32 Habit stacking your sunscreen
36:14 Skin cancer statistics every parent needs to hear
43:48 How to respond when your teen brings home a trending product
50:19 Where to find Dr. Angela and Bright Girl

****************

Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does minimalism actually look like for a busy family in a small home? Bestselling author Shira Gill shares her 15-minute win strategy, the simple question she asks before buying anything, and how to stop clutter from creeping back in.

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RESOURCES

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/296⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Shira's Books: LifeStyled, Organized Living, and Minimalista
• The #30Wears Movement by Livia Firth
• No New Things by Ashlee Piper - https://www.ashleepiper.com/

Connect with Shira Gill:

• ⁠⁠Shira's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠Instagram⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

What if the key to a clutter-free home isn't following someone else's formula, but creating one that fits your real life? Shira Gill is the bestselling author of Minimalista, Organized Living, and LifeStyled, and has spent 15+ years helping families declutter and simplify. Her work has been featured by Good Morning America, Oprah Daily, Architectural Digest, and The New York Times. Together we dig into what minimalism looks like in a busy household (Shira raises two teens in a 1,200-square-foot bungalow with almost no storage). We explore why everything you bring through the front door becomes your responsibility, why organizing systems should be simple enough for a five-year-old, and her 15-minute win strategy for anyone too overwhelmed to start. Shira also shares how she handles sentimental items, the shoebox test, and why her experience with billionaires confirms that stuff never delivers the happiness we expect. Plus, a fourth book announcement!

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why minimalism is not about restriction and how to customize it for your season of life
• The one question Shira asks before buying anything new
• Why your organizing systems keep failing and how the five-year-old test can fix that
• How seasonal maintenance moments and a Sunday basket ritual keep clutter from creeping back
• Shira's shoebox test for sentimental items and why keeping less makes what you keep more valuable

Timestamps:

(01:26) Meet Shira Gill: from in-home organizer to bestselling author (plus a fourth book announcement!)

(03:20) How writing three books on minimalism changed Shira's own relationship with stuff

(06:37) Adapting minimalism for real life with kids, work, and full calendars

(10:40) Why everything you bring through the front door becomes your responsibility

(13:39) Navigating guilt, waste, and the "fewer, better" approach

(20:08) The #30Wears movement and breaking disposable culture

(21:11) The biggest misconception about what "organized" really means

(27:31) Shira's daily uniform: white shirt, jeans, and the power of decision-free mornings

(30:45) The 15-minute win: a game-changing strategy for anyone who feels too overwhelmed to start

(35:31) Why clutter keeps creeping back and seasonal maintenance moments that prevent it

(40:48) The emotional side of letting go: guilt, sentimental items, and inherited collections

(44:13) The shoebox test and keeping one token from a collection

(45:53) Minimalism, privilege, and what working with billionaires taught Shira about "enough"

(51:20) Where to find Shira and her books

****************

Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why does clutter keep coming back no matter what you try? Author Katy Wells shares her holistic approach to decluttering that tackles the root cause, not just the stuff, so you can finally feel at peace in your home.

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RESOURCES

• Katy's Book - Making Home Your Happy Place: A Real Life Guide to Decluttering Without the Overwhelm (available wherever books are sold)
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/295⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Katy Wells:

• ⁠Katy's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Instagram

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

What if the reason clutter keeps coming back has nothing to do with your organizing systems and everything to do with what's going on beneath the surface?

In this episode, host Deanna Yates welcomes Katy Wells, author of Making Home Your Happy Place and host of the Maximized Minimalist podcast. Katy shares how she developed her holistic decluttering method after years of trying every hack, bin system, and organizing strategy only to watch her home fall apart two days later. Drawing from her background in holistic wellness, she realized that lasting change required looking at not just the stuff, but the beliefs, emotions, and stories behind it.

Together, Deanna and Katy dig into why clutter sometimes serves as a coping mechanism that protects us from feeling harder emotions, the crucial difference between expected mess and actual clutter, and how to release the shame that comes from comparing your home to magazine perfection. They also explore the four main types of clutter (superficial, sentimental, scarcity, and identity), how generational patterns and cultural messaging quietly shape what we keep, and the ART framework for working through sentimental items without regret.

Plus, Katy shares practical strategies for getting your partner on board without nagging, helping kids build decluttering as a life skill, and understanding how dopamine actually works when it comes to shopping habits. This is a conversation that will change how you think about your stuff and the space you call home.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why clutter keeps coming back and how it can secretly be a coping mechanism
• The difference between expected mess and clutter, and how to release shame around both
• The four types of clutter and where to start decluttering
• How to get your partner on board without nagging using one simple change
• What dopamine actually does when you shop and how to break the cycle

Time Stamps:

(00:00) Introduction and guest intro

(02:41) Katy's background and holistic decluttering origin story

(07:34) When clutter becomes a coping mechanism

(10:29) Expected mess vs. clutter: releasing the shame

(14:14) The "shoulds" around decluttering and setting your own benchmarks

(19:14) The four main clutter types and where to start

(24:29) Your "stuff story": how family history and culture shape what you keep

(29:17) The ART framework for sentimental items

(37:56) Onboarding your partner without nagging

(45:51) Helping kids declutter toys and build life skills

(50:45) Dopamine and shopping: the motivation molecule

(57:00) Social media, comparison, and anchoring to your core values

(1:00:14) Where to find Katy and her book

****************

Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What can a year of decluttering a hoarder house teach us about letting go? Author Eileen Stukane shares her journey from horror to healing, plus practical tips for helping loved ones and releasing your own grip on stuff.

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RESOURCES

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/294⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Eileen Stukane:

• Eileen's Website⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

What would you do if you inherited a home from a family member, a home you'd visited many times and remembered as warm and elegant, only to open the door and find it had become a floor-to-ceiling hoarder house?

In this episode, host Deanna Yates talks with author and journalist Eileen Stukane about her memoir, The House That Held Everything. When Eileen and her sister inherited their cousin's childhood home after his death, they were shocked to discover rooms so packed with stuff they could barely get through the front door.

What followed was a year-long journey of clearing out the house and uncovering family secrets that had been buried for decades.

With an estimated 19 million Americans affected by hoarding, this episode offers hope, understanding, and practical wisdom for anyone who knows someone struggling with this issue or recognizes tendencies in themselves.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How possessions become "mini autobiographies" that reveal sides of people you never knew
• The difference between collecting and hoarding, and warning signs to watch for
• A powerful tip for letting go: create a photo album "museum" of items you can't keep
• How to help a loved one who hoards using trust-building and the harm reduction approach
• Why checking in on people matters, even when they say "don't come over"

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction & Welcome

01:52 Meet Eileen Stukane: From Magazine Editor to Memoir Author

04:18 Inheriting the House: The Shocking Discovery

06:20 From Repulsion to Compassion: Why Eileen Wrote the Book

09:15 Possessions as Mini Autobiographies

14:08 Uncovering Family Secrets

18:15 Discovery via Ancestry.com and the Year-Long Cleanout

23:17 The Photo Museum Tip: Taking Pictures Before Letting Go

24:55 Sorting Categories: Keep, Throw Out, Auction, Donate, Not Sure

29:57 Understanding Why: The Psychology of Hoarding

34:11 Helping a Loved One: Building Trust First

41:00 How the Experience Changed Eileen's Relationship with Stuff

43:44 Rapid Fire Questions

47:09 Closing Thoughts: 19 Million Americans Affected

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Decluttering gets easier when you release fear, obligation, and guilt. Ashley Hines shares a holistic approach to organizing that builds self-trust and helps you create a clutter-free home with intention.

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RESOURCES

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/293⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Ashley Hines:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠Ashley's Website⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Fear. Obligation. Guilt.

If decluttering feels emotionally heavy (even when you want a clutter-free home) you’re not doing it wrong. You’re just stuck in F.O.G.

In this episode, I’m joined by Ashley Hines, founder of Thee Tailored Life, to talk about the emotional side of decluttering and why letting go can feel so complicated.

Ashley introduces her F.O.G. framework (fear, obligation, and guilt) and explains how it quietly shapes our homes, our decisions, and even our sense of identity. We talk about why “should” is such a powerful clutter trigger, why identity-based items are the hardest to release, and what actually changes when you begin trusting yourself again.

This conversation is gentle, validating, and deeply grounding, especially if you’ve ever felt bad for wanting less.

We cover:

• How fear, obligation, and guilt show up in our homes
• Why decluttering isn’t just physical—it’s emotional
• The hidden pressure behind “should-keep” items
• Why identity-based clutter feels impossible to release
• How self-trust makes decluttering easier over time
• A gentle first step if you feel completely stuck
• What it looks like to live clutter-free without perfection

If you’re craving a calmer home and more confidence in your decisions, this episode will meet you right where you are.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Welcome + why decluttering feels emotional 02:00 What holistic organizing really means 04:30 Introducing F.O.G.: fear, obligation, and guilt 08:10 Where F.O.G. shows up most in homes 12:45 The problem with “should” 17:30 Identity-based clutter and emotional weight 22:15 Self-trust and decision-making 27:40 A gentle first step for overwhelmed listeners 33:10 Community, sharing, and living with intention 38:30 What freedom actually looks like in a clutter-free home

****************

Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Clutter isn’t a personal failure. Decluttering expert Tracy McCubbin shares a compassionate, clutter-free approach to emotional clutter, realistic systems, and organizing for real life, not perfection.

****************

RESOURCES

Tracy’s Books:

• Making Space, Clutter Free
• Making Space for Happiness

Melanie Summers

Tracy’s chat with Nick Fox

Deanna’s Bundle of Her Best Decluttering Resources

Connect with Tracy McCubbin:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Tracy's Website⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

Clutter has a way of feeling personal. But according to Tracy McCubbin, it rarely is.

In this honest and grounding conversation, Tracy and Deanna talk about why clutter forms, why it sticks, and how emotional patterns like perfectionism, guilt, and generational habits quietly shape our homes.

You will hear why buying more bins does not solve clutter, how to move away from Pinterest perfect organizing, and how to create practical systems that support real life. Tracy shares what it actually looks like to declutter with kindness instead of pressure and why starting small matters more than doing it all at once.

This episode is for busy women who want a clutter free home without shame, extremes, or unrealistic expectations. It is especially helpful if you have ever felt like your home should be easier to manage or wondered why organizing advice does not seem to stick.

Tracy also shares insights from her books Making Space, Clutter Free and Make Space for Happiness, along with what she is seeing most right now after nearly 20 years as a professional declutterer.

If clutter has been weighing on you, this conversation offers a deep breath, a mindset shift, and a realistic path toward intentional living and a clutter free home.

We cover:

• Why clutter is not a character flaw
• How emotional and generational patterns influence what we keep
• Why perfectionism makes organizing harder, not easier
• What “good enough” systems look like for real homes
• How to start small and build momentum
• When asking for help is the smartest next step

Time Stamps:

00:00 Welcome + why clutter feels personal 03:10 Emotional attachment and why letting go is hard 06:30 Why clutter is not a personal failure 10:05 How childhood and generational habits shape clutter 13:20 The emotional “blocks” behind clutter 16:45 Why bins don’t fix the problem 25:30 Decluttering without pressure or shame 34:10 Creating judgment-free systems that last 38:40 Delegating, asking for help, and support systems 45:30 Common decluttering myths debunked 50:10 Final thoughts on clutter-free living

****************

Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Getting back into routine after a break can feel overwhelming. This episode shares a gentle, clutter-free re-entry plan with simple, practical steps to reduce stress, rebuild momentum, and ease back into daily life.

Resources Mentioned:

⁠Deanna's Best Decluttering Resources⁠

⁠Wannabe Clutter Free on Instagram⁠

Getting back into real life after a holiday or time off can feel surprisingly hard—especially when clutter, routines, and expectations all come crashing back at once.

If you’ve ever thought, “Why does this feel so much harder than it should?”—this episode is for you.

Today’s conversation is all about a gentle re-entry to your normal life after a long holiday break.

Not snapping back into routine. Not fixing everything at once.

Just easing back into daily life in a way that actually feels supportive.

You’ll learn how to:

• Reduce overwhelm before chasing motivation
• Create quick relief by clearing physical and mental clutter
• Rebuild routines without pressure or perfection
• Use small, visible wins to regain confidence
• Avoid the common traps that make re-entry harder than it needs to be

This is a realistic, clutter-free approach designed for high-achieving, modern moms who want their homes (and lives) to feel calmer, lighter, and more manageable again.

If you’re craving a smoother transition back to normal life, this episode will help you do it with grace instead of grit.

Timestamps:

00:00: Why re-entry after a break feels harder than expected

03:25: The re-entry reality check and letting go of pressure

10:21: The re-entry rule: clear friction before motivation

14:06: Five simple moves to reduce overwhelm fast

26:09: Why visible wins matter more than big progress

33:10: Reclaiming your personal reset point

37:14: What not to do when easing back into routine

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps me create more content to inspire and motivate you to live with less.

Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Reading 100 books this year reshaped how I approach decluttering, burnout, and intentional living. These five standouts changed my energy, mindset, and home, without adding clutter.

Resources Mentioned:

Wannabe Clutter Free on Instagram

Reading used to feel impossible for me, until this year.

In 2025, I read (and listened to) nearly 100 books, and along the way something surprising happened. My mindset around decluttering, burnout, productivity, and intentional living began to shift in ways I didn’t expect.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

• The decluttering and life books that shaped my year
• The five standouts that genuinely changed how I live and coach
• Why organizing alone isn’t enough when burnout is involved
• How I read 100 books without adding physical clutter to my home
• Practical tips for letting go of books without guilt

My 5 Standout Reads of 2025

Burnout by Emily Nagoski PhD& Amelia Nagoski DMA

Why you can’t organize your way out of burnout and how completing the stress cycle changed everything for me.

The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon

A simple (yes, slightly cheesy) story with a powerful reminder: your energy affects everything - your home included.

I Didn’t Do the Thing Today by Madeline Dore

A refreshing take on ambition, rest, and worth, without hustle culture or guilt.

How to Keep House While Drowning by K.C. Davis

A shame-free approach to care tasks that gave me permission to stop tying my worth to a clean house.

No New Things by Ashlee Piper

A powerful reframe on consumption, shopping habits, and stopping clutter at the source.

How I Read 100 Books Without Adding Clutter

I listened to all of these books using Libby, a free app connected to my local library. Audiobooks allowed me to “read” while cleaning, driving, or folding laundry and I never had to bring more stuff into my home.

What book has changed how you think about your home or life?

Send me your recommendations because I’m already building my 2026 reading list.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Why I chose books instead of goal-setting to close out 2025

2:15 – How I read nearly 100 books (and why that surprised me most)

4:30 – The types of books that shaped my decluttering mindset this year

7:45 – Burnout and why you can’t organize your way out of stress

11:40 – The Energy Bus and protecting your energy at home

14:50 – I Didn’t Do the Thing Today and releasing productivity guilt

18:10 – How to Keep House While Drowning and shame-free decluttering

22:30 – No New Things and stopping clutter before it starts

26:00 – How Libby helped me read more without adding physical clutter

30:45 – Decluttering books without guilt + my favorite question to ask

33:15 – Final reflections and building a meaningful 2026 reading list

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps me create more content to inspire and motivate you to live with less.

Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Holiday clutter doesn’t mean you’re behind. This calming episode offers permission to rest, a gentle after-Christmas reset, and a supportive path toward decluttering and intentional living in the new year. 

📌 Resources Mentioned:

Episode 288

The days after Christmas can feel louder than we expect. More stuff. More mess. Less energy.

In this calming, guilt-free episode, Deanna offers reassurance for overwhelmed homes and hearts. You’ll hear why the post-holiday mess is normal, why nothing needs to be fixed today, and how to give yourself permission to rest without falling behind.

Deanna shares a personal story about gift guilt, the pressure to create a “perfect” Christmas, and how more stuff often pulls us away from the connection we’re really craving.

You’ll also learn:

• Why temporary mess does not require permanent solutions

• What not to declutter during the holidays

• A low-lift reset for when motivation shows up

• How to quiet your nervous system instead of forcing productivity

• A gentle path forward for decluttering in the new year

And when you’re ready, Deanna invites you to join her January decluttering challenge, where you’ll get a flexible plan, weekly live support, and accountability that feels kind.

You’re not behind. The mess is temporary. And you don’t have to do this alone.

Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/wannabeclutterfree/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Loved this episode? Share it with a friend or leave a review.

Timestamps:

00:00 – A calm reminder for overwhelmed homes

02:45 – Why the holidays feel loud and heavy

05:15 – Gift guilt and the myth of “more is better”

07:30 – The moment that changed how Deanna sees Christmas

10:05 – The holiday emergency reset: what not to do

12:30 – Why rest matters more than organizing right now

14:55 – A low-lift option if motivation shows up

17:10 – The mess is temporary and you didn’t fail

19:15 – A gentle invitation to the January decluttering challenge

23:05 – Coming back to presence, connection, and breath

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps me create more content to inspire and motivate you to live with less.

Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I decluttered 500 items in four days!

Decluttering doesn’t always look like overflowing junk drawers or packed closets. Sometimes it looks like a home that feels “fine”…but still holds more than you need.

📌 Resources Mentioned:

Get the Declutter 500 Items Challenge course for just $1!

In this episode, Deanna shares a personal experiment that completely surprised her. Using a flipped version of a traditional decluttering challenge, she removed 500 items from her home in just four days without creating mess, stress, or burnout.

You’ll hear why starting big worked better than starting small, how gamifying decluttering changed everything, and why flexibility matters more than perfection when you’re letting things go.

Deanna also walks through exactly where those 500 items came from, what was harder to declutter than expected, and how donating with intention made the process even more meaningful.

If you’ve been craving a clutter-free home that feels lighter, calmer, and easier to maintain, this episode will show you what’s possible, even if you already think you’ve “done the work.”

What you’ll learn:

• Why traditional decluttering challenges don’t work for everyone
• Where clutter hides, even in organized homes
• A flexible way to count items without getting stuck
• How to declutter without making a bigger mess
• What to do with items once they leave your home
• Why letting go of “perfectly good” things can feel hard
• How decluttering supports intentional living in this season of life

Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/wannabeclutterfree/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Loved this episode? Share it with a friend or leave a review.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to the Decluttering Challenge

06:05 Why traditional decluttering challenges didn’t work for me

11:59 Day-by-Day Decluttering Process

17:48 How I counted items without stress or rules

23:54 What I did with the decluttered items

30:07 What surprised me most about the process

35:56 Why I’m doing this challenge again

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps me create more content to inspire and motivate you to live with less.

Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discover how your personal energy shapes the clutter in your home and learn simple, powerful mindset shifts to create a more clutter-free, aligned, and intentional life.

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Resources

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/287⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Jena Lorén

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jena's Website⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

Your personal energy is woven into every corner of your home, and today’s conversation with Consciousness Architect Jena Lorén will change the way you see your space forever.

We explore why clutter often has nothing to do with laziness or lack of willpower and everything to do with unseen emotional patterns, old identities, and ego tricks that quietly shape your habits. Jena shares her powerful 3-second mindset reset, her story of purging 80 percent of her belongings, and how to identify the ego archetypes (rebel, realist, illusionist, martyr) that show up in your clutter patterns.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, ashamed, or frustrated by the state of your home, this episode gives you a compassionate and practical path forward. You’ll learn how circulation, alignment, and awareness can transform your space into one that supports your highest self.

We cover:

• Why clutter often reflects emotional attachments, not messy habits
• How your personal energy shows up in your space (and how to shift it)
• What “circulation” really means and why it builds abundance
• The surprising root of procrastination around decluttering
• How the four ego archetypes affect your home and habits
• A simple 3-second mindset shift you can use today
• How to let go of items that no longer align with your future self
• Why awareness without integration keeps us stuck
• How to create a home that feels supportive, calm, and aligned

Time Stamps:

00:00 – The energetic link between your home and your inner world 03:07 – How personal energy imprints itself on your space 07:04 – Purging 80% of your belongings and choosing a new identity 12:43 – “What if I need this?” and the scarcity trap 15:20 – Circulation: the hidden key to abundance 18:24 – Why receiving feels unsafe for so many women 23:38 – The true root of procrastination around clutter 31:42 – The four ego archetypes and how they shape your home 42:03 – How ego shows up when you try to declutter 51:56 – The simple 3-second shift to reconnect with your future self

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Want a calmer, cleaner, clutter-free holiday season?

This episode walks you through how to simplify Christmas in a way that feels peaceful, joyful, and actually doable for busy families.

Deanna shares how her family is decorating more slowly this year, how she’s focusing on cozy moments over perfection, and the simple choices that help keep December from spiraling into chaos.

What you’ll learn

• How to gear up for the holidays without overwhelm
• How to have clutter-free gift conversations with family (without guilt or drama)
• Clutter-free gift ideas that still feel special
• The “four-gift practice” that simplifies kids’ gifts instantly
• What to do when guilt pushes you to buy more than you should
• Why “more stuff” often leads to overstimulation and less joy for kids
• How to prepare your home now for a peaceful Christmas morning
• The Santa Bag Trick (a magical way to declutter with younger kids!)

Whether your holidays feel too busy, too full, or just too much, this episode will help you create more intention, more breathing room, and more meaning this season.

📌 Resources Mentioned:

⁠Deanna's 19 Best Decluttering Courses for $19⁠

⁠Full show notes:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wannabeclutterfree.com/286

Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/wannabeclutterfree/⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Join the Wannabe Minimalist Community on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/wannabeminimalist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Loved this episode? Share it with a friend or leave a review.

Timestamps:

00:00: Decorating slowly this year + why it feels right

02:15: Letting go of traditions that no longer serve you

04:25: Planning holiday activities earlier for less overwhelm

06:00: What to expect in this clutter-free holiday episode

07:10: The emotional clutter of December and how to release it

09:00: How to talk to family about clutter-free gifts

13:50: The four-gift practice for kids (want, need, wear, read)

15:00: Clutter-free gift ideas that still feel special

20:00: Guilt around giving less + Deanna’s personal story

26:10: Pre-holiday decluttering and prepping for Christmas morning

29:40: The Santa Bag Trick for younger kids

31:00: Weekly challenge: pick one clutter-free shift for this season

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps me create more content to inspire and motivate you to live with less.

Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feeling overwhelmed by decluttering? Gratitude can change everything.

Learn how a gratitude-based mindset helps you let go without guilt, stay present, and create a more intentional, clutter-free home, even during the busy holiday season. Hear one powerful client story, plus three simple gratitude practices you can start using today.

You’ll learn:

• how gratitude supports a growth mindset
• why it helps you separate memories from objects
• how gratitude shifts the energy in your home toward calm and clarity
• how focusing on gratitude for what you keep can transform the entire decluttering experience
• three simple gratitude practices you can start using today

📌 Resources Mentioned:

Deanna's 19 Best Decluttering Courses for $19

Full show notes:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠wannabeclutterfree.com/285⁠⁠

Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/wannabeclutterfree/⁠⁠⁠
• Join the Wannabe Minimalist Community on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/wannabeminimalist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Loved this episode? Share it with a friend or leave a review.

Timestamps:

00:00 Navigating a full season and why gratitude matters right now

01:00 How gratitude creates a growth mindset for decluttering

02:30 Seeing what works in your home instead of what’s missing

04:00 Making kinder decisions and letting go without guilt

06:00 Gratitude as a tool for releasing old seasons and stories

08:00 A client transformation: shifting from guilt to gratitude

11:30 How gratitude shifts your energy, your mood, and your home

14:30 Three simple gratitude practices to make decluttering easier

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps me create more content to inspire and motivate you to live with less.

Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to approach aging parents about decluttering, navigate sibling emotions, and prepare for estate sales with compassion, clarity, and less clutter this holiday season.

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Resources Mentioned:⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/284⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Jeannine Bryant

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Jeannine's Website⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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The holidays often bring family, memories… and stuff. If you’ve ever looked around your parents’ house and thought, “Someday we’ll have to deal with all of this,” this conversation is for you.

In this heartfelt episode, rightsizing expert Jeannine Bryant joins me to talk about how to compassionately approach decluttering with aging loved ones.

We cover:

• How to start tender conversations without conflict
• What to do when siblings have stronger emotional attachments
• The truth about estate sales and what to expect
• How to start early, so decluttering feels peaceful instead of pressured
• The questions to ask around the Thanksgiving table to spark connection, not guilt

Whether you’re helping your parents downsize, sorting through family heirlooms, or simply preparing for future transitions, this episode will help you navigate it all with grace.

Time Stamps:

00:00 – Welcome & Thanksgiving week reflections 02:00 – What “rightsizing” really means (and why it’s different from downsizing) 05:00 – The emotional side of letting go and facing mortality 08:00 – When keepsakes shift from comfort to burden 10:00 – Separating love, memories, and stuff 13:00 – Why your kids don’t want your stuff (and that’s okay) 16:00 – How to talk with siblings who attach emotions to things 18:00 – What to keep, what to display, and what to release 23:00 – Family conversations to have during the holidays 27:00 – How estate sales actually work (and what to expect) 33:00 – The hidden cost of “saving everything” 36:00 – Practical right-sizing tips to start now 39:00 – Donate early, not later — why it matters 41:00 – Clutter-free gifting and experience-based holidays 42:00 – Rapid fire: What clutter-free means to Jeannine 44:00 – Key takeaways + gratitude for our loved ones

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discover how decluttering and organizing your closet can ease stress and restore balance. Shaniece Jones shares how “closet therapy” helps you create peace, clarity, and a clutter-free mind.

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Resources Mentioned:⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/283⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Shaniece Jones

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Shaniece's Website⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Closet Therapy Podcast⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

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• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

What if your closet could tell the story of your inner world?

Professional organizer and “Closet Therapist” Shaniece Jones joins Deanna to reveal how decluttering your space can become a powerful tool for emotional healing and intentional living.

From grief and burnout to clarity and calm, Shaniece shares her journey from biologist to organizer, showing how our closets mirror our mental health and how small changes can create massive shifts in how we feel.

You’ll learn how to turn your closet into a peaceful retreat. Don’t worry. Luxury labels or walk-in wardrobes are not required.

We Cover:

• How decluttering can move you from burnout to balance
• Why your closet reflects your emotional and mental state
• Practical steps to create a calm, organized space you love
• How mindset shifts make letting go easier
• What redefining “luxury” really means for intentional living

Time Stamps:

00:00 – Welcome & Preview 02:44 – Shaniece’s Journey: From Biologist to Closet Therapist 04:59 – Grief, Loss & Finding Clarity Through Decluttering 10:07 – Turning Your Closet into a Safe Haven 12:25 – The Mindset Shift that Makes Organizing Easier 16:42 – What Science Teaches Us About Clutter & Mental Health 24:15 – How Life Transitions Show Up in Our Spaces 26:55 – Creating an Elevated, Peaceful Space (Without “Luxury” Budgets) 35:21 – Letting Go of the “What-If” Items 43:22 – Rapid Fire: Clutter-Free, Happiness & First Steps

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If your home feels heavy or chaotic lately, you’re not imagining it. Studies from UCLA and Harvard show that clutter increases stress hormones, drains focus, and fuels burnout, especially for women.

In this final episode of the EMPOWERING Life series, Deanna breaks down how clutter blindness sneaks in, why “stuff” silently steals your energy, and how to finally feel at ease in your own space.

You’ll walk away with six practical ways to reclaim your calm, one corner at a time and a few mindset shifts to help you release guilt and redefine what “home” really means.

You’ll learn:

• What clutter blindness is and why it happens
• How science proves clutter raises stress levels
• Why decision fatigue starts at home
• The simple 15-minute habit that changes everything
• Six practical ways to reclaim calm and reset your space
• How to let your home evolve with you

📌 Resources Mentioned:

Full show notes:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠www.wannabeclutterfree.com/282⁠

UCLA Study

Harvard Study

Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/wannabeclutterfree/⁠⁠
• Join the Wannabe Minimalist Community on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/wannabeminimalist⁠⁠⁠⁠

Loved this episode? Share it with a friend or leave a review.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome + Series Wrap-Up

02:50 What “Home Environment” Really Means

04:45 Clutter Blindness Explained (and the science behind it)

06:00 UCLA Study: How Clutter Raises Stress

07:10 Harvard Research: Decision Fatigue & Mental Load

10:00 Why Clutter Competes for Your Attention

12:00 Client Story: Rachel’s 15-Minute Reset

15:30 Mini Home Peace Assessment

18:00 Six Practical Ways to Reclaim Calm

26:30 Permission to Redefine Home

28:30 Final Thoughts & Next Week’s Episode

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps me create more content to inspire and motivate you to live with less.

Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feeling overwhelmed by wellness advice? Learn how to uncomplicate your health and build simple, clutter-free systems that fit real life with Jenn Trepeck, author of Uncomplicating Wellness.

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Resources Mentioned:

• Uncomplicating Wellness Mini-Summit & Book Launch Party
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/281⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Jenn Trepeck

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠Jenn's Website
• ⁠⁠Salad with a Side of Fries Podcast⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

Feeling like wellness has become another thing on your to-do list?

Jenn Trepeck is here to change that. She’s an award-winning health coach, podcast host, and author of Uncomplicating Wellness, and she’s helping us make wellness simple, sustainable, and stress-free.

In this conversation, we’re talking about how to let go of perfection, rebuild trust with your body, and create systems that make wellness feel natural (not another chore). You’ll learn why “you’re not the problem, the system is,” and how to make small, intentional changes that lead to big results.

If you’re ready to un-complicate your health and your home, this episode will help you reconnect to what really matters and take consistent action. All without burnout.

We Cover:

• Why wellness feels overwhelming and how to simplify it
• The mindset shifts that make self-care easier and guilt-free
• How to create “bio stacks” that truly move the needle
• Ways to build systems that support your wellness automatically
• How decluttering and health habits work hand in hand

Time Stamps:

00:00 – Welcome + Episode Overview 00:42 – Special Announcement: Uncomplicating Life Mini-Summit 02:17 – Meet Jenn Trepeck 03:57 – The Problem with Wellness Systems 08:38 – Making Wellness Fit Real Life 10:37 – How Decluttering & Health Intersect 14:00 – Defining Wellness Beyond the Physical 17:00 – Biohacking vs. Bio-Stacking 21:23 – Building Better Wellness Habits 24:00 – Making Good Habits Easier to Keep 29:00 – Rebuilding Self-Trust with Your Body 35:45 – Staying Consistent During Chaotic Seasons 38:48 – How to Uncomplicate Wellness in Your Own Life 41:00 – Rapid Fire: Jenn’s Tips for Living Simply

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feeling overwhelmed by stuff? Learn how to downsize with purpose as organizer Tracy Hoth shares practical steps to keep what matters and live a more intentional, clutter-free life.

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Resources Mentioned:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/280⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Tracy Hoth

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Tracy's Momentum Builder
• ⁠The Organized Coach Podcast⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠

****************

What if downsizing wasn’t about “getting rid of stuff” but about creating space for the life you actually want?

In this episode, host Deanna Yates chats with Tracy Hoth, a professional organizer and certified life coach, about how to downsize with purpose. Tracy shares her powerful SPACE method, mindset shifts for letting go, and the importance of having a clear vision before you even start decluttering.

They also talk about navigating emotional downsizing—especially when helping aging parents or moving through big life transitions—and how to make peace with what you choose to keep or release.

This is the perfect listen for anyone craving a calmer, more intentional, and clutter-free life.

We Cover:

• Why downsizing with purpose is more freeing than restrictive
• Tracy’s SPACE Method for decluttering and organizing effectively
• How to decide what’s worth keeping (and avoid regret later)
• The mindset shifts that make lasting change possible
• How to navigate emotional clutter and family conversations

Time Stamps:

00:00 – Introduction & Episode Overview 00:07 – Meet Tracy Hoth: Professional Organizer & Life Coach 00:23 – What “Downsizing with Purpose” Really Means 01:41 – How to Start When You Feel Overwhelmed 02:30 – Why Sorting Comes Before Decluttering 09:19 – How to Decide What Truly Matters 13:25 – Tracy’s SPACE Method for Organizing 18:00 – How Life Stages Affect Downsizing 20:55 – Talking to Parents About Decluttering 24:23 – How Mindset Shapes Your Clutter Habits 29:41 – The Unexpected Benefits of Downsizing 31:23 – Letting Go Without Regret 36:49 – Practical Tips for Getting Started 38:21 – Final Thoughts & Next Steps

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to declutter your finances with the Budget Besties’ “set it and forget it” system. Simplify your money, automate your spending, and start living intentionally, without giving up life’s little joys.

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Resources Mentioned:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to be Bougie on a Budget at https://budgetbesties.com/deanna/
• Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/279⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Shana & Vanessa

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Financial Coaching for Women Podcast

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠

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Ever feel like you make good money but have nothing to show for it? You’re not alone.

In this fun and practical episode, Deanna sits down with Vanessa and Shana, best friends and master financial coaches known as the Budget Besties, to break down their “Bougie on a Budget” system—a simple, clutter-free approach to money that works automagically.

Together, they share how to create a set-it-and-forget-it budget that feels effortless, organized, and totally doable. You’ll learn how to separate your money into purposeful “buckets,” automate your spending, and finally feel in control of your finances (without cutting out your pumpkin spice lattes).

Whether you’re tired of tracking every expense or want to bring the same calm to your finances that you’ve brought to your home, this conversation will show you how to make your money work for your intentional life.

We Cover:

• Why most traditional budgets fail and what to do instead.
• How to build a “set it and forget it” budget that runs automagically.
• The five simple categories every clutter-free budget should include.
• A new way to look at saving, spending, and planning for life’s “expected surprises.”
• The mindset shift that makes managing money feel empowering (not restrictive).

Time Stamps:

00:00 – Welcome and episode overview 02:37 – Meet Shana & Vanessa, the Budget Besties 04:00 – Why women who make good money still feel broke 06:00 – Why most budgets fail (and how to fix it) 08:30 – The “Bougie on a Budget” one-page system 13:00 – What “automagical” budgeting really looks like 16:00 – Organizing your bank accounts for effortless spending 20:30 – The curling iron story: a surprising budgeting analogy 25:00 – Modern money management tools that simplify your life 27:30 – The credit card debate: rewards vs. reality 33:00 – Compromise strategies for couples and families 37:00 – Can you really automate it and forget it? (real-life proof) 40:30 – How best friends built a business around financial freedom 43:00 – Overcoming shame and clutter (at home and with money) 46:00 – Where to find the Budget Besties and their system 50:00 – Final thoughts and a simple financial action step

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tired of decluttering on repeat? Learn how to create a clutter-free home that lasts with author Meggie Mangione. Real talk, practical systems, and zero judgment for busy, modern women.

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Resources Mentioned:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/278⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Meggie Mangione

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Meggie’s Website⁠⁠⁠
• Give Clutter the Middle Finger: A Chingona's Guide

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠

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Are you tired of organizing the same spaces over and over again?

In this episode, Deanna sits down with Meggie Mangione, author of Give Clutter the Middle Finger and creator of Organized Life Design, to talk about what it really means to get organized and how to stay that way.

Meggie shares why true organization isn’t about perfection or Pinterest-worthy bins, but about creating a home that feels calm, functional, and aligned with who you are.

We Cover:

• Why focusing on how your space feels leads to more freedom
• How to declutter without guilt (even sentimental stuff!)
• Small mindset shifts that make big organizing progress
• Neurodivergent-friendly strategies that actually work
• Using “fed-up energy” to finally make change stick

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
02:01 Meet Meggie Mangione
02:42 The Birth of 'Give Clutter the Middle Finger'
06:27 Decluttering During the Pandemic
09:36 The True Test of Being Organized
16:47 Minimalism and Personal Preferences
24:55 The Emotional Challenges of Closets and Keepsakes
26:16 Dealing with Guilt and Finding Donation Avenues
29:12 The Importance of Pacing Yourself with Keepsakes
30:54 The Role of Support in Organizing
33:16 Organizing for Neurodivergent Individuals
41:30 Using Fed Up Energy to Spark Change
44:42 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****************

We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does clutter make you feel guilty, drained, or “less than”? In this episode, Deanna Yates explores the deep connection between clutter, self-worth, and spiritual well-being.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How clutter affects your sense of worth and self-talk

• Why clutter creates spiritual disconnection

• Mindset shifts to release guilt and shame tied to possessions

• A simple action step to align your home with your deeper “why”

📌 Resources Mentioned:

Full show notes:⁠ ⁠⁠www.wannabeclutterfree.com/277⁠⁠

Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/wannabeclutterfree/⁠
• Join the Wannabe Minimalist Community on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/wannabeminimalist⁠⁠⁠

Loved this episode? Share it with a friend or leave a review.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Episode Update

00:33 EMPOWERING Life Recap

02:56 The Importance of Worth and Why

09:37 Personal Story: Clutter and Motherhood

15:26 Clutter and Self-Worth Connection

24:30 Practical Guidance and Mindset Shifts

32:42 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps me create more content to inspire and motivate you to live with less.

Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discover Amanda Jefferson’s simple strategies to declutter your digital life. Learn to streamline emails, photos, and passwords with her FOCUS Method and reclaim calm, clutter-free living.

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Resources Mentioned:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/276⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Amanda Jefferson

• Get Amanda's Tech Survival Guide
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Amanda's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Good Enough-ish Podcast

⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room

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Technology is supposed to make life easier—but often it leaves us drowning in emails, overflowing photo libraries, and password chaos. If your phone or laptop feels like a black hole, this episode is for you.

I’m joined by tech and productivity coach Amanda Jefferson, who shares her Tech TRAPS framework (the five biggest digital clutter culprits) and her FOCUS Method for reducing mental load. We dive into practical tips for managing emails, organizing photos, and simplifying your digital tools. Amanda also opens up about how staying organized online helped her family navigate one of life’s toughest seasons.

If you’ve been craving a calmer, clutter-free digital life, you’ll leave this episode with quick wins and inspiring new habits you can start today.

We Cover:

• The 5 biggest Tech TRAPS causing digital chaos
• Amanda’s FOCUS Method to reduce overwhelm and mental load
• How to streamline emails, passwords, and photo libraries
• Why digital organization matters for your well-being and even the environment
• Practical tools to get your tech working for you, not against you

Time Stamps:

00:00 – Welcome + Amanda’s intro 04:00 – What digital clutter really is 06:45 – The 5 Tech TRAPS explained 08:00 – Simple tech tips that save time instantly 10:00 – Where to start when everything feels overwhelming 12:53 – The FOCUS Method to reduce mental load 17:30 – Tackling photo overload without guilt 22:00 – How digital organization supported Amanda during her father’s illness 25:30 – The environmental cost of digital storage 28:00 – Email decluttering tips (delete vs. archive) 34:00 – Why digital clutter adds to mental load 38:00 – Amanda’s Busy Woman’s Tech Survival Guide 41:00 – Final rapid-fire Q&A with Amanda 45:00 – Outro + preview of next week with Meggie Mangione

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever feel guilty letting go of things, or wonder if you’re just hiding clutter in bins? In this Q&A, Deanna Yates answers listener questions about decluttering guilt, saying no to social overload, managing digital clutter, and telling the difference between real organizing and disguised clutter.

I’m answering listener questions about:

• Moving past guilt when letting go of items tied to money or memories

• Finding balance in a packed social calendar without hurting friendships

• Tackling digital clutter and setting boundaries with notifications

• Knowing the difference between organizing and simply disguising clutter

📌 Resources Mentioned:

Full show notes:⁠ ⁠www.wannabeclutterfree.com/275⁠

Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/wannabeclutterfree/⁠⁠
• Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/wannabeclutterfree/⁠⁠
• All Podcast Episodes: ⁠⁠https://wannabeclutterfree.com/posts⁠
• Join the Wannabe Minimalist Community on Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/wannabeminimalist⁠⁠

Loved this episode? Share it with a friend or leave a review.

Timestamps:

00:00: Welcome + Why I Love Q&A Episodes

01:51: Decluttering guilt: erasing history, wasting money, letting go

12:32: Saying no to social overload without losing friends

20:44: Tackling digital clutter + managing notifications

24:56: Are you really organizing or just hiding clutter?

32:02: Final thoughts + upcoming episodes

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps me create more content to inspire and motivate you to live with less.

Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You don’t need more willpower, you need better defaults. This week’s Digital Clutter Reset gives you a simple, family-friendly system to cut notification noise, clean up apps, email, files, and photos, and reclaim time, energy, and sleep.

What you'll learn:

• A clear definition of digital clutter and why it spikes stress + kills focus
• The six numbers to track so you can see where digital clutter is hurting you most
• A 7-Day Digital Clutter Reset with 5-, 15-, and 30-minute options
• How to make it family-proof

The 7-Day Digital Clutter Reset (quick view)

• Day 1: Audit & Decide the Vibe
• Day 2: Notifications
• Day 3:Apps
• Day 4: Email
• Day 5: Files/Desktop
• Day 6: Photos
• Day 7: Automate & Maintain

📌 Resources Mentioned:

Full show notes: ⁠www.wannabeclutterfree.com/274

Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wannabeclutterfree/⁠
• Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/wannabeclutterfree/⁠
• All Podcast Episodes: ⁠https://wannabeclutterfree.com/podcast⁠
• Join the Wannabe Minimalist Community on Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/wannabeminimalist⁠

Loved this episode? Share it with a friend or leave a review.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome 01:30 What counts as digital clutter 04:30 Why it overwhelms (attention, stress, sleep) 11:00 Track your numbers 17:30 7-Day Reset overview 18:00 Day 1: Audit & Decide the Vibe 20:00 Day 2: Notifications (batching/VIP) 22:00 Day 3: Apps cleanup 24:30 Day 4: Email overload relief 26:30 Day 5: Files & desktop calm 29:00 Day 6: Photo clean-up + ritual 32:00 Day 7: Automate & measure 34:30 Make it family-proof 36:30 Recap

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps me create more content to inspire and motivate you to live with less.

Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Decluttering isn’t just about stuff, it’s about freedom. Certified KonMari consultant Stacy Lee joins Deanna to share how letting go of clutter and guilt can spark joy, simplify your routines, and create intentional spaces that support the life you want.

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Resources Mentioned:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/273⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Stacy Lee

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stacy's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Clutter isn’t just about the stuff piling up in your home, it’s also about the guilt, resistance, and overwhelm tied to letting go. In this uplifting conversation, professional organizer and certified KonMari consultant Stacy Lee shares how to apply the KonMari Method to simplify your home, mindset, and lifestyle.

We talk about why clutter makes us feel stuck, how small intentional steps can lead to big change, and how to reframe decluttering so it feels empowering instead of stressful. Stacy also shares inspiring client stories and practical ways to bring more joy into your everyday routines.

Whether you’re battling piles of clothes, drowning in kids’ artwork, or simply craving more peace in your daily life, this episode will give you tools and encouragement to create a clutter-free home you love.

We Cover:

• How to move past guilt and people-pleasing when letting go
• Why starting small makes decluttering stick
• Tips for creating a clutter-free home that lasts
• The power of gratitude and “functional joy”
• Real client transformations that prove simplifying is possible

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of where to start, this episode will give you the inspiration and tools you need to create a home (and a life) that truly sparks joy.

Time Stamps:

00:00 – Welcome + Fall is the perfect time to declutter 01:16 – Stacy’s journey to becoming a KonMari consultant 03:19 – Applying KonMari to both home + lifestyle 07:02 – Powerful client transformation stories 10:50 – Decluttering with kids and families 14:04 – Managing life transitions + letting go 18:50 – Embracing minimalism + finding joy 20:41 – Tackling guilt + sustainable decluttering 22:10 – Intentional living vs consumerism 27:39 – Practical decluttering tips you can start today 31:54 – Understanding “functional joy” + gratitude 36:57 – How tidying supercharges lifestyle + mindset 39:18 – Rapid-fire questions with Stacy

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Perfectionism and people pleasing sneak into our homes, schedules, and even our self-worth. Certified life coach Kamini Wood joins Deanna to share how limiting beliefs create clutter, how to set healthy boundaries, and simple mindset shifts that bring balance, joy, and a clutter-free life filled with intention.

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Resources Mentioned:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/272⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Kamini Wood

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kamini's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RiseUp: Live Joy Your Way Podcast

Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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High achievers often pride themselves on getting things done—but at what cost? When perfectionism, people pleasing, and limiting beliefs drive our choices, the result is often burnout, resentment, and clutter (both in our homes and in our minds).

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with certified life coach Kamini Wood, who helps high achievers release old patterns, overcome self-sabotage, and create balanced, purpose-driven lives. Together, we explore how perfectionist pressure sneaks into our organizing habits, why people pleasing keeps us holding on to stuff we don’t love, and the tools we can use to finally feel free.

We Cover:

• How perfectionism and people pleasing show up in your home, routines, and mindset
• The JADE method to stop over-explaining and reclaim your voice
• Why boundaries are a process, not a one-time fix
• How to recognize limiting beliefs and shift toward values-based goals
• Practical ways to declutter both your space and your mind for more balance and joy

If you’ve ever felt like you “should” be able to handle it all on your own, this episode is the reminder that you don’t have to—and that freedom comes when you let go of the clutter, inside and out.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Welcome & Deanna’s high achiever confession 00:42 Meet Kamini Wood 03:59 Common limiting beliefs holding women back 06:43 Balancing productivity with rest and self-care 08:12 Emotional awareness: feelings as data points 14:34 The “Next Thing” trap for high achievers 17:06 Creating calm vs. chasing Pinterest-perfect homes 23:08 Energy management and shifting values 26:17 Boundaries & the messy process of delegation 27:08 The lasagna story: letting go of perfection 28:45 Radical acceptance in everyday life 31:04 Parenting, modeling, and breaking old patterns 33:03 Repairing relationships with self-awareness 36:23 People pleasing through clutter & gift guilt 42:25 One simple mental decluttering exercise 43:36 Rapid fire questions & closing thoughts

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Clutter shouldn’t keep you from community. If you’ve ever said “maybe next month” because the house feels out of control, this one’s for you. Research shows more than half of people have canceled hosting due to the state of their home, and 73% hide parts of their house from guests. Today we make connection light, doable, and fun, without chasing perfection.

• Why clutter quietly shrinks your social world
• How home chaos drains energy and confidence (especially for busy moms)
• Simple, repeatable systems for playdates and low-pressure hangs
• Exactly what to declutter first so your place is “company-ready,” not showroom-ready
• Ideas that build community without burning you out

📌 Resources Mentioned:

• 52% canceled hosting due to the state of their home and 65% felt shame or embarrassment about it.
• A 2025 poll found 73% avoid showing guests parts of their home because of clutter.
• ~45% of Gen Z and millennials would feel embarrassed if someone saw their home as it is.
• Household chaos and crowding leads to higher parenting stress and weaker child social-emotional outcomes across incomes. Chaotic homes drain capacity for playdates and drop-ins.
• Full show notes: wannabeclutterfree.com/271

Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wannabeclutterfree/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wannabeclutterfree/
• All Podcast Episodes: https://wannabeclutterfree.com/podcast
• Join the Wannabe Minimalist Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wannabeminimalist

Loved this episode? Share it with a friend or leave a review.

Timestamps:

00:00 Cold open: when clutter cancels connection 01:03 Why clutter hurts your social life 02:06 The stats you need to hear (you’re not alone) 05:46 Real-life hurdles for busy families 09:02 Mindset reset: people over perfection 11:08 Systems that make hosting easy

19:09 Building Community Outside the Home 21:25 Creating Company Ready Zones 28:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps me create more content to inspire and motivate you to live with less.

Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Teacher, mom of two, and Minimal-ish podcast host Desirae Endres shares how to embrace a clutter-free life without rigid rules. Discover small, realistic steps to simplify your home, schedule, and mental load—especially during busy seasons like back-to-school—so you can focus on what truly matters.

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Resources Mentioned:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/270⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Desirae Endres

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Desirae's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Minimal-ish Podcast⁠⁠

Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Back-to-school season is here, and if your calendar (and home) already feel overwhelmed, this conversation will be the deep breath you’ve been craving.

Today I’m joined by Desirae Endres, a full-time teacher, mom of two girls, and host of the Minimal-ish podcast. Desirae’s approach to minimalism isn’t about rigid rules or picture-perfect rooms—it’s about making space for what truly matters, even in the middle of carpools, sports practices, and lesson plans.

We cover:

• What “minimal-ish” really means (and why it’s more sustainable than extreme minimalism)
• How to simplify your home and schedule without adding stress
• Ways to manage kids’ toys, clothes, and paper clutter
• Letting go of perfectionism in decluttering
• How to protect your time and energy during busy seasons
• The surprising link between mental clutter and physical clutter

If you’ve ever felt discouraged because minimalism seemed too strict or unrealistic for your family, this episode will show you a gentler, more flexible way forward.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Welcome & Introduction 00:46 Meet Desirae Endres 02:21 Desirae’s Journey to Minimalism 06:30 Realistic Minimalism in a Busy Life 12:37 Managing Kids’ Toys & Clutter 18:36 Balancing Priorities & Letting Go 23:47 Navigating Different Parenting Stages 25:46 Minimalism with Joy & Spontaneity 30:56 Managing Mental & Emotional Clutter 35:59 Practical Tips for Decluttering 40:57 Rapid Fire Questions & Closing Thoughts

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Happiness starts at home and Gretchen Rubin’s here to prove it. The 7x best-selling author joins Deanna Yates to explore the connection between clutter and happiness, building habits that stick, and how knowing your personality can help you create a home that supports your well-being. It’s a practical and uplifting conversation for anyone ready to live lighter and happier.

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Resources Mentioned

(some may be affiliate links - thanks for supporting the show at no extra cost to you):

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/266⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Gretchen Rubin

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gretchen’s Website⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠Podcast⁠

Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Your home holds the key to your happiness and 7x best-selling author, Gretchen Rubin, is here to show us why.

In this episode, host Deanna Yates talks with happiness expert Gretchen Rubin for a down-to-earth conversation about how the things in our homes affect how we feel, think, and live.

They dive into the deeper connection between outer order and inner calm, why it’s not about having a perfect home but a supportive one, and how to create better habits using your own personality type, not someone else’s system.

You’ll also hear about Gretchen’s Secrets of Adulthood, her fresh take on small wins, sensory delight, emotional clutter, and her favorite tip for dealing with all the little things kids bring home.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your stuff or unsure where to start, this episode will help you rethink how to create a home that truly supports your happiness.

🎧 This episode will help you discover:

• Why small shifts can have a big impact on your joy
• The link between clutter, clarity, and calm
• How to design habits that stick (based on your personality)
• Simple ways to make decluttering more doable
• How rediscovering yourself helps you create a space that feels like home

Time Stamps:

00:00 Welcome + Guest Overview 02:54 Gretchen shares what she’s currently learning about herself 04:38 How clutter influences happiness 08:47 Simple ways to create outer order 22:09 The Four Tendencies explained 31:49 Designing your space to support habits 33:00 Why convenience beats willpower 36:31 What are “Secrets of Adulthood”? 37:38 Emotional side of decluttering 46:48 Rediscovering joy in your quirks 56:54 Lightning round: habits, happiness, and favorite tips 59:29 Final takeaways + what to do next

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Clutter can do more than stress you out, it can damage your physical health.

In this eye-opening episode of Wannabe Clutter Free, Deanna continues her Clutter F.R.E.E.D.O.M. series by focusing on Resilience, or how clutter impacts your physical health.

You’ll learn how clutter increases your stress hormones, disrupts healthy habits, and even leads to hidden dangers like mold, pests, and poor air quality. Deanna shares a personal story of returning from a month-long trip to find mold in her closet—and how minimalism saved her time, energy, and sanity.

Plus, she walks you through five practical ways to declutter your home so it actively supports your physical health and wellbeing. Whether it’s making your kitchen easier to cook in or clearing airflow zones to help with allergies, this episode delivers quick wins and long-term relief.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why clutter raises your cortisol levels (and what to do about it)
• How to avoid tripping hazards and health risks in your home
• The link between clutter and poor air quality
• What happened when Deanna came home to mold (and how she fixed it)
• 5 actionable ways to declutter for better physical health
• Why a 10-minute daily decluttering habit can do more than a weekend binge

Challenge of the Week:

Take 10 minutes to declutter one space that physically stresses you out. Notice how your body feels afterward.

Resources Mentioned:

• Burnout by Emily Nagoski
• Dehumidifier Bags
• Full show notes: wannabeclutterfree.com/268

Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wannabeclutterfree/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wannabeclutterfree/
• All Podcast Episodes: https://wannabeclutterfree.com/podcast
• Join the Wannabe Minimalist Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wannabeminimalist

Loved this episode? Share it with a friend or leave a review.

Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s exciting guest: Gretchen Rubin!

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Upcoming Episode Teaser 00:55 Today's Topic: Clutter and Physical Health 04:24 The Impact of Clutter on Physical Health 10:19 Real-Life Story: Mold and Clutter 17:50 Five Practical Tips to Declutter for Better Physical Health 27:57 Conclusion and Next Week's Preview

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps me create more content to inspire and motivate you to live with less.

Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tired of donation piles taking over your home? Are you guilty of stuff shifting? For years I would declutter, but then as the things would sit in a pile in the corner of the room or in our garage, they would often migrate back into our home.

This created a vicious cycle of decluttering, second guessing, and re-cluttering.

The problem was that sometimes getting the clutter out and to the donation center was more work than the act of decluttering.

Then, I stumbled upon a simple low-effort, but high-impact way to get the clutter out without having to make multiple trips to the donation center or post each item for sale (or gift) online.

I recently used this advice in my life again and not only was ie easy and successful, it brought our neighborhood together.

If you’ve ever had donation piles that just move from one room to another, this one’s for you.

You’ll learn:

• Why donation piles often stay stuck for months (or years!)
• How Free Sales make decluttering easier and faster
• Simple steps to host one—even with minimal time and effort
• Pro tips to make it fun, successful, and stress-free
• How Deanna used a Free Sale to get rid of 75+ items in one weekend!

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Links in this episode (some may be affiliate links - thanks for supporting the show at no extra cost to you):

• Follow me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wannabeclutterfree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Full show notes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wannabeclutterfree.com/267⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Check out my favorite resources⁠

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Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:33 Personal Updates and Summer Routine

02:50 The Struggle of Decluttering

09:00 Introducing the Free Sale Concept

10:45 How to Host a Successful Free Sale

17:02 Expert Tips for a Smooth Free Sale

28:09 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

Music:

Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps me create more content to inspire and motivate you to live with less.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feeling stuck between what feels right and what others expect? In this episode, Deanna and Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) expert Todd Smith explore how clutter fuels overthinking and how to build clutter-free confidence by trusting your intuition. Learn how to simplify decisions and let go of guilt for good.

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Resources Mentioned

(some may be affiliate links - thanks for supporting the show at no extra cost to you):

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/266⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Todd Smith

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Todd’s Website⁠⁠
• Podcast

Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode of the Wannabe Clutter Free podcast, host Deanna Yates is joined by Todd Smith, creator of the top-ranked podcast Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People. Together, they dive into what it means to live as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) in a world that often feels too loud, too fast, and too demanding.

Todd shares how learning to trust his intuition helped him break free from emotional clutter and chronic stress, and how HSPs (and sensitive moms especially) can do the same.

They explore how physical clutter mirrors mental overload, how guilt and external pressure can cloud your judgment, and why tuning into your inner voice is the real key to clarity. Whether you’re deeply sensitive or simply stuck in a cycle of overthinking and overwhelm, this conversation will help you clear space for confident, clutter-free decision-making.

🎧 This episode will help you discover:

• What it really means to be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)
• How physical and emotional clutter impacts your ability to make aligned decisions
• How to tell the difference between intuition and overthinking
• Why family expectations and social pressure can block your clarity
• Simple practices to declutter your mind and create more emotional space

Time Stamps:

00:00 – Introduction and Episode Overview

00:24 – Meet Todd Smith: Helping Highly Sensitive People

02:56 – Understanding Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)

06:32 – The Work of Byron Katie: Managing Stress

12:55 – Decluttering and Emotional Attachment

19:15 – Dealing with Family and Social Pressure

24:31 – Trusting Your Intuition

25:25 – Intuition vs. Overthinking

26:42 – How Environment Shapes Sensitivity

28:45 – Cultural Perceptions of HSPs

30:54 – Sensitivity as an Evolutionary Advantage

31:36 – How to Hear Your Inner Voice

35:24 – Letting Go of the Need for “Perfect” Decisions

37:39 – The 3 Secrets for Highly Sensitive People

42:22 – Rapid Fire Questions + Final Thoughts

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If your bedroom feels more chaotic than cozy, clutter might be sabotaging your relationship.

Links in this episode (some may be affiliate links - thanks for supporting the show at no extra cost to you):

• Follow me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@wannabeclutterfree⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Full show notes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wannabeclutterfree.com/265

• ⁠Check out my favorite resources

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In this episode of the Wannabe Clutter Free podcast, host Deanna Yates shares how the physical clutter in your home can quietly build resentment, reduce intimacy, and increase arguments with your partner. Backed by research (including a stat that 40% of couples argue over clutter!), this episode explores the emotional and mental load clutter creates—and how to fix it.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why clutter causes stress in romantic relationships

✅ How to declutter your bedroom to rekindle connection

✅ The power of a “Couples Corner” and how to create one

✅ A simple weekly ritual to improve communication and teamwork

Whether you’re married, partnered, or in a long-term relationship, these practical tips will help you clear the physical and emotional mess that’s standing between you and the connection you crave.

If you’ve been feeling scattered, foggy, or stretched too thin, this episode will help you clear the noise (both around you and within you).

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

01:27 Clutter’s Impact on Romantic Relationships

01:57 The Clutter F.R.E.E.D.O.M. Method Explained

03:14 Why Clutter Causes Relationship Stress

04:32 Shocking Stats & Psychological Insights

08:19 Gender Differences & the Mental Load

14:51 Creating a Peaceful Bedroom Retreat

18:15 Establishing a Couple’s Corner

21:19 Clutter-Free Communication Ritual

24:01 Final Thoughts and Action Steps

Music:

Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps me create more content to inspire and motivate you to live with less.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Struggling under the weight of doing it all? In this episode, Deanna is joined by Paige Connell—a working mom of four—to talk about decluttering the mental load. They dive into invisible labor, the pressure modern moms face, and how to create more balance at home through honest conversations and shared responsibility.

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Resources Mentioned

(some may be affiliate links - thanks for supporting the show at no extra cost to you):

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/264⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Paige Connell

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paige’s Website⁠

Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode of the Wannabe Clutter Free podcast, Deanna Yates is joined by Paige Connell—a working mom of four and a powerful voice for moms navigating the mental load of motherhood. Together, they unpack the invisible labor so many women carry: remembering appointments, managing the household, keeping the family running… and somehow staying sane through it all.

Paige brings honesty, humor, and a big dose of validation as she shares her own experiences and the collective wisdom of the community she’s built on Instagram and TikTok. This isn’t about doing more—it’s about letting go of the idea that you have to do it all.

If you’re feeling burned out from being the default parent, struggling to find balance at home, or wondering how to have more equitable conversations with your partner—this episode is for you.

We talk about real-life strategies to simplify your mental load, how to advocate for change inside and outside the home, and why asking for help is a radical (and necessary) act of self-care.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What the mental load looks like in everyday life—and why it’s so draining
• How to talk with your partner about sharing the load without starting a fight
• Simple ways to create more connection, peace, and partnership at home
• Why building a support system is essential (not selfish)
• How even small shifts can declutter the overwhelm and help you breathe easier

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:51 Starting the Conversation with Paige Connell 03:14 Balancing Motherhood and Career 04:26 Addressing Societal Expectations and Double Standards 08:42 Equity in Household Responsibilities 14:22 Common Misconceptions About Working Moms 20:04 Starting Conversations at Home 26:50 Addressing Defensiveness in Conversations 28:55 Understanding Societal Pressures on Partners 31:09 Navigating Parenting and Mental Load 35:50 Building Community and Support Systems 36:50 Advocating for Family-Friendly Work Policies 43:05 Practical Tips for Sharing Responsibilities 46:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Deanna discusses the importance clearing clutter in order to fully embrace creativity during the messy, beautiful seasons of motherhood. She’s joined by Ashlee Gadd, author of Create Anyway, to explore how moms can embrace their creative passions without guilt, set healthy boundaries with social media, and find fulfillment in the margins of daily life.

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Resources Mentioned

(some may be affiliate links - thanks for supporting the show at no extra cost to you):

• ⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/261⁠⁠

Connect with Ashlee Gadd

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ashlee’s Website

Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this inspiring episode of the Wannabe Clutter Free podcast, Deanna Yates is joined by Ashlee Gadd, a writer, photographer, founder of Coffee + Crumbs, and author of Create Anyway: The Joy of Pursuing Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood.

If you’ve ever felt like motherhood and creativity were at odds, or if your creative spark has been buried under laundry piles and mental to-do lists, this conversation is for you.

Ashlee and Deanna dive into what it really means to be a creative mom, why making space for your own passions isn’t selfish, and how to clear the mental clutter that holds so many of us back from pursuing the things we love. We talk about mom guilt, social media pressure, carving out time in small pockets, and showing up imperfectly, but consistently, for yourself.

If you’ve been craving a little more beauty, expression, or joy in your everyday life, this episode will feel like a deep exhale and a warm reminder: you don’t have to wait for the perfect time to create…you get to start now.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why creativity is essential (not a luxury) in motherhood
• How to navigate social media without getting lost in comparison
• Simple mindset shifts to clear mental clutter and unlock creativity
• What it means to create in the margins of your day (and why that’s enough)
• Gentle encouragement to show up imperfectly and create anyway

Time Stamps:

00:00 Welcome and Introduction 01:41 Meet Ashley Gadd 02:39 The Power of 'Create Anyway' 04:22 Navigating Social Media and Creativity 08:43 Evolving Creative Work Through Motherhood 12:33 Embracing Creativity in Everyday Life 16:58 Everyone is Creative 19:14 The Ongoing Journey of Creativity 21:10 Embracing Imperfection in Life 21:31 Clearing Mental Clutter for Creativity 24:34 The Importance of Curating Your Inputs 27:04 Balancing Motherhood and Creativity 29:43 Staying Motivated and Consistent 31:22 Practical Tips for Creativity 34:50 Encouragement for Moms 36:13 Final Thoughts and Resources 36:58 Rapid Fire Questions and Wrap-Up

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Links in this episode (some may be affiliate links - thanks for supporting the show at no extra cost to you):

• ⁠⁠Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room – Get the book on Amazon⁠⁠

• Follow me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@wannabeclutterfree⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the ⁠⁠⁠Wannabe Minimalist Family Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠

• Full show notes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠wannabeclutterfree.com/262⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Does your home feel chaotic and overwhelming? Does your brain feel the same? You’re not imagining it. 

In this episode, Deanna Yates explores how physical clutter contributes to mental overload, stress, and burnout, especially for high-achieving, modern moms who feel like they “should” be able to handle it all.

This episode is part of the Find Your Number series within the Clutter F.R.E.E.D.O.M. Method, and today’s focus is your Inner World (Mental Health). You’ll discover how clutter impacts your cortisol levels, creates guilt and shame cycles, and weighs down your emotional bandwidth.

But most importantly, Deanna offers actionable, compassionate strategies to help you:

• Understand the hidden toll of mental clutter
• Break free from the “should” cycle of perfectionism
• Reduce overwhelm with simple, doable steps
• Shift your environment to support your peace of mind
• Reframe decluttering as self-care, not punishment

If you’ve been feeling scattered, foggy, or stretched too thin, this episode will help you clear the noise (both around you and within you).

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:23 The Impact of Clutter on Mental Health

01:02 Mental Health and High Achieving Moms

02:35 The Science Behind Clutter and Stress

05:25 Personal Story and Reframing Tools

07:24 Identifying and Addressing Mental Clutter

11:03 Practical Steps to Declutter Your Space

15:12 Mind Sweep and Parking Lot Techniques

19:42 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Music:

Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps me create more content to inspire and motivate you to live with less.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Deanna chats with Colette Roy about the emotional and practical challenges of organizing with your partner. They dive into how clutter affects relationships, why communication is key, and how to tackle big home projects together (like the garage) without the arguments.

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Resources Mentioned

(some may be affiliate links - thanks for supporting the show at no extra cost to you):

• ⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/261⁠

Connect with Colette Roy

• ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Colette’s Book⁠⁠⁠: Clutter and Couples
• Organize Your Garage without Killing Your Partner ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠

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Tired of fighting every time you try to tackle a home project with your partner?

In this episode of the Wannabe Clutter Free podcast, host Deanna Yates sits down with professional organizer Colette Roy to talk about how to declutter shared spaces without losing your cool—or your relationship.

Whether you’re tackling the garage, the basement, or just trying to agree on what to toss, Colette brings real talk and practical strategies for making home organization a team effort (without the tension). Drawing from her course How to Organize Your Garage Without Killing Your Partner, Colette shares why organizing together is so tricky, how emotional clutter plays into the chaos, and how better communication can lead to smoother projects and stronger connections.

You’ll walk away with smart, relationship-friendly tips to finally get that garage in shape—without turning it into a battleground.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why clutter can create hidden emotional tension between partners
• How to navigate different communication styles during organizing projects
• Tips to set healthy boundaries and share the load fairly
• The power of understanding your partner’s perspective when decluttering
• How to transform your garage into a peaceful, functional space—together

Time Stamps:

00:00 – Intro + what to expect in this episode

02:53 – Meet Colette Roy & her clutter-with-compassion approach

03:55 – Smart strategies for getting started on home projects

07:11 – Why clutter causes friction in relationships

13:12 – What makes organizing with your partner so hard

17:03 – How to design a garage that actually works

22:01 – Key communication tips for couples

27:00 – Why home projects spark arguments

28:36 – Behind the scenes of Colette’s course

32:46 – Practical communication tools you can use today

40:40 – Understanding needs: yours and your partner’s

43:11 – Why having personal space matters

47:11 – Rapid fire wrap-up + final thoughts

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠

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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Deanna discusses how to make budgeting feel less overwhelming with the help of financial coach and mom of five, Brittany Flammer. Together, they break down a simple, stress-free system using five essential bank accounts to create clarity and control over family finances. You'll walk away with practical steps to organize your money, reduce financial tension, and make confident spending decisions.

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Resources Mentioned

(some may be affiliate links - thanks for supporting the show at no extra cost to you):

• ⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠
• ⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/260
• Crew Bank Account
• Betterment Bank Account

Connect with

Brittany Flammer

• ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Brittany’s Website⁠⁠

Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠

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In this episode of the Wannabe Clutter Free podcast, the host, Deanna Yates, interviews Brittany Flammer, a financial coach and mom of five who has mastered the art of budgeting without the stress. Brittany shares her family’s journey of raising five children on an average income of $40,000 per year while building a net worth of over $800,000. Through real-life examples and heartfelt insights, she breaks down her step-by-step system for managing money with intention, clarity, and calm—even when finances feel tight.

Brittany introduces a powerful strategy using five key bank accounts to simplify money management, minimize financial tension, and make everyday spending decisions easier. From emergency savings to individual fun accounts, she outlines how automating and separating funds can transform financial overwhelm into empowerment. Whether you're new to budgeting or ready to refine your system, this episode offers practical tools and a fresh mindset to help your family thrive financially.

This episode of the Wannabe Clutter Free podcast will help you discover:

1. How Brittany and her husband built wealth on a modest income
2. The five essential bank accounts every family should have
3. The power of automation and visual separation in budgeting
4. Tips for setting up accounts for kids and teaching them money habits
5. Ways to reduce financial tension and feel more confident about your money decisions

Time Stamps:

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:20 Meet Brittany Flammer: Financial Coach and Mom of Five

01:41 The Power of Multiple Bank Accounts

05:44 Essential Bank Accounts for Every Family

12:52 Bonus Accounts and Additional Tips

24:13 Managing Finances: Moving Money Between Accounts

25:12 Structuring Finances for a $60,000 Income

28:34 Choosing the Right Bank Features

31:41 Setting Up Accounts for Kids

35:44 Reducing Financial Tension in Relationships

38:56 Actionable Steps for Financial Clarity

44:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠

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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices