Wannabe Clutter Free | Declutter, Organize, Calm the Chaos

Clutter Keeps You Lonely. Here's How to Declutter and Boost Your Social Life (Wannabe Clutter Free Ep 271)

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

Minimal-ish Made Simple: How to Declutter Without Losing Your Sanity with Desirae Endres (Ep 270)

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. **************** 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 **************** 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 **************** 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

Make Your Life Happier: Small Habits for Big Joy with Gretchen Rubin (Ep 269)

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. **************** 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 **************** 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 **************** 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

Is Clutter Harming Your Physical Health? [Pt 6 of the Empowering Life Series (Ep 268)]

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 Clutter Piles? Discover the Easiest Way to Get Rid of Them (Ep 267)

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! **************** 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 **************** 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