Wannabe Clutter Free | Declutter, Organize, Calm the Chaos

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

Clutter Free Confidence: How to Trust Your Decisions without Overthinking with Todd Smith (Ep 266)

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. **************** 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 **************** 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 **************** 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 is Not Sexy: Why a Messy Home Impacts Your Love Life (Pt 5 of the Empowering Life Series (Ep 265)

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

Decluttering the Mental Load: Creating a More Balanced Home Life with Paige Connell (Ep 264)

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