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

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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

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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

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

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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 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.

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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

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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

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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

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

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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

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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

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

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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.

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