We took Parker and the girls and a few buddies to Dave and Busters a few weeks ago and there was this small thing that happened that has been a huge perspective shift in my life. it's worth a podcast episode.   I was telling Craig on the way there that I've kept all our past Dave and Buster's card organized in the Ziploc baggie in my purse so we have so many cards we have endless game credits we won't have to buy any cards it's literally gonna be the easiest trip to Dave & Buster's ever. So we get there and we're at that scanning machine and one by one each of the 10 cards I had been carrying around in my purse was empty- now they had tickets on them for the stuff in the prize room but zero game credits.   I was laughing so hard I literally couldn't catch my breath as every card we scanned in was a big fat zero and Craig jokingly said… Lindsay you have to stop keeping things.    And it was like the world stopped and I was like - wait a minute - I was sure those cards had value.  What else in my life am I keeping that I won’t use or wear or anything. Things that are weighing me down for no reason.      This whole experience threw me into this new way of thinking… where I purge with a feeling of abundance, rather than holding on to things.    My goal in this episode is to help you discover what Dave and Busters cards you’ve been keeping… that are actually weighing you down.   I’ve realized more and more that my space needs to be completely organized for my life to feel organized - that’s what we’re unpacking today!      -The Myth of Value: When We Think Something Still Works

• Common examples: clothes that no longer fit your lifestyle, kitchen gadgets you “might need someday."

-The Weight of Keeping Things "Just In Case"

• The emotional burden of storing, organizing, and maintaining stuff “just in case.”

• Letting go frees up not just space, but time, clarity, and energy.

-Scarcity vs. Abundance Mindset

• The evolved mindset says: “I’ll be okay without this.” If I really need it, I’ll figure it out.  So many things we hold onto are a $10 pickup if we need it again 

• Purging is not wasteful — it’s trusting yourself and your future.

-Ask Yourself: What Are Your Dave & Buster’s Cards?

• • What am I holding onto that no longer adds value?

  • What items feel more like obligation than joy?

-Purge with Purpose — and Peace

• Tips for letting go:

  • Make it a celebration, not a chore.

  • Donate or re-home items to someone who needs them.

  • Keep only what aligns with your current season of life.

-The Clarity of Organized Space = Organized Life

• Organizing your space creates calm, energy, and creativity.

• When everything has a place, your brain gets a break.

• It’s less about perfection, and more about flow and freedom.

-Don’t Carry Dead Weight

• Back to the Ziploc baggie — “it looked like it held value, but it was just weight.”

• Look at your physical spaces with fresh eyes.

• Find the freedom and confidence that comes from letting go.

   

Why an Organized Home = An Organized Life

1. Mental Clarity & Emotional Lightness – Clutter creates mental overwhelm. When your space is clean, your mind feels clear and focused.

2. Saves Time & Energy – No more wasting time searching for things! You can use that energy for creativity, work, or self-care.

3. Boosts Productivity & Motivation – A structured space helps you feel in control and more motivated to tackle tasks.

4. Reduces Stress & Anxiety – Studies show clutter increases cortisol (stress hormone). A tidy home means a calmer mind.

5. Encourages Healthy Habits – An organized kitchen makes healthy eating easier; a tidy workspace boosts efficiency.

6. Better Sleep & Relaxation – A clean bedroom promotes deeper, more restorative sleep.

Unique Summer Cleaning Ideas

1. Declutter by Energy Zones – Organize based on how a space makes you feel. If a room feels “heavy,” reassess what’s in it.

2. Reverse Spring Cleaning – Unload drawers as if you’re moving, then only put back what you truly love or need.

3. “One-Touch” Rule – When tidying, make sure each item you pick up is immediately put where it belongs.

4. Seasonal Reset Box – Place items you’re unsure about in a box. If you don’t use them in 3 months, donate them.

5. Declutter with Music & a Timer – Set a 30 minute timer & play loud music and go! 

6. The “Why Do I Own This?” Test – Ask yourself if each item serves a purpose or brings joy. If not, let it go!

7. Detox Your Digital Space – Clean up emails, files, and phone apps to declutter your mind.

 

I hope this episode inspires you to see organization as a form of self-care rather than a chore.  And helps you focus on what you’re carrying around that you think serves you but is actually heavy dead weight. 

  CHEERS to your organized space & life!!