Wannabe Clutter Free | Declutter, Simplify, Find Freedom

Decluttering from the Root: Emotional Clutter, Systems, and Sanity with Tracy McCubbin (Ep 292)


Listen Later

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

          ...more
          View all episodesView all episodes
          Download on the App Store

          Wannabe Clutter Free | Declutter, Simplify, Find FreedomBy Deanna Yates | Professional Organizer, Decluttering Coach, Wannabe Minimalist

          • 4.5
          • 4.5
          • 4.5
          • 4.5
          • 4.5

          4.5

          366 ratings


          More shows like Wannabe Clutter Free | Declutter, Simplify, Find Freedom

          View all
          The Minimalists by Joshua Fields Millburn, Ryan Nicodemus, T.K. Coleman

          The Minimalists

          10,246 Listeners

          Organize 365 Podcast by Lisa Woodruff

          Organize 365 Podcast

          1,317 Listeners

          A Slob Comes Clean by Dana K. White: A Slob Comes Clean

          A Slob Comes Clean

          2,510 Listeners

          Clutterbug - Real-Life Hacks and Tips to Declutter, Organize and Clean your Home Fast by Clutterbug

          Clutterbug - Real-Life Hacks and Tips to Declutter, Organize and Clean your Home Fast

          2,118 Listeners

          Minimalist Moms Podcast | Simple Living for Overwhelmed Moms by Diane Boden

          Minimalist Moms Podcast | Simple Living for Overwhelmed Moms

          988 Listeners

          This Organized Life: Decluttering Tips for Moms, Entrepreneurs and Professional Organizers by Laurie Palau

          This Organized Life: Decluttering Tips for Moms, Entrepreneurs and Professional Organizers

          276 Listeners

          Frugal Friends Podcast by Jen Smith & Jill Sirianni | Backyard Ventures

          Frugal Friends Podcast

          1,246 Listeners

          Minimal-ish: Minimalism, Intentional Living, Motherhood by Cloud10

          Minimal-ish: Minimalism, Intentional Living, Motherhood

          1,007 Listeners

          The Declutter Hub Podcast by The Declutter Hub

          The Declutter Hub Podcast

          210 Listeners

          Maximized Minimalist Podcast by Katy Wells

          Maximized Minimalist Podcast

          925 Listeners

          SYSTEMIZE YOUR LIFE | Overwhelmed, Organized, Routines, Schedules, Time Management, Time Blocking, Business Systems, Online Business, Work-From-Home, SAHM by Chelsi Jo

          SYSTEMIZE YOUR LIFE | Overwhelmed, Organized, Routines, Schedules, Time Management, Time Blocking, Business Systems, Online Business, Work-From-Home, SAHM

          692 Listeners

          Declutter Your Chaos - Mindful Minimalism by Amber Cammidge

          Declutter Your Chaos - Mindful Minimalism

          361 Listeners

          The Art of Decluttering by Amy Revell

          The Art of Decluttering

          125 Listeners

          THE HABITS & HOME SHOW | Decluttering & Systems for Christian ADHD Moms by Lisa Lizotte | Home Organizer and Habits Coach

          THE HABITS & HOME SHOW | Decluttering & Systems for Christian ADHD Moms

          170 Listeners

          Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, & intentional living by Cloud10

          Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, & intentional living

          295 Listeners