What if clutter wasn’t just about a messy drawer, but about our self-worth, our health, and even our happiness?

In this episode, Emily Paulsen speaks with Sarah Parisi, founder of The Clutter Curator, a psychology-based professional organizing company that helps people design homes that actually support the way they want to live. Sarah has guided countless clients through pivotal life transitions, whether moving, downsizing, or simply seeking more peace, and she brings a unique approach that goes far beyond bins and labels.

Their conversation explores the psychology of why we hold onto things, how consumer culture fuels guilt and overwhelm, and why editing with intention can be more powerful than purging. From self-worth and boundaries to dopamine hits and daily habits, Sarah reveals how decluttering can free up time, energy, and even improve mental and physical health.

This episode is for anyone who wants their home to feel calmer, more intentional, and aligned with the life they’re living now, not the one they used to live or feel pressured to maintain.

Key Takeaways

• Edit with intention: Organizing isn’t about purging everything, it’s about consciously choosing what stays to support your lifestyle.

• Vision leads the way: A clear picture of how you want your home to feel makes it easier to let go of what no longer fits.

• Worthiness matters: Believing you deserve a supportive, clutter-free home is the foundation of lasting change.

• Celebrate the reset: A true reset, resetting closets, kitchens, or routines, creates clarity and a sustainable fresh start.

• Reframe the “warm and fuzzy”: Shift the satisfaction from acquiring or donating to celebrating what you didn’t buy in the first place.

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Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. She’s spent years honing the ability to deeply understand and amplify others in an honest, high-impact way.

Learn more about Emily at: www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com

Connect on Instagram: @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman

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The guest on this episode, Sarah Parisi, is the founder of The Clutter Curator, a Chicago-based professional organizing company that blends psychology and practical systems to help clients create homes that feel peaceful and supportive. With a background in guiding people through life transitions, Sarah and her team focus on reshaping habits and mindsets, highlighting what truly supports a client’s lifestyle, and teaching the joy of owning less.

Connect with Sarah: www.thecluttercurator.com

Follow on Instagram: @the_clutter_curator