85 // 23 Things I Learned About Decluttering in 2023

I’ve been pursuing a simpler, more minimal lifestyle for almost a decade and have learned a lot along the way. But hosting this podcast continues to teach me something new every week! So here’s 23 things I’ve learned about decluttering in 2023.

Last days of my GIVEAWAY! If you leave a written review in Apple Podcasts between December 12, 2023 and December 31, 2023 AND send a screenshot of the review ([email protected] or direct message me on Facebook or Instagram), you’ll be in the running for a free autographed copy of my children’s book Little One. Great as a gift for the little ones in your life!

Resources Mentioned:

Here’s the list of 23 things I learned about decluttering in 2023 with links to all the relevant episodes!

1. I need to always remind myself why I’m holding on, and why I’m letting go. (Episode 3)

2. My emotions and thoughts are not my reality. I can feel overwhelm (vibration in my body) and have a thought, but can always ask if the thought is true. My thoughts are not me. (Episode 82)

3. I can have the courage to understand my values and live in alignment with them, even if they aren’t what everyone else does. (Episode 3)

4. Decluttering unemotional areas first gives me the momentum and the strength of small wins so I can do harder things. (Episode 5)

5. Artificial boundaries, including margins in my day, allow me to live within my capacity. (Episode 6 and Episode 30)

6. What I model to my kids matters. (Episode 18)

7. If decluttering is decision making, clutter is delayed decisions. (Episode 6)

8. Decluttering is reclaiming what is rightfully mine - my time, energy, focus, and attention. (Episode 8)

9. Once I’ve paid for something with money, I don’t have to keep paying for it with my time and energy. I can let go of the guilt and move on. (Episode 9)

10. Keeping aspirational clutter - things that we used to do, that used to fit us - just makes me feel bad about myself. I can let it go knowing that in another season, I may be able to get back to those things but I don’t have to feel bad about my life now. (Episode 10)

11. Just because an item has memories attached, doesn’t mean I need to keep it if the memories aren’t positive ones. (Episode 11)

12.  Perfectionism and procrastination are two sides of the same coin. Not doing it perfectly prevents me from starting, so I’m going to start small and imperfectly, especially with decluttering. (Episode 12 and Episode 73)

13. Your loved ones want you to be happy, not burdened by their stuff. Let go of the guilt. A gift given out of love doesn’t need to be kept out of guilt. (Episode 14)

14. “Just in case” likely means never. Instead, focus on “just for when” items - seasonal, etc. and be realistic about what you actually use and need. (Episode 15)

15. The most powerful questions I can ask myself are “What can I lay down?” and “What unnecessary decisions can I remove from my life?” (Episode 19)

16. Just because I get something for free or a gift does not mean I need to keep it. I am the CEO of my home. (Episode 23)

17. I set the tone for my home and what is acceptable when it comes to clutter and tidying. (Episode 81)

18. You need a system around your stuff or else you’ll continue to feel overwhelmed. (Episode 81)

19. Clutter-free living is not a final destination. It’s a journey and process based upon small, consistent steps. (Episode 52)

20. Thinking about my family being burdened by my stuff if something happens to me may be morbid, but it’s super powerful. (Episode 65)

21. There is nothing I can buy that is going to make me feel better in the long run. Dopamine is fleeting. Peace that comes from a clutter-free home is better than any purchase. (Episode 23)

22. Being present with my kids is more important than sticking to any routine perfectly. (Episode 74)

23. I am worth more than anything I have ever paid for what I own. (Episode 8)

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I help moms declutter their homes, heads, and hearts.

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