

Wannabe Clutter Free | Declutter, Simplify, Find Freedom
Deanna Yates | Professional Organizer, Decluttering Coach, Wannabe Minimalist
Ready to finally calm the overwhelm and create a home and life you actually enjoy? The Wannabe Clutter Free podcast is here to help you clear the clutter, simplify your routines, and find freedom in the life you’re building.
I’m Deanna Yates, a busy mom who knows what it’s like to juggle family, career, and the never-ending piles of stuff. From selling 80% of what we owned to travel with our toddler, to managing the daily chaos of running a home with a school-aged kid, I’ve learned that living with less isn’t about deprivation. It’s about creating more space, more peace, and more joy.
Each week, I share real-life stories, simple decluttering strategies, and mindset shifts that make it easier to let go of what’s weighing you down. You’ll also hear from inspiring guests who share practical tips and fresh perspectives on minimalism, home organization, intentional living, and building habits that last.
If you’re tired of feeling buried in clutter and crave a home that feels calm, welcoming, and easy to manage, this show is for you. It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress, freedom, and finding space for what truly matters to you.
I’m Deanna Yates, a busy mom who knows what it’s like to juggle family, career, and the never-ending piles of stuff. From selling 80% of what we owned to travel with our toddler, to managing the daily chaos of running a home with a school-aged kid, I’ve learned that living with less isn’t about deprivation. It’s about creating more space, more peace, and more joy.
Each week, I share real-life stories, simple decluttering strategies, and mindset shifts that make it easier to let go of what’s weighing you down. You’ll also hear from inspiring guests who share practical tips and fresh perspectives on minimalism, home organization, intentional living, and building habits that last.
If you’re tired of feeling buried in clutter and crave a home that feels calm, welcoming, and easy to manage, this show is for you. It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress, freedom, and finding space for what truly matters to you.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 5, 2023 • 34min
Ep 160: Keep Your Home Clutter Free by Making Decluttering More Fun
Links mentioned in this episode (some may be affiliate links):Get more show notes and additional free resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/160Discover my favorite resources hereTidy Home Academy - Empowering you to declutter and organize so you can have the tidy, happy home you crave. Discover how implementing the right systems can get your home clean and keep it that way. Avalanche Declutter Challenge - Completely transform your home in just 30 days with this free challengeHappier at Home Guide - 5 simple steps you can take today to tidy up, take back your sanity, and thrive at home.Wannabe Minimalist Community - come join my private group filled with amazing people just like you who are on their journey toward minimalism and simplifying**********************Do you think decluttering is fun? If you said yes, you are not like most people (and you're probably not reading this anyway).Even me…as a wannabe minimalist and clutter free living advocate…am not really all that fond of decluttering.But, just because something isn’t easy doesn’t mean we can't make it fun.This podcast episode will show you 7 ways you can increase the fun factor when it comes to decluttering so you enjoy the process more, can get more buy-in from your family and stick with it for the long-haul.This episode of Wannabe Clutter Free will help you discover:
7 ways to make decluttering more fun
Where to start decluttering
Why it's better to focus on your BIG picture
An easy hack to make tidying more automatic
What you can do to turn decluttering into a game
**********************Music:Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comHappy by MBB https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/Happy-MBB Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/g6swHZbWtRc **********************Subscribe & ReviewAre you subscribed to the Wannabe Clutter Free podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those.And if you enjoyed today’s episode, it would make my day if you left me a rating and review. You can leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a comment on Spotify Podcasts or Goodpods, or connect on guest video interviews on YouTube. Your review helps other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to read. Let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 28, 2023 • 52min
Ep 159: How to Avoid Being the Evil Stepmother When Decluttering with Dr. Michaela Bucchianeri
Links mentioned in this episode (some may be affiliate links):Get more show notes and additional free resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/159Discover my favorite resources hereTidy Home Academy - Empowering you to declutter and organize so you can have the tidy, happy home you crave. Discover how implementing the right systems can get your home clean and keep it that way. Avalanche Declutter Challenge - Completely transform your home in just 30 days with this free challengeHappier at Home Guide - 5 simple steps you can take today to tidy up, take back your sanity, and thrive at home.**********************Did you know an estimated 42% of adults have a step-relationship of some kind - and it’s becoming more prevalent in our communities. Yet, so much of the guidance aimed at parents and families is filtered through a "first family" lens.I am totally guilty of this!And I understand that this leaves a massive segment of the population under-equipped to navigate an additional layer of complexity to everyday household challenges.So on this episode of the Wannabe Clutter Free podcast, we are chatting all things decluttering with a step family perspective. But, even if you are in a “first family”, there's a ton of helpful info so don't skip it.And while I don't have direct experience decluttering in a step-household, thankfully, my expert this week does and she is here to help us out.Dr. Michaela Bucchianeri is a clinical psychologist, speaker, and coach living in the Twin Cities, Minnesota with her husband and two stepsons.Blending the science of psychology and the art of stepmom-ing, Michaela helps women in this unique role to create a stepmom identity that's all their own – so they can worry less, shift their energy to whatever lights them up, and start having way more fun!Through her work, she’s witnessed firsthand the stress and anxiety caused by managing clutter in a stepfamily environment. And in her own 10+ years as a stepmom, she said she knows all too well how surprising and sensitive decluttering decisions and conversations can be.It is a great conversation and Michaela was so wonderful to chat with. You are in for a treat of a conversation about thoughtful decluttering as a stepmom.This episode of the Wannabe Minimalist Show will also help you discover:
Why decluttering as a step family is so complex
Ideas for decluttering that do not involve getting rid of things
How to defuse these emotionally charged conversations around stuff
Why we need to be more curious when decluttering
Michaela’s humbling decluttering story
**********************Music:Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comHappy by MBB https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/Happy-MBB Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/g6swHZbWtRc **********************Subscribe & ReviewAre you subscribed to the Wannabe Clutter Free podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those.And if you enjoyed today’s episode, it would make my day if you left me a rating and review. You can leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a comment on Spotify Podcasts or Goodpods, or connect on guest video interviews on YouTube. Your review helps other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to read. Let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 21, 2023 • 51min
Ep 158: Overcoming the "Hoarding Gene" and Living Clutter Free
Links mentioned in this episode (some may be affiliate links):Get more show notes and additional free resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/158Discover my favorite resources hereTidy Home Academy - Empowering you to declutter and organize so you can have the tidy, happy home you crave. Discover how implementing the right systems can get your home clean and keep it that way. Avalanche Declutter Challenge - Completely transform your home in just 30 days with this free challengeHappier at Home Guide - 5 simple steps you can take today to tidy up, take back your sanity, and thrive at home.Wannabe Minimalist Community - come join my private group filled with amazing people just like you who are on their journey toward minimalism and simplifying**********************Do you feel like you were born with an innate desire to collect and keep things? Some might even joke that you have the “hoarder gene”?While that’s not a scientific thing, many people do struggle with letting go of things they have collected over time. Often these things are sentimental or might be useful “someday”.The problem soon becomes that as you hold on to more and more, your home becomes more cluttered. When you hold onto too much it can be overwhelming.That’s why I was invited on as a guest for the Grounded in Maine podcast. The host, Amy Fagan, wanted to pick my brain and ask me how to let go when she feels this strong desire to keep.We chatted about minimalism, decluttering, organizing, and our mindsets behind our things. If you’ve ever wanted to pick my brain, this episode is for you.This episode of Wannabe Clutter Free will also help you discover:
Where to start decluttering
What are the rules of minimalism
How your lifestyle affects your decluttering efforts
Tips for decluttering your clothes closet
Why I felt the time was right for my podcast name change
**********************Music:Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comHappy by MBB https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/Happy-MBB Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/g6swHZbWtRc **********************Subscribe & ReviewAre you subscribed to the Wannabe Clutter Free podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those.And if you enjoyed today’s episode, it would make my day if you left me a rating and review. You can leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a comment on Spotify Podcasts or Goodpods, or connect on guest video interviews on YouTube. Your review helps other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to read. Let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 14, 2023 • 45min
Ep 157: Minimalist Skin Care Routine This Dermatologist Swears By with Dr. Mina
Links mentioned in this episode (some may be affiliate links):Get more show notes and additional free resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/157Discover my favorite resources hereTidy Home Academy - Empowering you to declutter and organize so you can have the tidy, happy home you crave. Discover how implementing the right systems can get your home clean and keep it that way. Avalanche Declutter Challenge - Completely transform your home in just 30 days with this free challengeHappier at Home Guide - 5 simple steps you can take today to tidy up, take back your sanity, and thrive at home.Wannabe Minimalist Community - come join my private group filled with amazing people just like you who are on their journey toward minimalism and simplifying**********************Is it possible to create an effective minimalist skin care routine and keep our bathrooms clutter free? That’s what my expert guest, dermatologist Dr. Mina, is here to answer on the podcast.With so much hype and marketing put into skin care products, it is extremely difficult to sift through the noise. That’s why I was excited to get the truth from an expert on the topic.And skin care is not just what you see on the outside. Our skin health also extends to being sun smart and with summer here, we are also discussing how to teach our kids to be safe in the sun.Dr. Mary Alice Mina is a double-board certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon and leading expert on skin health and skincare. She received her medical degree from Vanderbilt University where she graduated at the top of her class with Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) honors. She trained at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for her internship followed by dermatology residency at Harvard Medical School where she was selected as Chief Resident in her final year. She then received sub-speciality training in Mohs micrographic surgery and procedural dermatology at Emory University.With over a decade of clinical experience, she is nationally recognized for her work in helping people maintain their skin health, while boosting their self-confidence. She is also the host of THE SKIN REAL, a podcast for people looking for real skin care guidance, by true skin experts.This episode of the Wannabe Minimalist Show will also help you discover:
How to keep your skin care routine clutter free
Ways to get the youthful looking and healthy skin with less
The real truth behind the products on the shelves.
What skin care products are worth the splurge
Ideas for creating good skin care habits for your kids
**********************Music:Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comHappy by MBB https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/Happy-MBB Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/g6swHZbWtRc **********************Subscribe & ReviewAre you subscribed to the Wannabe Clutter Free podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those.And if you enjoyed today’s episode, it would make my day if you left me a rating and review. You can leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a comment on Spotify Podcasts or Goodpods, or connect on guest video interviews on YouTube. Your review helps other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to read. Let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 7, 2023 • 28min
Ep 156: Dread Summer Decluttering? Try This Instead!
Links mentioned in this episode (some may be affiliate links):Get more show notes and additional free resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/156Discover my favorite resources hereTidy Home Academy - Empowering you to declutter and organize so you can have the tidy, happy home you crave. Discover how implementing the right systems can get your home clean and keep it that way. Avalanche Declutter Challenge - Completely transform your home in just 30 days with this free challengeHappier at Home Guide - 5 simple steps you can take today to tidy up, take back your sanity, and thrive at home.Wannabe Minimalist Community - come join my private group filled with amazing people just like you who are on their journey toward minimalism and simplifying**********************Summer’s here and this is a great time to declutter! Schools out, schedules are changing, and with the new season comes a fresh start. And anytime there’s a fresh start it’s the perfect time to re-evaluate your stuff.Or you know…declutter the items you no longer use, need, or have outgrown.The only problem is that with the summer heat, no one wants to spend a whole day or weekend decluttering the garage or basement.That is why I suggest you focus on creating a system that will help you focus on the things you need and want for your summer activities.On today’s episode I’m talking about how we keep decluttering simple in the summer so we can make progress on the stuff, but still focus on the fun of the longer, sun-filled days.This episode of Wannabe Minimalist will also help you discover:
3 mental shifts to make around summer decluttering
What I created to help focus on the items we do need
How categories help us declutter by season
Why the beginning and end of a season is my favorite time to declutter
An action step you can take today to make your summer clutter-free
**********************Music:Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comHappy by MBB https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/Happy-MBB Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/g6swHZbWtRc **********************Subscribe & ReviewAre you subscribed to the Wannabe Clutter Free podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those.And if you enjoyed today’s episode, it would make my day if you left me a rating and review. You can leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a comment on Spotify Podcasts or Goodpods, or connect on guest video interviews on YouTube. Your review helps other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to read. Let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 31, 2023 • 1h 7min
Ep 155: The Importance of Sleep in Your Clutter Free Life with Terry Cralle, RN
Links mentioned in this episode (some may be affiliate links):Get more show notes and additional free resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/155Discover my favorite resources hereTidy Home Academy - Empowering you to declutter and organize so you can have the tidy, happy home you crave. Discover how implementing the right systems can get your home clean and keep it that way. Avalanche Declutter Challenge - Completely transform your home in just 30 days with this free challengeHappier at Home Guide - 5 simple steps you can take today to tidy up, take back your sanity, and thrive at home.Wannabe Minimalist Community - come join my private group filled with amazing people just like you who are on their journey toward minimalism and simplifying**********************Do you get enough sleep? If you're like most busy parents, the answer is no.It's perfectly understandable to see why our sleep suffers - families take a lot of time, energy, and effort to nurture and grow. Add in adult responsibilities like working, social commitments, and activities and it’s easy to see why most of us pull back on our sleep when our schedules get full.But, my expert guest is here to tell us why we should be working backwards and start with making sure we’re getting enough sleep. When we’re well rested the other pieces in our lives just fit together better and we get to be the better versions of ourselves we’re striving to be.As a Registered Nurse, Certified Clinical Sleep Educator, Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality and Certified in Clinical Sleep Health, Terry Cralle has devoted much of her career to sleep health and wellness.An author, sleep health advocate, and co-founder of a four-bed sleep disorders center, Terry serves as a national consultant and speaker to a large number of organizations and clients. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Start School Later, Inc. and the Advisory Board for the American Sleep Association.She holds Bachelors’ degrees in sociology and nursing and a Master’s in healthcare management. Terry is the co-author of the book, Sleeping Your Way to the Top as well as a children’s book Snoozby and the Great Big Bedtime Battle.Terry clearly knows a thing or two about the importance of sleep!This episode of the Wannabe Minimalist Show will also help you discover:
Why sleep is so important - especially for kids
What happens when we sleep
How to set up your bedroom for optimal sleep
Why we need to stop taking away from sleep when we’re busy
Tips for decluttering your bedroom
**********************Music:Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comHappy by MBB https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/Happy-MBB Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/g6swHZbWtRc **********************Subscribe & ReviewAre you subscribed to the Wannabe Clutter Free podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those.And if you enjoyed today’s episode, it would make my day if you left me a rating and review. You can leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a comment on Spotify Podcasts or Goodpods, or connect on guest video interviews on YouTube. Your review helps other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to read. Let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 24, 2023 • 29min
Ep 154: Stop Decluttering Burnout Before it Starts: 7 Tips to Save Your Sanity
Links mentioned in this episode (some may be affiliate links):Get more show notes and additional free resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/154Discover my favorite resources hereTidy Home Academy - Empowering you to declutter and organize so you can have the tidy, happy home you crave. Discover how implementing the right systems can get your home clean and keep it that way. Avalanche Declutter Challenge - Completely transform your home in just 30 days with this free challengeHappier at Home Guide - 5 simple steps you can take today to tidy up, take back your sanity, and thrive at home.Wannabe Minimalist Community - come join my private group filled with amazing people just like you who are on their journey toward minimalism and simplifying**********************This might be a bit controversial coming from someone who would consider herself a declutter coach and wannabe minimalist, but I do not believe you can live in a constant state of decluttering.We need breaks from decluttering, just like we need rewards from hard things. If we do no stop to celebrate our progress, we will become overwhelmed and stop making progress.There are ways we can approach decluttering that can make the process simple so that it will lead to success.After all, we're not getting rid of stuff just for the sake of getting rid of stuff. We are decluttering and getting rid of stuff so that we can live the lives that we actually want to be living.It’s about letting go of the excess so we can get to the heart of the matter and focus on what's most important in our lives.And making sure we have the energy to get to that finish line is of the upmost importance.This episode of the Wannabe Clutter Free podcast will help you discover:
7 tips to avoiding declutter burnout
How to celebrate decluttering successes
How I classify decluttering tasks in our home
5 steps to decluttering your whole home
What I really think about decluttering in ONE weekend
**********************Music:Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comHappy by MBB https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/Happy-MBB Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/g6swHZbWtRc **********************Subscribe & ReviewAre you subscribed to the Wannabe Clutter Free podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those.And if you enjoyed today’s episode, it would make my day if you left me a rating and review. You can leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a comment on Spotify Podcasts or Goodpods, or connect on guest video interviews on YouTube. Your review helps other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to read. Let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 17, 2023 • 50min
Ep 153: Creating a capsule wardrobe for kids with Kara and Nicole from Hand Me Up
Links mentioned in this episode (some may be affiliate links):Get more show notes and additional free resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/153Discover my favorite resources hereTidy Home Academy - Empowering you to declutter and organize so you can have the tidy, happy home you crave. Discover how implementing the right systems can get your home clean and keep it that way. Avalanche Declutter Challenge - Completely transform your home in just 30 days with this free challengeHappier at Home Guide - 5 simple steps you can take today to tidy up, take back your sanity, and thrive at home.Wannabe Minimalist Community - come join my private group filled with amazing people just like you who are on their journey toward minimalism and simplifying**********************If you have young kids, you know how quickly they grow - especially out of all of their clothes. A game-changer in our home was our embracing of the capsule wardrobe - not just for me, but for our daughter too.The idea that you can mix and match everything in her closet just makes everything better.This simple trick can make your mornings easier, save you tons of money, do good things for the environment, and make your kids happier. You’ll wonder why you didn't try a capsule wardrobe sooner.But, if you are new to capsule wardrobes it can be difficult to know where to start.My guests this week on the Wannabe Minimalist podcast are here to help us with the why, what, and how of creating a wardrobe that you and your kids love - all from the comfort of your home.Yep! You heard me right…no shopping involved. Whoo hoo!Longtime friends of over 20 years, Kara and Nicole, have seen each other through many ages and stages of life, navigating high school, college, married life and now motherhood.They are tackling the issue of the overwhelm of growing kids with piles of clothes and the growing environmental issue of textile waste through their company, Hand Me Up.Hand Me Up is a unique e-commerce shopping experience that simplifies shopping secondhand for busy families through curated mix & match capsule BAGs of kids' clothes.This episode of the Wannabe Minimalist Show will also help you discover:
The key to creating a capsule wardrobe for kids
How may pieces you actually need
Tips for creating a wardrobe on a budget
Why a mix and match wardrobe makes mornings a breeze
How a capsule wardrobe helps the environment in a BIG way
**********************Music:Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comHappy by MBB https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/Happy-MBB Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/g6swHZbWtRc **********************Subscribe & ReviewAre you subscribed to the Wannabe Clutter Free podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those.And if you enjoyed today’s episode, it would make my day if you left me a rating and review. You can leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a comment on Spotify Podcasts or Goodpods, or connect on guest video interviews on YouTube. Your review helps other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to read. Let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 10, 2023 • 29min
Ep 152: Positive Decluttering: The Benefits of Focusing on What You Want to Keep
Links mentioned in this episode (some may be affiliate links):Get more show notes and additional free resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/152Discover my favorite resources hereTidy Home Academy - Empowering you to declutter and organize so you can have the tidy, happy home you crave. Discover how implementing the right systems can get your home clean and keep it that way. Avalanche Declutter Challenge - Completely transform your home in just 30 days with this free challengeHappier at Home Guide - 5 simple steps you can take today to tidy up, take back your sanity, and thrive at home.Wannabe Minimalist Community - come join my private group filled with amazing people just like you who are on their journey toward minimalism and simplifying**********************What do you think of when I say the word declutter? Most people don't think very highly of decluttering and try to avoid it if they can.I get it. Going through our belongings can be emotionally draining and overwhelming. But, living with clutter causes a lot of unnecessary stress in our lives so culling the things we don't need is important too.So how do we overcome our resistance to decluttering?Maybe you need a different approach. That’s what I’m exploring in this week’s podcast episode where I talk about the benefits of decluttering with a positive mindset.Instead of focusing on what you're getting rid of, this approach shifts the focus to what you want to keep. Positive decluttering allows you to be intentional about the items you choose to keep in your home and in your life, while giving you permission to release the items that no longer serve you without guilt or shame.This episode of the Wannabe Minimalist Show will help you discover:
5 steps to positive decluttering
The benefits of decluttering this way
Why it's better to focus on what you want to keep
The importance of a vision when decluttering
What you can do to declutter difficult spaces
**********************Music:Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comHappy by MBB https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/Happy-MBB Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/g6swHZbWtRc **********************Subscribe & ReviewAre you subscribed to the Wannabe Clutter Free podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those.And if you enjoyed today’s episode, it would make my day if you left me a rating and review. You can leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a comment on Spotify Podcasts or Goodpods, or connect on guest video interviews on YouTube. Your review helps other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to read. Let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 3, 2023 • 42min
Ep 151: Free Yourself from Your Toughest Sentimental Clutter with Krista St Germain
Links mentioned in this episode (some may be affiliate links):Get more show notes and additional free resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/151Discover my favorite resources hereTidy Home Academy - Empowering you to declutter and organize so you can have the tidy, happy home you crave. Discover how implementing the right systems can get your home clean and keep it that way. Avalanche Declutter Challenge - Completely transform your home in just 30 days with this free challengeHappier at Home Guide - 5 simple steps you can take today to tidy up, take back your sanity, and thrive at home.Wannabe Minimalist Community - come join my private group filled with amazing people just like you who are on their journey toward minimalism and simplifying**********************Sentimental clutter is one of the toughest kinds of clutter we deal with in our lives. This type of clutter that is made up of items we hold onto for emotional reasons, such as old photographs, love letters, and childhood toys. It is this emotional connection that makes it so difficult to let these things go.We often believe our memories of past events or the special people in our lives live in these objects because we can’t help but think of these special times and people when we see these objects.While these items may hold a special place in our hearts, they also take up physical space in our homes and mental space in our minds - both of which are precious in their own right. The key is to find a balance between holding onto what is important and letting go of what is no longer serving us.That’s where today’s guest can help us. Krista St-Germain is a Master Certified Life Coach, grief expert, widow, mom and host of The Widowed Mom Podcast.When her husband was killed by a drunk driver in 2016, Krista’s life was completely and unexpectedly flipped upside down. After therapy helped her unfurl from the fetal position, Krista discovered Life Coaching, Post Traumatic Growth and learned the tools she needed to move forward and create a future she could get excited about. Now she coaches and teaches other widows so they can love life again, too.This episode of the Wannabe Minimalist Show will also help you discover:
Krista’s outlook on feelings and emotions
The process of letting go of sentimental items
What to do when you feel guilting about letting things go
Why regret is not a bad thing
Ideas for what to do with sentimental things you want to keep
**********************Music:Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comHappy by MBB https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/Happy-MBB Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/g6swHZbWtRc **********************Subscribe & ReviewAre you subscribed to the Wannabe Clutter Free podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those.And if you enjoyed today’s episode, it would make my day if you left me a rating and review. You can leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a comment on Spotify Podcasts or Goodpods, or connect on guest video interviews on YouTube. Your review helps other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to read. Let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


