Maximized Minimalist Podcast

Hey friend, I just got back from our annual camping trip to Hunting Island State Park, and it reminded me of something important—slower moments hold the most joy. Wandering the beach, looking for shark teeth, watching the kids play—no rush, no distractions, just being present. And I realized: Why do these moments feel so peaceful, and how can we bring more of them into everyday life? What We’re Talking About Today: Why slowing down makes life feel better (and actually be better) The science of ‘glimmers’—tiny moments of joy we often miss Simple ways to create more breathing room in your daily routine Speaking of Finding Calm… If you’re looking for a way to bring more peace into your home, let me tell you about the AirDoctor air purifier—a total game-changer. Did you know indoor air can be up to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air? AirDoctor eliminates 99.99% of harmful contaminants, allergens, and mold spores. And as a cat-lady and mom to two high-energy boys, having cleaner air makes a huge difference. It’s like breathing in a little slice of zen. Head to https://airdoctorpro.com/ and use promo code MAX to get up to $300 off today! Your Challenge This Week: Find One Glimmer Here’s my challenge for you—find one moment to slow down this week. Maybe it’s a quiet cup of coffee before the kids wake up, a short walk with no destination, or just sitting still for a few minutes and noticing what’s around you. Because the joy we’re looking for? It’s already there—we just have to slow down enough to see it. Ready, Set, Simplify—bye! Ready to Declutter Even More? Check Out These Resources: 🚀 Get FAST Results with My Free Guide: 75 Things to Declutter Right Now Need a quick win? This guide helps you clear space and see results fast. 📥 https://www.katyjoywells.com/declutter 📅 Join My Next 14-Day Challenge Declutter your home with me! We’re tackling clutter together for 14 days, one step at a time. 🚀 https://www.katyjoywells.com/email-clutter-crusher-challenge 💡 Work 1-on-1 With Me Need personalized support to simplify your life? Let’s create a plan that works for you. 💼 https://www.katyjoywells.com/innercircle 🏡 Get Your Personalized Home Management Blueprint Want a step-by-step plan to manage your home effortlessly? Let’s create your custom blueprint. 📝 https://www.katyjoywells.com/home-management-mastery 📲 Connect with Me on Instagram Follow me for daily decluttering tips, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes peeks into my life. 💛 https://www.instagram.com/katyjoywells  

Cas of Clutterbug, a leading expert in home organizing, shares her innovative strategies for maintaining order in family homes. Discover why typical organization advice often fails and learn to identify your unique Clutterbug style. Cas reveals effective ways to engage family members in tidying up without nagging, plus her must-have item for effortless organization. With practical tips on spring cleaning and fostering household harmony, this conversation is filled with relatable stories and game-changing insights for a clutter-free life.

Ever feel like you’re stuck in an all-or-nothing cycle when it comes to fitness, mindset, or even just keeping up with life? You’re not alone. Today, I’m sitting down with Emily Long, the creator of the STRONGER framework, to talk about a simpler, more sustainable approach to fitness and life—one that actually works for busy women like you. Emily knows firsthand what it’s like to feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and unsure of where to start. That’s why she developed STRONGER, a method that helps women build strength with purpose—without the guilt, shame, or burnout. In this episode, we’re breaking down: ✔️ The STRONGER framework—what it stands for and how it helps women stay consistent ✔️ Why the all-or-nothing mindset is so common (and how to ditch it for good) ✔️ How to build momentum and stay motivated even when life gets chaotic ✔️ The smallest, easiest step you can take today to start feeling stronger—inside and out Plus, Emily is sharing what kind of support truly moves the needle when it comes to long-term success (spoiler: it’s not what you think!). If you’re ready to stop feeling stuck and start feeling stronger with purpose, you won’t want to miss this episode. 👉 Links & Resources Mentioned: Join Emily’s FREE 5-Day 'STRONGER Starts Here' Kickstart challenge → https://strongerwithpurpose.life/optin?am_id=katywells9911 Grab your spot in the 14-Day Clutter Crusher Challenge for just $17 (with promo code PODCAST!) → https://www.katyjoywells.com/email-clutter-crusher-challenge PS: This challenge kicks off on March 17th, and spots are limited! If you’ve ever wished your home could just magically declutter itself, this is for you. 🎉 Hit play now, and let’s get stronger—together.

Ever Open Your Closet and Feel Defeated? You’re Not Alone. We’ve all been there. You catch a glimpse of that pair of jeans you swore you’d fit into again, or the untouched art supplies that were going to make you the next Picasso. But instead of feeling motivated, you feel a little stuck—maybe even guilty. If that sounds familiar, then, friend, this episode is for you. Today, we’re talking about aspirational clutter—the stuff we hold onto because it represents who we hoped we’d become. The fancy cookware for the gourmet chef phase that never happened. The fitness gear collecting dust in the corner. The books you swore you’d read but haven’t cracked open. And the hard truth? Keeping these items doesn’t inspire us. It keeps us stuck. So, in this episode, we’re unpacking: Why aspirational clutter is so tough to let go of The sneaky ways it keeps you from moving forward How to release it without guilt (for real this time!) And don’t worry—letting go isn’t about giving up on your dreams. It’s about making space for who you are right now. Because, friend, you are worthy and enough in this very moment—no extra supplies required. Listener Challenge: Take Back Your Space! Find one item of aspirational clutter in your home. Ask yourself: 👉 Does this fit my current season of life? 👉 Do I feel inspired or guilty when I see it? If it no longer serves you, let it go. And if you do? I want to hear about it!  Share your story. Ready to Declutter Even More? Check Out These Resources: Get FAST Results with My Free Guide: 75 Things to Declutter Right Now Need a quick win? This guide helps you clear space and see results fast. 📥 Download it here Join My Next 14-Day Challenge Declutter your home with me! We’re tackling clutter together for 14 days, one step at a time. 📅 Sign up here Work 1-on-1 With Me Need personalized support to simplify your life? Let’s create a plan that works for you. 💼 Learn more here Get Your Personalized Home Management Blueprint Want a step-by-step plan to manage your home effortlessly? Let’s create your custom blueprint. 📝 Get started here Connect with Me on Instagram Follow me for daily decluttering tips, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes peeks into my life. 💛 Follow me here Friend, you deserve a home (and a life) that feels light, free, and yours. Let’s do this together!

Is Your Digital Life a Mess? Let’s Fix That. If your inbox is overflowing, your desktop is a disaster, and your cloud storage feels like a black hole, you’re not alone. Digital clutter is just as overwhelming as physical clutter—and yet, so many of us ignore it because, well, it’s not piling up on our kitchen counters. But here’s the thing: the mess in your digital life is affecting your focus, productivity, and mental energy more than you realize. This week, I’m sitting down with Sean from The Digital Organizer to help you streamline your emails, cloud storage, and files once and for all. We’re talking practical, doable strategies to help you break free from the chaos and create a digital space that works for you, not against you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How digital clutter impacts your productivity (and how to fix it). The “Email Bankruptcy” strategy to instantly clear your inbox. Smart file organization strategies that make everything easy to find. The real deal with cloud storage—and how to use it properly. How to stop your downloads folder from becoming a digital junk drawer. Simple maintenance habits to keep your digital life tidy without constant cleanup. ✨ Simplifier Spotlight: Let’s Celebrate Your Wins! I love hearing about the small (and big!) ways you’re simplifying your life. Whether you finally tackled that overflowing inbox, organized your desktop, or set up a new system that actually works, I want to celebrate YOU! 📢 Want to be featured? Submit your story here: katyjoywells.com/simplifier Get Sean’s Free Guide: Master Digital Organization Sean is sharing his complete File Organization Guide—the exact system he uses with clients to create a stress-free digital workspace. If your files are scattered, this is the step-by-step plan you need. 📥 Download it here Ready to Declutter Even More? Check Out These Resources: 🚀 Get FAST Results with My Free Guide: 75 Things to Declutter Right Now Need a quick win? This guide helps you clear space and see results fast. 📥 Download it here 📅 Join My Next 14-Day Challenge Declutter your home with me! We’re tackling clutter together for 14 days, one step at a time. 🚀 Sign up here 💡 Work 1-on-1 With Me Need personalized support to simplify your life? Let’s create a plan that works for you. 💼 Learn more here 🏡 Get Your Personalized Home Management Blueprint Want a step-by-step plan to manage your home effortlessly? Let’s create your custom blueprint. 📝 Get started here 📲 Connect with Me on Instagram Follow me for daily decluttering tips, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes peeks into my life. 💛 Follow me here Quick Win Challenge: This week, pick one area of your digital life to declutter. Maybe it’s your inbox, your downloads folder, or those 20,000 unread emails. Set a timer for 15 minutes and make some progress—you’ll be amazed at how good it feels! Ready to Simplify Your Digital Life? Don’t let tech overwhelm you—take back control starting today! Listen now and start creating a digital space that actually works for you. Big hugs, my friend, and I’ll see you next week! Ready, set, simplify—bye!

Ever feel like your phone is holding your family’s memories hostage? You’re not alone! Today, professional photo organizer Casey von Stein—better known as Miss Freddy—is back to help us tackle the digital photo clutter and create tangible keepsakes that actually get enjoyed (instead of collecting digital dust). We’re diving into: The emotional weight of unorganized photos (and how to lift it off your shoulders)\ Why printing your photos isn’t just cute—it’s essential for preserving family memories Simple, no-stress ways to get your pictures off your phone and into your life (hello, photo placemats!) The #1 first step to take when sorting through thousands of photos (because yes, we’ve ALL got a million of them) Plus, Casey shares the genius (and surprisingly easy!) way she created a legacy book for her mother-in-law—so her family stories can be passed down for generations. If your camera roll is a black hole of 30,000+ pictures, don’t worry—this episode will help you declutter, organize, and finally do something with those precious memories. Resources & Links: ✨ Ready to take control of your photo chaos? Casey’s Backup Boot Camp is your guide to organizing your photos and keeping them safe forever. Use code MINIMAL for $10 off → https://www.backupbootcamp.missfreddy.com/intro?a=G4YLL33e 🖼️ Obsessed with digital frames? Check out the Aura Digital Photo Frame to display your favorite memories effortlessly → https://lvnta.com/lv_wiVeFmISgPrBcu0GW6 📲 Follow Casey on Instagram for more photo organization tips → @miss.freddy Loved this episode? Snap a screenshot and share your biggest takeaway on Instagram—don’t forget to tag me @maximizedminimalist and @miss.freddy so we can cheer you on! 🎉

Decision fatigue—it’s sneaky, it’s draining, and it’s likely slowing you down more than you realize. Ever feel like by the time you’ve decided what’s for dinner, what to wear, and which email to answer first, you’re too exhausted to tackle what really matters? That’s decision fatigue at work. But here’s the good news: You don’t have to let it run the show. In this episode, I’m sharing five powerful strategies to help you cut through the mental clutter, reclaim your energy, and make progress on the things that actually move the needle. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ How automating small, daily choices can free up tons of mental space ✔️ Why “pre-deciding” can be a total game-changer for your productivity ✔️ The power of batching (and how one of my clients used it to simplify her chaotic paper piles) ✔️ The simple boundary trick that makes decluttering (or any decision-making) so much easier ✔️ Why prioritizing rest isn’t a luxury—it’s a productivity superpower 💡 Plus, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at my Sunday ritual that keeps my mornings stress-free and my workouts on autopilot. And before we wrap, I’ve got something exciting for you—my free Ready Set Simplify newsletter! 🎉 If you love the podcast, this is your next step. Each week, I drop exclusive decluttering tips, mindset shifts, and motivation straight into your inbox. It’s like having a personal cheerleader in your simplifying journey! 👉 Grab your spot here Resources & Links: 📩 Join my Ready Set Simplify Newsletter! 📍 Share your decluttering win & be our next Simplifier of the Week! Let’s keep simplifying, friend! Thanks for tuning in—see you next week!

Ever feel like the clutter and endless to-dos are winning? You’re not alone, and today I’m diving into the why behind those struggles—and how to overcome them—with Dr. Ann Louise Lockhart. We’re talking about ADHD, executive function, and what makes seemingly simple tasks like laundry or decluttering feel overwhelming for so many of us. Dr. Lockhart shares why tasks like “clean your room” or “just get started” are harder than they seem, especially if ADHD or executive functioning challenges are in play. She gives us practical, no-fluff strategies for reducing overwhelm and building systems that actually work—whether it’s for you or your kids. If you’ve ever thought, Why is this so hard for me when it seems easy for everyone else? this episode is for you. Here’s What We Cover: What ADHD really looks like in adults (hint: it’s not just about focus). Why executive functioning is the hidden key to organizing and decision-making. Strategies to break big tasks down so they feel less overwhelming. How to support kids—and yourself—through collaboration and curiosity instead of shame. Simple resets, body doubling, and externalizing tasks to stay on top of it all. Dr. Lockhart also shares why shame and overwhelm can keep us stuck, how to combat those emotions, and actionable steps to build habits that stick. Links and Resources: Connect with Dr. Ann Louise Lockhart Website: https://www.anewdaysa.com/ Instagram: @dr.annlouise.lockhart YouTube: Dr. Ann Louise Lockhart Dr. Lockhart’s New Book Love the Teen You Have – A must-read for parents of tweens and teens, packed with insights for raising confident, capable kids. Free Resource: Declutter Your Paper Piles Download my cheat sheet for tackling those stacks of paper that seem to multiply overnight. It’s a game-changer for simplifying your home. Let’s Simplify Together: If you loved this episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe and share it with a friend. Together, we can ditch the overwhelm and create homes (and lives) that feel more manageable and joyful.   Simplifier Spotlight: Let’s Celebrate Your Wins! I love hearing how you’re simplifying your life! Whether you’ve made progress on decluttering your space, reworked a system that makes life easier, or just shifted your mindset, I’d love to celebrate your wins. Want to be featured? Submit your story at https://www.katyjoywells.com/simplifier. I can’t wait to shine a spotlight on YOU! Resources to Help You Simplify Your Life: Get FAST Results with My Free Guide: 75 Things to Declutter Right Now Ready to kickstart your decluttering journey? This guide is packed with quick wins to help you clear space and see results fast. Download it here Join My Next 14-Day Challenge Need extra motivation to tackle clutter? Join us for a 14-day challenge and transform your space one step at a time. Sign up here Work 1-on-1 With Me Looking for personalized support to simplify your home and life? Let’s create the clutter-free life you’ve been dreaming of—together. Learn more here Get Your Personalized Home Management Blueprint Want a custom plan to streamline your home? I’ll create a blueprint tailored just for you. Get started here Connect with Me on Instagram Follow me for daily tips, inspiration, and a behind-the-scenes look at my life.

Episode: Decluttering Your Spending: How to Align Your Money with What Matters Most (with Jill Sirianni) Are Your Spending Habits Aligned With What Matters Most? This week, I’m joined by Jill Sirianni, co-host of the Frugal Friends Podcast and author of Buy What You Love, to tackle an area of life that’s often overlooked in the decluttering conversation: your spending habits. If you’ve ever felt that impulse buys, sales, or the influencer-driven “must-have” culture were derailing your financial goals, this episode is for you. Jill shares practical strategies for curbing impulse spending, aligning your money with your values, and building mindful financial habits that stick. Spoiler: Spending is a skill, and you can learn it at any age! What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why impulse buying is so common—and how to stop it in its tracks. The psychology behind sales and discounts (and how to resist the pull!). How to navigate a world of targeted ads and influencer culture with confidence. Practical tips for making small changes that lead to big financial results. Why spending is a skill—and how you can develop it. ✨ Simplifier Spotlight: Let’s Celebrate Your Wins! I love hearing how you’re simplifying your life! Whether you’ve made progress on decluttering your space, reworked a system that makes life easier, or just shifted your mindset, I’d love to celebrate your wins. Want to be featured? Submit your story at katyjoywells.com/simplifier. I can’t wait to shine a spotlight on YOU! Grab Jill’s Book: Buy What You Love Ready to dive deeper into mindful spending? Jill’s new book, Buy What You Love, is packed with practical advice to help you align your money with what matters most. 📚 Grab your copy here: http://buywhatyoulovebook.com/ Resources to Help You Simplify Your Life: Get FAST Results with My Free Guide: 75 Things to Declutter Right Now Ready to kickstart your decluttering journey? This guide is packed with quick wins to help you clear space and see results fast. Download it here Join My Next 14-Day Challenge Need extra motivation to tackle clutter? Join us for a 14-day challenge and transform your space one step at a time. Sign up here Work 1-on-1 With Me Looking for personalized support to simplify your home and life? Let’s create the clutter-free life you’ve been dreaming of—together. Learn more here Get Your Personalized Home Management Blueprint Want a custom plan to streamline your home? I’ll create a blueprint tailored just for you. Get started here Connect with Me on Instagram Follow me for daily tips, inspiration, and a behind-the-scenes look at my life. Follow me here Quick Win Challenge: This week, take a look at your spending habits. Before making your next purchase, ask yourself: Am I buying this because I need it or because it’s on sale? Does this purchase align with my values and goals? These small moments of mindfulness can make a big difference! Big hugs, my friend, and I’ll see you next week! Ready, set, simplify—bye!  

Ever found yourself clicking “Buy Now” on something just because an ad promised compliments galore? You’re not alone, friend. In this week’s episode, we’re diving into the sneaky world of the “Validation Trap”—those clever marketing tactics that sell you more than a product. They sell the promise of being noticed, admired, and loved. But here’s the truth: no product can truly give you the connection and confidence you’re looking for. That’s something we cultivate from within and through real, meaningful relationships. This episode is all about recognizing the pattern, breaking free from the trap, and choosing differently. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why validation feels so good—and why it’s a slippery slope when tied to stuff. How the “Compliment Trap” hooks us and keeps us spending. My personal story about sandals (and the cycle of searching for more). Practical questions to ask yourself before making a purchase. Your Simplifier of the Week! This week, I’m thrilled to highlight YOUR wins with a brand-new tradition: Simplifier of the Week! Whether you decluttered a corner of your home, shifted your mindset, or tackled something big or small, I want to hear about it. ✨ Want to be featured? Submit your story at katyjoywells.com/simplifier. I can’t wait to celebrate you! Get FAST Results With My Free Guide: 75 Things to Declutter! Ready to kickstart your decluttering journey? Download my free guide for quick wins that make a big impact. Download now. Join My Next 14-Day Challenge! Need a little extra motivation? Join our upcoming 14-day challenge to tackle clutter together and transform your space. Sign up here. Work 1-1 With Me: Looking for personalized support? Let’s work together one-on-one to create the clutter-free life you’ve been dreaming of. Learn more. Get Your Personalized Home Management Blueprint! Want a plan tailored just for you? Get your personalized blueprint for managing your home efficiently. Get started. Connect with Me on Instagram! Follow me for daily tips, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes peeks at my life. Let’s connect! Follow me on Instagram.