Have you ever torn your house apart looking for something that was exactly where it should have been? Or spent hours tidying, only to find the mess returned overnight? You’re not alone—and you’re not a failure.

In this episode, I dive deep into the powerful science behind clutter and how it impacts your brain, your stress levels, and even your physical health. Discover how decluttering isn’t just about a Pinterest-perfect home—it’s about rewiring your brain for clarity, calm, and joy.

You’ll learn:

• Why clutter overwhelms your brain and saps your energy
• How a tidy space can boost your focus, creativity, and sleep
• Simple, science-backed tricks to master motivation and beat decision fatigue
• How minimalism might be the mental freedom you’ve been craving

So grab a trash bag, hit play, and let’s declutter together—because your sanity is worth it.

Show Notes & Links:

Join the Take Your House Back Course (on sale now!) https://www.takeyourhouseback.com/courses/take-your-house-back?ref=5bbd37

All Day Declutter Event – May 3rd Be part of a community declutter day with real-time coaching and support from Cas, Dana, and Dawn.

Studies & Research Mentioned:

1. Visual Clutter Affects Brain Function McMains & Kastner – Princeton Neuroscience Institute https://www.princeton.edu/news/2011/01/13/too-much-information-study-shows-overload-affects-brain-function
2. Desk Clutter & Productivity Same Princeton lab study – desk simulation showed 20% faster performance in tidy spaces (See link above)
3. Clutter and Chronic Procrastination Joseph Ferrari’s work on clutter and avoidance behavior https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joseph-Ferrari
4. Cortisol Levels in Cluttered Homes UCLA “No Place Like Home” study (Saxbe & Repetti, 2010) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20384438/
5. 15-Minute Tidy-Up and Anxiety Reduction Study by Our Mental Health (Nov 2024) https://www.ourmentalhealth.org
6. Clean Desks Boost Accuracy & Creativity Colton Moulton (2015) – anecdotal reference, source not available
7. Implementation Intentions Increase Follow-Through Gollwitzer & Sheeran (2006) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0065260106380050

Tools and Methods Mentioned:

• 20/20 Rule – The Minimalists https://www.theminimalists.com/clutter/
• Pomodoro (20/10 Timer Method) https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique
• Temptation Bundling – Katy Milkman https://behavioralscientist.org/how-to-make-temptation-work-for-you/

Tag me on social media (@clutterbug_me) and share your wins! Your progress might just inspire someone else to start closing the clutter tabs in their brain too.

#clutterbug #podcast #mondaymotivation #thepowerofdecluttering

Do you ever feel like you're drowning in stuff... but you still don’t know how to let it go?

In this episode, I sit down with the lovely Julia Ubbenga from Rich In What Matters — a minimalist mama of five who transformed her entire life by decluttering not just her home, but her heart, soul, and mind.

We dive deep into why we hold onto clutter, how consumerism traps us emotionally, and what it really means to live an intentional, clutter-free life. Julia’s story is powerful — from $40K in debt and postpartum depression to building a simpler, calmer, more joyful life (with five kids, no less!).

If you’ve ever held onto something out of guilt, or felt like your stuff is managing you, this episode will hit home.

✨ We chat about:

• The emotional side of decluttering
• Breaking the “stuff = love” mindset
• Why you’re not failing — you’re just overwhelmed
• Simple mindset shifts to stop the buying cycle
• Decluttering as self-worth and self-care
• How to get started when it all feels like too much

🌿 Connect with Julia:

→ Blog: https://richinwhatmatters.com → Instagram: @richinwhatmatters → Grab her book "Declutter Your Soul, Heart & Home" wherever books are sold!

👇 What’s ONE item you’re finally ready to release? Let’s start there. Leave it in the comments — I’m cheering you on

You can find more Clutterbug content here:

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#clutterbug #podcast #mondaymotivation #intentionalliving RichInWhatMatters

What if the secret to feeling better isn’t therapy or self-help books—but simply moving a chair or clearing a counter? In this episode, Cas explores the surprising science behind how your physical environment directly affects your mood, motivation, and mental health. Learn how small, free changes to your space can trigger dopamine, reduce stress, and spark an upward spiral of positivity. From the power of beauty to the psychology of control, this episode is your permission slip to make things a little prettier—and feel a whole lot better.

✨ Because pretty isn’t shallow—it’s powerful.

You can find more Clutterbug content here:

Website: http://www.clutterbug.me

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@clutterbug

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clutterbug_me

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clutterbug.Me/

#clutterbug #podcast #mondaymotivation

Suck at something? Perfect. That means you're on the right track. In this episode, we declutter the whole “if you’re not good at it, quit” mindset. Struggle isn’t a weakness—it’s the way forward. If you’ve ever felt like giving up, this podcast is for you. Let’s turn failure into FUEL.

You can find more Clutterbug content here:

Website: http://www.clutterbug.me

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@clutterbug

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clutterbug_me

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clutterbug.Me/

#clutterbug #podcast #mondaymotivation

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the endless cycle of cleaning, organizing, and just keeping life together, you are not alone! In this episode, I sit down with KC Davis, author of How to Keep House While Drowning, to talk about why traditional cleaning advice doesn’t work for everyone—and what to do instead. We dive into reframing chores as care tasks, overcoming executive dysfunction, and creating sustainable routines that actually work with your brain. Plus, KC shares genius tips for making life easier without guilt or shame.

This conversation was a game-changer for me, and I know it will be for you too. You don’t want to miss this one!

Learn more about KC here: https://www.strugglecare.com/

Buy How to Keep House from Drowning here: https://www.strugglecare.com/book-purchase

Pre-order Kc's new book Who Deserves Your Love here: https://www.strugglecare.com/books

KC's Socials:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strugglecare/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StruggleCare/

X : https://x.com/KCDavisSays

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Strugglecare

You can find more Clutterbug content here:

Website: http://www.clutterbug.me

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@clutterbug

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clutterbug_me

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clutterbug_me/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clutterbug.Me/

#clutterbug #podcast #mondaymotivation #ADHDLife #cleaningtips #KCDavis #StruggleCare

I'm on a mission to juggle a full-time job and three kids, while still finding time to indulge in the little pleasures—like cooking with fresh ingredients, arranging flowers, crafting and enjoying a slower pace. In this podcast episode, I’m sharing practical time-saving tips and honest insights on living more intentionally. If you’re craving extra hours in your day to focus on what really matters, join me and let’s uncover a more peaceful, purposeful life—together.

Thank you to Caraway for sponsoring today's podcast. Visit Carawayhome.com/clutterbug you can take an additional 10% off your next purchase. This deal is exclusive for our listeners, so visit Carawayhome.com/clutterbug or use code Clutterbug at checkout.

You can find more Clutterbug content here:

Website: http://www.clutterbug.me

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@clutterbug

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clutterbug_me

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#clutterbug #podcast #mondaymotivation #mindsetshift

Have you ever set a goal, felt super motivated for a few days, and then completely fallen off track? Me too—until I discovered a better way. In this episode, I’m sharing how I finally made habits effortless and automatic. No more relying on willpower, no more waiting for motivation. Just simple, science-backed tricks that actually work. If you’re ready to stop starting over and finally follow through, this episode will change everything!

You can find more Clutterbug content here:

Website: http://www.clutterbug.me

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@clutterbug

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clutterbug_me

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clutterbug.Me/

#clutterbug #podcast #mondaymotivation #mindsetshift

Struggling to keep your home clean and clutter-free no matter what you do? You’re not alone! In this episode, Cas sits down with decluttering expert Dana K. White to uncover why traditional organizing advice doesn’t work for everyone—and what actually does. Dana shares her no-mess method, the secret to finally getting (and staying) organized, and how a few simple habits can save you hours of work.

Plus, we dive into her newest book, Jesus Doesn’t Care About Your Messy House, and talk about the guilt and shame so many of us feel around clutter. If you’ve ever thought, “Why can’t I just get it together?”—this episode is for you!

Don’t miss this one—press play now!

Learn more about Dana K. White: https://www.aslobcomesclean.com/

Buy Dana's new book Jesus Doesn’t Care About Your Messy House: https://www.aslobcomesclean.com/jesus/

Check out Dana's Socials:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/aslobcomesclean

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aslobcomesclean/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASlobComesClean/

You can find more Clutterbug content here:

Website: http://www.clutterbug.me

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@clutterbug

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clutterbug_me

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clutterbug_me/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clutterbug.Me/

#clutterbug #podcast #mondaymotivation #DanakWhite #declutteringtips #clutterfreehome