On today’s episode I’m joined by holistic decluttering expert and host of the top-rated podcast The Maximized Minimalist, Katy Joy Wells.

As a therapist and parent, I know how often our homes can feel like one more place we’re “falling behind.” In this conversation, we explore how clutter impacts our nervous systems, our relationships, and our sense of enoughness. Katy offers a shame-free, deeply human approach that looks at the emotions, beliefs, and habits under the piles.

In this episode, we talk about:

Why clutter isn’t neutral...how visual chaos pulls on our time, energy, and attention
The difference between clutter and expected mess...and why that distinction can instantly lower your shame
Katy’s idea of a “good enough home” and how it connects to good enough parenting
Why traditional decluttering methods (bins, labels, marathon purges, “spark joy”) often backfire for busy, emotionally-connected humans
How we can model softening, self-compassion, and boundaries with stuff for our kids

My hope is that this episode offers you something Katy and I kept coming back to: hope for a lighter, calmer home that supports presence with the people you love...without having to become a different person or maintain a Pinterest-perfect house.

Connect with Katy

Listen to Katy’s podcast: The Maximized Minimalist
Get her book: Making Home Your Happy Place: A Real-Life Guide to Decluttering Without the Overwhelm
Find her on Instagram: @katyjoywells

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153: Why Your House Is Stressing You Out (and What To Do About It)