Summary of Episode 1KHO 515: "How to Fail Well" featuring Diane Boden, Clear Intentions

Released on July 2, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, hosted by Jenny Uridge, founder of 1000 Hours Outside, the conversation centers around embracing failure and personal growth. The guest, Diane Boden, formerly known for her work with Minimalist Moms, has recently rebranded her platform to Clear Intentions. This shift marks a significant evolution in her approach to intentional living and parenting.

Rebranding to Clear Intentions

Diane Boden discusses her transition from Minimalist Moms to Clear Intentions, highlighting the need to broaden her audience and encompass a wider range of topics beyond minimalism.

• Embracing Evolution: Diane explains, “Minimalist Moms was very aligned. I was a minimalist. I am a minimalist. But, yeah, that evolves and we grow” ([02:22]).

• Avoiding Isolation: She articulates the challenge of remaining too niche, stating, “I was like, am I isolating myself as a minimalist and only not preaching to, but speaking to mothers when this message is something that I believe everyone needs to hear?” ([02:22]).

• Expanding Accessibility: By shifting to Clear Intentions, Diane aims to attract a broader audience interested in intentional living, beyond just minimalism ([04:02]).

Intentionality in Parenting

The conversation delves into how intentional living intersects with parenting, emphasizing holistic child wellness over strict minimalism.

• Flexible Minimalism: Diane shares her perspective, “My version of minimalism is to get rid of what's superfluous, to make room for what matters most” ([05:35]).

• Customized Approaches: She emphasizes that minimalism should be a tool tailored to individual needs, not a rigid standard ([05:35]).

Approach to Screen Time

A significant portion of the discussion addresses managing screen time for children, balancing digital engagement with outdoor play.

• Structured Screen Time: Diane outlines her family's approach: “Typically with something like an iPad, we have just done Saturdays for 90 minutes. During the summer, it's Tuesdays and Saturdays for 90 minutes” ([08:56]).

• Selective Media Consumption: She differentiates between interactive screens and passive media, expressing a preference for limiting fast-paced content that can dysregulate children’s nervous systems ([09:57]).

• Parental Challenges: Diane acknowledges the overwhelming nature of modern parenting, especially as children grow and seek more independence ([10:54]).

Decluttering & Minimalism

Diane shares practical strategies for maintaining an intentional and clutter-free environment, which extends beyond physical spaces to habits and routines.

• The Hanger Rule: Diane introduces her "hanger method" for wardrobe management: “When I buy something new, it has to go” ([12:39]). This rule helps her maintain a functional and intentional closet.

• Seasonal Wear Tracking: She explains her system of flipping hangers for items worn within six months to determine what to keep or discard ([14:28]).

• Honest Self-Assessment: Diane emphasizes the importance of being rational and honest with oneself to implement meaningful changes ([14:28]).

Legacy and End-of-Life Decisions

The discussion shifts to the importance of planning for the future, ensuring that one’s legacy is intentional and manageable for loved ones.

• Swedish Death Cleaning: Diane references the book Swedish Death Cleaning, advocating for decluttering to ease the burden on family members during mourning ([23:45]).

• Emotional Attachment: She highlights the emotional challenges associated with decluttering personal items, stressing the importance of addressing emotions to make decisive actions ([27:20]).

• Practical Steps: Diane advises proactive management of possessions to prevent future stress for loved ones, saying, “I just want to make sure that I can have my house to a place where it's just the last remaining treasures” ([27:20]).

Intentionality in Daily Habits

Diane discusses cultivating deliberate routines that align with personal values and promote overall well-being.

• Morning Routines: She shares her strategies for intentional mornings, including working out early, engaging with her dogs, enjoying coffee, and reading the Bible ([28:56]).

• Habit Alignment: Diane underscores the significance of aligning daily habits with personal values, recommending, “Write down what my habits have been and what I value and compare the list” ([29:00]).

• Continuous Improvement: She encourages the ongoing assessment and adjustment of habits to better reflect one’s intentions and goals ([30:50]).

Fun and Leisure

Balancing responsibilities with intentional fun is another key theme, emphasizing the need for quality leisure activities that nurture relationships and personal happiness.

• Family Activities: Diane and her husband engage in activities like playing darts and visiting playgrounds, integrating fun into their routine without relying on sedentary screen time ([50:54]).

• Childlike Wonder: She values activities that evoke childlike wonder, such as interacting with animals and participating in comedy shows with friends, fostering joy and connection ([51:53], [53:43]).

• Personal Fun: Diane stresses the importance of defining personal fun, tailored to individual preferences and circumstances, rather than adhering to societal expectations ([51:56], [52:18]).

Future Topics and Guests

Looking ahead, Diane is excited about a variety of upcoming topics and guests that will enrich the Clear Intentions platform.

• Diverse Subjects: She mentions plans to explore foraging with local experts like Spicebush Woodcraft and parenting strategies across different cultures through books like Please Yell at My Kids and Free Range Child ([39:36], [40:31]).

• Broader Conversations: Diane aims to include subjects such as psychedelics and their therapeutic uses, reflecting her commitment to open and diverse dialogues ([41:15], [41:53]).

• Inclusive Audience: The rebranding allows for inviting a wider array of guests and addressing topics that resonate with a broader audience interested in intentional living ([40:27], [41:11]).

Embracing Failure and Iteration

A central theme of the episode is the concept of "failing well" — embracing setbacks as opportunities for growth and continuous improvement.

• Risk-Taking: Diane encourages taking risks and making decisions aligned with one’s dreams, emphasizing that even small steps forward are valuable ([43:30]).

• Iterative Process: She likens her rebranding to business reinventions, such as Abercrombie & Fitch’s successful evolution, underscoring the importance of adaptability and resilience ([44:44], [47:40]).

• Learning from Setbacks: Diane reflects on the societal stigma around failure, advocating for a healthier perspective where failing is viewed as a natural part of progression rather than an endpoint ([45:00], [47:27]).

Cultivating Creativity and Consumption

Diane highlights the balance between being creative and avoiding excessive consumption, promoting intentionality in all aspects of life.

• Creative Integration: She discusses incorporating creativity into daily routines, such as outfit planning and meal preparation, to enhance personal fulfillment without overconsumption ([49:10], [49:58]).

• Mindful Consumption: Diane advocates for reducing unnecessary distractions, like excessive news consumption, to maintain mental clarity and intentional living ([34:16], [35:00]).

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Diane Boden reaffirming her commitment to intentional living through Clear Intentions, emphasizing the importance of aligning one’s life with personal values and continuously evolving to meet changing needs.

• Staying True: Diane reflects, “I will continue to ride the wave of what, again, feels in alignment for me and hopefully attract more people that aren't just looking to be minimalist, but looking to really live that life of intention” ([04:02]).

• Encouraging Authenticity: She advises others to embrace their full selves and resist societal pressures to conform to narrow definitions of success or lifestyle ([54:13], [55:31]).

• Final Thoughts: Diane and Jenny express mutual appreciation for the conversation, looking forward to future collaborations and in-person meetings at places like Cuyahoga Valley National Park ([55:31]).

Notable Quotes

• On Rebranding and Growth:

  • “Minimalist Moms was very aligned. I was a minimalist. I am a minimalist. But, yeah, that evolves and we grow.” — Diane Boden ([02:22])

• On Intentional Minimalism:

  • “My version of minimalism is to get rid of what's superfluous, to make room for what matters most.” — Diane Boden ([05:35])

• On Celebrating Failure:

  • “It's okay to pivot and it's okay to fail, and it's okay to be embarrassed because all of this could go away tomorrow.” — Diane Boden ([43:30])

• On Legacy and Decluttering:

  • “I just want to make sure that I can have my house to a place where it's just the last remaining treasures that my kids have to sort through the things that I really loved.” — Diane Boden ([27:20])

Where to Find More

For listeners interested in exploring more about Diane Boden and Clear Intentions, visit www.dianeboden.com or follow her on Instagram @minimalistmomspodcast. The Clear Intentions Podcast is available on all major podcast platforms.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus on the core discussion between Jenny Uridge and Diane Boden.