Podcast
The Art of Decluttering
Hosted by Amy Revell · EN
Amy Revell is a Declutter Coach and Professional Organiser and wants you to experience freedom from clutter in your head, heart and home!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
24episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Anything. But Not Everything
6d ago00:13:36Tap to summarizeYou can keep anything you want... but you can't keep everything.When your home feels cluttered, it’s easy to focus on what you have to get rid of. But a healthier and more empowering question is: what deserves to stay? Your home, your calendar, your budget, and even your energy all have natural boundaries. Those boundaries are not punishment. They are containers that help you decide what matters most.You can keep anything you want in your wardrobe, but not every piece of clothing you’ve ever owned. You can say yes to anything on your calendar, but not every invitation, commitment, or opportunity. You can spend your money on anything, but not everything. Limits force you to prioritise, and prioritising creates clarity.You’ll also hear how the paradox of choice can actually leave you feeling more overwhelmed, more indecisive, and more likely to keep buying more. An overflowing wardrobe, packed fridge, chaotic toy room, or crowded makeup station often makes decision-making harder, not easier.Instead of seeing boundaries as restrictive, you can start seeing them as freedom-giving. Your home becomes more functional. Your schedule becomes more intentional.Your choices begin aligning with your values.When you stop trying to keep everything, you finally make room for what you truly love.You may also like to listen to these episodes:Winnie's Pile of PillowsOverstimulationLater Never ComesWatch on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/4UyyfhqphskJoin my communityLeave a 5 Star Google ReviewFollow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookJoin my Facebook groupThank you to my sound engineer, Jarred from Four4ty Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Need. Want. Excess
2w ago00:17:43Tap to summarizeWhat if every item in your home could be sorted into just three categories: need, want, or excess?Be challenged to look at your belongings through a completely different lens and ask yourself what you actually need to live safely and well, what genuinely adds enjoyment and wellbeing to your life, and what has quietly drifted into clutter and overwhelm.Instead of approaching decluttering from guilt or restriction, you’re encouraged to create space for the things you truly use and love while recognising when possessions have tipped into excess.You’ll also explore the difference between owning enough and owning too much. A pair of shoes can be a need. Six more pairs might be want. Thirty pairs crammed into overflowing cupboards might be excess.The same principle applies to paperwork, hobby supplies, bedding, kitchenware, and even sentimental items. There’s also an important reminder that wants are not bad.Beautiful art, plants, music, hobbies, and comfortable furniture all help create a home that reflects your personality and supports your wellbeing.The key is making intentional decisions about what deserves your space, time, money, and attention.As you listen, you’re invited to mentally walk through your home and ask one simple question over and over again: Is this a need, a want, or excess?Links MentionedPaperwork CourseDana K. White's new book - Winnie's Pile of PillowsYou may also like to listen to these episodes:Winnie's Pile of PillowsPile or File2 Factor AuthenticationWatch on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/mBNpVshvd8IJoin my communityLeave a 5 Star Google ReviewFollow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookJoin my Facebook groupThank you to my sound engineer, Jarred from Four4ty Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Winnie's Pile of Pillows with Dana K. White
3w ago00:29:24Tap to summarizeDana K. White joins us today to talk about her new book, Winnie's Pile of Pillows.As you listen, you’re invited into a refreshing way of thinking about decluttering, one that removes pressure, perfection, and shame. You’re reminded that your love for your things isn’t the problem. In fact, it matters. What you love reflects who you are.Through Dana's story of Winnie’s Pile of Pillows, you see yourself, or your child, in that moment of joy when something feels special. That little spark, the mix between a tickle and a giggle, is real. And it’s worth honouring.But when everything feels special, your space can quickly become overwhelming. You might recognise that feeling of loving your things, yet no longer enjoying your home.The shift comes when you realise you can keep anything, but you can’t keep everything.Instead of asking “Do I love this?” you begin asking, “Do I have space for this?” Your home becomes the container that gently sets limits, not your emotions.You’re encouraged to keep your favourites, the best of the best, without needing to label anything else as bad or worthless. That simple reframe changes everything.For your kids, this creates freedom. They learn they can love what they love without it taking over. For you, it removes the internal battle and replaces it with clarity.You walk away seeing that boundaries aren’t restrictive. They’re what allow you to actually enjoy your life and your space again.Follow DanaListen to Dana's podcast: https://www.aslobcomesclean.com/podcasts/Order Dana's book: https://www.aslobcomesclean.com/winnie/You may also like to listen to these episodes:A Slob Comes CleanThe Minimal MomWatch on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/5LSGxlw0MwoJoin my communityLeave a 5 Star Google ReviewFollow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookJoin my Facebook groupThank you to my sound engineer, Jarred from Four4ty Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Motivation and Benefits
4w ago00:16:20Tap to summarizeYou don’t need more convincing that decluttering is a good idea—you need a reason that actually matters to you.When you step back and look at why you might want to declutter, four powerful motivations rise to the surface: greater wellbeing, financial freedom, more time, and ethical living. And here’s the exciting part—these aren’t just motivations. They’re also the outcomes waiting for you on the other side.If you’re craving calm, decluttering helps you feel more in control of your space. You walk into your home and exhale instead of feeling overwhelmed. Your evenings become less chaotic, your mind less cluttered, and even your sleep and relationships can improve.If money feels tight, living with less creates breathing room. You stop buying duplicates, reduce impulse spending, and free up money for what actually matters—whether that’s paying down debt, investing in support, or creating experiences.If you feel like there’s never enough time, this is where decluttering really shifts things. With less to manage, clean, and organise, your daily tasks become quicker and lighter. You spend less time maintaining your home and more time actually living in it.And if you care about your environmental impact, consuming less is one of the most powerful choices you can make. Fewer purchases mean less waste, less production, and more intentional living.So if you’re wondering whether it’s worth it—choose your reason. Because the thing that motivates you is the very thing you’ll gain.You may also like to listen to these episodes:Women Against WasteWatch on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/FdH648BRr08Join my communityLeave a 5 Star Google ReviewFollow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookJoin my Facebook groupThank you to my sound engineer, Jarred from Four4ty Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Laws of Stuff
May 300:14:32Tap to summarizeYou’re not imagining it—there really is freedom on the other side of clutter. When your home isn’t ruled by stuff, you walk in and feel lighter, calmer, more in control. And that’s what you’re moving toward.A helpful way to understand your relationship with stuff is through the “laws” that quietly shape your home. For example, the more you have, the more you need. More items lead to more storage, more furniture, and sometimes even the feeling that your house itself isn’t big enough. It’s a cycle that can sneak up on you.You also see how excess crowds out what actually matters. When everything is kept, the meaningful things—photos, memories, keepsakes—get lost in the noise. As you reduce, the good stuff becomes visible again.Then there’s the reality that your belongings expand to fill the space available. If there’s an empty drawer or shelf, it rarely stays empty. But this works both ways—when you reduce space, your stuff naturally reduces too.Over time, you stop seeing what’s around you. Clutter becomes background noise. Looking at your home with fresh eyes helps you notice what no longer belongs.And perhaps most importantly, something is only valuable if you use it. The true value isn’t what you paid—it’s what it adds to your life right now.When you understand these patterns, you make clearer, more confident decisions—and create a home that feels free.The Complete Idiots Guide to Organizing Your Stuff by Georgene Lockwood10 LawsThe more you have, the more you needUseless stuff crowds out the good stuffDirt and bugs love stuffStuff stays where you put itStuff multiplies to fill the spaces you haveOvertime you don't see your stuffWhen you have a lot of stuff you have to pay over and over for itStuff affects your mental healthStuff is valuable only if you use itStuff can't buy happinessYou may also like to listen to these episodes:Fresh EyesPareto PrincipleWatch on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/42g76udnpOwhttps://youtu.be/NyU4mwpuuZ4Join my communityLeave a 5 Star Google ReviewFollow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookJoin my Facebook groupThank you to my sound engineer, Jarred from Four4ty Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Micro-Efficiency
Apr 2600:14:22Tap to summarizeYou don’t need a full home overhaul to feel more organised—you just need smarter systems. When you introduce micro efficiencies into your home, you reduce decision fatigue, streamline daily tasks, and create a space that simply works better for you.Micro efficiencies are small, intentional changes that remove unnecessary decisions. Think simplifying your wardrobe so you’re not standing there every morning wondering what to wear. Whether it’s creating a personal “uniform,” repeating outfits you love, or standardising basics like socks and underwear, you free up mental space for what actually matters.The same principle applies throughout your home. In the kitchen, matching sets of crockery, cutlery, and containers make cooking, stacking, and unpacking effortless. In your linen cupboard, assigning colours to beds or bathrooms eliminates the guesswork when folding and putting things away. Even choosing consistent storage containers across different rooms allows items to move easily around your home without creating clutter or extra spending.These changes may feel small, but the impact is significant. Once the decision is made, you benefit over and over again—saving time, energy, and frustration. Instead of constantly managing your home, your home starts supporting you.The goal isn’t perfection or minimalism for its own sake. It’s about creating an environment where the everyday runs smoothly, giving you more capacity for the things that truly matter.You may also like to listen to these episodes:Where To BeginReducing VolumeWatch on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/42g76udnpOwhttps://youtu.be/NyU4mwpuuZ4Join my communityLeave a 5 Star Google ReviewFollow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookJoin my Facebook groupThank you to my sound engineer, Jarred from Four4ty Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Malignant Clutter
Apr 1900:15:24Tap to summarizeYou might think clutter is just part of everyday life—and sometimes it is. But not all clutter is created equal.Some clutter is benign. It comes and goes. It’s the after-school rush, a busy morning, or a temporary pile that gets packed away by the end of the day. It doesn’t weigh on you, and it doesn’t change how you live in your home.But other clutter? It’s different.Malignant clutter doesn’t stay contained. It spreads. It invades your space, your time, your relationships, and even your thoughts. What starts as “just stuff” can quickly become something that affects how you function in your home—and how you feel in it.You might notice you’re avoiding certain rooms. Maybe you stop inviting people over. Simple tasks take longer because you can’t find what you need. Or the clutter isn’t just in your home anymore—it’s in your head, creating stress, overwhelm, and even guilt.The key is learning to recognise the difference.When clutter starts impacting your daily life, your wellbeing, or your relationships, it’s no longer benign—it’s something that needs attention.But here’s the hope: it can be managed.You don’t need to fix everything at once. Start small. Contain the clutter. Restore function. Aim for progress, not perfection.Because your home should support you—not work against you.You may also like to listen to these episodes:Peter Walsh - Letting GoBecause. Really. AndWatch on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/NyU4mwpuuZ4Join my communityLeave a 5 Star Google ReviewFollow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookJoin my Facebook groupThank you to my sound engineer, Jarred from Four4ty Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →The Meaningful Home
Apr 1200:25:05Tap to summarizeYou’re often told that less clutter equals more calm—but what if that’s not actually true?In this conversation, you’re invited to rethink everything you’ve believed about clutter, home, and wellbeing. Drawing on research with over 1,100 participants, you discover that it’s not the amount of stuff in your home that impacts how you feel… it’s your relationship with it.You’ll explore the idea of your home as an “extended self”—how your belongings aren’t just things, but reflections of your identity, your story, and what matters most to you. And when those items stop aligning with who you are, they can begin to work against your wellbeing rather than support it.You’ll also be introduced to the concept of a “psychological home”—the feeling of being at home in your space, regardless of how tidy or cluttered it may look from the outside. This is where real change happens.As you listen, you’ll begin to see that decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of things. It’s about curating a space that reflects who you are now—not who you used to be.And perhaps most freeing of all: you don’t need a perfectly organised home to feel better. You just need a space that feels like you.Articles mentionedHome and the Extended SelfYou may also like to listen to these episodes:Minimalism, Wellbeing and the EnvironmentReducing VolumeJoin my communityLeave a 5 Star Google ReviewFollow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookJoin my Facebook groupThank you to my sound engineer, Jarred from Four4ty Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Speed vs Change
Apr 500:12:07Tap to summarizeThere are two powerful approaches you can use when decluttering: speed and change.Speed is about quick wins. You make fast decisions, move things along, and create simple, functional systems that work for now. It’s what helps you reset your home when time is tight, capacity is low, or you just need breathing room.Change is slower. It asks you to pause, reflect, and get underneath your clutter. Why are you holding onto something? What’s the real barrier? This is where emotional processing happens—and where long-term freedom is built.The frustration comes when you use the wrong approach at the wrong time. If you rely on speed when you really need change, clutter keeps coming back. If you try to force deep change when you’re low on time or energy, you end up overwhelmed and stuck.So the question becomes: what do you need right now—relief or resolution?When you learn to choose the right pace, everything shifts. You can use speed to get unstuck, and change to create lasting results. Both matter. Both have a place. And knowing when to use each one is what moves you forward.You may also like to listen to these episodes:Spoon TheoryMaking ChangesJoin my communityLeave a 5 Star Google ReviewFollow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookJoin my Facebook groupThank you to my sound engineer, Jarred from Four4ty Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Body & Brain
Mar 2900:15:36Tap to summarizeClutter doesn’t just affect how your home looks. It affects how your brain works, how your body feels, and even how you relate to the people around you.Your brain naturally prefers order. When you’re surrounded by clutter, it constantly processes excess visual information. That ongoing processing drains your mental energy and reduces your ability to focus. You may notice it becomes harder to remember things, start tasks, or feel motivated to get things done. Every task simply feels more overwhelming than it needs to be.Clutter also increases stress and anxiety. Research shows that people living in cluttered homes often have higher levels of cortisol — the body’s primary stress hormone.Over time, that can keep you stuck in a constant low-grade “fight or flight” response, leaving you feeling tense, agitated, and emotionally drained.The impact doesn’t stop there. Ongoing stress can influence your physical health, affecting your immune system, digestion, and long-term risk of chronic disease. When your body is constantly responding to stress, it prioritises survival rather than rest, repair, and digestion.Your sleep can also suffer. A cluttered bedroom makes it harder to relax, fall asleep, and wake feeling refreshed.Clutter even affects behaviour and decision-making. When you’re surrounded by unfinished decisions, your mental bandwidth shrinks. People in cluttered environments are more likely to procrastinate, be less productive, and choose unhealthy snacks.There’s an important distinction, though: mess and clutter are not the same. Temporary mess can support creativity, but chronic clutter quietly drains your energy, focus, and wellbeing.Reducing clutter isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating space for a calmer mind, healthier body, and a home that supports the life you want to live.Articles mentionedRACGP - The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners: What does clutter do to your brain and bodyUCLA Study: The Clutter Culture You may also like to listen to these episodes:Wall Clutter SleepJoin my communityLeave a 5 Star Google ReviewFollow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookJoin my Facebook groupThank you to my sound engineer, Jarred from Four4ty Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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