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:

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 #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

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

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

#clutterbug #podcast #mondaymotivation