Tidy Home, Clear Mind: The Power of Decluttering for Mental Wellness | Clutterbug Podcast # 271
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:
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
Desk Clutter & Productivity
Same Princeton lab study – desk simulation showed 20% faster performance in tidy spaces
(See link above)
Clutter and Chronic Procrastination
Joseph Ferrari’s work on clutter and avoidance behavior
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joseph-Ferrari
Cortisol Levels in Cluttered Homes
UCLA “No Place Like Home” study (Saxbe & Repetti, 2010)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20384438/
15-Minute Tidy-Up and Anxiety Reduction
Study by Our Mental Health (Nov 2024)
https://www.ourmentalhealth.org
Clean Desks Boost Accuracy & Creativity
Colton Moulton (2015) – anecdotal reference, source not available
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
--------
40:28
Break Free from the Cycle of Mess and Stress with Julia Ubbenga | Clutterbug Podcast # 270
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
--------
43:03
Stressed Out By Your Messy Home? Here's the Hack to Regain Control in Minutes | Clutterbug Podcast # 269
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
--------
41:38
The Power of Sucking at Stuff: Why Struggle Leads to Mastery | Clutterbug Podcast #268
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
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clutterbug_me/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clutterbug.Me/
#clutterbug #podcast #mondaymotivation
--------
51:21
Why You’re Not Lazy—And How to Actually Get Stuff Done With KC Davis | Clutterbug Podcast # 267
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
Über ClutterBug - Organize, Clean and Transform your Home & Life
Are you ready to take control of your home and your life? You are in the right place! Clutterbug shares home organizing tips, tricks and advice to help you kick clutter to the curb for good. This podcast is pure motivation and inspiration, with simple and real-life tips for improving your home and transforming your entire life. Cas provides her expertise as the host of HGTV’s Hot Mess House, through her YouTube channel Clutterbug, and in her best-selling books. Join Cas‘ top top-rated podcast to show you how to get rid of clutter, learn how to organize your home and simplify your life! Learn all about the Clutterbug™ Organizing styles @ http://clutterbug.com #Productivity #Motivation #ADHD
Hören Sie ClutterBug - Organize, Clean and Transform your Home & Life, {ungeskriptet} - Gespräche, die dich weiter bringen und viele andere Podcasts aus aller Welt mit der radio.at-App