97: Harnessing the Scientific Power of Enthusiasm to Declutter
In this episode of the Paring Down podcast, we uncover the surprising science of how enthusiasm can fuel your decluttering journey—and why your excitement matters more than you think.
You’ll discover:
How mirror neurons influence everyone in your home to get on board with decluttering
Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions and how joy leads to even more progress
The importance of cultivating harmonious passion so decluttering feels sustainable over time
Paring Down Instagram: @paring_down
Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
Paring Down Blog
Paring Down YouTube
MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE
The L.E.S.S. Express newsletter
My Instagram carousel about career breaks
Book: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Book: Hidden Potential by Adam Grant
PARING DOWN RESOURCES:
Free Decluttering Checklist
Treasures of the Heart: A 7-Day Bible Study on Breaking Free from Material Attachments (free)
Complete Guide to Decluttering Kid Stuff
Free 15 Clutter-Free Gift Ideas
Free Gift Request Email Template
Free Know Your Why Worksheet
SPONSORS:
Ethical, luxury women's clothing at Quince.com/paring for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!
10 Free Meals from Hello Fresh: www.hellofresh.com/paring10fm
$15/month 5G wireless with Mint Mobile: www.mintmobile.com/paring
20% off chic, soft closet staples from Splendid: https://splendid.com/ - use code PARING at checkout
For Hers Hair Growth: https://www.forhers.com/paring
15% off all Lume products like aluminum-free deodorant at lumedeodorant.com- use code PARING
Only $1.99 per meal with EveryPlate meal service - code paring199: www.everyplate.com/podcast
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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96: How to Make Your Home Feel Warm & Welcoming with Etiquette Coach, Alison Cheperdak
In this episode of Paring Down, I’m joined by etiquette coach Alison Cheperdak to talk about how to create a home that feels warm, inviting, and deeply welcoming, which includes motivation to declutter (without going overboard!), as well as emotionally intelligent ways to create personal connection.
She lets us know:
What to do if someone gives you a gift you don’t love (without feeling rude)
The one thing you can do that instantly makes guests feel welcome the second they walk through the door
The best way to ask guests to leave at the end of the night without outright asking them
If you want to become more hospitable without worrying so much about if your home is good enough, you'll get a ton out of this episode!
Paring Down Instagram: @paring_down
Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
Paring Down Blog
Paring Down YouTube
ALISON CHEPERDAK
Instagram: @elevateetiquette
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elevateetiquette
Website: elevateettiquite.com
MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE
Ep 48: How to Declutter Books as a Book Lover
PARING DOWN RESOURCES:
Free Decluttering Checklist
Treasures of the Heart: A 7-Day Bible Study on Breaking Free from Material Attachments (free)
Complete Guide to Decluttering Kid Stuff
Free 15 Clutter-Free Gift Ideas
Free Gift Request Email Template
Free Know Your Why Worksheet
SPONSORS:
Ethical, luxury women's clothing at Quince.com/paring for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!
10 Free Meals from Hello Fresh: www.hellofresh.com/paring10fm
$15/month 5G wireless with Mint Mobile: www.mintmobile.com/paring
20% off chic, soft closet staples from Splendid: https://splendid.com/ - use code PARING at checkout
For Hers Hair Growth: https://www.forhers.com/paring
15% off all Lume products like aluminum-free deodorant at lumedeodorant.com- use code PARING
Only $1.99 per meal with EveryPlate meal service - code paring199: www.everyplate.com/podcast
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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95: How to Declutter a Storage Unit
In this jam-packed episode of Paring Down, I walk you through how to declutter three common types of storage units—with actionable, step-by-step tips to make the process easier, lighter, and way less overwhelming.
We cover how to declutter:
A storage unit filled with items from a deceased loved one
A storage unit full of your own things that you want to clear out completely
A functional storage unit you still use (like for seasonal items or warehouse inventory) that needs to be decluttered and reorganized
You’ll also learn practical strategies and organizing tricks, including:
The surprising power of painter’s tape to reduce decision fatigue
The trash bag trick to simplify sorting
What to do when you're the one decluttering a loved one’s storage unit but need to save items for other family members
The 4 key components of decluttering any storage unit
How to declutter sentimental items without guilt
Whether you’re downsizing, moving, or just want to stop paying for a unit you no longer need, this episode will give you the confidence and clarity to take action.
Paring Down Instagram: @paring_down
Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
Paring Down Blog
Paring Down YouTube
MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE
Ep 5: Decluttering Sentimental Items
Ep 24: Decluttering Photos on Our Phones & in Our Homes
Free Decluttering Checklist
Encircle App
Sortly App
PARING DOWN RESOURCES:
Free Decluttering Checklist
Treasures of the Heart: A 7-Day Bible Study on Breaking Free from Material Attachments (free)
Complete Guide to Decluttering Kid Stuff
Free 15 Clutter-Free Gift Ideas
Free Gift Request Email Template
Free Know Your Why Worksheet
SPONSORS:
Ethical, luxury women's clothing at Quince.com/paring for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!
10 Free Meals from Hello Fresh: www.hellofresh.com/paring10fm
$15/month 5G wireless with Mint Mobile: www.mintmobile.com/paring
20% off chic, soft closet staples from Splendid: https://splendid.com/ - use code PARING at checkout
For Hers Hair Growth: https://www.forhers.com/paring
15% off all Lume products like aluminum-free deodorant at lumedeodorant.com- use code PARING
Only $1.99 per meal with EveryPlate meal service - code paring199: www.everyplate.com/podcast
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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94: Practical Advice for Living Intentionally with 7x NYT Bestselling Author Gretchen Rubin
Can you believe THE Gretchen Rubin is on the show?? She's a 7x NYT bestselling author, and one of my professional heroes.
Her work dives into human nature and happiness, which boils down to understanding ourselves better in order to discover areas for personal agency. From there, we can create lives we love.
So much of her wisdom lends itself perfectly to decluttering our homes and lives, and you'll LOVE her "Secrets of Adulthood" - an apt title for her latest bestselling book.
You'll finish this episode feeling excited about experimenting with your own happiness, and wiser for hearing her discuss some of my favorite aphorisms (similar to principles or proverbs) from Secrets of Adulthood.
Paring Down Instagram: @paring_down
Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
Paring Down Blog
Paring Down YouTube
GRETCHEN RUBIN
Four Tendencies Quiz
Five Senses Quiz
Summer Reading
Website
Secrets of Adulthood
Happier Podcast
Newsletter
YouTube
Substack
Instagram
MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE
Holderness Family Dumpster Parody Song
PARING DOWN RESOURCES:
Free Decluttering Checklist
Treasures of the Heart: A 7-Day Bible Study on Breaking Free from Material Attachments (free)
Complete Guide to Decluttering Kid Stuff
Free 15 Clutter-Free Gift Ideas
Free Gift Request Email Template
Free Know Your Why Worksheet
SPONSORS:
Ethical, luxury women's clothing at Quince.com/paring for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!
10 Free Meals from Hello Fresh: www.hellofresh.com/paring10fm
$15/month 5G wireless with Mint Mobile: www.mintmobile.com/paring
20% off chic, soft closet staples from Splendid: https://splendid.com/ - use code PARING at checkout
For Hers Hair Growth: https://www.forhers.com/paring
15% off all Lume products like aluminum-free deodorant at lumedeodorant.com- use code PARING
Only $1.99 per meal with EveryPlate meal service - code paring199: www.everyplate.com/podcast
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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93: Behind the Scenes of Our Road Trip to Alaska & What I Wish We'd Decluttered
Here's what went down on our 3-week road trip to Alaska, insight into our new life in Kodiak, and what we've decluttered since we arrived!
Isn't it amazing how it feels like so much more arrives in the moving truck than what came out of your last house?
Today's episode is more of a personal update than my usual decluttering lessons, but at this point, we feel like old friends and I wanted to fill you in!
Paring Down Instagram: @paring_down
Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
Paring Down Blog
Paring Down YouTube
MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE
Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
PARING DOWN RESOURCES:
Free Decluttering Checklist
Treasures of the Heart: A 7-Day Bible Study on Breaking Free from Material Attachments (free)
Complete Guide to Decluttering Kid Stuff
Free 15 Clutter-Free Gift Ideas
Free Gift Request Email Template
Free Know Your Why Worksheet
SPONSORS:
Ethical, luxury women's clothing at Quince.com/paring for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!
10 Free Meals from Hello Fresh: www.hellofresh.com/paring10fm
20% off chic, soft closet staples from Splendid: https://splendid.com/ - use code PARING at checkout
For Hers Hair Growth: https://www.forhers.com/paring
$15/month 5G wireless with Mint Mobile: www.mintmobile.com/paring
15% off all Lume products like aluminum-free deodorant at lumedeodorant.com- use code PARING
Only $1.99 per meal with EveryPlate meal service - code paring199: www.everyplate.com/podcast
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
About Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, & intentional living
If staunch minimalism feels too extreme, but you want to declutter your house to alleviate some stress, this is the podcast for you. Shannon Leyko's style is like having your best friend in your ear, helping you get past those tough mental roadblocks that are keeping you from decluttering the things you don't need. From New York Times bestselling authors to everyday people in the trenches of life, Shannon's guests give practical tips and mindset advice for intentional living and self-improvement.
Listen to Paring Down if you've ever asked yourself...
Where do I start decluttering my house?
Where do I start decluttering when overwhelmed?
How do I declutter if I have ADHD?
What if I end up needing something I decluttered?
How can I stop shopping my shopping addiction?
How do I stop being stressed?
How do I keep my house clean?
How do I tidy my room?
How do I get my husband or wife to declutter?
How many toys should a child have?
How can I save money?
What is minimalism?
How can I be a minimalist with kids?
What should I declutter first?
How can I be a conscious consumer?
Find more of Shannon's work:
Instagram: @paring_down
Substack: https://shannonleyko.substack.com/
Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ParingDown
Listen to Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, & intentional living, Gaeilge Weekly and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
Ireland