How to Talk to Aging Parents About Decluttering (Without the Family Drama) with Jeannine Bryant (Ep 284)
Learn how to approach aging parents about decluttering, navigate sibling emotions, and prepare for estate sales with compassion, clarity, and less clutter this holiday season.
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Resources Mentioned:
Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/284
Connect with Jeannine Bryant
Instagram
Jeannine's Website
Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:
Instagram
Facebook
Website
Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room
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The holidays often bring family, memories… and stuff. If you’ve ever looked around your parents’ house and thought, “Someday we’ll have to deal with all of this,” this conversation is for you.
In this heartfelt episode, rightsizing expert Jeannine Bryant joins me to talk about how to compassionately approach decluttering with aging loved ones.
We cover:
How to start tender conversations without conflict
What to do when siblings have stronger emotional attachments
The truth about estate sales and what to expect
How to start early, so decluttering feels peaceful instead of pressured
The questions to ask around the Thanksgiving table to spark connection, not guilt
Whether you’re helping your parents downsize, sorting through family heirlooms, or simply preparing for future transitions, this episode will help you navigate it all with grace.
Time Stamps:
00:00 – Welcome & Thanksgiving week reflections
02:00 – What “rightsizing” really means (and why it’s different from downsizing)
05:00 – The emotional side of letting go and facing mortality
08:00 – When keepsakes shift from comfort to burden
10:00 – Separating love, memories, and stuff
13:00 – Why your kids don’t want your stuff (and that’s okay)
16:00 – How to talk with siblings who attach emotions to things
18:00 – What to keep, what to display, and what to release
23:00 – Family conversations to have during the holidays
27:00 – How estate sales actually work (and what to expect)
33:00 – The hidden cost of “saving everything”
36:00 – Practical right-sizing tips to start now
39:00 – Donate early, not later — why it matters
41:00 – Clutter-free gifting and experience-based holidays
42:00 – Rapid fire: What clutter-free means to Jeannine
44:00 – Key takeaways + gratitude for our loved ones
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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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48:51
Closet Therapy: How Decluttering Your Wardrobe Can Heal Your Soul with Shaniece Jones (Ep 283)
Discover how decluttering and organizing your closet can ease stress and restore balance. Shaniece Jones shares how “closet therapy” helps you create peace, clarity, and a clutter-free mind.
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Resources Mentioned:
Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/283
Connect with Shaniece Jones
Instagram
Shaniece's Website
Closet Therapy Podcast
Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:
Instagram
Facebook
Website
Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room
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What if your closet could tell the story of your inner world?
Professional organizer and “Closet Therapist” Shaniece Jones joins Deanna to reveal how decluttering your space can become a powerful tool for emotional healing and intentional living.
From grief and burnout to clarity and calm, Shaniece shares her journey from biologist to organizer, showing how our closets mirror our mental health and how small changes can create massive shifts in how we feel.
You’ll learn how to turn your closet into a peaceful retreat. Don’t worry. Luxury labels or walk-in wardrobes are not required.
We Cover:
How decluttering can move you from burnout to balance
Why your closet reflects your emotional and mental state
Practical steps to create a calm, organized space you love
How mindset shifts make letting go easier
What redefining “luxury” really means for intentional living
Time Stamps:
00:00 – Welcome & Preview
02:44 – Shaniece’s Journey: From Biologist to Closet Therapist
04:59 – Grief, Loss & Finding Clarity Through Decluttering
10:07 – Turning Your Closet into a Safe Haven
12:25 – The Mindset Shift that Makes Organizing Easier
16:42 – What Science Teaches Us About Clutter & Mental Health
24:15 – How Life Transitions Show Up in Our Spaces
26:55 – Creating an Elevated, Peaceful Space (Without “Luxury” Budgets)
35:21 – Letting Go of the “What-If” Items
43:22 – Rapid Fire: Clutter-Free, Happiness & First Steps
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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The Hidden Cost of Clutter: How to Reclaim Calm in Your Home and Life (Ep 282)
If your home feels heavy or chaotic lately, you’re not imagining it. Studies from UCLA and Harvard show that clutter increases stress hormones, drains focus, and fuels burnout, especially for women.
In this final episode of the EMPOWERING Life series, Deanna breaks down how clutter blindness sneaks in, why “stuff” silently steals your energy, and how to finally feel at ease in your own space.
You’ll walk away with six practical ways to reclaim your calm, one corner at a time and a few mindset shifts to help you release guilt and redefine what “home” really means.
You’ll learn:
What clutter blindness is and why it happens
How science proves clutter raises stress levels
Why decision fatigue starts at home
The simple 15-minute habit that changes everything
Six practical ways to reclaim calm and reset your space
How to let your home evolve with you
📌 Resources Mentioned:
Full show notes: www.wannabeclutterfree.com/282
UCLA Study
Harvard Study
Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wannabeclutterfree/
Join the Wannabe Minimalist Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wannabeminimalist
Loved this episode? Share it with a friend or leave a review.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome + Series Wrap-Up
02:50 What “Home Environment” Really Means
04:45 Clutter Blindness Explained (and the science behind it)
06:00 UCLA Study: How Clutter Raises Stress
07:10 Harvard Research: Decision Fatigue & Mental Load
10:00 Why Clutter Competes for Your Attention
12:00 Client Story: Rachel’s 15-Minute Reset
15:30 Mini Home Peace Assessment
18:00 Six Practical Ways to Reclaim Calm
26:30 Permission to Redefine Home
28:30 Final Thoughts & Next Week’s Episode
Subscribe & Review:
If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps me create more content to inspire and motivate you to live with less.
Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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29:38
Decluttering Wellness: How to Simplify Your Health and Feel Good Again with Jenn Trepeck (Ep 281)
Feeling overwhelmed by wellness advice? Learn how to uncomplicate your health and build simple, clutter-free systems that fit real life with Jenn Trepeck, author of Uncomplicating Wellness.
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Resources Mentioned:
Uncomplicating Wellness Mini-Summit & Book Launch Party
Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/281
Connect with Jenn Trepeck
Instagram
Jenn's Website
Salad with a Side of Fries Podcast
Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:
Instagram
Facebook
Website
Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room
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Feeling like wellness has become another thing on your to-do list?
Jenn Trepeck is here to change that. She’s an award-winning health coach, podcast host, and author of Uncomplicating Wellness, and she’s helping us make wellness simple, sustainable, and stress-free.
In this conversation, we’re talking about how to let go of perfection, rebuild trust with your body, and create systems that make wellness feel natural (not another chore). You’ll learn why “you’re not the problem, the system is,” and how to make small, intentional changes that lead to big results.
If you’re ready to un-complicate your health and your home, this episode will help you reconnect to what really matters and take consistent action. All without burnout.
We Cover:
Why wellness feels overwhelming and how to simplify it
The mindset shifts that make self-care easier and guilt-free
How to create “bio stacks” that truly move the needle
Ways to build systems that support your wellness automatically
How decluttering and health habits work hand in hand
Time Stamps:
00:00 – Welcome + Episode Overview
00:42 – Special Announcement: Uncomplicating Life Mini-Summit
02:17 – Meet Jenn Trepeck
03:57 – The Problem with Wellness Systems
08:38 – Making Wellness Fit Real Life
10:37 – How Decluttering & Health Intersect
14:00 – Defining Wellness Beyond the Physical
17:00 – Biohacking vs. Bio-Stacking
21:23 – Building Better Wellness Habits
24:00 – Making Good Habits Easier to Keep
29:00 – Rebuilding Self-Trust with Your Body
35:45 – Staying Consistent During Chaotic Seasons
38:48 – How to Uncomplicate Wellness in Your Own Life
41:00 – Rapid Fire: Jenn’s Tips for Living Simply
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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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48:46
Downsize with Purpose: How to Keep What Matters and Let Go of the Rest with Tracy Hoth (Ep 280)
Feeling overwhelmed by stuff? Learn how to downsize with purpose as organizer Tracy Hoth shares practical steps to keep what matters and live a more intentional, clutter-free life.
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Resources Mentioned:
Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/280
Connect with Tracy Hoth
Instagram
Tracy's Momentum Builder
The Organized Coach Podcast
Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:
Instagram
Facebook
Website
Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room
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What if downsizing wasn’t about “getting rid of stuff” but about creating space for the life you actually want?
In this episode, host Deanna Yates chats with Tracy Hoth, a professional organizer and certified life coach, about how to downsize with purpose. Tracy shares her powerful SPACE method, mindset shifts for letting go, and the importance of having a clear vision before you even start decluttering.
They also talk about navigating emotional downsizing—especially when helping aging parents or moving through big life transitions—and how to make peace with what you choose to keep or release.
This is the perfect listen for anyone craving a calmer, more intentional, and clutter-free life.
We Cover:
Why downsizing with purpose is more freeing than restrictive
Tracy’s SPACE Method for decluttering and organizing effectively
How to decide what’s worth keeping (and avoid regret later)
The mindset shifts that make lasting change possible
How to navigate emotional clutter and family conversations
Time Stamps:
00:00 – Introduction & Episode Overview
00:07 – Meet Tracy Hoth: Professional Organizer & Life Coach
00:23 – What “Downsizing with Purpose” Really Means
01:41 – How to Start When You Feel Overwhelmed
02:30 – Why Sorting Comes Before Decluttering
09:19 – How to Decide What Truly Matters
13:25 – Tracy’s SPACE Method for Organizing
18:00 – How Life Stages Affect Downsizing
20:55 – Talking to Parents About Decluttering
24:23 – How Mindset Shapes Your Clutter Habits
29:41 – The Unexpected Benefits of Downsizing
31:23 – Letting Go Without Regret
36:49 – Practical Tips for Getting Started
38:21 – Final Thoughts & Next Steps
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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
About Wannabe Clutter Free | Declutter, Simplify, Find Freedom
Ready to finally calm the overwhelm and create a home and life you actually enjoy? The Wannabe Clutter Free podcast is here to help you clear the clutter, simplify your routines, and find freedom in the life you’re building.
I’m Deanna Yates, a busy mom who knows what it’s like to juggle family, career, and the never-ending piles of stuff. From selling 80% of what we owned to travel with our toddler, to managing the daily chaos of running a home with a school-aged kid, I’ve learned that living with less isn’t about deprivation. It’s about creating more space, more peace, and more joy.
Each week, I share real-life stories, simple decluttering strategies, and mindset shifts that make it easier to let go of what’s weighing you down. You’ll also hear from inspiring guests who share practical tips and fresh perspectives on minimalism, home organization, intentional living, and building habits that last.
If you’re tired of feeling buried in clutter and crave a home that feels calm, welcoming, and easy to manage, this show is for you. It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress, freedom, and finding space for what truly matters to you.
Listen to Wannabe Clutter Free | Declutter, Simplify, Find Freedom, The Sinead Says Podcast and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app