Mental Health Decluttering Podcast Episodes and Articles

What if clutter isn’t about how much you own—but how you feel about it? Discover why your home is an extension of your identity, how your space shapes your wellbeing, and why creating a “psychological home” matters more than achieving a perfectly organised house.

Clutter doesn’t just crowd your home — it crowds your brain. Research shows it drains mental energy, increases stress hormones, affects sleep, and even changes how you make decisions. When your environment constantly demands attention, your body stays on high alert. Creating space around you creates space within you too.

How does clutter make you feel—frustrated, ashamed, overwhelmed? In this episode, Tracy Hoth, shares how understanding your thoughts and emotions around clutter can bring freedom. Learn to get curious about your mindset, shift unhelpful patterns, and create lasting change in your home and life.

An overstimulating home can drain your energy and motivation. Clutter and disorganisation often amplify that feeling, making even simple tasks overwhelming. Creating order—like tidy toy zones or a well-organised pantry—can calm your mind and body. Discover practical ways to reduce visual noise and restore peace in your living spaces.

Discover how clutter can contribute to feelings of loneliness and how small steps to reclaim your space can open the door to connection and comfort.

Is clutter holding back wellness? Learn how a packed fridge, cluttered lounge, or full garage may be blocking healthy choices like cooking and walking—and how clearing space can make healthy habits more accessible.

Discover how Spoon Theory—a metaphor for managing limited energy—can illuminate the hidden toll of clutter on your daily life and well-being.

  By popular request this week we are diving into our ADHD series where we talk to ADHDers, Professionals who work with ADHDers […]

Comparison traps you in the future and you miss out on all the joy of today. Just because someone has what you want doesn’t mean they’re happy. This episode explores what is beneath comparison and offers tips to align your desires with your values rather than what someone else has.

Clutter can make you feel like you can’t catch your breath. Creating intentional space—whether it’s for relaxation or simply putting away clean dishes—can transform your home and well-being. This episode explores how embracing space without guilt can change how you feel in your home.

Embrace the concept that the imperfection you expect is the imperfection you accept. This episode encourages lowering standards to make organising and decluttering achievable and maintainable for you and your family. It’s time to stop aiming for perfection and embrace imperfection.

Ever wondered what agenda your belongings have? This episode invites you to consider what your items might say: “You need to wear me,” “You need to clean me,” or “You need to maintain me.” Reflect on whether your possessions align with your current needs and desires. This perspective can help you assess if it’s time to let go of items that no longer serve you.

This episode explores the significance of the word “enough” in our relationship with clutter and satisfaction. It delves into statements like “You are enough,” “You’ve done enough,” and “What is enough?” to help you assess your needs and find balance in your possessions. Understanding when you’ve reached “enough” can guide you in making intentional decisions about what to keep and what to let go.

Explore five tough but eye-opening truths about clutter that can inspire change and help you create a more organised, peaceful home.

Decluttering isn’t just about tidying up—it’s about creating space for meaningful memories. This episode explores how to curate and store sentimental items thoughtfully, ensuring they bring joy and tell your story, rather than adding clutter. Learn to cherish memories without being overwhelmed by them.

Ever second‑guess yourself when deciding what to toss? This episode explores the emotional blocks behind letting go—guilt, scarcity worry and sentimental attachment—and offers gentle strategies to help you move forward with less fear and more confidence, one item at a time.

The term “busy” often connotes a life that’s rushed, frantic, and out of control. This episode explores the value of intentional living, where time, energy, and space are thoughtfully managed to foster connection and creativity. By decluttering your home, calendar, and mind, you can create room for what truly matters.

In her final days, a client-turned-friend shared profound insights on her lifelong struggle with severe clutter. This episode delves into her reflections, offering valuable lessons on the emotional and psychological aspects of decluttering. A poignant reminder of the importance of addressing our relationship with possessions.

In this final episode of the ADHD and decluttering series, Amy reflects on the insights gained over recent months. She shares key learnings and encourages listeners to leave a review or share the series with friends to help others benefit from the content.

In this mini episode, Jess shares practical ADHD hacks that simplify daily life. From keeping hair ties handy to scanning school forms immediately, labelling the washing machine for kids’ help, using a second dish rack, and embracing the “just do one thing” mindset, these tips make managing overwhelm easier.

Sylvia Campbell shares ADHD-friendly strategies to make decluttering feel less daunting. She discusses reframing tasks from “just do it” to “just start,” differentiating between lazy and efficient actions, and involving kids in the process with engaging hacks.

Carly shares easy-to-use ADHD strategies including a minimalist beauty routine, a one-in/one-out rule, using oversized bins for effortless cleanups, and batch-cooking tricks to ease evening routines. These simple, practical hacks help reduce clutter and streamline daily life through intentional design.

Jodie shares ADHD-friendly tips to reduce overwhelm: meal prep in batches; pantry hacks that group items used together; embracing “doing something is better than nothing” for dishes and washing; and intentional duplicates that simplify routines. These mini updates help streamline everyday life and support sustainable organisation.

Lisa Woodruff shares her proven systems to support ADHD brains through routines, launch triggers, and check-ins that promote consistency. Learn how structured rhythms and intentional organising habits can reduce chaos, sustain order, and offer long-term clarity—especially helpful for those managing ADHD-related overwhelm.

Tricia, an occupational therapist with ADHD experience, shares practical tools to support executive function—like lists, dopamine-aware task planning, and breaking up projects into manageable parts. If decision fatigue or clutter overwhelm you, these strategies offer structured support to make everyday life more organised and manageable.

Sylvia Campbell, a chemical engineer diagnosed with ADHD, shares how her mindset enables home optimisation using process-improvement principles. Learn strategies like asking “Why do we do it this way?” and reframing challenges to streamline routines, solve real problems and reclaim efficiency and clarity in daily life.

Carly shares her journey as a high achiever in a federal government career, balancing a double engineering degree, part-time work, and flying lessons—all while unaware of her ADHD. Discover how she leveraged her strengths to negotiate workplace flexibility and manage time, schedules, and home duties effectively.

Certified ADHD coach Carolyn Verhoef shares insights into why managing time, energy, and attention is challenging for ADHDers. She offers strategies to capitalise on ADHD strengths, helping listeners understand themselves better and implement effective tools for daily life.

Jess Gimm, a professional organiser and ADHD advocate, shares her personal journey of managing ADHD while building a business. She discusses the challenges and strategies involved in balancing motherhood, work, and self-care, offering insights into ADHD-friendly organising methods.

Jodie, a long-time member of The Art of Decluttering community, shares her experience of receiving an ADHD diagnosis as an adult. She discusses the impact on her self-perception, the challenges of managing household tasks, and practical strategies she employs to simplify daily life.

Joanna Bailey, a psychologist and director of Bluebird Psychology, provides insights into ADHD and its impact on executive functioning. She discusses how ADHD presents differently in individuals and offers strategies for decluttering and organising, emphasising the importance of self-awareness and understanding neurodiversity.

Each of us has an invisible “bucket”—when people speak harshly or exclude us, holes get poked in it. This episode emphasises the importance of surrounding yourself with people who fill those spaces—through empathy, kind words, and wise choices—to build resilience, strength, and emotional freedom.

What do you not want in your life? Identifying anti‑goals—outcomes or behaviours to avoid—can clarify what truly matters. This episode explores how this mindset sharpens decision‑making, aligns actions with values, and helps you avoid clutter—material, mental, and emotional. Use anti‑goals to reclaim focus and freedom.

Struggling to declutter effectively or live intentionally? Your core values provide a guiding ‘rock’ for decisions—not just about things, but also your time and emotions. Learn to ask, “How does this item align with my values?” and reduce clutter throughout your life.

When belongings come with emotional weight—like inherited gifts or unfinished promises—they can feel more like obligations than assets. This episode explores how to distinguish between items that honour values and those that weigh you down, guiding you to declutter guilt and keep what truly supports your life.

Draw inspiration from a personal detox experiment and learn four practical strategies for sticking with commitments you don’t want to quit. Celebrate a fresh start by exploring seven meaningful things you might choose to stop in 2023—and discover why quitting can be empowering.

Explore how grief and gratitude intertwine during decluttering and life transitions. Discover tools to balance these emotions, especially at the year’s end, and embrace the freedom that comes with releasing physical, mental, and emotional clutter.

In this episode, we explore 9 characteristics of perfectionism and discuss how these traits can impact decluttering and organising efforts. We also offer practical antidotes to help shift from perfectionist tendencies to more sustainable and manageable habits.

Doubt can stem from well-meaning friends, family, or our own inner critic. In this episode, Kirsty and Belinda explore how doubt manifests, offer strategies to overcome it, and discuss the importance of vision and identity in moving from uncertainty to clarity. A lighthearted yet insightful conversation.

Exploring balance as more than just managing tasks—it’s redefining how we engage with life. Constant adjustments drain energy, so this Discussion shifts focus from achieving balance to embracing what brings joy and connection. Discover how knowing your season and community can bring grace, freedom, and clarity to your daily rhythms.

Explore how expectations shape your actions—and whether they propel or derail you. Dive into the emotional stories behind your goals: Are you chasing joy or just chasing outcomes? Learn to question your inner narratives, reset expectations, and cultivate clarity instead of disappointment.

Explore how the urge to keep up with the Joneses drives clutter and dissatisfaction. Discover how practising gratitude, unsubscribing from marketing that fuels comparison, and defining what contentment truly looks like can help reduce the ‘green-eyed monster’ and build a more intentional, peaceful home.

A guided mindfulness exercise to help you see your space with fresh eyes. Inspired by Osher Gunsberg’s “Better than Yesterday” podcast, it’s perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, offering practical steps to prioritise and ease into decluttering.

In March 2018, Nomes tragically lost her home in a fire. Nearly four years later, she shares her journey of healing and the profound impact on her relationship with possessions. Discover how the Head, Heart & Home course supported her recovery and offered new perspectives on decluttering.

Often, the toughest obstacle to an organised space isn’t clutter—it’s ourselves. This episode examines how self-sabotaging habits—like perfectionism or procrastination—undermine decluttering efforts. It offers practical tips for building awareness, overcoming internal friction, and fostering a mindset that supports consistency and progress.

Clutter can weigh on wellbeing—but caring for your space doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This conversation introduces gentle practices to reset after life shifts: embracing decay, easing pressure for perfection, and approaching home organisation with kindness and self-compassion. Reframe decluttering as part of your emotional care toolkit.

Maz Compton shares how giving up drinking transformed her life, the power of setting boundaries, and her mission to empower kids through choice. She also discusses her book, The Social Rebellion, and her podcast, The Wellness Rebellion.

Maz Compton shares how a pivotal life change in 2016 sparked her journey into fitness, decluttering, and self-discovery. Expect wisdom on letting go of identity tied to possessions, redefining worth beyond stuff, and valuing family in your decluttering journey.

Brooke McAlary explores the power of intentional care and rest for well-being. Emphasising how slowing down and prioritising downtime can bring balance and fulfilment, the discussion offers practical insights into nurturing yourself daily for a healthier, more meaningful life.

Tanya—a mum of three and teacher—shares her experience accessing decluttering support through the NDIS. She discusses how having professional organisers assist in her home has positively impacted her family, highlighting the benefits of tailored support for individuals with additional needs.

This episode explores the concept of control, emphasizing personal agency and the importance of setting boundaries. The hosts discuss how attempting to control others can lead to resentment and stress the significance of self-awareness and grace in managing one’s own life. They also highlight the value of self-permission in creating a fulfilling life.

Decluttering can bring up emotions like resistance, doubt, or even grief—and that’s completely okay. Rather than pushing through, this episode offers gentle permission to acknowledge your feelings. Taking care of your heart as you sort through your space can make the process more grounded and nourishing.

Minimalism is more than owning fewer things; it’s about intentional living. This episode delves into the essence of minimalism, sharing personal journeys and clarifying misconceptions. Emphasising freedom over restriction, it encourages mindful choices in what enters and exits your home, fostering a lifestyle aligned with your values.

This discussion highlights the significance of checking in on loved ones, especially during challenging times. It underscores the importance of asking, “Are you okay?” and offers guidance on how to approach such conversations with care and empathy. Resources like Mental Health First Aid and R U OK? provide valuable support.

Sandra Pankhurst, known as The Trauma Cleaner, shares her compassionate work supporting people living with trauma and squalor. She highlights empathy, respect, and dignity in her approach, revealing how cleaning can be healing. Her commitment to excellence reflects deep care for clients and their unique stories.

This discussion challenges the culture of constant busyness and overcommitment, encouraging a focus on personal priorities and mindfulness. Inspired by animal behaviour, it explores how slowing down and living intentionally can help create greater balance, calm, and peace in everyday life.

Curiosity can transform your decluttering to-do list. Asking questions like, “What if I don’t do it?” or “Am I avoiding something else?” often reveals deeper motivations or hidden resistance. Embracing this mindset shift fosters insight, helps you understand your blocks, and leads to kinder, more purposeful progress.

This mini-series encourages reaching out to friends and family, fostering connection and support. It highlights the importance of maintaining relationships and the positive impact of social interactions on mental well-being. The discussion aims to inspire listeners to prioritize communication and strengthen their social networks.

Cultivating gratitude can transform everyday spaces—when you pause to acknowledge what you’re thankful for, clutter naturally fades into the background. This discussion encourages intentional reflection, showing how gratitude can become a subtle yet powerful tool that shapes a homespun sense of contentment and clarity.

This mini-series offers support during challenging times, focusing on maintaining productivity and mental well-being. It introduces a model titled ‘Who do we want to be in Covid-19,’ encouraging reflection and intentional living. The series aims to inspire and assist in navigating through the pandemic with purpose and resilience.

Discover how meditation can shift your decluttering journey from to-do lists to being fully present in your space. This episode explores simple practices that slow the mind and align your actions with intentional living, helping turn physical clearing into mindful calm and deeper inner clarity.

Hope offers inspiration and support for productivity and mental health during challenging times. It provides honest discussions, practical tips, and emotional encouragement to help maintain motivation and navigate difficulties while decluttering and organizing. The content aims to uplift and empower listeners on their journey to create a calmer space.

Cultivating grace during the decluttering journey means giving yourself permission to slow down, let go gently, and honour your emotional experiences. It’s about approaching your space with compassion rather than judgment—creating an environment that supports healing and meaningful change.

More than just tiredness—fatigue rooted in chronic illness or ongoing stress can make decluttering feel impossible. Learn practical approaches designed for limited-energy moments: micro-tasks, low-pressure routines, and breaking work into short, manageable bursts. This caring guidance meets exhaustion where you are and helps you keep moving forward.

Lex shares her journey of working with a professional organiser and participating in the “Head, Heart and Home” course. She discusses the challenges faced during the decluttering process and emphasizes the importance of building a supportive team to assist in creating a more organised and peaceful living environment.

Facing setbacks in your decluttering journey can be disheartening. This episode delves into the emotional hurdles that often accompany the process, offering strategies to overcome feelings of discouragement. By understanding the root causes and implementing practical solutions, you can maintain momentum and achieve your decluttering goals. The discussion emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and realistic expectations to navigate challenges effectively

Owning the responsibility for what you bring into your space empowers you to prevent future clutter. This discussion explores how mindful choices—considering lifespan, utility, and value—help you intentionally manage possessions and reduce waste, fostering a sustainable and decluttered lifestyle.

Homes often house emotional clutter—spaces tied to grief, trauma, or loss. Triggers can arise unexpectedly while organizing areas like wardrobes, bedrooms, or hobbies, making the process emotionally heavy. Gentle, compassionate support helps you navigate these moments and continue with clarity and self-care.

Judgement affects how we see ourselves and others, often holding us back. Exploring ways to release self-criticism and external judgments can bring freedom and growth. Embracing grace and forgiveness helps transform these feelings into motivation, encouraging a kinder, more compassionate approach to life and personal progress.

A courageous cancer survivor shares personal insights on navigating diagnosis, treatment, and the emotional highs and lows. Practical organising strategies—like gentle decluttering tasks and adopting the #dailylovelies habit—are woven throughout, offering both compassion and empowerment during a deeply emotional journey.

Overwhelm is a common hurdle in decluttering. Break through it by starting small, keeping it simple, and tending to basic needs like eating and hydrating. Techniques like 15-minute micro sessions and mini-declutters help regain control—and sometimes the clutter hides deeper emotions that need addressing before progress can be made.

Mental load refers to the invisible tasks and responsibilities that often fall disproportionately on women, encompassing planning, remembering, and organising daily life. This episode delves into how mental load manifests in homes, offering strategies to share responsibilities equitably and create a more balanced, harmonious living environment.

Clutter often intertwines with mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Decluttering can alleviate stress and create a calming environment. Professional organisers offer compassionate support, helping individuals navigate their spaces with care and understanding. This approach fosters a sense of control and well-being.

Decluttering after the loss of a loved one is a deeply personal journey. One individual shared her experience of losing her husband, both parents, and both step-parents within a few years, all while managing early motherhood. She emphasizes honoring loved ones without holding onto everything and navigating relationships with stepfamilies. Approaching this process with grace and intentionality can provide comfort and clarity during a challenging time.

Divorce often brings emotional and physical clutter. Sorting through belongings that belonged to an ex-partner or their family can be challenging. It’s important to approach this process with self-care and seek support when needed. Creating a decluttered space can aid in healing and moving forward.

A thoughtful approach to letting go combines gentleness with intention. Rather than forcing decluttering, this mindset invites a compassionate pause, allowing you to release what no longer serves you with dignity. It emphasizes making choices based on clarity and calm, not guilt—cultivating both physical ease and emotional freedom.