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StitcherIt starts with “I’ll do it later.” The next thing you know, you have a mountain of clutter at home. The thought of decluttering feels overwhelming—and let’s be honest, we are the first ones to judge ourselves for it, to the point where we just don’t do it all. But it’s never too late to take control. In this episode, Jen and Jill are joined by Katy Wells of The Maximized Minimalist to uncover why it’s difficult to purge certain things and never look back again.
Mess is the side effect of some of the most beautiful experiences we have as human beings.
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Katy is the host of the globally recognized Top-50 Podcast, The Maximized Minimalist, and a leading declutter expert known for her authentic and holistic approach. She dives deep to uncover the root causes of clutter, offering practical and sustainable solutions that go beyond surface-level tidying. By exploring the mindsets and psychology that keep us stuck, Katy empowers families to harness this knowledge to get unstuck, transform chaotic homes into calm, clutter-free spaces, and gain lasting freedom from clutter.
Where It Starts to Get a Little Cluttered
Like many of us, Katy struggles with the constant cycle of decluttering only to re-clutter because she often relies on temporary strategies that don’t last. However, understanding where this behavior stems from can help us make sense of why we act the way we do.
With that, Katy highlights three essential causes of clutter: our culture that encourages buying but not decluttering, personal tendencies like procrastination or perfectionism, and the influence of our parents or caregivers, whose beliefs about “stuff ” are often passed down through generations. It’s really not about placing blame on anyone but recognizing patterns and understanding that it’s not entirely our fault.
The Process of Clutter and How to Identify It
Katy tells us that clutter doesn’t just appear out of nowhere—it often starts with shame and judgment. We usually struggle to get started because we’re stuck in the narrative that we’re “not good enough” or “too far gone.” The truth is, those feelings are normal, but they don’t have to hold us back. The key is to declutter the idea that we can’t change. That’s why it’s important to pause, listen to that inner dialogue, and make different choices—even when it’s uncomfortable.
Breaking Free from Clutter Cycle
Katy always knew that her perfectionist tendencies were holding her back. So her first step was recognizing that clutter and mess aren’t the same thing and that perfection doesn’t have to be the goal.
She emphasizes the importance of curiosity about what drives your clutter and then rewriting those beliefs. Even if you don’t fully believe in it, stepping into the identity of someone who handles clutter easily can spark a positive feedback loop of progress. Small wins create big momentum, and real change starts to happen before you know it.
Picking up the Clutter and Never Looking Back
Above all, Katy reminds us that a mess isn’t just a mess—it holds memories and represents some of the most meaningful moments in our lives. So, instead of beating ourselves up for a bit of clutter, we can embrace its beauty.
Katy also offers practical steps to help us break free from the clutter cycle. She encourages staying curious about how we react to the mess, practicing that pause when we encounter clutter, and, most importantly, decluttering our inner beliefs. For efficiency, she recommends having a designated donation bin at home that you can grab whenever you’re ready to donate—no pressure, just small steps toward lasting change.
What’s your technique for letting go of items with sentimental value?
Katy takes a photo and notes why it was important to her. Jen reminds herself that she’s creating an environment for her family when she declutters. And Jill limits how much she keeps to what she really wants to keep.
Get more from Guest
Podcast: Maximized Minimalist Podcast
Instagram: @katyjoywells
Bill of The Week
Thank you Katy for sharing about a bill you didn’t take on in buying a new car – sticking with what you already have!
Thanks so Much for Listening!
Thanks so much for listening. We love love love reading your kind reviews and we especially loved this one from:
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Such Fun
I am so close to retirement so I thought I would start being frugal. I know, little late to the game but it can’t hurt to start thinking that my money matters! The girls make the show such fun. I find little tips and tricks and I appreciate how down your earth and fun the show is. Five stars! It won’t let me tap to rate!
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