Ep. 007: Decluttering to Decrease Overwhelm with Jamie Ritchie

The Wavy Brain

Jamie Ritchie is a home organization expert who helps her clients achieve realistic and practical organization systems. This week, we explore the way a cluttered home can emotionally and mentally overwhelm our already crowded brains. Jamie explains why it’s just as important to be intentional about the things we bring into our homes as the things we clear out, the power of accountability partners, using quick wins to build success, and the importance of creating a responsible donation plan for unwanted items.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• As a mom of three, Jamie understands the importance of creating systems that are practical, easy to maintain, and can evolve with our kids as they grow older.

• Jamie encourages us to think about the time and space we give our things and determine our own personal “clutter thresholds,” which include visual clutter.

• We need to ask ourselves how much stuff we can actually manage in our everyday lives, otherwise our stuff will end up creating physical clutter and emotional overwhelm, including feelings of shame and guilt.

• Use tricks like setting a timer and decluttering as much as you can to combat perfectionism or enlisting an accountability buddy.

• Inflow is just as important as outflow. Think carefully about what you allow into your home, including hand-me-downs, sentimental items, gifts, and toys.

• Combat guilt about creating more waste by donating responsibly to appropriate organizations and joining your neighborhood’s Buy Nothing Group.

Jamie Ritchie Home Organization Website

Jamie Ritchie’s Instagram Account

A Slob Comes Clean, Dana K. White’s podcast

Green Drop Pick-Up Scheduling

The transcript is HERE.

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