Do you want to live in a home that actually helps you enjoy being a mom, but don’t know where to start? Have you given up on decluttering after not seeing improvement? Today, Dawn is joined by Zoë Kim to delve into strategies for moms wanting to cultivate a peaceful home environment. IN THIS EPISODE: -Where in your home should you start? -Zoë Kims start to minimalism -Managing inventory that relates to kids -How to manage sentimental items -How do I get my spouse on board? Want to join Dawn and Zoe for 6 Hours of Guided Decluttering & “Body Doubling? Check out their Going Deeper Minimalism MasterClass: A Chance to Fully Declutter a Room in Your Home & Experience the Joy & Freedom of Minimalism! - https://www.theminimalmom.com/minimalism-masterclass ABOUT ZOE: Zoë’ Kim is the author of Minimalism for Families, minimalist mom of four, and the voice behind Raising Simple. She partners with individuals to tackle the challenges of a cluttered home and life, and believes in developing a minimalist lifestyle through positive perspective changes and practical solutions. LINKS MENTIONED: Minimalism for Families by Zoë Kim https://amzn.to/4867IyC 7 Questions to Help You Let Go of Sentimental Things- https://raisingsimple.com/let-go-of-sentimental-things/ Zoë’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisingsimple/?hl=en Zoë’s Blog: https://raisingsimple.com/ Matt Paxton’s interview: https://youtu.be/5K-ests_bDk?feature=shared

Are you completely overwhelmed by the amount of digital photos saved in multiple places, on multiple devices? Do you dream of quickly and easily creating yearly photo books for your family, or simply being able to enjoy the memories? Today, Dawn and Casey von Stein (known online as Miss Freddy) share organizational strategies for digital photos so that you and your family can stop being stressed and start enjoying the memories. ABOUT CASEY: Casey is a professional photo organizer who took the organizational skills she fine-tuned during her 10 years as a professional photographer and created simple workflows that allow her clients and students to conquer their photo overwhelm and enjoy their photos again. IN THIS EPISODE: -If you can only do one thing… -The positive emotional affect digital organization can have -GEM Where to even begin making yearly yearbooks (minute 12:40) -How to handle working through family photos -What trends are coming in the photo world LINKS MENTIONED Ollie photo organizing app - https://get.goodones.app/yVeZ/pmmissfreddy Miss Freddy Courses -https://shop.missfreddy.com/products Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/miss.freddy/

How can I encourage the value of decluttering without it pushing my kids in the opposite direction? Is it even possible to stop the constant flow of things from coming into our homes? Listen in as Dawn answers real questions from listeners! Want to record a decluttering question? You can do so here: https://sayhi.chat/MinimalMom
 Find Candace at Simply this Life here: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyThatwithCandice IN THIS EPISODE: -equipment sometimes fixes problems - but sometimes it doesn’t! -GEM: how to encourage your family to declutter without causing resentment or leading to more attachment to things (minute 6:25) -how to stop the influx of constant things entering your home -where to start when working through others/inherited belongings LINKS MENTIONED: Dyson Cordless Vacuum: https://amzn.to/3TeEyIe Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff by Matt Paxton: https://amzn.to/3I3zOQJ Matt’s podcast with Dawn: https://youtu.be/5K-ests_bDk?si=FJGm6gJNiUFreUj_ Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

Why are so many of our kids showing signs of trauma when they live in relative safety? How do we raise counter-cultural kids in a world of excess? Today, Dawn is joined by Kim John Payne, M.ED., who has been a counselor, educator, consultant, and researcher for over thirty years. IN THIS EPISODE: -The one thing Kim would say to parents right now -What lead Kim to study simplicity in parenting -A formula for unstructured playtime -Importance of rhythms vs. routines -Parenting as a governor, gardener, and guide ABOUT KIM JOHN PAYNE: Kim John Payne is an Australian who has, for 24 years, worked throughout the world as a counselor, consultant/researcher and educator of both children and adults. He has been helping children, adolescents and families explore issues such as social difficulties with siblings and classmates, attention and behavioral issues at home and school, and a range of emotional issues such as defiance, aggression, addiction and self-esteem. BOOKS: Simplicity Parenting Book: https://amzn.to/4c9P7VQ Being at Your Best When Your Kids are at Their Worst: https://amzn.to/3T5Tokh The Soul of Discipline: The Simplicity Parenting Approach to Warm, Firm, and Calm Guidance -- From Toddlers to Teens: https://amzn.to/3VahD3p Reset Your Child's Brain, 4 Week Screen Detox: https://amzn.to/3wVCxsM Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

How do I get myself out of the messy middle? How many kids books should I keep? How can I move towards minimalism with with chronic illness, young kids, busy schedules, etc. etc? Listen in as Dawn answers from listeners on these topics and more! Want to record a decluttering question? You can do so here:https://sayhi.chat/MinimalMom In this Episode: How Dawn manages to keep up with daily cleaning tasks in about 40 minutes How to minimize with a chronic illness Get out of the messy middle Sharing small living spaces with kids and their friends Deciding what kids books to keep in the house Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

What would your reaction be if you heard, “We don’t have to own all this stuff”? Do you dream about a life where less time is spent cleaning and organizing and more time actually living? This simple phrase jump started Joshua’s journey to minimalism. Listen in as he and Dawn reminisce about his early days of minimalism and the benefits he’s seen in his life and family through it. IN THIS EPISODE: -Joshua’s introduction to minimalism -Biggest friction between his spouse when decluttering -GEM: Joshua’s best advice for raising kids with less (minute 17:50) -What Joshua has been up to recently ABOUT JOSHUA: Joshua Becker is a prominent author, speaker, and minimalist advocate. He is known for his practical advice on simplifying possessions, relationships, and priorities to foster a more fulfilling and purposeful existence. Books: Things that Matter: https://amzn.to/49BaugC The More of Less: https://amzn.to/42F3rkF The Minimalist Home: https://amzn.to/3OOrJmG LINKS MENTIONED: Article that kickstarted Joshua’s Minimalism journey: https://zenhabits.net/a-guide-to-creating-a-minimalist-home/ The Hope Effect: https://www.hopeeffect.com/Becker Method Certified Professional Training Course: https://www.becomingminimalist.com/becker-method-certification/ Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

Why do so many of us struggle with moderation and pursue the unpredictable? Why do we constantly crave more, when we have enough? In today’s episode, Dawn is joined by Michael Easter, a New York Times Bestselling author, journalist, and professor who wrote the books The Comfort Crisis and Scarcity Brain. Together, they discuss how our society's pursuit of ease has drastically changed the way in which we think and live - and tactics of how to not fall into the scarcity mindset trap! ABOUT MICHAEL EASTER: Michael's work explores how we can leverage modern science and evolutionary wisdom to perform better and live healthier and more meaningful lives. His ideas have been adopted by NASA, MLB teams, NCAA D1 athletic programs, US Special Forces units, Fortune-500 companies, top tier universities, and millions of people worldwide. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Scarcity Brain: https://amzn.to/42xvJO2 Comfort Crisis: https://amzn.to/49qZqT6 Newsletter Signup: https://www.twopct.com/ Clearspace app: https://www.getclearspace.com/ IN THIS EPISODE: -How pursuing ease has changed our society -Scarcity brain -Why are we bad at moderation -Our focus on unpredictability -The relationship between scarcity and creativity -When to introduce social media to our kids -Gratitude journals are probably not the answer! Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

Are you struggling to downsize a home filled with memories? Does the fear and guilt of purging family keepsakes keep you from decluttering? In this episode, Matt Paxton shares helpful insight on how to discern what heirlooms are worth keeping, and what to do with the rest. IN THIS EPISODE: -helping loved ones dealing with hoarding -the most misunderstood thing about hoarders -dealing with the guilt of stuff -how does this actually work? About Matt Matt Paxton is a downsizing and cleaning expert, speaker, author, radio personality, and host of the 2-time Emmy nominated television show Legacy List with Matt Paxton. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff by Matt Paxton: https://amzn.to/3I3zOQJ More info about Legacy List: https://www.mylegacylist.com/ Save the stories with Artifacts: https://artifcts.com/ Minimalism for Families by Zoë Kim https://amzn.to/4867IyC Zoë Kim’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisingsimple/?hl=en Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

Do you want to involve your kids in decluttering but have trouble figuring out how? Have you ever shared your excitement over living with less only to be told, “good for you, but I could never!” Do you find it nearly impossible to say, "no" something free? Listen in as Dawn answers real questions from her listeners and helps navigate some of the sticky situations that can come up when decluttering. Want to record a decluttering question? You can do so here: https://sayhi.chat/MinimalMom IN THIS EPISODE: - how to get kids on board with cleaning - dealing with guilt of, “good for you, but I could never” - when you just can’t say no to free - how to keep pushing through the layers of decluttering Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

Have you ever had the thought, “why do these decluttering tactics work for everyone BUT me?” Is it possible that emotional or psychological trauma has contributed to the clutter and disorganization in your life? Listen in as Dawn and Anna Runkle from The Crappy Childhood Fairy address how clutter can often be a symptom of trauma and give encouragement on how to start the process of overcoming these hurdles in your life or in the lives of those you may know. IN THIS EPISODE: -Anna’s motivation in starting Crappy Childhood Fairy - Encouragement on the “doability” of starting to heal and where to start - Why It can be more helpful to write it out rather than talking it out! - Removing mental clutter in order to help reduce physical clutter - Theories on helping others who struggle with clutter - Encouragement for the woman who always feels like an outlier About Anna Anna Runkle is not a doctor or therapist; she’s someone who grew up in a rough family that was deeply affected by addiction and all the problems that tend to go with that – poverty, violence, neglect, and shame. Everything changed for her in 1994 when she stumbled upon two techniques that unexpectedly made her feel better – dramatically better. With that little bit of healing, she was able to, at last, begin changing the self-destructive patterns she had learned (common for trauma survivors) and change the course of my life. Today, almost half a million people follow her work and participate in her training. Her mission is to change the paradigm of what’s possible for people “like us” and to help all I can to heal and lead lives of joy and purpose. See Anna’s video: Clutter as a Trauma symptom: https://youtu.be/FZwY4tAfX1A?si=As4YXzXeG0rJ-JknIG: https://www.instagram.com/crappychildhoodfairy/YT: https://www.youtube.com/@CrappyChildhoodFairyFREE course: the daily practice: https://courses.crappychildhoodfairy.com/daily-practice?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=daily-practice Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

Do you feel stuck waiting for motivation to show up? Are you struggling to answer the elusive “why” in hopes it will propel you into transformative lifestyle habits? Is the work of decluttering even worth it? Listen in as Brit Frank, a licensed Neuropsycholotherapist, shares WHY decluttering can be the most powerful mental health practice that you can do and HOW to get started! IN THIS EPISODE: - (GEM) Our misunderstanding of motivation 3:12 - A prescription for decluttering - Self compassion vs. self permission - How changing your self talk can change your life! - Why kids don’t need perfect parenting - The question you should be asking to find friends - You don’t need motivation - you need momentum! About Brit: Britt Frank, LSCSW, SEP is a licensed neuropsychotherapist and author of The Science of Stuck. In this new book, Britt offers an eclectic and customizable plan, addressing old habits, trauma, and the paralyzing nature of incessant "why" questions. Recognizing that simply thinking our way forward is often insufficient, this book is a guide for anyone feeling stuck in their lives and wanting to break free of old habits and patterns. Check out Britt’s book here: https://amzn.to/421Kzfl Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

Take Your House Back (Just $94): https://urlgeni.us/TYHB The Take Your House Back Course is a powerful way that I can come along side you and make sure you get your home simplified in the new year! (And it's only $94 right now - normally $597!) The Next ALL DAY DECLUTTER is Saturday, Jan. 13 - replays available if you can't join us live (Payment plan available, too!) IN THIS EPISODE: Are you struggling with post-holiday letdown, discouragement over credit card statements, and navigating a sense of unease as the new year unfolds? While getting out of debt is hard, listen and hear Dawn and Christine of Frugal Fit Mom encourage you to start taking steps to replace the weight of debt with the lightness that comes from debt-free living! IN THIS EPISODE: -Christine and Dawn’s personal stories of getting out of debt -How to start your debt-free journey -Motivating yourself and others towards paying off debt -The freedom that comes from minimizing access to social media and streaming services ABOUT CHRISTINE: Christine from Frugal Fit Mom has garnered a loyal following by sharing her practical insights on budgeting, frugality, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle on a dime. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of mindful spending, sensible budgeting, and strategic money-saving tactics. Whether it's expertly navigating the grocery store aisles for budget-friendly yet nutritious meals or offering ingenious tips to maximize savings, Christine's approach is both relatable and inspiring. Through Frugal Fit Mom YouTube channel, Christine invites her audience to join her on a journey towards financial resilience, overall well-being, and the joys of a balanced, intentional life. https://www.youtube.com/c/FrugalFitMom

Take Your House Back (Just $94): https://urlgeni.us/TYHB The Take Your House Back Course is a powerful way that I can come along side you and make sure you get your home simplified in the new year! (And it's only $94 right now - normally $597!) The Next ALL DAY DECLUTTER is Saturday, Jan. 13 - replays available if you can't join us live (Payment plan available, too!) Today I'm joined by Dana from A Slob Comes Clean. She is a friend and colleague and I'm a believer in her No Mess Decluttering Method!

Take Your House Back (Just $94): https://urlgeni.us/TYHB The Take Your House Back Course is a powerful way that I can come along side you and make sure you get your home simplified in the new year! (And it's only $94 right now - normally $597!) The Next ALL DAY DECLUTTER is Saturday, Jan. 13 - replays available if you can't join us live (Payment plan available, too!) Today I'm joined by Cas from Clutterbug. She is a colleague and friend and I'm really looking forward to visiting with her today! Here is what we talked about today: 00:00 The Minimal Mom & Cas from Clutterbug 01:37 Making Friends 04:35 Her Flooded House 09:46 What did she love about the new house 19:14 Why no home inspection? 22:49 Do you have a house keeper? 28:15 How have the kids dealt with moving? 29:52 Has she been called to any emergencies? 35:55 Emotional experience at ADHD conference 49:50 How is your relationship with food now? 52:35 Follow up on dog that passed away at kennel 54:20 What do you want for Christmas this year?

Today I answer YOUR questions! May I also ask you a question: Were you able to acheive your decluttering goals in 2023? If now, may I help you more closely? The Take Your House Back Course is a powerful way that I can come along side you and make sure you get your home simplified in the new year! (And it's only $94 right now - normally $597!) Take Your House Back (Just $94): https://urlgeni.us/TYHB INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/the.minimal.mom/ QUESTIONS ANSWERED: - Do you & Diana pay each other? - What are you looking forward to in 2024? - What if I feel stuck decluttering? - If you had free time, how would you spend it? - How do I declutter hobby stuff? - What to do with an unfinished scrapbook? - Why don't you talk about foster care? - Will you help others declutter again? - What are your favorite minimalists books? - Does minimalism always lead to contentment? - Will you talk about homeschooling? - Favorite thing about being minimalist family? - Have you offended people by giving away their gifts? - What to say if decluttered a gift & they ask? - Advice for decluttering while pregnant & nesting? - Suggestions for decluttering while moving? - What is the right amount of home decor? - Do your kids get allowance? - How to say no to well meaning family? - How can I feel done with decluttering? - What happened with your bread making? - Favorite Christmas Tradition? - How do you & your family spend winter evenings? - How much time do you declutter weekly? - 28k pics on my phone, solution? - Favorite coffee to drink or make? - What do I do with old year books? - Can we see you kids' rooms? - Do you have a set day you grocery shop? LINKS MENTIONED: FREE Homeschool Workshop: https://www.theminimalmom.com/offers/3ekLnfEY Diana's Channel (Home Goods Shop with Us!): https://youtu.be/rGk9nYKfhEo?si=VOqZ7bBsjKEcOFVO My Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/minimalmom Simplicity Parenting: https://amzn.to/3tbyxTL Bank Zipper Pouches: https://amzn.to/41wwk1R Bank Envelopes: https://amzn.to/4ak9u1w App for Sorting Photos: Good Ones Miss Freddy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miss.freddy/ Breadmaker that I use for Sourdough: https://amzn.to/3GI26j1 NEED HELP WITH ANYTHING? Support@TheMinimalMom.com Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind subscribing? It helps the podcast be recommend to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

Is the thought of dinnertime stressful and full of overwhelm? Has meal planning failed for you in the past? Listen in as Lauren as Liz from Tastes Better from Scratch talk with Dawn on how to implement simple steps that allow dinnertime to turn from a stressful event to a great time bringing your family together. When you have a plan, cooking can become a joyful experience! IN THIS EPISODE: -The passion behind cooking from scratch -Handling recipe overwhelm -5 key values to help get organized with meal planning -How simplifying kitchen inventory can help -GEM: Where to start (minute 12:50) -Involving kids in the kitchen ABOUT LAUREN AND LIZ: Lauren Allen grew up in a home where everything was made from scratch; from egg noodles and chicken stock to jam and bread. Upon leaving home and entering the world of dreary college cafeteria food, she, along with her twin sister, Liz, were eager to compile their treasured recipes into an online collection, and Tastes Better from Scratch (TBFS) was born! Tastes Better from Scratch creates approachable, delicious recipes you can count on, and is bringing the JOY back to cooking: https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/ Download their FREE weekly meal plans that include a grocery shopping list with budget information. You can create your own meal plan with your favorite recipes, or you can use our preset meal plans, and even customize them in case there’s a recipe you want to swap out: https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/category/meal-plan/ Check out the Tastes Better From Scratch Cookbook to find recipes for every meal of the day, and more, as well as a variety of different cuisines: https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/cookbooks/ Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind subscribing? It helps the podcast be recommend to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

Today I visit with Dr. John Delony about the real cost of clutter on our lives and mental health. There is a strong connection between clutter and stress and anxiety and yet it's not wrong that we keep things hoping for security. IN THIS EPISODE: - Why do we keep this stuff? 03:28 - Decluttering induced anxiety - The 6 Daily Choices for Less Anxiety - 90 Days to a Non-Anxious Life 16:45 - How to Instantly feel better 19:56 - The 40% Rule - GEM: Anxiety & Kids (Minute 31:37) Building a Non-Anxious Life Book: https://amzn.to/46EVXhQ The Dr. John Delony Show: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDrJohnDelonyShow 90 Days to a Non-Anxious Life Video: https://youtu.be/7GLLJLbd9zM?si=s2L_9pn-6OFwcy91

Are you in survival mode as a mom? Do you frequently feel overwhelmed and like you just aren't doing this right? Do you want to learn a better way? With candor and warmth, Jessica delves into the heart of motherhood, addressing the challenges that many moms face in feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and constantly on the brink. Throughout this episode, Jessica unravels practical strategies and mindset shifts that empower mothers to reclaim their joy and purpose amidst the chaos of everyday life. IN THIS EPISODE: - Navigating really hard seasons as a mom - The 5 Step Path from Surviving to Thriving - Understanding the truth about Survival Mode - Re-entry when your support has gone home - Normalizing and the power of "Good Enough" - Circle of Concern vs. Circle of Influence - GEM: Helping her pessimistic son have a more positive attitude (minute 20:13) - The power of decluttering to be a better mom ABOUT JESSICA: Jessica Jackson is a homeschooling mother of four children, host of the Thriving in Motherhood Podcast and creator of Thriving in Motherhood Planner and Journal. Jessica is determined to not only enjoy motherhood, but to build a strong family and become better in the process. Along the way she's become well practiced in thriving through survival mode while experiencing difficult pregnancies, health challenges, and multiple cross country moves. Jessica loves empowering women to thrive in every season of motherhood and see the joy and growth in everyday life. Download the Free 5 Step Path From Surviving to Thriving Checklist here: https://thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/checklist/ Jessica's Website & Podcast: https://thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/ Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind subscribing? It helps the podcast be recommend to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

How do you declutter when you have little kids at home and no extra time or energy to dedicate to it? Today we'll answer two listener questions. The first is about finding motivation when there seems to be no extra time to declutter. The second is about knowing how far to go with minimalism and how to maintain it.

Today I'm joined by Tyler from Tidy Dad. Tyler is a New York school teacher, writer, husband and dad to three young girls. Through his Tidy Dad blog and Instagram account he shares tips to help you develop systems, rhythms, and routines for tidying, cleaning and organizing. His tactics are practical and inspiring and he offers great advice for involving all of our family members in the keeping of our homes. You can find Tyler here: Tidy Dad on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tidydad/ Tidy Dad Website: https://thetidydad.com/