Moms Overcoming Overwhelm | Decluttering Tips, Declutter, Systems, Routines for Moms, Home Organization

If you feel like you’re always decluttering and never making progress, perhaps it’s because you haven’t looked at the stuff behind the stuff. In this episode, I chat with Katy Joy Wells, host of The Maximized Minimalist podcast and author of Making Home Your Happy Place: A Real-Life Guide to Decluttering Without the Overwhelm to explore the deeper emotional roots of clutter and discover practical strategies for creating a peaceful home. Katy shares her powerful personal story and introduces her Holistic Decluttering Method that goes far beyond simple organizing tips.

We discuss:
- how Katy realized she was using clutter as a shield after a car accident rocked her family’s world in 2017
- her Holistic Decluttering Method including root awareness, the four types of clutter, and designing our homes for follow-through
- how we can find freedom by letting go of identity clutter - arguably the hardest type of clutter for moms

Katy Joy Wells is a declutter expert, podcaster, simplifier, hype-woman, and boy mom. Through her best-selling declutter courses and globally recognized podcast, The Maximized Minimalist, Katy inspires a grace-filled, practical and self-affirming sense of "Wow! I really can do this!" for over 250,000 families across the world. Her new book Making Home Your Happy Place: A Real-Life Guide to Decluttering Without the Overwhelm helps families overcome overwhelm with actionable strategies, declutter with confidence, uncover the deeper roots of clutter and create effortless systems to maintain a peaceful home.

 

Resources Mentioned:

Connect with Katy on her website, Instagram, and her podcast

Pre-order her new book Making Home Your Happy Place: A Real-Life Guide to Decluttering Without the Overwhelm and snag some amazing bonuses here.

**GIVEAWAY ALERT! Katy has graciously agreed to give away a signed copy of her new book. In addition, next week’s guest Joshua Becker will be giving away a signed copy of his new book Uncluttered Faith! If you want to enter, follow these steps:

Please leave a 5-star written review of the Moms Overcoming Overwhelm podcast in Apple Podcasts (only if you haven’t left one before), or a rating/comment in Spotify. Here’s a tutorial on how to leave a written review in Apple Podcasts.

OR

share it with a friend via text or social media!

Screen shot the review BEFORE you submit a review (as it can take a few days to show up in Apple Podcasts) OR after you share with your friend and e-mail me at [email protected] before 8 PM EST on Monday, February 9th, 2026. Please let me know in the e-mail if you’re interested in Making Home Your Happy Place, Uncluttered Faith, or either book.

The winners will be announced on the next episode on Thursday, February 12, 2026. Good luck!

Related Episodes:

Episode 10: The MOST Challenging Type of Clutter for Moms! 4 Kinds of Aspirational Clutter and How to Finally Let Go

Episode 35: The One Habit That Keeps Your Home Clutter-Free with Lisa Lizotte from the Habits and Home Show

Episode 16: “My Husband Doesn’t Want to Get Rid of Anything!” How to Get Your Spouse on Board with Decluttering in 5 Simple Steps

***

I help moms declutter their homes, heads, and hearts.

Contact - > [email protected] 

Podcast -＞ https://momsovercomingoverwhelm.podbean.com/

Learn -＞ https://www.simplebyemmy.com/resources

Connect -＞ Join our free Facebook group Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms

Instagram -＞ @simplebyemmy and @momsovercomingoverwhelm

 

*** Don't Know Where to Start? ***

5 Steps to Overcome Overwhelm -＞ https://simplebyemmy.com/5steps/

5 Mindset Shifts for Decluttering -＞ https://simplebyemmy.com/mindset/
Get podcast playlists for decluttering mindset, tactical decluttering tips, ADHD, getting kids & family on board, and more! https://www.listennotes.com/@momsovercomingoverwhelm/playlists/

 

Wanna work with me to kick overwhelm to the curb, mama? There are three options for you!

Step 1: Join a supportive community of moms plus decluttering challenges to keep you on track at the free Facebook group Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms

Step 2: Sign up for the weekly Decluttering Tips and Resources for Overwhelmed Moms Newsletter and see samples here: https://pages.simplebyemmy.com/profile

Step 3: Get more personalized support with in-person decluttering and organization coaching (Washington DC metro area)! https://www.simplebyemmy.com/workwithme

I’m excited to bring you this bonus episode with my friend Michelle Byrd from The Busy Vibrant Mom podcast and a regular guest on Moms Overcoming Overwhelm.

It’s the tenth episode of Coffee and Tea with M&E!

We talk about what didn’t work this week, how we pivoted, what things we are excited about, and things that made us laugh!

Grab your coffee or tea, pull up a chair, and join us as we chat about:

✨ Grace-filled planning for 2026 including keeping the schedule and changing the scope

✨ “Bubble-wrapping” our days and weeks to allow extra margin so we aren’t constantly rushing and getting stressed

✨ How we are troubleshooting when things go wrong at home with kids’ attitudes, routines, etc.

Hope you enjoy this honest conversation between two moms who GET IT!

***

I help moms declutter their homes, heads, and hearts.

Contact - > [email protected] 

Podcast -＞ https://www.simplebyemmy.com/podcast

Learn -＞ https://www.simplebyemmy.com/resources

Connect -＞ Join our free Facebook group Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms

Instagram -＞ @simplebyemmy and @momsovercomingoverwhelm

 

*** Don't Know Where to Start? ***

5 Steps to Overcome Overwhelm -＞ https://simplebyemmy.com/5steps/

5 Mindset Shifts for Decluttering -＞ https://simplebyemmy.com/mindset/

 

Wanna work with me to kick overwhelm to the curb, mama? There are three options for you!

Step 1: Join a supportive community of moms plus decluttering challenges to keep you on track at the free Facebook group Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms

Step 2: Sign up for the weekly Decluttering Tips and Resources for Overwhelmed Moms Newsletter and see samples here: https://pages.simplebyemmy.com/profile

Step 3: Get more personalized support with in-person decluttering and organization coaching (Washington DC metro area only)! https://www.simplebyemmy.com/workwithme

You get a space organized and you’re super excited…and then it falls apart. Don’t be discouraged! It could be that you’re starting with the wrong phase of decluttering.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing the three phases of decluttering and why it’s important to go in the right order for long-term success.

Resources Mentioned:

Interested in learning more about my virtual monthly coaching? E-mail me at [email protected] and I can send you the details about this new program.

Related Episodes:

Episode 23: Drowning in Clutter? Stop Doing These 3 Things

Episode 174: Declutter Your Home with my TRANSFORM Method!

Episode 222: Running Late EVERY Morning? Use My “Roadblock Review” to Help Your Days Run Smoother

***

I help moms declutter their homes, heads, and hearts.

Contact - > [email protected] 

Podcast -＞ https://momsovercomingoverwhelm.podbean.com/

Learn -＞ https://www.simplebyemmy.com/resources

Connect -＞ Join our free Facebook group Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms

Instagram -＞ @simplebyemmy and @momsovercomingoverwhelm

 

*** Don't Know Where to Start? ***

5 Steps to Overcome Overwhelm -＞ https://simplebyemmy.com/5steps/

5 Mindset Shifts for Decluttering -＞ https://simplebyemmy.com/mindset/
Get podcast playlists for decluttering mindset, tactical decluttering tips, ADHD, getting kids & family on board, and more! https://www.listennotes.com/@momsovercomingoverwhelm/playlists/

 

Wanna work with me to kick overwhelm to the curb, mama? There are three options for you!

Step 1: Join a supportive community of moms plus decluttering challenges to keep you on track at the free Facebook group Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms

Step 2: Sign up for the weekly Decluttering Tips and Resources for Overwhelmed Moms Newsletter and see samples here: https://pages.simplebyemmy.com/profile

Step 3: Get more personalized support with in-person decluttering and organization coaching (Washington DC metro area)! https://www.simplebyemmy.com/workwithme. E-mail me at [email protected] to find out about my NEW virtual monthly coaching option.

Decluttering isn’t just about bins, labels, and systems - it starts with how you see yourself.

In this episode, I’m joined by Tracy Hoth, certified life and organizing coach and host of the top 1% globally ranked The Organized Coach Podcast. Tracy brings a powerful blend of practical organizing experience and life coaching insight to help women stop fighting clutter and start creating lasting change.

We dive deep into why mindset and identity are the missing pieces for so many people who feel stuck in clutter, even after trying all the tactics. Tracy explains why believing “I’m just not an organized person” can quietly sabotage progress - and how to start rewriting that story.

Resources Mentioned:

Connect with Tracy on her website, podcast, and Instagram

Grab her free 15 Minute Declutter Challenge resource

 

Related Episodes:

Episode 17: Decluttering Our Self-Talk with Julia Ubbenga from Rich in What Matters

Episode 30: Feeling Stuck on Your Decluttering Journey? The One Mindset Hack that Will Change Everything

Episode 93: 5 Mindset Shifts to Help You Let Go of Clutter

Check out all my episodes about decluttering mindset here.

 

***

I help moms declutter their homes, heads, and hearts.

Contact - > [email protected] 

Podcast -＞ https://momsovercomingoverwhelm.podbean.com/

Learn -＞ https://www.simplebyemmy.com/resources

Connect -＞ Join our free Facebook group Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms

Instagram -＞ @simplebyemmy and @momsovercomingoverwhelm

 

*** Don't Know Where to Start? ***

5 Steps to Overcome Overwhelm -＞ https://simplebyemmy.com/5steps/

5 Mindset Shifts for Decluttering -＞ https://simplebyemmy.com/mindset/
Get podcast playlists for decluttering mindset, tactical decluttering tips, ADHD, getting kids & family on board, and more! https://www.listennotes.com/@momsovercomingoverwhelm/playlists/

 

Wanna work with me to kick overwhelm to the curb, mama? There are three options for you!

Step 1: Join a supportive community of moms plus decluttering challenges to keep you on track at the free Facebook group Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms

Step 2: Sign up for the weekly Decluttering Tips and Resources for Overwhelmed Moms Newsletter and see samples here: https://pages.simplebyemmy.com/profile

Step 3: Get more personalized support with in-person decluttering and organization coaching (Washington DC metro area)! https://www.simplebyemmy.com/workwithme

You’re trying to get out the door and yelling “GET ON YOUR SHOES!” to your kids. Except they can’t find their shoes in the pile in front of them. And don’t even mention finding their coats. They’re late for school, you’re grumpy, and the cycle continues day after day.

Sound familiar? There is a way to help your days run smoother - my three-step “roadblock review” can help! Grab your notebook and pen, because you’re going to want to write this down!

Resources Mentioned:

Subscribe to my YouTube channel here

If you want to get a taste of what I cover in my 5-day decluttering challenges inside the Facebook group, e-mail [email protected] with the word DECLUTTER and I’ll send you the challenge videos!

Related Episodes:

Episode 213: Sharing the Load Without the Resentment: Fair Play for Moms with Valerie Recore

Episode 58: Strategies for Smoother Mornings and Being the “Mom in the Arena” with Mollie Donghia from This Evergreen Home

Episode 132: How to Diagnose and Fix Broken Rhythms At Work and Home - with Jeanette Tapley from the Moms at Work Podcast

 

***

I help moms declutter their homes, heads, and hearts.

Contact - > [email protected] 

Podcast -＞ https://momsovercomingoverwhelm.podbean.com/

Learn -＞ https://www.simplebyemmy.com/resources

Connect -＞ Join our free Facebook group Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms

Instagram -＞ @simplebyemmy and @momsovercomingoverwhelm

 

*** Don't Know Where to Start? ***

5 Steps to Overcome Overwhelm -＞ https://simplebyemmy.com/5steps/

5 Mindset Shifts for Decluttering -＞ https://simplebyemmy.com/mindset/
Get podcast playlists for decluttering mindset, tactical decluttering tips, ADHD, getting kids & family on board, and more! https://www.listennotes.com/@momsovercomingoverwhelm/playlists/

 

Wanna work with me to kick overwhelm to the curb, mama? There are three options for you!

Step 1: Join a supportive community of moms plus decluttering challenges to keep you on track at the free Facebook group Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms

Step 2: Sign up for the weekly Decluttering Tips and Resources for Overwhelmed Moms Newsletter and see samples here: https://pages.simplebyemmy.com/profile

Step 3: Get more personalized support with in-person decluttering and organization coaching (Washington DC metro area)! https://www.simplebyemmy.com/workwithme