ClutterBug - Organize, Clean and Transform your Home & Life

If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “I’ll be happy when…” — when the house is clean, when the kids are older, when you finally get that promotion or dream kitchen — you’re not alone. Maybe you’re always chasing the next goal, the next purchase, the next big thing… but somehow, happiness still feels out of reach. In this episode, I’m getting real about something I’ve been struggling with for years: destination addiction. It’s that constant feeling of needing more to finally feel content. And spoiler alert — it’s not just a mindset issue… it’s biology. It’s what psychologists call the hedonic treadmill, and friends, I’ve been sprinting on it for most of my adult life. So today, I’m hitting pause. I’m sharing the science behind why we adapt so quickly to the good stuff, why our happiness resets to “meh,” and what we can actually do about it. If you’ve been feeling chronically dissatisfied, overwhelmed, or like you’re missing the joy in your already-amazing life — this one’s for you. Whether you’re in full hustle mode or feeling a little lost between “next big things,” this episode is your permission slip to slow down, breathe, and start appreciating the incredible life you’re living right now. ✨ In this episode, I talk about: * What the “hedonic treadmill” really means — and how it keeps us stuck * How society, social media, and even ADHD feed into our addiction to “more” * The emotional crash that comes after a big milestone * Why midlife crises aren’t what we think they are * How to raise your “baseline” and feel truly content again * Simple but powerful ways to practice gratitude and presence every day 💛 This isn’t about giving up on dreams. It’s about learning to love the life you’ve already built. 👇 Mentioned in this episode: Here are the articles and resources I talked about — → What Is the Hedonic Treadmill? (PositivePsychology.com) [https://positivepsychology.com/hedonic-treadmill/] - https://positivepsychology.com/hedonic-treadmill/ → Hedonic Treadmill – Psychology Today [https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/basics/hedonic-treadmill] - https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/basics/hedonic-treadmill → Understanding Dissatisfaction – Dr. Debra Campbell [https://www.drdebracampbell.com/understanding-dissatisfaction/] - https://www.drdebracampbell.com/understanding-dissatisfaction/ → 4 Steps to Letting Go of Chronic Dissatisfaction – Lynda Hoffman [https://lyndahoffman.com/4-steps-to-letting-go-of-chronic-dissatisfaction/] - https://lyndahoffman.com/4-steps-to-letting-go-of-chronic-dissatisfaction/ [https://lyndahoffman.com/4-steps-to-letting-go-of-chronic-dissatisfaction/] → Lottery Winners and Accident Victims: Is Happiness Relative? (ResearchGate) [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/22451114_Lottery_Winners_and_Accident_Victims_Is_Happiness_Relative] - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/22451114_Lottery_Winners_and_Accident_Victims_Is_Happiness_Relative   👇 Tell me — what’s something you’re grateful for right now? I’d love to hear.     You can find more Clutterbug content here: Website: http://www.clutterbug.me [http://www.clutterbug.me/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@clutterbug [https://www.youtube.com/@clutterbug] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clutterbug_me [https://www.tiktok.com/@clutterbug_me] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clutterbug_me/ [https://www.instagram.com/clutterbug_me/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clutterbug.Me/ [https://www.facebook.com/Clutterbug.Me/]

If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly messing up — forgetting things, zoning out, missing steps, or just trying to keep your head above water — you’re not alone. Maybe you’ve wondered if you have ADHD… or maybe you’re just chronically overwhelmed and tired of feeling like you’re failing at “being an adult.” In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Ari Tuckman — psychologist, speaker, and leading expert on adult ADHD — to talk about what it really means to be productive when your brain works differently. We dive deep into how ADHD affects not just your focus, but your self-esteem, your past experiences, and your ability to trust yourself. Ari shares science-backed, shame-free strategies from his new book The ADHD Productivity Manual — and gives us permission to stop striving for perfection and start creating a life that works for us. Whether you’ve been diagnosed, suspect you might have ADHD, or just want to finally feel a little less behind all the time… this episode is packed with validation, laughter, and practical advice that will leave you feeling seen and supported. ✨ We chat about: * How ADHD shows up in adults (and why so many go undiagnosed) * Why your messy past doesn’t mean you’re broken — or doomed * The powerful link between clutter, distraction, and overwhelm * Medication myths (and why it’s just one helpful tool, not a cure-all) * Small shifts that make a big difference in productivity and self-worth * The importance of compassion — for yourself and others 🧠 Learn more from Dr. Tuckman: → Website: https://adultadhdbook.com [https://adultadhdbook.com/] → New book: The ADHD Productivity Manual — available everywhere books are sold 👇 What’s one ADHD-friendly strategy that works for you? Let us know in the comments!       You can find more Clutterbug content here: Website: http://www.clutterbug.me [http://www.clutterbug.me/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@clutterbug [https://www.youtube.com/@clutterbug] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clutterbug_me [https://www.tiktok.com/@clutterbug_me] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clutterbug_me/ [https://www.instagram.com/clutterbug_me/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clutterbug.Me/ [https://www.facebook.com/Clutterbug.Me/]       #Clutterbug #DrAriTuckman #ADHD #AdultADHD #productivity

If you're exhausted from trying to do it all — keeping the house clean, showing up for everyone, working, and staying “on” — you're not alone. Maybe you're craving peace, space, or just one quiet moment to breathe… but you don’t know where to start. In this episode, I sit down with the incredibly inspiring Courtney Carver — bestselling author of Soulful Simplicity and Gentle — who completely transformed her life after a diagnosis of MS forced her to slow down, simplify, and let go of what wasn’t serving her. We dive into what it really means to declutter—not just your home, but your calendar, your mind, your expectations, and your heart. Courtney shares how she found more health, creativity, love, and presence by doing LESS… and how you can too. If you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in commitments, noise, or stuff—and you just want to feel like yourself again—this episode is for you. ✨ We chat about: * How to simplify when you're completely overwhelmed * Why your self-worth is not measured by how much you do * Creating boundaries with your time, energy, and emotions * The power of starting small — and starting gently * The life-changing magic of Project 333 * Simple, soulful shifts that will help you breathe again 🌿 Connect with Courtney: → Website: https://bemorewithless.com [https://bemorewithless.com/] → Instagram: @bemorewithless → Grab her new book Gentle: Rest More, Stress Less, and Live the Life You Actually Want — available everywhere books are sold! 👇 What’s one thing you’re ready to let go of—physically or emotionally? Drop it in the comments. Let’s release it together.   #clutterbug #declutteryourlife #gentlesimplicity #courtneycarver #soulfuldimplicity #podcast

Have you ever torn your house apart looking for something that was exactly where it should have been? Or spent hours tidying, only to find the mess returned overnight? You’re not alone—and you’re not a failure. In this episode, I dive deep into the powerful science behind clutter and how it impacts your brain, your stress levels, and even your physical health. Discover how decluttering isn’t just about a Pinterest-perfect home—it’s about rewiring your brain for clarity, calm, and joy. You’ll learn: * Why clutter overwhelms your brain and saps your energy * How a tidy space can boost your focus, creativity, and sleep * Simple, science-backed tricks to master motivation and beat decision fatigue * How minimalism might be the mental freedom you’ve been craving So grab a trash bag, hit play, and let’s declutter together—because your sanity is worth it.   Show Notes & Links: Join the Take Your House Back Course (on sale now!) https://www.takeyourhouseback.com/courses/take-your-house-back?ref=5bbd37 All Day Declutter Event – May 3rd Be part of a community declutter day with real-time coaching and support from Cas, Dana, and Dawn.   Studies & Research Mentioned: 1. Visual Clutter Affects Brain Function McMains & Kastner – Princeton Neuroscience Institute https://www.princeton.edu/news/2011/01/13/too-much-information-study-shows-overload-affects-brain-function 2. Desk Clutter & Productivity Same Princeton lab study – desk simulation showed 20% faster performance in tidy spaces (See link above) 3. Clutter and Chronic Procrastination Joseph Ferrari’s work on clutter and avoidance behavior https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joseph-Ferrari [https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joseph-Ferrari] 4. Cortisol Levels in Cluttered Homes UCLA “No Place Like Home” study (Saxbe & Repetti, 2010) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20384438/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20384438/] 5. 15-Minute Tidy-Up and Anxiety Reduction Study by Our Mental Health (Nov 2024) https://www.ourmentalhealth.org [https://www.ourmentalhealth.org/] 6. Clean Desks Boost Accuracy & Creativity Colton Moulton (2015) – anecdotal reference, source not available 7. Implementation Intentions Increase Follow-Through Gollwitzer & Sheeran (2006) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0065260106380050 [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0065260106380050]   Tools and Methods Mentioned: * 20/20 Rule – The Minimalists https://www.theminimalists.com/clutter/ * Pomodoro (20/10 Timer Method) https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique * Temptation Bundling – Katy Milkman https://behavioralscientist.org/how-to-make-temptation-work-for-you/   Tag me on social media (@clutterbug_me) and share your wins! Your progress might just inspire someone else to start closing the clutter tabs in their brain too.   #clutterbug #podcast #mondaymotivation #thepowerofdecluttering

Do you ever feel like you're drowning in stuff... but you still don’t know how to let it go? In this episode, I sit down with the lovely Julia Ubbenga from Rich In What Matters — a minimalist mama of five who transformed her entire life by decluttering not just her home, but her heart, soul, and mind. We dive deep into why we hold onto clutter, how consumerism traps us emotionally, and what it really means to live an intentional, clutter-free life. Julia’s story is powerful — from $40K in debt and postpartum depression to building a simpler, calmer, more joyful life (with five kids, no less!). If you’ve ever held onto something out of guilt, or felt like your stuff is managing you, this episode will hit home. ✨ We chat about: * The emotional side of decluttering * Breaking the “stuff = love” mindset * Why you’re not failing — you’re just overwhelmed * Simple mindset shifts to stop the buying cycle * Decluttering as self-worth and self-care * How to get started when it all feels like too much 🌿 Connect with Julia: → Blog: https://richinwhatmatters.com [https://richinwhatmatters.com/] → Instagram: @richinwhatmatters [https://instagram.com/richinwhatmatters] → Grab her book "Declutter Your Soul, Heart & Home" wherever books are sold! 👇 What’s ONE item you’re finally ready to release? Let’s start there. Leave it in the comments — I’m cheering you on     You can find more Clutterbug content here: Website: http://www.clutterbug.me [http://www.clutterbug.me/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@clutterbug [https://www.youtube.com/@clutterbug] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clutterbug_me [https://www.tiktok.com/@clutterbug_me] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clutterbug_me/ [https://www.instagram.com/clutterbug_me/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clutterbug.Me/ [https://www.facebook.com/Clutterbug.Me/]   #clutterbug #podcast #mondaymotivation #intentionalliving RichInWhatMatters