Getting Rid of Clutter I

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Busy Mom’s Survival Guide Podcast Episode 006.
Clutter is out of control in most American homes, and I believe it is a major factor in why so many women are overwhelmed by their lives.  The mountains of clutter residing in your home can weigh you down and cause you stress without you even realizing it.

This podcast episode is part one in a series on clutter.  During this podcast episode, I am joined by my friend Lori Lynch.   I asked Lori to join me because her home and most of her possessions were destroyed by the F4 tornado that recently ripped through our area.  In an instant, her life was instantly decluttered of all her possessions and I thought she could offer a great perspective on what is truly important.

Instant Decluttering

During this podcast we’ll be talking about the tornado, the blessings that came from it, and the perspective that the tornado gave us on the clutter in our lives.   The next episode will discuss some of the types of clutter as well giving tips on how to make some difficult choices on what to remove.  I’ll end the series by discussing ways to organize what remains and how to keep your home clutter free on an ongoing basis.

Lori Podcasts

I would love to know what you thought of this episode and where your home stands when it comes to clutter.  You can comment on the blog post below or leave a message on The Busy Mom’s Survival Guide feedback line at 240-230-SOAP.

Episodes in series:

Thanks for listening! Join me next week as we continue the discussion of getting rid of clutter.

You can subscribe to the Busy Mom’s Survival Guide Podcast:

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Or read the Getting Rid of Clutter Part I Transcript.

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26 thoughts on “Getting Rid of Clutter I”

  2. Thanks for sharing Lori & her inspiring words with us, PJ. 🙂 Your podcasts are a blessing.

    As someone who lives in the same home I grew up in, I know that it is hard to differentiate between what is useful to keep, and what is not necessary. Especially when many things belonged to my parents, who are now both deceased.

    I think de-cluttering can be emotionally & spiritually helpful. At age 37 I am still learning that freedom in Christ comes from letting go of my desires and earthly attachments. Like Lori said, there are “things that matter” and “things that don’t”. There are many things I think I “need”, when what I really need is more of Him and less of me!

    Here are a couple of de-cluttering rules that have helped me in the past:
    1) Have I used it within the past year and
    2) Does it suit my lifestyle now

    Some tangible items are wonderful, such as photos, journals, etc, but really, the memories that we carry in our hearts & minds are the best things we can ever ‘hold onto’. I keep trying to remind myself of that. Looking forward to the next part(s) of this podcast, PJ! Thanks so much! 🙂

    • I think that’s a very healthy attitude that you’ve gotten. I agree with your statement about freedom in Christ.

      The biggest thing for me is that I don’t ever want to allow my children to get attached to stuff in the first place!!

      PJ

  4. What an amazing testimony. I do hate clutter myself. It is just what you said, ” weighs you down and steels your time”. Thanks for the encouraging words.

    • Hi Julie – I found Lori’s testimony very encouraging as well. It’s so easy to get distracted from what is truly important by the day to day things we need to deal with. The re-focusing is always so helpful!

      PJ

  6. God bless Lori Lynch, her family, all who were affected by the tornado and all the kind-hearted people who gave and are still giving back to the community.

    I am looking forward to part two 🙂 Thanks, PJ.

  7. This is an area that I am working on. I need to declutter but find it intimidating. I have managed to get the kids to go through toyboxes, but I have such a hard time getting rid of mementos. I am trying though as I have gone through their baby clothes and gotten rid of a lot of it. Slowly and surely, I will get there.
    !

    • Ammie – that’s the trick – one box or bag at a time. Slow and steady wins the race! I’m proud of you for tackling something that doesn’t come easily to you! That’s good parenting. 🙂

      PJ

  8. PJ and Lori,

    My wife had told me about your show and I decided to take a listen to this episode this evening while I was feeding a bottle to our 10-week old son. I picked this episode simply because it was the most recent one…not expecting such a deep and moving conversation from you both.

    What a wonderful conversation this was and thank you to both for sharing it. What amazing blessings have come out of this tragedy for both of your families – and a tremendous reminder that life is 5% what happens to us and 95% how we respond to it. I was especially touched by Lori’s son’s comment about feeling free.

    Such a blessing to hear this podcast while holding a baby…and thinking about how we can teach him to put his worldly possessions in their proper context someday.

    Grateful to you for a powerful show – this is what all podcast should aim to be! Looking forward to future episodes.

    • Hi Dave!

      I love that phrase – life is 5% what happens to you and 95% how we respond to it. It is such an important truth to teach to our children. Life can be tough, but they do not have to be victims. They can rise above even amidst devastation.

      I’m glad you enjoyed the podcast and hope that Luke benefits from it some day! 🙂

      PJ

  10. PJ, I really think having the tornado perspective be first in this series was a really great idea! It really puts things into perspective. Have to say that I didn’t understand how you could “drag” de-cluttering into a three podcast series, but I truly did like, and find value, in all three parts. I want my husband to listen with me. Not because I think it will get him to declutter, but because I really like how you put into words the REASONS to declutter. That we want our kids to value people, not things. Gosh, that is so hard, but so right.

    • Monica, That’s so funny – I kept saying to Jim, I don’t want to podcast for THREE episodes on clutter, but I don’t want it to be 2 hours and I don’t know what to cut out! So I’m glad that you found value in it. And for me, it all comes down to the reasons. I hate when I’m reading a book and the book tells me to do something. I always want to know “Why?” Because if I don’t have good reasons for doing it, I’m simply not going to bother. And yes, it is hard. Especially in our society. But it is so important! 🙂 PJ

  11. I enjoyed this podcast. PLEASE post the next installment. 🙂 Heard about you from Dan Miller of 48 Days by the way. Cliff Ravenscraft recommended you to him because he was asking about podcasts by women.

    • Hi Michelle,  I’m so glad that you found the podcast and that you enjoyed it! 🙂  Here is a link to Part II: http://gmsoap.co/Y7O64f

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