Is clutter really just about stuff?

In this episode of Beyond the Checklist, we’re unpacking the deeper story behind clutter—especially for neurodivergent folks. If you’ve ever felt ashamed for not being able to “just throw things out,” or wondered why common decluttering advice doesn’t seem to work for your brain, this one’s for you.

We’ll explore:

• Why clutter is not a moral failing—or a sign of laziness
• How decision fatigue, emotional processing, and nervous system overload contribute to disorganization
• The pressure to conform to minimalist or maximalist trends (and why neither works for everyone)
• What I’ve seen firsthand with clients who feel buried by their belongings
• Practical, body-first tools to approach your space with more compassion and clarity

✨ Key Takeaways:

• Clutter is often a symptom of overwhelm, not a lack of willpower
• Your stuff might carry emotional weight, identity, or history—and that matters
• You don’t need to organize for aesthetic perfection; you need systems that actually work for you
• There are gentle, supportive ways to get started—without the shame spiral

📌 Whether you’re dealing with a cluttered room, a messy desk, or the internal pressure to “get it together,” this episode offers a new lens: one rooted in nervous system awareness, lived experience, and practical compassion.

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Learn more about 1:1 support, workshops, and free tools at simplifyspaceandsoul.com
• Subscribe to the Space & Soul Digest for monthly organizing tips and ND-friendly resources
• Read: Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things by Randy Frost & Gail Steketee
• Related Episode: Ep 3 – What Clutter, Burnout, and Executive Dysfunction Have in Common

💬 Loved this episode?

Share it with a friend, tag @beyondthechecklist.pod, or leave a quick review to help more folks find support that meets them where they are.

Next up: we’re talking about time—and why it’s rarely the real problem.

A short and supportive primer on regulation, overwhelm, and sensory cues.

Not sure what I mean when I talk about “nervous system support”? This short episode is for you. I break down what regulation and dysregulation look like, why it matters, and how small, simple cues can help you return to center.

💡 Understand what the nervous system actually is

🌊 How dysregulation can show up (and how common it is)

🧘 What real nervous system support can look like—no yoga mat required

💬 A reminder that your body isn’t wrong for responding the way it does

This is your nervous system 101—for ND folks, sensitive humans, and anyone craving steadiness.

If this helped clarify something for you, save this episode to revisit anytime you need to ground yourself—or send it to a friend who’s curious about regulation too.

A 5-minute reset to reconnect with your body, breath, and space.

Today’s episode is a short, guided sensory check-in—no yoga mat or quiet room required. This practice is here to help you regulate gently, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed or untethered.

👀 Sight. 👂 Sound. ✋ Touch. 👃 Smell. 👅 Taste.

You’ll move through each of the five senses, one by one, and return to presence—without pressure, performance, or perfection.

You can return to this episode anytime as a nervous system reset. Let it meet you where you are.

Save this episode to your favorites so you can come back anytime you need a reset. And if it helped, share it with someone else who might need 5 minutes of calm.