📚 PRE-ORDER MY NEW BOOK

Making Home Your Happy Place: The Real-Life Guide to Decluttering Without the Overwhelm releases February 17th.

Pre-order now to receive exclusive bonus goodies—simple, supportive tools you can start using right away.

👉 Pre-Order wherever books are sold

🎯 TAKE THE FREE DECLUTTERING STYLE QUIZ

Discover your personal Decluttering Style and get a clear, realistic starting plan that actually fits your life.

👉 Take the free quiz

Every January, we're sold the same promise: New year, new you.

Fresh motivation. Big plans. A clean slate.

But what if the "fresh start" was never designed to work in the first place?
And what if the reason it hasn't worked for you has nothing to do with discipline, motivation, or willpower?

In this episode, I'm unpacking why traditional January resets fail so consistently—and what actually creates lasting change instead. We're talking about motivation myths, generic plans that ignore real life, and why trying to declutter (or change anything) alone is one of the biggest reasons people get stuck.

I'm also sharing the real story of a client (Evie) whose yearly January reset cycle left her feeling defeated, ashamed, and convinced something was wrong with her—until she tried a completely different approach.

If you've ever felt hopeful on January 1st… only to feel discouraged by January 18th, this episode is for you.

• Why most New Year's resolutions fail by mid-January (and the exact date most people quit)

• The cultural myth behind "fresh starts" and why it quietly blames you when it fails

• Why motivation is not a strategy—and what actually sustains progress

• The three core reasons January resets almost always fall apart

• How generic decluttering plans work against busy families

• Why real change rarely happens in isolation

• The difference between a heroic push and a sustainable system

• What finally helped one mom break out of the January-reset cycle for good

• How shifting the method (not yourself) changes everything

If this episode resonated and you're done repeating the same cycle, applications are now open for The Inner Circle—my 90-day coaching experience.

Inside, you'll get:

• A personalized decluttering plan built around your life

• Support and accountability Monday–Friday

• Help navigating stuck points (because everyone gets stuck)

• A realistic, sustainable approach—no PTO required, no weekend marathons

🗓 Starts January 5
👥 Limited to 25 women
📝 Application only (open now through January 1 or until full)

👉 Apply to work with me 1-on-1 in the Inner Circle

If your fresh starts have failed before, please hear this clearly:

It was never you.

You don't need fixing.
You don't need more willpower.
You don't need a new identity.

You need a method that actually works for real life.

I'm cheering for you—and I'll see you in the next episode.

Ready, set, simplify. 💛

📚 PRE-ORDER MY NEW BOOK!

Making Home Your Happy Place: The Real Life Guide to Decluttering Without the Overwhelm releases February 17th!

Pre-order now and receive exclusive bonus goodies—simple, supportive tools you can apply right away through the holiday season and beyond!

👉 Pre-Order on Amazon

🎯 TAKE THE FREE QUIZ!

Discover your unique Decluttering Style and get personalized tips that actually work for YOU.

👉 Take the Decluttering Style Quiz

In this special episode, I'm sharing the deeply personal story behind writing my first book—from an unexpected moment in my laundry room where I felt called to write, to the journey of trusting the process through prayer, connection, and even a hurricane. I'm opening up about how God meets us in ordinary moments, why clutter is rarely just about the stuff, and the heart behind my holistic decluttering method that honors your whole self.

What You'll Learn

• The laundry room moment that sparked the idea for this book

• Why "God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called" became myguiding principle

• The three pillars of my holistic decluttering method: Root Awareness, Empowered Action, and Sustainable Momentum

• An introduction to the four clutter types: Superficial, Scarcity, Sentimental, and Identity clutter

• Why this book is about freedom—from shame, overwhelm, and unrealistic expectations

• What to expect from bonus December episodes with quick wins for the holiday season

Key Takeaways

1. Your home doesn't have to be perfect to support you—it just has to be good enough to hold you and your family well.

2. Clutter is rarely just about the stuff—it's the stories, emotions, beliefs, and pressures wrapped around it.

3. You can declutter your home over and over, but until you understand yourself, the clutter and overwhelm will keep coming back.

4. Different clutter types need different toolkits—one size does not fit all.

5. We are often met by God in the middle of ordinary life, and callings can show up in spaces where we don't expect.

The Four Clutter Types (From the Book)

• Superficial Clutter: Surface piles that reappear the moment life speeds up

• Scarcity Clutter: "Just in case" items that feel safe but can be suffocating

• Sentimental Clutter: Memory-filled treasures that are hard to let go

• Identity Clutter: Items tied to past, future, or aspirational versions of ourselves

Quotable Moment

"I wasn't failing the solutions. They were failing me. Nothing was wrong with me, and nothing's wrong with you either. You just need a compassionate, real life approach that honors who you are and the life you're living."

— Katy Wells

Connect with Katy & Resources

Join Clutter Cure Club

Want to create a home that feels light, peaceful, and aligned with what truly matters? Inside CCC, we turn powerful mindset shifts (like today's episode) into small, doable changes that last.

👉 Join me inside the Clutter Cure Club

Join the Ready, Set, Simplify Newsletter

Over 35,000 women read it weekly for clutter-busting tips, tiny mindset shifts, and practical steps to simplify your home and your life.

👉 Sign up here

Come Say Hi on Instagram

Behind-the-scenes and real-life simplicity. @katyjoywells

Coming Up in December

Look out for bonus Monday episodes throughout December with super actionable quick wins—what to do with unwanted stuff, simple resets to make your home feel lighter instantly, and more. Hit follow or subscribe so you don't miss them!

Ready, Set, Simplify! 💛

You can declutter every drawer, color-code every pantry shelf, and label every bin…
but if your nervous system braces every time your in-laws walk through the door, your home will never truly feel peaceful.

In today's powerful conversation, clinical psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Tracy Dalgleish returns to the show to unpack one of the most common sources of emotional clutter and holiday stress: in-law dynamics — especially between daughters-in-law and mothers-in-law.

If you've ever felt squeezed between your partner and their parent, felt like you were "keeping the peace" at the cost of your own wellbeing, or wondered why family visits leave you emotionally wiped… this episode will bring so much clarity, permission, and grounding.

Dr. Tracy breaks down the family patterns we inherit, the roles we unconsciously step into, why your nervous system reacts the way it does, and her powerful VAULT Method that helps couples set healthier boundaries together with compassion, not conflict.

Grab your tea (or your cold Americano 😉) — this one is validating, eye-opening, and deeply empowering.

1️⃣ Why your nervous system reacts to family the way it does
(and why in-law interactions can hijack your fight/flight/fawn response)

2️⃣ The hidden family patterns you bring into your marriage
— and how they shape your expectations, emotional triggers, and boundaries.

3️⃣ The most common mistakes couples make when dealing with in-laws
(like attacking the mother-in-law instead of asking for what you need)

4️⃣ Why your partner may struggle to set boundaries with their parent
— and why it's not because they don't care about you.

5️⃣ A deep dive into Dr. Tracy's VAULT Method:

• V — Values: Build a united foundation as a couple

• A — Aspirations: Align on what you want your family life to actually look like

• U — Understanding Your Triangle: Recognize the dynamics you're pulled into

• L — Limits & Boundaries: Create boundaries as a united front

• T — Take Action: Put your plan into practice with clarity and compassion

6️⃣ How to respond when a boundary isn't respected
(hint: it's not about arguing — it's about empathy + holding the line)

7️⃣ What to do when your mother-in-law brings clutter into your home
— childhood trophies, boxes of stuff, unwanted gifts… all of it.

This episode pairs beautifully with my DASH Method for physical clutter.
If your home feels heavy and you want guided support applying DASH step-by-step:

👉 Join Clutter Cure Club (CCC) for the DASH Masterclass + monthly coaching
https://www.katyjoywells.com/cluttercureclub-page

If this episode made you feel seen or validated (and I bet it did), share it with a friend who's navigating tough family dynamics — especially with the holidays approaching.

If you haven't yet, hit Follow and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review. It helps more women find calm, clarity, and connection through the show.

Ever look around your house and think, "How did it get this bad?"
You're not failing at being an adult, friend — you're just human.

In this episode of The Maximized Minimalist Podcast, we're walking through my signature method, The DASH Framework, to help you figure out exactly what's behind your clutter (and what to do about it).

You'll learn how to tell whether you're dealing with everyday mess, deeper clutter, or a system that simply needs tweaking, so you can stop spinning your wheels and finally create a home that feels light, manageable, and peaceful again.

If you've ever tried to organize clutter, declutter what wasn't actually clutter, or wondered why the chaos keeps coming back, this episode will be a game-changer.

• How to tell the difference between "expected mess" and true clutter — and why each needs a totally different solution.
• Why mess and clutter raise stress hormones (yes, really) and how to lower that mental load that's keeping you reactive.
• What to do when your home feels overwhelming — without starting from scratch or burning it all down.
• The DASH Method explained and how to use it anytime your home starts spiraling.
• How to know which step to focus on next so you don't waste time, energy, or money solving the wrong problem.

Want the full walkthrough?
👉 Get the DASH Step-by-Step Masterclass inside Clutter Cure Club: (https://www.katyjoywells.com/cluttercureclub-page837548)

Inside Clutter Cure Club, members are using DASH to find calm again:

• Megan realized her family room chaos wasn't clutter — her toy system just needed an update.

• Jen added a catch-all basket for mail and papers, instantly clearing her counters.

• Tanya turned her nightly reset from resentment to relaxation with a cup of tea and her favorite playlist.

Each woman solved a different kind of "mess," but the outcome was the same: peace, not perfection.

• AirDoctor Promo for Podcast Listeners

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• Join Clutter Cure Club
  Want to create a home that feels light, peaceful, and aligned with what truly matters?
  Inside CCC, we turn powerful mindset shifts (like today's episode) into small, doable changes that last.
  👉 Join me inside the Clutter Cure Club (https://www.katyjoywells.com/cluttercureclub-page837548)
• Join the Ready, Set, Simplify Newsletter
  Over 35,000 women read it weekly for clutter-busting tips, tiny mindset shifts, and practical steps to simplify your home and your life.
  👉 Sign up here (https://www.katyjoywells.com/simplify)
  
  
• Come Say Hi on Instagram
  Behind-the-scenes and real-life simplicity. @katyjoywells

If this episode helped you breathe a little deeper (literally and figuratively), share it with a friend who's drowning in the mess right now.

And if you haven't yet — hit Follow and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review. It helps other women find the show and join our community of Simplifiers who are trading perfection for peace.

The holidays are supposed to feel magical, but let's be honest — sometimes they just feel messy.
Between packed calendars, Pinterest pressure, and the endless to-do lists, it's easy to forget what this season is really about: connection.

In this cozy, feel-good episode of the Maximized Minimalist Podcast, host Katy Wells shares nine no-stress holiday traditions that bring back the joy, warmth, and presence you've been craving.

You'll walk away with ideas that are simple to start, fun for the whole family, and proven (by you — the listeners!) to create the kind of memories your kids will still talk about years from now.

Grab your cocoa (or cold Americano 😉) and let's make the holidays calm, connected, and actually meaningful again.

1️⃣ The secret to stress-free holiday traditions — why the best memories come from connection, not perfection.
2️⃣ Nine easy, cozy ideas that don't require extra shopping, Pinterest crafts, or late-night wrapping marathons.
3️⃣ How to know when a tradition needs to evolve so it still fits your current season of life.
4️⃣ Simple ways to spark nostalgia and gratitude through everyday rituals like pizza night or "Seasonal Soup Sundays."
5️⃣ Real listener traditions you'll want to steal — from cookie deliveries to ER staff to gratitude garlands and Christmas-tree-skirt handprints.

• Holiday Light Scavenger Hunt – pile the family in the car, turn on the playlist, and count Santas, snowmen & glowing reindeer.

• Hot Chocolate Bar Night – low-lift, high-joy. (Pretzels in cocoa optional 😂)

• Cozy Holiday Campout – sleeping bags + Christmas movie + living-room floor = instant memory.

• Outdoor Movie Night – turn your backyard into a drive-in (projector + marshmallows = magic).

• Gratitude Garland – create a colorful paper chain of daily "thankfuls."

• Seasonal Soup Sundays – a warm, grounding ritual that melts the Sunday Scaries.

• Family Gratitude Workout – burn off the pie and fill up on laughter and gratitude.

Each of these ideas checks the box for meaningful, not messy — because your December doesn't need more pressure. It needs peace.

• Connection > Perfection: Traditions don't have to look picture-perfect to matter.

• Simplify the Season: Pick one or two ideas that genuinely light you up.

• Let Go Gracefully: It's okay to evolve or skip traditions that no longer serve your family.

• Small Rhythms = Big Memories: Pizza Fridays, movie nights, or soup Sundays count just as much as Christmas morning.

Join Clutter Cure Club
Want to create a home that feels light, peaceful, and aligned with what truly matters?
Inside CCC, we turn powerful mindset shifts (like today's episode) into small, doable changes that last.
👉 Join me inside the Clutter Cure Club (https://www.katyjoywells.com/cluttercureclub-page837548)

Join the Ready, Set, Simplify Newsletter
Over 35,000 women read it weekly for clutter-busting tips, tiny mindset shifts, and practical steps to simplify your home and your life.
👉 Sign up here (https://www.katyjoywells.com/simplify)

Come Say Hi on Instagram
Behind-the-scenes and real-life simplicity. @katyjoywells

If this episode brought a smile, share it with a friend who's craving a calmer Christmas.
And if you haven't already, hit Follow and leave a quick ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review — your words help more women discover a simpler, more joyful holiday season.