Tracy McCubbin -The Practice of Decluttering | Clutterbug Podcast # 164

That decluttered space makes me feel so much relief from overwhelm!

We moved into a new, slightly larger home three years ago. Upon meeting the neighbor, she wanted a tour. I hadn't yet bought other things to take up the extra space. She said, "It's like a hotel." I took it as a huge compliment, as hotels are relaxing, just for the reasons you two mentioned. I'm trying to get back that feeling. But this time, as I declutter, I'm not shopping to replace the empty space. I'm just reaching the point of being ready to make a few purchases, to set up my 'landing zone' and paper handling center. You two are so inspiring that I did more decluttering as I listened to the podcast :) Cas, I'm thrilled to have found you, and happy you decided to make a channel dedicated to the podcast.

I’ve become really good at using things I buy and have. I don’t spend anymore - only on groceries. But I have clutter from hobbies, home repair, collections, reselling items. I think most of the hoarding happens when you have hobbies that you don’t make time for. It ultimately comes down to making firm decisions and asking yourself “Do I really plan on reading these books again?” and just say no and take action by getting rid of them asap to see the space cleared out.

Yass! My house was not over cluttered for most people. I had a below average amount of things in ALLL areas. However, it is way over my clutter threshold for my season of life and it took taking out 50-60 bags of stuff to really make some change in how well day to day functioning happens here. I wasn't really aware I had that much "extra" but we did and it was impeding everything in ways I wasn't aware of until after it was gone.

Oh Cas, you are probably going to get sick of me commenting. Lol. Tracy just spoke about being triggered and going shopping. (Sheepishly raising my hand) My way of combating this, I have lists on my Amazon and Walmart accounts. I perurse and add things to my different lists. I don't buy. I just add them to a list. When I declutter my accounts, emails etc on my phone...9/10 items that I've added to lists, are deleted. 1. I didn't waste money. 2. I got it out of my system in the moment. 3. Yes, it may seem like I wasted time. So it's not for everyone. But...4. when I declutter my phone, it helps to see, "Oh that's actually a good idea" or what was I thinking. Deleting a shopping list, doesn't affect you financially, emotionally. It does take time. But 5. When you physically aren't up to dealing with actual stuff, decluttering digitally is an accomplishment too!

This is one of the best podcasts I have listened to in a long time. Thank you. I will be listening to it all again.

I'm one of those who would 'organized', and even declutter. But then I'd buy and bring new things into my home. A wonderful book is helping me: To Buy Or Not To Buy, author April Lane Benson, PhD. It is written for compulsive shoppers, and has a lot of insight.

My home is not that cluttered on the how serious is the clutter scale. My issues for the stuck items is decision fatigue. I had 2 chairs that prevented me from putting my car in the garage. I finally pulled the trigger and had a truck hall it away.i have a car that needs to go to the junkyard. I pulled the trigger on getting rid of it. It is a lack of decision making for me. Now I am challenging myself to make hard decions on a daily basis. There was always a reason, or an excuse, or lack of information, or not knowing how to solve the issue. There was an attachment issue but also a helpless/ hopeless aspect of it. I am pushing through one decisions at a time. My home is just messy enough to feel ashamed to have people over into my cave. It is the motivation to stay messy. The minute I downsize and organize, I pull a ton of stuff out and start over with a new mess to keep people out.

If you can't de-clutter for yourself, at least do it for your children, so they don't have to sort through junk along with everything else when you're gone.

I really like that you discuss this topic from many angles❤

Thanks for sharing the podcasts here. I'm not much of a podcast listener but to watch while being motivated to do other things at the same time is great! Keep them coming!

I love the empty rooms after the holiday decor comes down! That’s my comfort zone.

Thank you, Cass, for your personal testimony. It touched me. I need to examine my self soothing with food... Bless you. G Ire

Thank you for this life-changing, affirming interview, Cas & Tracy!! Why is that until I started following you, and the Take Back Your House crew, that I had no idea it was all about having too much STUFF and clnging too hard.

I have so many planners..happy, penny pincher...if I get this planner I'll be more organized with my schedule and to do lists...

Back in dec 2020 my Landlord decided to need the apartments for family use - I had to pack up quickly and made fast decisions on: donate and keep and few storage boxes ! so by May 2021 I moved into a beautiful spacious 1 Bedroom apartment- the old place was so tiny that I had stored a lot of my belongings- when I moved in and sat with my new bedroom set - I felt calm and peaceful- … but I still missed ‘my stuff’ which is part of me and who I am - I missed books and craft supplies I had to finally dissolve the storage unit since I couldn’t afford it - since my new place was $300 more Now 2 years later I’m still working on decluttering- I’m feeling confident that I’ll get there as I’m growing‘decluttering muscle’ but with fibromyalgia I know my limits- when I know I’m gearing up for a session on weekends- I always rev up my engine by listening to you Cas and Dana and Dawn etc - thank you❤

Loving this - 5 contractor bags yesterday 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 out! And it didn’t even take long ❤😮

I am so inspired by you both. Thank you 😊 ❤

Congrats Tracy!! 🎉🎉I got remarried when I was 61! Thank you so much for these valuable insights!!

Omg Tracy doesn’t look a day older than 45!!! Great interview!