318: The Decluttering Trap No One Talks About: Selling and the Weight of "Maybe I'll List It..."
Have you ever had something sitting by your front door or in the garage for months because you might sell it… but never actually do? 🙋♀️ I’ve been there. And friend, it’s not just about time or willpower. Your brain is wired to make this hard. In this episode, I’m breaking down the two psychological traps that keep us stuck in “maybe I’ll list it” limbo (and why you’re not lazy or broken for struggling). I’ll walk you through a simple gut check that will tell you whether it’s time to sell, donate, or finally let it go, plus the exact experiment I use to cut through the indecision and reclaim my peace. If you’ve ever been haunted by a “still need to sell it” pile, this one’s for you. What You'll Learn: The two psychological traps that keep you clinging to stuff you swear you’ll sell A simple gut-check exercise that cuts through the mental clutter How to run my 1-week “price-drop experiment” to get unstuck Why sometimes the best ROI isn’t cash; it’s peace, time, and breathing room Ready to Simplify Even More? Start Here: 🗞️ 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) 🧡 Loved this episode? Join me inside the Clutter Cure Club (https://www.katyjoywells.com/cluttercureclub-page837548) — where we take conversations like this even deeper, and I help you simplify everything. 📲 Come Say Hi on Instagram Behind-the-scenes, real-life simplicity, and lots of laughs. 💛 @katyjoywells (https://www.instagram.com/katyjoywells)
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317: Decluttering Gifts You Don’t Use: How to Reframe Value and Let Go
Ever kept a gift you don’t love just because you felt guilty getting rid of it? Whether it’s your mom’s hand-knit scarf, an inherited serving platter, or that vintage frame that doesn’t match your style, these items take up more than just space; they create mental clutter, too. In this episode of the Maximized Minimalist Podcast, we're diving into the emotional layers of decluttering gifts and why “value” isn’t about price. It’s about what actually serves you today. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The truth about “value” and why price tags don’t determine whether you should keep something. The powerful question to ask yourself before you keep (or donate) any gift. How “gift guilt” keeps you stuck, and how to break free from it. Why releasing unused items creates both physical space and mental clarity. How to lovingly let go of gifts without rejecting the person who gave them. If you’ve ever felt torn between keeping something “just in case” or letting it go, this episode will give you the clarity (and permission!) you need to move forward...guilt-free. Ready to Simplify Even More? Start Here: 🗞️ 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) 🧡 Loved this episode? Join me inside the Clutter Cure Club (https://www.katyjoywells.com/cluttercureclub-page837548) — where we take conversations like this even deeper, and I help you simplify everything. 📲 Come Say Hi on Instagram Behind-the-scenes, real-life simplicity, and lots of laughs. 💛 @katyjoywells
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316: Moving? Don't Pack These 6 Regret-Inducing Items
Ever hauled a box from house to house thinking, “Maybe I’ll need this someday”—only to never open it? Whether you're packing up for a cross-country move or just moving into a new season of life, today's episode is your must-listen checklist for what not to bring with you. I'm breaking down the 6 biggest clutter culprits people regret moving—from unopened boxes and emotional “someday” projects to heavy furniture, guilt-ridden books, and more. It’s not just about the stuff—it’s about the stories we carry… and which ones we’re ready to release. 🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn: The hidden cost of unopened boxes from past moves How to gently let go of abandoned “someday” projects without guilt The emotional toll of furniture that no longer fits your life Why unread books might be weighing you down more than you think A better approach to sentimental kid items (yes, you can keep the memories without keeping the bins) The pantry and bathroom extras that are secretly stealing your space ✨ This episode is for you if… You’re moving, downsizing, or starting fresh in a new season You’ve got boxes in the garage you haven’t opened in years You’re overwhelmed by the thought of what to keep vs. what to let go You’re craving more space, clarity, and freedom in your home—and in your life 🛠️ Resources & Links: FREE GUIDE: 75 Things You Can Quickly Declutter (https://www.katyjoywells.com/declutter772367) Get your hands on this free download for quick wins you can tackle today. 💬 One powerful question to sit with: “If I had to start fresh tomorrow, what would I not want to carry with me?” 📦 Ready to lighten your load—physically and emotionally? This episode is your permission slip to let go, travel lighter, and move forward with only what truly matters. Love the show? Be sure to follow, rate, and share with a friend who’s about to move—or just needs to hear this.
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315: Packing Lunches Just Got Easier: Simple Systems + Smart Food Mindsets with Megan McNamee
Ever feel like you’re stuck in lunch limbo—standing in front of the fridge at 11:58 a.m. with no plan, no energy, and three hungry kids staring you down? You’re so not alone. Today’s guest, Megan McNamee, co-founder of Feeding Littles and co-author of the New York Times bestselling book Feeding Littles Lunches, is here to help you ditch the decision fatigue and start feeding your family with more ease, flexibility, and confidence. In this episode, we’re breaking down: Megan’s go-to lunchbox formula (hint: it’s genius—and easy to remember) How to raise intuitive eaters without pressure or perfection Tips for navigating picky eating, food guilt, and power struggles at the table What to do when your kid only eats beige food (because we’ve all been there) Summer survival strategies when it feels like the kitchen is open 24/7 How to make packed lunches (even during summer) a breeze—not a burden Plus, we chat about how Megan’s non-recipe cookbook is helping kids and parents get excited about lunch again (my boys are obsessed with it—and yours might be too). 🎧 Whether your kids are heading to summer camp, starting school soon, or just raiding the pantry on repeat, this episode is full of fresh, grace-filled ideas that make food feel fun again. 🔗 Links & Resources: Grab Megan’s book: Feeding Littles Lunches Follow Megan on Instagram: @FeedingLittles (https://www.instagram.com/feedinglittles) Join 35K+ women getting the Ready, Set, Simplify newsletter every Wednesday: Sign up here (https://www.katyjoywells.com/simplify) 💡 Pro tip: Want your kids to pack their own lunches? This episode will give you the tools (and the mindset shift) to make it happen—without the usual lunchtime battles. Loved this episode? Be sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend who’s ready to simplify lunch once and for all. 💛
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314: 1-Minute Habits to Keep a Clutter-Free Home Even in Summer Chaos
What if keeping your home clutter-free didn’t require a weekend marathon… just one minute? This week, we’re ditching the pressure to “go big” and embracing the power of micro-habits. I’m walking you through 5 tiny-but-mighty strategies you can use right now to simplify your space—even on the busiest, messiest summer days. Whether you’re juggling beach bags, snack wrappers, or just the mental clutter of a full calendar, these 1-minute habits are about to become your new secret weapon. No stress. No perfection. Just progress. 🧺 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: My go-to 1-minute reset for mess magnet zones (looking at you, kitchen counter) How to sneak in decluttering “audits” while living your everyday life A surprisingly fun trick that turns the date into your decluttering goal The reason donation bags never leave your trunk—and how to fix it The OHIO principle (a clutter-free rule that takes less time than scrolling IG) A daily mindset question that’ll change how you show up in your home ✨ Why It Works: Because decluttering doesn’t have to be overwhelming. These habits don’t require a big chunk of time or mental energy—they work with your real life, not against it. And when they stack up? Total game-changer. 🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES: → Join 35K+ women getting the Ready, Set, Simplify newsletter every Wednesday: Sign up here (https://www.katyjoywells.com/simplify) → Want more quick wins like this? Check out the Momentum Maker module (https://www.katyjoywells.com/cluttercureclub-page837548) inside Clutter Cure Club → AirDoctor Sponsor: Clean air = clear mind. Save up to $300 here (https://airdoctorpro.com) with code MAX 👯♀️ Share the Simplicity: If this episode made you breathe a little easier, send it to a friend who’s in declutter mode this summer. One share = one less overwhelmed mama. And hey—your home doesn’t need to be spotless. It just needs a system that supports the season you’re in. You’ve got this. One minute at a time. Ready, Set, Simplify.
You’ve decluttered before…so why does the mess keep coming back?
You’ve done the checklists, the bins, the late-night cleanouts—only to find yourself right back where you started.
It’s not your fault. You’ve just never been taught to declutter in a way that actually works long-term.
The Maximized Minimalist is the go-to podcast for women ready to declutter their homes, lighten their mental load, and finally feel in control of their space—and their life.
With over 5 million listens and a spot in the Top 50 global podcasts, host and holistic decluttering expert Katy Wells shares a fresh take on what it really means to clear the clutter—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Whether you’re:
✔️ Drowning in laundry and clutter
✔️ Feeling behind on everything (including your own to-do list)
✔️ Tired of organizing the same space over and over
✔️ Or just craving a calmer, more peaceful home
This show will help you go from overwhelmed to in control—without the pressure to be perfect.
Inside each episode, you’ll get:
✔️Practical strategies you can implement in 10 minutes or less
✔️Mindset shifts to help you let go (even of the sentimental stuff)
✔️Encouragement to quiet the guilt, the “what ifs,” and the mental load
✔️And simple systems to help you keep the progress going
You might be wondering:
“How do I get my family on board?”
“What if I have emotional attachments to everything?”
“Why do I declutter and it still doesn’t feel ‘done’?”
“Can I really simplify when life feels so full?”
These are the exact questions Katy answers every week—with honesty, real-life examples, and step-by-step guidance that actually works for busy families.
Whether you’re deep in clutter or just craving a little more breathing room—you’re in the right place.
🎧 New episodes every Wednesday
🎁 Start simplifying with Katy’s FREE guide: https://www.katyjoywells.com/declutter
📲 Learn more at: https://www.katyjoywells.com
Ready, Set, Simplify!
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