The Minimal Mom

How do you declutter when you have little kids at home and no extra time or energy to dedicate to it? Today we'll answer two listener questions. The first is about finding motivation when there seems to be no extra time to declutter. The second is about knowing how far to go with minimalism and how to maintain it.

Today I'm joined by Tyler from Tidy Dad. Tyler is a New York school teacher, writer, husband and dad to three young girls. Through his Tidy Dad blog and Instagram account he shares tips to help you develop systems, rhythms, and routines for tidying, cleaning and organizing. His tactics are practical and inspiring and he offers great advice for involving all of our family members in the keeping of our homes. You can find Tyler here: Tidy Dad on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tidydad/ Tidy Dad Website: https://thetidydad.com/

Kids stuff! There is SO much stuff that comes along with having kids! The good news is: you don't have to keep it all! Today we'll talk about how you can very confidently know what to keep and what to let go when it comes to children's items.

Today I'm joined by Courtney Carver from Be More with Less and Project 333. Courtney says that Be more with less means: Be more you. Give yourself all the space, time and love to remember who you are. Living with less clutter, busyness, stress and simplifying your life will help you make the room to do what you need to do. Simplifying my life gave me the space, time, and love to be more me, and the following practices led me back.  Find Courtney here: https://bemorewithless.com Learn more about project 333 here: https://bemorewithless.com/project-333/

I never set out to be a "YouTuber"...in fact, as an introvert and always happiest behind the scenes, that actually sounds horrifying to me! But, apparently it was meant to be and today I'll share the story of how I got here!

Do you love holiday decor, but also desire simplicity? Is your pile of recipes growing with no end in sight? Join Dawn as she tackles viewer questions and offers expert guidance to make decluttering easier and more manageable. If you'd like to leave a voicemail with your own question, you can do so here: https://www.speakpipe.com/MinimalMom   IN THIS EPISODE: 0:00 Intro :50 - Minimalism and holiday decor 3:38 - How do I stop shopping? 9:11 - Simplicity in sentimental items 14:53 - Thrifting is my hobby - but I want to declutter! 19:08 - How do I organize my recipes? 22:51 - I LOVE reselling - now it’s hard to let go! 25:36 - How much food storage should I have? Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

In a world of endless distractions and consumerism, can minimalism and mindfulness offer a pathway to deeper fulfillment? Join us as Dawn of The Minimal Mom and Dr. Pedram Shojai of The Urban Monk reveal how simplifying our surroundings and connecting with our inner selves can lead to a life of purpose, clarity, and peace." IN THIS EPISODE: 0:00 About Dr. Pedram Shojai 4:26 - Where do we begin? 9:03 - What is it like to become a monk? 12:30 - What work comes from?  17:20 - How can we regain focus?  24:04 - How did you look at things differently after returning from the monastery  28:37 - But what about the guilt of decluttering good things?  33:06 - How do you navigate technology with kids?  ABOUT Dr. PEDRAM SHOJAI  Pedram Shojai is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, and New York Times Bestselling Author of The Urban Monk and The Art of Stopping Time. As an acclaimed Qigong Master, Taoist Abbot, husband and dad, he uses Eastern thinking and practices to help himself and others overcome the Westernized challenges of everyday life LINKS:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drpedramshojai/ Website: https://theurbanmonk.com/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-urban-monk-podcast-with-dr-pedram-shojai/id1031707838?ign-mpt=uo%3D4&mt=2   Has written several  books including Focus, The Urban Monk, and The Art Of Stopping Time.   My jewelry is from Trades of Hope (Shop to help women out of poverty!): https://tradesofhope.com/minimalmom   Mother's Necklace on Etsy: https://cli.re/mom-necklace (I have the gold in 18") Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn    

Find Matt & Zoe's Master Class Here: https://resources.raisingsimple.com/keepthememories Whether you're anxious about inheriting unwanted items or overwhelmed by the thought of passing on a stockpile of stuff, this episode will help you navigate the emotional and practical side of managing family possessions. IN THIS EPISODE: 0:00 Introduction :40 Are some people just more sentimental? 4:07 Letting go of the pressure to keep things 7:38 How do we help our parents get rid of stuff? 10:30 About the legacy list 15:04 ...but everything is sentimental! 18:21 Navigating family members that think we should keep things 20:51 Artifcts 22:52 A bit about hoarding 25:58 - Should we keep things that make us sad? 28:06 Matt and Zoë's master class 31:14 To the person feeling guilty ABOUT THE PODCAST GUEST: Zoë’ is the author of Minimalism for Families, minimalist mom of four, and the voice behind Raising Simple. She is married to Matt Paxton, a downsizing and cleaning expert, speaker, author, radio personality, and host of the 2-time Emmy nominated television show Legacy List with Matt Paxton. LINKS: Save the stories with Artifacts: https://artifcts.com/ Keep the Memories Lose the Stuff Book: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/Keep-the-Memories Minimalism for Families Book: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/minimalism-for-families Zoë’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisingsimp... Zoë’s Blog: https://raisingsimple.com/ More info about Legacy List TV show: https://www.mylegacylist.com/

The cleaning gurus make it look so easy! Why can’t I keep up? Is your house the problem, or is it your cleaning method? Listen in is as Dawn talks with Sarah McGlory about her adaptive cleaning method that really works! IN THIS EPISODE: 0:00 About Sarah 5:05 the correlation between the amount of support and cleanliness  6:28 how adaptive cleaning came about 9:40 (GEM) The basics of low capacity lists  13:25 - how hot mess mom culture failed us  20:00 the inventory connection  26:05 - about perfectionism  29:45 - the power of small steps  ABOUT SARAH MCGLORY:  Sarah is an advocate for adaptive cleaning, offering practical solutions for those who struggle with traditional cleaning methods. She focuses on flexible routines and strategies that adapt to individual needs, making home care more manageable and less overwhelming for people with busy lives or unique challenges. LINKS:  https://www.sarahmcglory.com/ https://www.sarahmcglory.com/product-page/adaptivecleaningsystem https://www.youtube.com/c/SarahMcGloryHome https://www.facebook.com/SarahMcGloryHome Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn  

WOW your family with a decluttered house! Join Take Your House Back for just $84 through Monday night! https://urlgeni.us/TYHB Today I'll answer YOUR questions! If you'd like to leave a voicemail with your own question, you can do so here: https://www.speakpipe.com/MinimalMom IN THIS EPISODE: 0:00 Answering your questions  0:48 I don’t have storage spaces - what are my options?  4:39 How do you organize all your chicken eggs?  9:26 I’m attracted to beautiful things, but I want to be a minimalist!  14:08 Tell me more about memory boxes!  21:03 How to keep a minimal wardrobe when your weight changes? 25:34 The stuff is gone - but now I feel empty. Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn  

350,000 churches. 400,000 kids in the foster system. Listen in as Dawn talks with Trisha and Eric Porter of Backyard Orphans on their vision of how the church can solve this problem! IN THIS EPISODE: 0:00 - Intro  1:06 - How Eric and Trisha started Backyard Orphans  8:07 - How Backyard Orphans provides support for families wanting to foster  10:40 - How to take the stigma out of foster care  13:34 - Success stories  19:16 - Four ways to get involved in foster care  24:00 - Getting churches connected to agencies  33:50 - The best way to get involved in foster care  ABOUT TRISHA AND ERIC: Eric Porter is the founder and CEO of Backyard Orphans. This 501c3 interdenominational ministry is focused on engaging and equipping the church to care for hurting children in their own backyard. Since 2012, Eric and his wife Trisha have been in full-time orphan care ministry with the vision to train Church leaders to develop a foster care, adoption, and support ministry. LINKS:  Check out Backyard Orphans: https://backyardorphans.org/ Backyard Orphans IG: https://www.instagram.com/backyardorphans/ Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

Get your FREE ticket to Get Organized HQ here: https://thegetorganizedhq.com/gohqv2024-freeticket-dawnmadsen/?a_aid=MinimalMom&a_bid=357bc036 What if the key to getting out of debt is owning less and spending smarter? Could cutting the clutter in your life also mean cutting down your debt? Listen in as Dawn talks with Jen and Jill from The Frugal Friends podcast and be inspired to buy less, live well, and be a good steward!  IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 - intro  :44 - The Trashcan Trick 2:50 - History of frugal friends  5:02 - Simplicity goes hand-in-hand with getting out of debt!  6:22 - Tips for impulse spending  8:29 - A no-spend bucket list  11:40 - Influencers affect on our spending  15:06 - First time pay full price? 24:18 - (GEM) What to say to the woman who can’t get out of debt  27:00 - Anchors of debt freedom  30:33 - The freedom of living within your means  32:33 - Get Organized HQ ABOUT THE JEN AND JILL:  Jen and Jill help you control your spending without all the guilt and shame of strict budgeting. They believe there’s not one right way to do money and help you find your core values and create a financial plan around them. And you always have the freedom to take what works for you and leave what doesn’t. Get ready to feel confident about your finances and afford more of the things money can’t buy.  LINKS:  Pre-order Jen and Jill's NEW BOOK: https://amzn.to/3YWoGOZ https://www.frugalfriendspodcast.com/ frugal friends podcast episode with Dawn: https://www.frugalfriendspodcast.com/minimalism-for-families-with-dawn-madsen-ep-434/ https://www.instagram.com/frugalfriendspodcast/ My jewelry is from Trades of Hope (Shop to help women out of poverty!): https://tradesofhope.com/minimalmom Mother's Necklace on Etsy: https://cli.re/mom-necklace (I have the gold in 18") Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn      

Diana's Friendship Workshop: https://www.biblestudy.co/friend-workshop This is for you: - If you're tired of surface-level interactions, or friends who are always too busy to get together. - You crave a support system of friends who understand your unique challenges, limitations, or stage of life. - Your nest is empty, and you're ready to build friendships based on your own interests and faith. - You've moved homes or changed churches and you're eager to connect, but aren't sure how to break the ice. You don't have to live lonely. Please join us! COST: $10.00 In this episode: 00:00 25 Questions for Twins 00:48 Surprise! Twins! 01:28 Who is the oldest? 03:00 Can you read each other's mind? 03:15 Feel each other's pain? 03:34 Did you trick people? 04:05 How do we tell you apart? 04:48 Which twin is smarter? Funnier? Prettier? 06:57 Own secret language? 07:50 What's it like to be a twin? 09:18 Do you like the same foods? 09:46 Dress alike when kids? 10:36 Do you get tired of getting mixed up? 12:24 Have you dated the same person? 12:47 Do you finish each other's sentences? 13:30 Do you have identical handwriting? 14:51 Do you ever get tired of twin questions? 14:57 Did you have bunk beds? 15:00 Can strangers tell you apart? 15:08 Do you like the same hobbies? 15:35 Any funny mix up stories? 15:54 Did you want a double wedding? 16:37 How to get Dawn some new friends Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast channel. If you'd like to hear previous episodes, you can find them on all podcasting apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and iTunes. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind subscribing? It helps YouTube recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn ABOUT THE MINIMAL MOM: Hi, I'm Dawn, if we haven't met before, I'm married to Tom and we have four kids ages 8-13. We live outside of the Twin Cities in MN and have called ourselves minimalists for 8 years now. We got rid of 85% of our stuff and don't miss ANY OF IT! If you'd like to see more instructional videos about minimalism and decluttering, be sure to check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMinimalMom

Do you find it challenging to declutter with ADHD? Are you looking for effective anti-procrastination techniques that truly work? How do you manage the constant stream of thoughts in your mind? How can you get your spouse to support your decluttering efforts? Join Dawn and Amy Revell, author, podcaster, and leading organizing and decluttering expert in Australia, as they discuss anti procrastination techniques that actually work and decluttering the most impactful areas in your home. Amy is a leading Decluttering and Organising Expert in Australia. She is a successful author, podcaster and blogger, and loves equipping people to find freedom through decluttering and organizing their homes. Connect with Amy: Website: https://www.theartofdecluttering.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartofdecluttering/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theartofdeclutteringcommunity/ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1dQr5Epj7hD2scKaRFhIDu?si=6d71306103544f27 TIME STAMPS: 0:00 The Art of Decluttering 0:49 “Might as well” 1:50 ADHD’ers are rebellious! 2:39 Your future self will thank you. 3:26 Micro tasks 4:23 Closing the loop. 7:30 Too much inventory causes open tabs. 7:58 Never organize what you can declutter. 8:20 Find the area you care about the LEAST and start there. 9:58 Generational shifts 10:30 Get rid of THIS now! 11:32 High rotation areas make the most impact. 12:40 There is nothing wrong with me! 13:21 Time will tell container 13:49 Quantity issue vs. systems issue 19:50 How do I get my spouse on board? 21:34 The great sock debacle 23:50 How do I get my kids to clean up their room? 24:49 Is decluttering in stealth a good idea? 25:45 It’s ok if, “I don’t feel like decluttering.” 27:14 The sunk cost theory   ABOUT THE MINIMAL MOM: Hi, I'm Dawn, if we haven't met before, I'm married to Tom and we have four kids ages 8-13. We live outside of the Twin Cities in MN and have called ourselves minimalists for 8 years now. We got rid of 85% of our stuff and don't miss ANY OF IT! If you'd like to see more instructional videos about minimalism and decluttering, be sure to check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMinimalMom

Do you find it difficult to trust your own judgment? Are you uncertain about what you truly believe? How do you make the tough decisions about whether to stay or move on? Is the idea of closure just a myth? Join Dawn as she talks with Emily P. Freeman, a Wall Street Journal bestselling author of five books, including her latest, “HOW TO WALK INTO A ROOM: The Art of Knowing When to Stay and When to Walk Away,” about spiritual decluttering, and the connection between simple living and spirituality. IN THIS EPISODE 3:01 How do you build trust with yourself? 5:35 Decluttering your inner life 6:50 How to find safe relationships 8:09 Just pick what you like and see how it grows. 10:37 How to walk into a room 11:42 Our lives are a house, and every room is a story. 15:40 How do you decide what you and your family REALLY believe (without outside pressure)? 17:32 Spiritual decluttering 19:50 It’s OK to investigate 21:15 When it's better to leave, than to stay. 24:58  Is closure a myth? 29:13 Breathe prayers 30:02 “For now…” 32:19 Decluttering is to our home, as silence,stillness, and solitude is to our souls.   Resources Mentioned: “Start with Hello,” by Shannon Martin Natalie Hoffman -FlyFree Podcast on YouTube    Emily P. Freeman is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of five books, including The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions. As a spiritual director, workshop leader, and host of The Next Right Thing podcast (more than 25 million downloads), her most important work is to help create soul space and offer spiritual companionship and discernment for anyone struggling with decision fatigue. Emily holds a master’s degree in spiritual formation and leadership from Friends University. She lives in North Carolina with her family.   https://emilypfreeman.com/  https://www.instagram.com/emilypfreeman/

I don't generally like to draw attention to negative comments, but I think I felt misunderstood when it cam to a recent video I did on home organization. Was it plastic junk and unnecessary, or the icing on top of all of my hardworking decluttering!?! MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: Testing Out New Organizing Products Video: https://youtu.be/BAvWKtVwbY8 Minimal Mom Mentorship Group: https://cli.re/minimal-mom-private-group Clear Trash Bag Organizer: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/trashbags Small Acrylic Containers: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/small Ikea Acrylic Containers: https://urlgeni.us/ikea/ikea-bathroom Large Spice Jars: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/spice-jar-lg Small Spice Jars: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/spice-jars-sm Spice Shelf: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/spice-shelf Seasoning Packet Organizer: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/packet-organizer Ikea Shoe Bench: https://urlgeni.us/ikea/shoe-bench Wall Mount Shoe Racks: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/wall-rack Car Trash Bag Holder: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/car-garbage   IN THIS PODCAST: 0:00 Are these organizing products wasteful? 2:30 My most controversial video 2:32 Addressing the negative comments and feeling misunderstood 5:05 If it’s not a definite yes, it’s a no. 6:50 Spice cabinet debacle 9:42 I felt like such a loser at keeping home and organizing 10:50 Solutions vs. upgrades 11:43 Look at the data 14:00 Shoe rack pushback 14:38 3 parts to keep a home maintained 15:38 Plastic, inventory, and gadget girl 17:25 We get to decide 18:35 Feeling discontent? Do this first. 22:10 It’s about function, not just looks. 25:00 Give your mom some grace! (Lessons learned from my mom) -------------------------- Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast.  ABOUT THE MINIMAL MOM: Hi, I'm Dawn, if we haven't met before, I'm married to Tom and we have four kids ages 9-14. We live outside of the Twin Cities in MN and have called ourselves minimalists for 8 years now. We got rid of 85% of our stuff and don't miss ANY OF IT! If you'd like to see more instructional videos about minimalism and decluttering, be sure to check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMinimalMom

Get your Early Bird Brave Conference Ticket Here (just $37 until Monday at midnight!): https://www.made2homeschool.com/bravetickets Whether this is your first year or your 10th year of homeschooling, the Brave Conference is designed just for you! Join in to find encouragement, gain fresh inspiration and new ideas, build a supportive network, and prepare for the future with purpose. The sessions are tailored to meet you where you are in your homeschooling journey. Don't miss out on our early bird sign-up for only $37! Secure your spot today and take the next step toward a fulfilling and successful homeschooling experience. Find the speaker line-up and more details here: https://www.made2homeschool.com/bravetickets ...................................... ABOUT THE MINIMAL MOM: Hi, I'm Dawn, if we haven't met before, I'm married to Tom and we have four kids ages 8-13. We live outside of the Twin Cities in MN and have called ourselves minimalists for 9 years now. We got rid of 85% of our stuff and don't miss ANY OF IT! If you'd like to see more instructional videos about minimalism and decluttering, be sure to check out my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@TheMinimalMom

Ever feel like, "this isn’t the life I signed up for?" Wondering if it’s OK to want a better life? Struggling to simplify while managing ADHD? Join Dawn and Dr. Leonaura Rhodes—a physician, counselor, coach, relationship strategist, and neurotherapist—as they discuss how to navigate unexpected life challenges, understand neurodiversity, embrace identity changes, and develop a clear strategy for creating the life you desire. In this episode: 1:29 I hated my “dream job.” 2:55 Unexpected life challenges 5:15 Death bed epiphany 6:05 This isn’t what I signed up for 7:00 Simplifying with ADHD 8:20 Neurodiversity in kids 9:09 Object Permanence 9:53 “Your house is SO messy!” 10:55 Tips for those with ADHD 12:09 What’s in it for you? 13:28 You are NOT here to be a martyr 14:20 “Women are REALLY selfish these days.” 17:30 Neurofeedback therapy 19:43 Mindfulness practice 24:04 Take identity inventory 25:18 We CAN want a better life for ourselves 25:56 Invest 30 min a day in YOU! 26:30 Imagine, what would it be like to say no? 28:18 Identity changes 29:02 Do a “life audit.” Resources Mentioned: Beyond Soccer Mom by Leonaura Rhondes  About: Dr. Leonaura Rhodes has spent over 30 years helping people just create extraordinary lives on their terms. Her career began as a physician in the UK, then went on to become a counselor, coach, relationship strategist, and neurotherapist. She guides people who are committed to getting the most out of life, by helping them get clarity on the life they desire and help them create a solid strategy for change. https://www.drleonaurarhodes.com/ Leonaura Rhodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC2IIJj_hnHZJO8BwcKPqInQ ............................................ ABOUT THE MINIMAL MOM: Hi, I'm Dawn, if we haven't met before, I'm married to Tom and we have four kids ages 8-13. We live outside of the Twin Cities in MN and have called ourselves minimalists for 8 years now. We got rid of 85% of our stuff and don't miss ANY OF IT! If you'd like to see more instructional videos about minimalism and decluttering, be sure to check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMinimalMom/

Are you experiencing more anxiety than relaxation this summer? Are your expectations realistic? Do you feel stuck or broken? What is anxiety doing to you? How can we maintain momentum when we don’t feel like it?  Join Dawn and Britt Frank- a licensed neuropsychotherapist and author of The Science of Stuck and her newest release The Getting Unstuck Workbook- as they talk about seasonal summer anxiety, setting expectations, and getting “unstuck.” IN THIS EPISODE: 2:36 Seasonal summer anxiety 3:51 Reset expectations 4:06 #Chuckthebucket 4:29 Don’t worry about the why. 5:14 My brain is on my side. 8:10 How do we help our kids? 10:17 It’s ok to need time. 11:32 Stimulation requires down regulation. 12:40 Boredom is NOT a problem to solve. 16:00 Microdose relaxation 18:42 Name it and own it. 22:25 Better done than good 23:01 How do we keep momentum going when the “pink cloud” goes away? 27:10 There is no such thing as a broken person. 27:35 Getting unstuck 32:20 Brains CAN change.   Resources Mentioned: The Science of Stuck The Getting Unstuck Workbook The interruption of stuff (Podcast Ep. 24)   Bio/Her links: Britt Frank, LSCSW, SEP is a licensed neuropsychotherapist and author of The Science of Stuck (Penguin Random House), named by SHRM, Esquire, New York Magazine, and The Next Big Idea Club as a must-read as well as her new release, The Getting Unstuck Workbook. Britt received her undergraduate degree from Duke University and her master’s degree from the University of Kansas, where she later became an award-winning adjunct instructor. Britt is a contributing writer to Psychology Today and her work has been featured in Forbes, NPR, The New York Times, Fast Company, Psych Central, SELF, and Thrive Global.   www.scienceofstuck.com IG: @brittfrank

Today I'll answer your questions like: How do I stop feeling overwhelming fear and guilt when letting go of things people have gifted me, even though I don’t want them anymore? I’m a homesteader, do I keep EVERYTHING in hopes of using it “someday?” My 3 kids share a room. Is there a better way to manage toys for older kids so the youngest doesn’t get into everything (or do I need to be reminded this is just a season)? If you'd like to leave a voicemail with your own question, you can do so here: https://www.speakpipe.com/MinimalMom In this episode: 1:30 I’m a homesteader, do I keep EVERYTHING? 4:58 How do I know when to stop decluttering a room? 7:58 Hoarder, feeling fear and guilt when letting go of things 14:46 What’s the longest amount of time you’ve gone without cleaning? 18:38 Decluttering with special needs 22:57 My 3 kids share a room. Is there a better way to manage toys for older kids so the youngest doesn’t get into everything (or do I need to be reminded this is just a season)?   Resources mentioned: Natalie Hoffman Podcast Episode A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind Laurie from Simply B Organized Podcast Episode