Decluttering as a Mom: Where to Start and What to Let Go | Robyn of Minimalist Home (Episode 321)
Clutter often adds to the mental load of motherhood in ways we don’t always notice. In this episode, we talk about why women tend to feel the weight of clutter more deeply, how “just in case” thinking fills our homes, and what true preparedness looks like. We walk through unfinished projects, kids’ toys, digital clutter, and paperwork, offering simple, realistic ways to let go without guilt. If you’ve been craving a calmer, more functional home without chasing perfection, join us for this practical and encouraging conversation!
In this episode, we cover:
- Why clutter affects women more than men and how a stressful home environment compounds the mental load of motherhood
- The difference between true preparedness and keeping “just in case” items that never actually get used
- A practical way to evaluate things you plan to fix someday and how to finally let them go without guilt
- How community, shared resources, and skills can replace the pressure to own and store everything yourself
- Rethinking modern convenience items, appliances, and technology that add more complexity than ease in daily life
- Handling manuals, paperwork, and household information digitally to reduce piles, decision fatigue, and visual clutter
- Creating simple systems for managing food storage, bulk buying, and pantry organization without overcomplicating it
- Realistic strategies for managing kids’ toys, rotating items, and reducing daily cleanup without constant battles
- How to shop more intentionally by slowing down purchases, making space before buying, and acknowledging your current season
- Letting go of sentimental clutter while still preserving meaningful memories in ways that don’t overwhelm your home
- The hidden weight of digital clutter, from endless photos and screenshots to the pressure modern moms feel to document every moment instead of simply living it
About Robyn
Robyn Buchanan is a mom, wife, former nurse and YouTube creator. She started her minimalism journey because she was overwhelmed coming home to a cluttered house after working in a chaotic emergency department.
Since decluttering, she not only uncovered her floors and surfaces, but also the deeper meanings behind our clutter, how clutter impacts our focus, why it’s so hard to declutter, and how life is freer without our stuff weighing us down.
Robyn lives on Vancouver Island in BC with her 3 teen boys and husband, 4 out of 5 of them have ADHD, including Robyn & her husband. She loves hiking, gardening and cooking, along with Jane Austen, Monty Python and John Wick movies.
Resources Mentioned
Check out Robyn’s previous appearances on SFL:
- Episode 219 | Prioritize Peace in Your Home: Build Your Decluttering Skills in the New Year
- Episode 268: Do You Have Too Much Stuff? Simplify Your Life Through Decluttering and Minimalism
Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course
Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series
Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy
Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook
Connect
Robyn of Minimalist Home | Website | Instagram | YouTube
Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest
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