Declutter for the Hard Season: What to Tackle When Your Energy is Low

In this candid Clutter Free Academy episode, Kathi and Roger share how a sudden shift to long COVID reshaped their energy, rhythms, and home—and the simple, grace-filled systems helping them keep life peaceful and clutter free. Listeners will learn:How to reframe success when your “plate” gets smaller and energy is limitedThe “energy budget” mindset that helps you spend your effort where it mattersMeal strategies that don’t require chef-level energy (hello, rotisserie chicken + prepared foods)Easy home adaptations that save steps: snack stations, overbed tables, and a shower stoolThe emotional shift from guilt to acceptance—and how gratitude lightens the loadWhy decluttering brings immediate peace in a tough seasonHow to reset holiday expectations and ask for help without shame If you’re navigating illness, caregiving, burnout, or just a low-energy chapter, this episode will help you simplify plans, protect your energy, and find beauty in a smaller, saner life—one small doable step at a time.

In this Clutter Free Academy episode, Kathi Lipp and Tonya Kubo invite listeners into a simple, quick-win challenge: the junk drawer. Using the Ulysses rule (pre-commitment plus accountability), they guide you to post a before photo in the Clutter Free Academy Facebook group, do short sessions throughout the week, and share your after on Friday—so you can finally get that satisfying progress you can see. Listeners will learn: Why the junk drawer is the perfect place to start (everyone has one, and it’s a fast win)How before-and-after photos retrain your brain to notice progressEasy systems to keep it tidy: involving zip top bags, Sharpie marker and Post-it notes How to ‘outsmart your future self’ with simple habit swaps (try a morning reset if evening resets fail) and pre-commitment strategies that hold steady when life gets stormy. Jump into the community challenge, get accountability, and walk away with a drawer that finally works for your real life.

In this episode of Clutter Free Academy, Kathi Lipp and co-host Tonya Kubo unpack the Ulysses rule—making a decision in a calm moment to protect your tired future self—and apply it to everyday decluttering. If you’ve ever believed your future self will “feel like it later,” this conversation is your gentle wake-up call. Kathi shares real-life “tie yourself to the mast” strategies: put your keys in the lunch bag so you don’t forget it, lay clothes on the bed so they must be put away before sleep, schedule regular donation pickups to create a decluttering deadline, and use grocery pickup, batch cooking, and a small rice cooker to simplify meals and reduce decision fatigue. Tonya adds her own accountability and evening wind-down moves that make mornings smoother for the whole family. Listeners are invited into an easy win: the Junk Drawer Challenge. Post your junk drawer “before” in Clutter Free Academy today and your “after” by Friday. Short, compassionate systems—not willpower—are what keep homes peaceful and clutter-free. Join the community for accountability at kathi.link/CFA.

If your books are managing you (not the other way around), this episode is your 15‑minute reset. Kathi Lipp walks you through a simple, shelf‑by‑shelf plan to create a peaceful, findable home library you’ll actually use—without losing the joy of reading. Listeners will learn:   • The MEET method to make your library pay you back (Money, Energy, Emotional bandwidth, and Time)  • Kathi’s three zero‑guilt questions to decide what stays and what goes  • Forever Shelf vs Flow Shelf: two simple zones that make your system maintainable  • Why capacity matters (and why you don’t need more shelves)  • How to stop “buying to become” and end guilt stacks  • Practical upkeep: one‑in‑one‑out, return stations, and exit strategies (little libraries, friends, donations)  • Where to house TBR (hint: it’s not your nightstand!)   Plus, Kathi Lipp shares a favorite Forever Shelf pick and introduces "Jesus Was," a thoughtful, conversation‑starting book she endorsed by her dear friend Susy Flory—perfect for souls that need a gentle reset. Press play and take back your shelves in the next 15 minutes.  Find this episodes full show notes and resources here.  

The space under your bed might be the most neglected—and mysterious—storage zone in your home. In this quick, practical episode, Kathi Lipp and Tonya Kubo equip you with simple steps to declutter the hidden chaos beneath your bed. You’ll learn the best way to tackle dust, discover what actually belongs in this space (and what definitely doesn’t), and get favorite solutions for easy, clutter-free storage—even if you’re short on closet space! Whether you struggle with allergies, have kids who love hiding treasures under the bed, or just want to make the most of every inch in your home, this episode is loaded with relatable ideas and proven tips. Listen in, laugh along, and finally say goodbye to that under-bed pit of mystery—for good!  This episode’s full show notes and resources can be found here.  

Are you tired of feeling like you’re living on an endless treadmill of tidying up, only to have chaos sneak right back in? This week on the Clutter Free Podcast, Kathi dives deep into the secret reason behind recurring clutter—and why baskets and labels alone aren’t the fix your soul is craving. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or ashamed of your mess, you’re not alone. Tune in for practical, faith-filled strategies that break the cycle for good, plus real talk on battling perfectionism, overcoming guilt, and creating a peaceful haven without losing your mind or your faith. Whether you’re managing family clutter or just wondering if you’ll ever find the bottom of the laundry pile, this episode will inspire you to reclaim your home, your peace, and your sense of possibility. Grab your coffee (and maybe a basket or two), and let’s start decluttering for good—together!  View this episode’s full show notes and resources here. 

Are you worn out from battling clutter and not seeing the progress you’d hoped for? In this heartfelt episode, Kathi Lipp and Tonya Kubo explore the reality of declutter fatigue and why, for so many women, the journey can feel never-ending. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just plain tired of trying—this conversation offers practical hope and encouragement. Kathi and Tonya candidly tackle the frustration and emotional load that comes with decluttering, share faith-based wisdom for those tough days, and offer four simple steps to help you restart your journey with renewed energy. Tune in to discover how God meets you in the mess and how you can break free from the clutter cycle—for good.   Find this episode’s full show notes and resources here.

Is your clutter making a comeback…again? You tidy up, you declutter, but somehow, all those piles and projects sneak right back into your life. If you’ve ever felt defeated when the mess keeps resurfacing, this episode will speak right to your heart.    Join Kathi and her guest, Tenneil Register, as they unpack the real reasons why lasting organization seems so hard—and how you can break the cycle for good. They talk through absolutely doable steps for busy, overwhelmed women, get real about guilt and grace, and reveal how faith can shift your mindset about home and stuff.    Whether you’re trying the "one-drawer challenge" or just wishing someone else would do the laundry, you’ll find encouragement (with a little laughter!) and practical hope for creating peace in your home that truly lasts.    Catch this episode’s full show notes and resources here. 

Tired of opening your bathroom cabinets only to find chaos staring back at you? You're not alone. In this episode of Clutter Free Academy, Kathi teams up with decluttering expert Tonya Kubo to tackle one of the most frustrating spaces in many homes: the bathroom sink area.  Whether you're blessed with ample storage or struggling with a pedestal sink and four family members sharing one bathroom (like Tonya!), this episode offers hope and practical solutions. You'll discover why taking everything out might be the best first step, how to make smart decisions about duplicates and expired products, and creative storage hacks that will transform your space.  Kathi shares her game-changing discovery about medicine cabinets in unexpected places, while Tonya offers wisdom from working with Clutter Free for Life members on their bathroom transformations. From stackable organizers to tension rods for spray bottles, you'll walk away with actionable strategies you can implement today.  Remember: the goal isn't perfection—it's creating systems that work for your family's current season of life. As Tonya beautifully puts it, "Maybe not forever, but for now."  View this episodes full show notes and resources here. 

In this episode of Clutter-Free Academy, Kathi Lipp is joined by Tonya Kubo to tackle the often chaotic back-to-school season. They explore practical strategies to help families organize their homes and lives for a smoother transition into the school year such as  Creating a backpack drop zone  The importance of meal planning  Practical ideas for keeping on top of the chaos  Kathi and Tonya share personal insights and actionable tips. They also introduce the upcoming Back-to-School Clutter Free Challenge, a community event offering daily encouragement and inspiration. If you're looking for ways to turn back-to-school chaos into calm, this episode is for you.  Find this episode’s full show notes and resources here.