Why decluttering doesn’t last (and the one thing that helps clutter stay gone) #196

Decluttering often gets stuck right at the end. Here’s why that happens and how to finally move things out without more stress.You’ve sorted. You’ve made decisions. You’ve created space.And yet things are still sitting there. Bags by the door. Piles waiting to leave. Boxes that never quite make it out of the house.Why does decluttering stall at the final step?And how do you finally get things out of your house without adding more stress?In this episode, I talk about why decluttering so often stops right before the finish line and what actually helps you move past that point in a way that feels intentional and realistic.But this episode isn’t just about strategies.It’s also about real people and real progress.I’m sharing wins from inside my community, from my online membership, and from conversations I’ve had on Instagram and Facebook. The quiet wins. The ones that don’t always look dramatic, but completely change how a home feels.I’m also answering questions people have asked me and coaching through the things they’re stuck on. The kind of questions that come up again and again, because no one is ever struggling alone.If you’ve decluttered but still feel surrounded by clutter, this episode is for you.If you’re organizing and tidying the same spaces again and again, this episode will help.If you want declutter strategies that work for real life and real family homes, you’re in the right place.We’re talking about home organization that supports your energy, not drains it.About organizing systems that help you overcome overwhelm instead of adding to it.And about creating intentional organization that works with your family, not against them.Because decluttering isn’t just about letting go of stuff.It’s about changing how your home functions day to day.Are you doing all the work but skipping the final step?What would change if clutter actually left your house for good?If you’d like to ask me a question for a future episode or share a win, you can connect with me here:CLICK HERE FOR Instagram CLICK HERE FOR FacebookYou’re also very welcome to join my free Facebook group, where we talk about decluttering, organizing, tidying, and creating a calmer home together:And if you’d love ongoing support with decluttering, organization, and staying consistent, you can join Clutter Free Collective, my online membership. It’s a supportive space for creating intentional home organization that actually lasts:Press play and let’s talk about how to finally get things out of your house without more stress.Thanks for listening! For more organizational motivation, support and free resources:Join my online membership Clutter Free CollectiveJoin my podcast Facebook group Living Clutter Free Forever Podcast: KonMari® Inspired Organizing | FacebookVisit my website www.caroline-thor.com Come and say 'hi' on Instagram @caro.thor Follow me on Facebook @carolineorganizer

In this episode, I’m joined by professional organizer and life coach Tracy Hoth to explore why letting go of clutter feels so hard, why decision-making can feel emotionally heavy, and how to declutter in a calmer, more supportive way without pressure or overwhelm. Decluttering isn’t just about tidying your home.It’s about the decisions you make every single day.What to keep.What to let go of.What feels heavy.And what you are quietly carrying for your future self and your family.If decluttering feels exhausting, emotional, or overwhelming, there is nothing wrong with you.Most people struggle not because they lack motivation, but because letting go of clutter brings up identity, guilt, fear, and pressure to get it right.How do you declutter without second-guessing every decision?And how do you organize your home in a way that actually supports your life, instead of adding more stress?In this conversation, we talk about decluttering and organizing from a completely different angle.One that is intentional, compassionate, and realistic.No extremes.No rushing.No pressure to downsize your whole life.This episode will help you rethink home organization, understand why clutter feels so emotionally loaded, and explore declutter strategies that work with your nervous system instead of against it.Because creating an organized home is not about perfection.It’s about making your space feel lighter, calmer, and easier to live in.For you, and for your family.You’ll hear about gentle ways to start tidying when you feel stuck, how to make decisions with less stress, and why overcoming overwhelm starts with how you see yourself, not how much you own.If you’ve been craving a calmer approach to organizing, this episode will help you take the first step without pushing yourself too far.Links and resources mentionedYou can find Tracy Hoth and her work here: 👉 https://simplysquaredaway.comListen to Tracy’s podcast, The Organized Coach, wherever you get your podcasts.If you enjoy the podcast and want more support with decluttering, organizing, and staying motivated, you’re very welcome to join my free podcast Facebook group.I share extra tips, encouragement, and host a free online decluttering session every month. 👉 JOIN US HEREThanks for listening! For more organizational motivation, support and free resources:Join my online membership Clutter Free CollectiveJoin my podcast Facebook group Living Clutter Free Forever Podcast: KonMari® Inspired Organizing | FacebookVisit my website www.caroline-thor.com Come and say 'hi' on Instagram @caro.thor Follow me on Facebook @carolineorganizer

Decluttering often doesn’t get stuck at the beginning.It gets stuck right at the end.You’ve sorted.You’ve made piles.You’ve done the thinking.So why is the clutter still there?Inspired by International Day of Acceptance, this conversation is a reminder that real change starts when we stop fighting our reality and start working with it. And that idea shows up everywhere when it comes to decluttering, organizing, and trying to keep a home running without burning out.I’m talking about why decluttering so often stalls when it comes to actually getting things out of the house and why pushing harder usually makes it more stressful, not more effective.So many women reach this stage and blame themselves.They assume they lack motivation.Discipline.Follow-through.But what if that’s not the problem at all?This episode looks at decluttering and home organization through a different lens. One that’s especially important if you’re overwhelmed, a woman with ADHD, parenting neurodivergent kids, supporting other family members, or feeling like tidying has become another thing on your mental load.Instead of focusing on doing more, the conversation centres on intentional decluttering, realistic organizing, and declutter strategies that support overcoming overwhelm rather than adding to it. It’s about home organization that works for real life, real energy, and real families.Have you ever wondered why tidying feels so hard even when you’re trying?Or why clutter keeps coming back no matter how much you declutter?You’ll come away with a clearer understanding of why decluttering gets stuck at the end and what actually helps you move forward. Not by doing more. But by doing things differently.Expect a calmer perspective on clutter, less self-blame, and practical insight you can apply to your own home and family.If clutter has been weighing on you.If organizing feels harder than it should.If tidying keeps turning into another source of stress.This one is for you.Listen in and let’s make decluttering feel lighter.Thanks for listening! For more organizational motivation, support and free resources:Join my online membership Clutter Free CollectiveJoin my podcast Facebook group Living Clutter Free Forever Podcast: KonMari® Inspired Organizing | FacebookVisit my website www.caroline-thor.com Come and say 'hi' on Instagram @caro.thor Follow me on Facebook @carolineorganizer

Have you ever left something out on purpose so you wouldn’t forget it…Only to watch it slowly turn into clutter?You’re not lazy.You’re not failing at tidying.And you’re definitely not the only one doing this.In this episode, I’m talking about the fine line between intentional visual reminders and everyday clutter. The kind that builds up quietly and then suddenly feels overwhelming. Especially in busy homes. Especially when you’re juggling family life, mental load, and a brain that works fast and forgets faster.Is leaving things out actually helping you rememberOr is it adding to the chaos?I share a real conversation from my own kitchen that sparked this episode and why it highlighted something so many women struggle with when it comes to decluttering, organizing, and home organization. We dive into why “I’ll put it away later” so often backfires and how even small habits can either support your organization or completely derail it.This episode is about:Making declutter strategies work in real lifeUnderstanding the difference between clutter and intentional systemsReducing friction in your home without lowering your standardsOvercoming overwhelm without trying to be more disciplined or perfectBecause the goal isn’t a spotless house.It’s an organized home that supports your life.And a family system that doesn’t rely on you remembering everything.What if your reminders didn’t live on every surface?What if tidying didn’t create tension in your home?If you’re working on decluttering, organizing, and building habits that actually stick, this episode will give you a fresh way to look at how your home organization supports your brain, not fights it.🎧 Press play and let’s rethink how we remember things without creating more mess.Thanks for listening! For more organizational motivation, support and free resources:Join my online membership Clutter Free CollectiveJoin my podcast Facebook group Living Clutter Free Forever Podcast: KonMari® Inspired Organizing | FacebookVisit my website www.caroline-thor.com Come and say 'hi' on Instagram @caro.thor Follow me on Facebook @carolineorganizer

REGISTER FOR MY FREE ONLINE SESSION HEREFeeling behind at the end of the year?You’re not alone. And you’re not failing.In this episode, I share a gentle end-of-year reflection on decluttering, organizing, and why so many women feel overwhelmed, even when they’ve been trying their hardest. Especially in real family life, and especially when neurodivergence is part of the picture.We talk about clutter, tidying, and home organization without pressure. Why urgency doesn’t work. Why intentional goals matter more than New Year’s resolutions. And what actually helps when you want a calm, organized home that feels good enough for you and your family.If you’re navigating declutter strategies, overcoming overwhelm, and trying to make organizing work in real life, this episode will help you slow down, reset your expectations, and start the new year without feeling behind.You don’t need a perfect home.You need one that supports you.Press play and take a breath.I’m also hosting a FREE online goal-setting session onSaturday 3 January at 5pm Central European Time (11am ET).This is a calm, intentional session focused on setting goals that support your home, your life, and your capacity. No rigid plans. No pressure. CLICK HERE TO REGISTERThanks for listening! For more organizational motivation, support and free resources:Join my online membership Clutter Free CollectiveJoin my podcast Facebook group Living Clutter Free Forever Podcast: KonMari® Inspired Organizing | FacebookVisit my website www.caroline-thor.com Come and say 'hi' on Instagram @caro.thor Follow me on Facebook @carolineorganizer

Have you ever decluttered something, decided it was leaving your house and then watched it sit there for weeks?The same box.The same bag.The same quiet irritation every time you walk past it.You’ve decluttered.You’ve been intentional.You’ve done the hard part.So why does it still feel unfinished?In this episode of Living Clutter Free Forever, I’m talking about a stage of decluttering and home organization that almost nobody names. The moment when clutter is already gone in your mind, but still physically in your home.This episode was inspired by a real question that came up during a live online decluttering session, and then echoed again in a one-to-one call with a member. Different homes. Same struggle.This isn’t about motivation.And it’s not about knowing how to tidy.It’s about why organizing stalls right at the end, and what actually helps.Inside the episode, I gently unpack why donation and selling piles linger, why this stage feels heavier than expected, and how the mental load of organizing, tidying, and managing clutter often lands with women.I also share four realistic declutter strategies that help things finally leave your house, without overthinking, perfection, or added stress.If you’re overwhelmed by clutter that’s already gone in your headIf your home organization feels almost finished but never quite completeIf you’re trying to create calm for yourself and your family but keep getting stuck at the final stepThis episode will meet you exactly where you are.Because decluttering isn’t failing.It’s just getting stuck at the end.And once you understand why, it becomes much easier to move forward, intentionally.Thanks for listening! For more organizational motivation, support and free resources:Join my online membership Clutter Free CollectiveJoin my podcast Facebook group Living Clutter Free Forever Podcast: KonMari® Inspired Organizing | FacebookVisit my website www.caroline-thor.com Come and say 'hi' on Instagram @caro.thor Follow me on Facebook @carolineorganizer

Have you ever noticed how quickly things unravel at home the moment you’re not available?One sick day and suddenly the laundry piles up, the kitchen looks wild, and you’re answering questions from bed about where the scissors live.Why does everything depend on you?And what would your home feel like if it didn’t?In this week’s episode, I’m talking about a simple Messenger chat that completely shifted the topic I’d planned to record. It made me stop, take a breath, and ask myself the question so many of us avoid: What actually happens to the house when I go down?Because here’s the truth.Most women are carrying the entire mental load of the home.Every drawer. Every appointment. Every meal. Every tiny piece of clutter.It all lives in your head… until the day you can’t keep going.And that’s exactly why intentional home organization, simple declutter strategies, and systems that support the whole family matter so much. Not for perfection. Not for aesthetics. But for those weeks when you’re sick, exhausted, or simply need an afternoon where you’re not tidying, organising, or answering twelve questions in a row.In this episode, I’m sharing five tiny changes that help your home keep running when you can’t. Small shifts. Practical ideas. Zero perfectionism. Just real home organization that supports you, not the other way around.If you want to overcome overwhelm, create a calmer home, and set up organising systems that don’t fall apart the moment you rest, this episode will really help you.And if you’re not yet inside my free Facebook community for listeners, you can join us here for decluttering support, weekend sessions, and connection with other women who get it: JOIN HEREI’d love to see you there.Thanks for listening! For more organizational motivation, support and free resources:Join my online membership Clutter Free CollectiveJoin my podcast Facebook group Living Clutter Free Forever Podcast: KonMari® Inspired Organizing | FacebookVisit my website www.caroline-thor.com Come and say 'hi' on Instagram @caro.thor Follow me on Facebook @carolineorganizer

Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to declutter the entire house… in the busiest month of the year? And why does December always feel like the moment we should suddenly “get it together” with home organization, even when we’re already stretched thin?If you’ve ever wondered why big decluttering projects feel impossible in December, you’re not alone. There’s a real reason your organizing momentum disappears the moment the holiday chaos begins, and it has nothing to do with motivation.In this episode, I’m breaking down the hidden forces that make December the hardest month for declutter projects, tidying marathons, and anything that requires sustained focus. And more importantly?I’m sharing 6 simple things you can organize instead that will give you back your time, your calm, and your sanity.Because sometimes the smartest home organization strategy isn’t doing more... it’s doing what actually supports you in the season you’re in.If you’re tired of feeling behind, overwhelmed by clutter, or frustrated that your family life gets more chaotic this time of year, this episode is going to help you breathe again.I’ll show you how intentional, realistic organization can stabilise your days, reduce the noise, and make December feel lighter, without adding another stressful decluttering project to your plate.What if this month wasn’t about achieving more… but about protecting your energy? And what if the smallest organizational shifts could bring the biggest sense of relief?Inside, I'll walk you through gentle, doable declutter strategies that work with your real life, especially if you’re already navigating family routines, neurodivergent needs, and holiday overwhelm.If you’re listening on Spotify and Living Clutter Free Forever showed up in Your 2025 Wrapped, I would love to hear from you. Email me at [email protected], or tag me in your Instagram stories at @caro.thor so I can celebrate with you.Thanks for listening! For more organizational motivation, support and free resources:Join my online membership Clutter Free CollectiveJoin my podcast Facebook group Living Clutter Free Forever Podcast: KonMari® Inspired Organizing | FacebookVisit my website www.caroline-thor.com Come and say 'hi' on Instagram @caro.thor Follow me on Facebook @carolineorganizer

The holidays are supposed to feel joyful… yet so many of us are already exhausted before we even start.The plans. The food. The gifts. The clutter.It adds up fast, especially when you are juggling family life, organizing, and everything that comes with keeping a home running.But here is the thing I have learned. Holiday overwhelm does not come from one big thing.It comes from the hundreds of tiny pressures women carry alone.So in this episode, I am breaking down why this season hits so differently for so many of us, and what you can do to protect your peace without deep cleaning your entire house, staying up until midnight tidying, or performing for anyone.Want to know the real reason your brain spirals the second someone says “We might pop over”?Want to feel calm walking into December instead of drowning in mental lists and expectations?Inside the episode, I share five simple, realistic ways to choose calm over chaos.These are the same declutter strategies I use with my clients, ADHD friendly, intentional, and focused on overcoming overwhelm rather than creating more of it.You will learn how to shift out of perfection mode, create a home organization plan that actually supports you, and decide what really matters for your family this season.No shame. No pressure. Just practical organizing tips, mindset shifts that stick, and a new way of approaching the holidays that will not leave you burnt out.If you are craving a calmer Christmas, this one is for you.Thanks for listening! For more organizational motivation, support and free resources:Join my online membership Clutter Free CollectiveJoin my podcast Facebook group Living Clutter Free Forever Podcast: KonMari® Inspired Organizing | FacebookVisit my website www.caroline-thor.com Come and say 'hi' on Instagram @caro.thor Follow me on Facebook @carolineorganizer

Why does holiday gift giving feel so heavy every year? And why do we keep buying things that add clutter instead of joy?If you’ve ever found yourself overspending, overthinking, or overwhelmed by the pressure to “get it right,” you’re definitely not alone.This episode dives into the hidden mental load behind holiday gifting — the obligation, the expectations, the debt, the clutter — and why so many of us end up stressed instead of excited.But here’s the good news.It doesn’t have to be like this.In this conversation, I share 5 simple shifts that make gift giving feel meaningful again. No clutter. No guilt. No draining your finances just to keep up. Just intentional choices that actually support your wellbeing, your organization goals, and the home you want to live in.We talk about mindful gifting, realistic declutter strategies, and how home organization ties into the way we buy, give, and receive things. You'll hear practical ideas that help you stay grounded during the season, and help your family avoid the cycle of clutter long after the holidays are over.If you’re ready to feel calmer, clearer, and more in control during a season that usually overwhelms you… this one’s for you.Thanks for listening! For more organizational motivation, support and free resources:Join my online membership Clutter Free CollectiveJoin my podcast Facebook group Living Clutter Free Forever Podcast: KonMari® Inspired Organizing | FacebookVisit my website www.caroline-thor.com Come and say 'hi' on Instagram @caro.thor Follow me on Facebook @carolineorganizer