Decluttering Paper for Real Life (Visible piles, hidden papers, and ADHD-friendly tips) #177

JOIN THE PAPER RESET CHALLENGE HEREPaper clutter can feel endless. Piles on the counter. Papers shoved in drawers. School forms, bills, receipts… and the constant guilt of not being on top of it all.Does it ever feel like no matter how much you tidy, the paper just comes back? Or like you’re the only one drowning in piles while other families seem to have it all together?Here’s the truth: it’s not about being “bad” at organizing. It’s about finding declutter strategies that actually work for your paper personality. In this episode, I’ll show you why some people rely on visible stacks while others hide papers away — and why both approaches lead to overwhelm. You’ll hear real-life examples, ADHD-friendly tips, and intentional home organization ideas you can start using right away.You don’t have to live buried under paper piles. With the right systems, you can create calm, reduce stress, and bring peace back into your family life.Ready to take the next step? The Paper Reset Challenge is back by popular demand! It’s completely free, happening October 4th, 5th, and 6th, and it will give you the momentum to finally feel in control of your paper clutter. Replays will be available. Sign up HEREAnd if you missed last week’s episode (176), make sure to check it out too. You can listen HEREClick play and let’s declutter paper for real life — together.I would LOVE to hear from you. Text Message me here. 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

👉 CLICK HERE for the exclusive KonMari Training informationUse code CLUTTERFREE (all one word, in caps) at checkout to claim your exclusive $300 discount — available only through this podcast.Have you wondered what it would feel like to turn your love of organizing and tidying into something bigger — something that could change not just your home, but your whole future?I know exactly how that feels. Before I discovered the KonMari Method, I was overwhelmed. My family life felt chaotic, and no amount of “organizing hacks” seemed to stick. Then I picked up Marie Kondo’s book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, and everything shifted. That one spark of intentional home organization set me on a path I never imagined — from clutter and overwhelm to becoming a certified KonMari Consultant.In this special bonus episode, I’m sharing my personal journey: how the method transformed my home, my family, and my confidence, and why I said yes to training as a consultant. And I’ve got something exciting for you — an exclusive opportunity available only to my podcast listeners.If you’ve ever dreamed of helping others through declutter strategies, if you’ve felt the pull toward more intentional living, or if you’ve wondered whether this path could be for you, this is your sign. Becoming a KonMari Consultant isn’t just about home organization — it’s about overcoming overwhelm, creating freedom, and building a life that truly sparks joy.Ready to hear my story and discover this exclusive invitation?Tune in now, and let’s take the first step together.👉 CLICK HERE for the exclusive KonMari Training informationUse code CLUTTERFREE (all one word, in caps) at checkout to claim your exclusive $300 discount — available only through this podcast.I would LOVE to hear from you. Text Message me here. 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

Declutter school papers, bills, and everyday clutter with easy reset routines designed for moms, neurodivergent families, and busy households. Is your kitchen counter already buried under school forms, artwork, and unopened mail? Do you feel like no matter how much tidying you do, the paper clutter keeps coming back?You’re not alone. Paper is one of the biggest hidden sources of clutter in our homes. It causes stress, missed deadlines, and family tension. And if you’re parenting neurodivergent kids, you know the stakes feel even higher.But here’s the truth: you don’t have to live buried under piles. There are simple, intentional declutter strategies that can reset the way paper flows through your home.In this week’s episode, I’ll show you how to start small, press reset, and finally feel in control again. Think of it as KonMari for your paperwork — clear systems, confident decisions, and home organization that actually works for your family.It’s not about perfection. It’s about overcoming overwhelm with easy organizing solutions that give you back your time, your space, and your peace of mind.Ready to stop the piles from taking over your life? Listen now and take the first step toward clutter-free calm.👉 Join my free Facebook group here for more support and encouragementI would LOVE to hear from you. Text Message me here. 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

What happens when you’re suddenly faced with decades of belongings, layers of family history, and every sentimental item your parents never let go of? And how do you even begin to declutter and organize when you’re grieving at the same time?I’ve seen firsthand how overwhelming this can feel. The closets, the papers, the diaries, the hidden surprises — it’s not just stuff, it’s memories. It’s emotional weight. And without a clear plan, the process of tidying can feel endless and impossible.In this episode, I share real stories from women who have been through it. You’ll hear the raw truth of what happens when Swedish Death Cleaning never took place — and the declutter strategies, mindset shifts, and intentional choices that helped them keep moving forward.This is about more than home organization. It’s about creating space to grieve, honoring family memories without drowning in clutter, and finding ways to let go with compassion.If you’ve ever wondered, What will happen when I have to clear my parents’ home? or How will I know what to keep and what to let go of? — this episode is for you.You’ll walk away with: – Practical ideas to start decluttering even when you feel stuck – KonMari-inspired ways to approach sentimental items without guilt – Organizing tips to reduce overwhelm and make the process intentional – Hope that letting go is possible, even when it feels unbearableIt’s honest, emotional, and filled with encouragement for anyone facing this challenge now — or knowing it will come in the future.👉 Listen now and discover how to begin the process of decluttering after loss in a way that feels doable, respectful, and healing.I would LOVE to hear from you. Text Message me here. 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

Sign up for the FREE live event: The Stepmom SummitWhat happens when you suddenly go from living alone to managing a busy blended family home? The clutter piles up. The chaos feels endless. And overwhelm can hit hard.I know so many of us—whether we’re stepmoms or not—have felt that same frustration. You want peace, calm, and order in your space. But how do you actually get there?In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Cameron from Stepfamily Solutions. She shares her story of becoming a stepmom to four children overnight—and what she learned about declutter strategies, home organization, and overcoming overwhelm along the way.We talk about KonMari-inspired tidying, intentional organizing choices, and simple systems that can completely shift the feel of a home. And no matter what your family looks like, these insights will spark ideas you can use right away.Because let’s be honest: doesn’t every family need easier routines, less stress, and more calm? And wouldn’t it feel amazing to finally put clutter in its place—for good?This conversation will leave you rethinking not only how you declutter and organize your home, but also how you approach the relationships inside it.Tune in now and get ready to take away practical, doable ideas that will help you create a more peaceful space—without the overwhelm.Links mentioned in this episode: – Sign up for the FREE live event: The Stepmom SummitI would LOVE to hear from you. Text Message me here. 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

Do you ever sit down to work… and suddenly find yourself tidying the kitchen instead?Or waste half an hour shuffling through papers, even though you know the real project waiting for you is more important?You’re not alone. Clutter distractions, procrasticleaning, and the invisible mental load are stealing your focus. They drain your energy, slow your productivity, and leave you feeling guilty at the end of the day.But here’s the truth: it’s not about working harder. It’s about creating intentional systems that support you — in your home, in your work, and with your family. When you learn how to declutter your space and your mind, you free up the capacity to focus on what really matters.This episode is a little different. I’m sharing a recent conversation I had as a guest on Anne Rajoo’s podcast, Productivity Sweet Spot. Anne and I talked all about:Why clutter impacts productivity (and why some people feel it more than others)The hidden link between procrasticleaning and avoiding hard tasksSimple declutter strategies and home organization systems that make it easier to focusHow to use KonMari-inspired routines to overcome overwhelm and keep family life running smoothlyYou don’t need a minimalist home or endless willpower to get organized. You just need realistic, intentional systems that actually work for you.Ready to break free from clutter distractions and reclaim your focus? Listen now.Links mentioned in the show:Anne Rajoo’s podcast: Productivity Sweet SpotI would LOVE to hear from you. Text Message me here. 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

Do you ever look around your house and think—why can’t I just get it together? You’ve decluttered before. You’ve read the books. Maybe you even tried KonMari. But no matter how much you want a tidy home… it just doesn’t stick.Is it you? Or is it the system? Let me be real with you—motivation is not the answer. Not when you’re juggling ADHD, kids, clutter, and a never-ending to-do list.In this episode, I’m sharing exactly why motivation fails—and what actually works instead. No fluff. No shame. Just simple, intentional declutter strategies that hold up even on your messiest, most overwhelming days.We’ll talk about: • Why your brain isn’t broken (even if you feel like it is) • How to build systems that support your real life—not someone else’s version of “organization” • The small shifts that make a big difference when you’re trying to stay on top of clutter, mess, and chaos with a familyIf you’ve been stuck in the loop of starting and stopping…If you keep waiting to feel “ready” before decluttering again…Or if you’re craving a home that feels calmer—but don’t know where to start—This is the episode you need.Let’s ditch the guilt. Let’s drop the shame.Let’s build something that actually works.Mentioned in this episode: ➡️ 15-Minute Declutter Kickstart Guide – FREE downloadI would LOVE to hear from you. Text Message me here. 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

Grab Your  Free 15-Minute Declutter Kickstart GuideBack-to-school season sounds like a fresh start… but why does it feel like complete chaos? Lunchboxes. Lost shoes. Meltdowns by 8am. You spent time organizing, tidying, setting up systems—but it’s already teetering on the edge.What if it didn’t have to fall apart by week two? What if your routines were actually built for real life—your family, your home, your energy?In this episode, I’m sharing what most people get wrong about back-to-school organization—and what to do instead. This isn’t about Pinterest-perfect routines. It’s about practical, flexible, intentional systems that work even when mornings are messy and your kid refuses to brush their teeth.You’ll learn why involving your kids is the secret to creating routines that stick—and why trying to force a plan they didn’t help shape is setting you up for struggle. This approach is gentle, smart, and built around overcoming overwhelm, not adding to it.If you’ve tried chore charts, laminated schedules, or complicated hacks before—and they’ve all ended up buried under the clutter—this one’s for you.We’re talking about real family routines that support your mental load, lighten the emotional chaos, and give everyone (including you) a calmer start.This is your back-to-school reset. It’s rooted in the KonMari mindset, aligned with what matters most, and designed to support your next season of home organization and clarity.Ready for a smoother September? Let’s get into it. 📌 Mentioned in this episode: – Episode 116: Getting organized so going back to school is a breeze (in 5 easy steps!) – Episode 64: Back to school time! 3 organizational strategies for saving your back to school sanity! – Free 15-Minute Declutter Kickstart GuideI would LOVE to hear from you. Text Message me here. 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

Ever feel like organizing your home means getting rid of everything you love? Like the only way to be “tidy” is to own 7 items and live in a beige box?Yeah... me too. And I’m here to tell you that’s not true.You don’t have to be a minimalist to be organized.If your home is full of books, kids, pets, projects, or personality—you are not disqualified from getting organized. In fact, you might just need a different approach.In this episode, I’m diving into the real difference between decluttering and minimalism. We’ll talk about how to create calm and function in your space—without sacrificing your comfort, creativity, or identity.What if getting your home under control didn’t mean giving up who you are?What if being surrounded by what you love could still feel peaceful?I’ll share practical mindset shifts, declutter strategies, and tips for building systems that actually fit your life. Especially if you're juggling family life, neurodivergent kids, ADHD, or just… a lot of stuff.We’ll talk intentional routines, realistic expectations, and how the KonMari Method® can work for non-minimalists, too.If you're craving home organization that meets you where you are, this one's for you.💬 Have thoughts or questions after listening? Or maybe you have an idea for an episode! I’d love to hear from you. You can email me at [email protected]💡 And don’t forget: I run a free Facebook group just for podcast listeners, where we hold a free one-hour online decluttering session every month. No pressure to speak. No camera required. Just a gentle, focused hour of action.👉 Join us here🎧 Listen now and find out why being organized has nothing to do with how little you own—and everything to do with how you live. I would LOVE to hear from you. Text Message me here. 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

Ever feel like your clutter has a backstory?You open a drawer, a cupboard, or that one corner of the bedroom… and there it is again.That unfinished “someday” project.The half-started organizing task.The thing you swore you’d deal with one day… but never quite did.Let’s be honest—it’s not just stuff. It’s stress. It’s guilt. It’s mental clutter. And it’s quietly stealing your time, your energy, and your space to breathe.Why do these things weigh so heavily? And more importantly… How do you finally let them go—without feeling like you’ve failed?In this week’s episode, I’m sharing the real reason these lingering tasks feel so overwhelming—especially when you’re managing a family, a home, and the daily chaos of life with neurodivergent kids.And I’ll show you how to release that emotional weight using simple, intentional declutter strategies that actually work—even if you’re short on time and energy.You don’t need a full weekend.You don’t need to do it all perfectly.And you definitely don’t need to keep holding onto stuff that no longer fits the season you’re in.This is home organization for real life. It’s organizing with heart. It’s tidying that starts with self-compassion.If you’re ready to take back control of your space—and finally feel lighter—this episode is for you. 👉 And don’t forget to grab your free 15-Minute Declutter Kickstart —it’s the perfect way to get started right after listening! CLICK HEREI would LOVE to hear from you. Text Message me here. 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