Episode Transcript
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(Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai. Go Unlimited to remove this message.) Do you need to unclutter your home and
get more organized?
Yeah, you do.
Remember that to be better prepared means you
need adequate space.
If you've been feeling the need to make
more space in your home and your head,
here's some helpful advice.
Hi, it's the Urban Lady Prepper.
I help single moms and solo women with
practical emergency preparedness.
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But of course, all are welcome to be
better prepared for whatever happens next.
The holidays have come and gone, the crush
of spring came and went, and now summer
is here.
You probably have quite the mess to clean
up over the last few months, and the
nail-biting that came in with the chaos
of the new year had us all a
bit off-kilter.
I don't know about you, but it's hard
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to believe it's June.
But before another month goes by, do you
need to unclutter your home and get more
organized?
Yep.
Remember that to be better prepared means you
need adequate space.
If you've been feeling the need to make
more space and unload some of the stuff
that just seems to have accumulated, now's the
time.
It's proven that clutter impacts us.
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It can increase our anxiety, nurture our procrastination,
and make us feel like we can never
really put a dent in it, so we
just give up.
For more practical reasons, clutter can be hazardous,
attract critters, and even affect our physical health.
None of this is good, especially if you
live in an apartment or small house.
I'm going to explain how clearing out the
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old can make way for the new in
all aspects of life, and yes, give you
more space for that prepper stuff you're definitely
going to need.
These days, it's normal to feel swamped by
both physical and mental clutter.
The non-stop flood of information, responsibilities, and
things can really mess with our well-being,
leaving us stressed and all over the place.
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But what if just tidying up your space
could seriously boost your mental health and prepare
you for the unexpected?
Decluttering isn't just about having a tidy home,
it's a smart approach to easing stress and
thinking clearly.
When you start clearing out stuff you don't
need, you're not just making your home nicer,
you're also making mental space to breathe.
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This clear space helps you calmly face life's
curve balls.
Decluttering can be a game changer for stress
relief, since our space often reflects our inner
world.
When your home is messy, it can feel
like your mind is too, leading to overwhelm.
A cluttered kitchen or a room full of
stuff can be so frustrating, especially when you're
too tired to deal with it.
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By taking on decluttering bit by bit, maybe
just a single drawer or corner of a
room, you bring order and control back into
your life, which naturally lowers anxiety.
Getting rid of what you don't need or
organizing your stuff results in a lighter, more
open area, which usually means a calmer mind.
Plus, the act of decluttering can be super
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therapeutic.
It gets you away from screens and into
something physical, giving you a sense of accomplishment.
Getting everything a home cuts down on the
time you waste searching for things, bringing up
brain power for more important stuff.
Regular tidying up keeps stress at bay, creating
a nurturing space that supports your mental health
and boosts clarity.
I'd like to suggest some practical tips to
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declutter and organize your home.
Start small.
Begin with a manageable space like a drawer
or a closet.
Taking on too much at once can be
overwhelming and lead to burnout.
Set clear goals.
Determine what you want to achieve with each
decluttering session, whether it's creating more space, finding
a specific item, or simply making the area
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look neater.
Clear objectives help maintain focus.
Start by sorting your things and setting up
zones for different categories.
This organized system reduces fatigue from constant decision
making and smooths out your daily routine.
Try the three-pile rule.
As you declutter, categorize items into three piles,
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keep, donate, and discard.
Be honest about what you use and love.
The one-in, one-out rule is helpful.
For every new item you bring into your
home, commit to getting rid of one.
This help maintains the balance and prevents new
clutter for creeping in.
Maximize your storage by utilizing clear bins, drawer
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organizers, and label everything.
Vertical storage solutions like shelves and hooks can
free up floor space.
When you do the seasonal clothing shift, consider
donating anything you didn't wear that season.
Why pack away something you know you probably
won't ever wear again?
And then there's the digital decluttering.
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Don't forget about that.
Organize your files, delete unnecessary emails, and remove
apps from your devices that you no longer
use.
Nothing is more satisfying than an inbox that
fits on one page.
And make it a habit, set aside a
regular time each week for maintenance.
Regular small sessions, even if just a couple
of hours, are more manageable and effective than
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sporadic, overwhelming ones.
By implementing these strategies, not only will your
home become more organized, you'll likely gain clarity
that helps you tackle tough tasks and make
decisions more effectively.
A well-ordered home supports a well-ordered
mind, empowering you to face life challenges with
confidence.
And you'll feel secure knowing exactly where your
essentials are when you need them in a
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hurry, making you better prepared for emergencies.
But you know, it's not enough to declutter
our space if we don't declutter our headspace
as well.
While we're getting things in order and appreciating
our newfound mental clarity, the last thing you
need to fill it with is negativity or
toxic positivity.
Toxic positivity can be soothing, but it can
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also be numbing.
It's that overly upbeat attitude where we ignore
or dismiss genuine emotions, which can actually block
authentic healing, connection, and emotional intelligence.
Here's how to prevent it and truly uplift
yourself beyond posters with sunrises and platitudes.
First, acknowledge all your emotions.
Emotions are complex and it's easy to feel
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a mix of positive and negative ones.
Allow yourself to experience them all without judgment.
For example, if you're having a tough day,
simply admitting, I'm feeling overwhelmed can be incredibly
freeing.
You can't be angry with others for not
letting you express your feelings if you don't
extend that courtesy to yourself.
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Offer support, not solutions.
When someone shares their struggles, sometimes they just
need a listening ear rather than a look
on the bright side comment or an opinion
they didn't ask for.
Let them know you're there for them and
that can open the door to more meaningful
conversation.
I realize this is hard to put in
practice and I struggle with that myself sometimes
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because our immediate reaction is to soothe and
to offer some sort of comfort and sometimes
it's better to just listen.
Be honest about your feelings.
Expressing real emotions to others, whether good or
bad, fosters genuine connections.
Instead of forcing a smile when you're not
okay, say, I'm having a bit of a
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rough time but I'm working through it.
Don't feel that you're fishing for sympathy when
you're just being honest and those who truly
care and aren't trying to just make some
small talk will be supported, not judgmental.
Allow for vulnerability.
It's okay to not have it all together.
Embrace your vulnerability by sharing both the highs
and lows of your experiences with trusted friends
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or family.
Let others know that they can trust you
with the same.
This builds stronger, more supportive relationships, not shallow
exchanges.
Balance optimism with realism.
It's great to have a positive outlook but
balance it with a realistic understanding of the
situation.
For instance, when tackling a big project, recognize
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the challenges while maintaining a hopeful attitude that
you can accomplish it.
Acknowledging difficulties doesn't give them power.
It reminds you to be thorough and thoughtful
while reinforcing that you have what it takes
to handle it without being patronizing to yourself.
Practice self-compassion.
Be kind to yourself when things don't go
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as planned.
Try saying, I'm doing my best and that's
enough rather than pushing yourself to radiate a
false positivity you don't have in the moment.
Not hitting every goal doesn't make it all
a fail.
As my godfather once said, it's not that
you didn't win, it's that you didn't win
today.
Tomorrow is a new day and a new
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chance to try again.
Give yourself grace, not affirmations that don't acknowledge
your humanity.
Practice gratitude, not platitudes.
It's great to give yourself uplifting words and
be your own cheerleader because how we speak
to ourselves influences our brain.
But when you practice gratitude, you don't need
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an overwrought pep talk.
You'll instantly radiate positivity because you appreciate who
you already are and what you already have.
Anything more is a bonus you absolutely deserve.
Recognizing the difference between expressing emotions and speaking
negatively.
Expressing frustration, sadness, and our more fragile moments
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isn't speaking negatively.
Saying, I'm bummed I didn't reach that goal
today but I'll get back at it tomorrow,
is different than saying, of course I didn't
get it done because I'm an idiot.
The first statement acknowledges disappointment but gives room
for change or improvement without belittling yourself.
The second condemns you and leaves you no
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room for redemption.
If you're not constantly insulting yourself, you don't
need toxic positivity to compensate.
By embracing the full spectrum of emotions, we're
not just putting a positive spin on life,
we're creating mental space for authentic, supportive interactions
that truly uplift us.
So as you tidy up your surroundings, make
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room for genuine feelings.
It's very freeing.
You'll feel more emotionally equipped to handle rough
patches, tough times, and emergencies when you can
be honest with yourself.
With these insights, I hope you feel more
equipped to foster a space that's not organized
and prepped but emotionally supportive too.
Let's keep things real and relatable about prepping
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for the apocalypse.
Thanks for listening.
Until next time, this is the Urban Lady
Prepper signing off.
I'm sure I've given you some things to
think about as you go through the upcoming
week.
Has this episode resonated with you?
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Let me know in the comments.
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I appreciate your time with me.
Stay safe, stay sharp, and be ready.