Deanna chats with Colette Roy about the emotional and practical challenges of organizing with your partner. They dive into how clutter affects relationships, why communication is key, and how to tackle big home projects together (like the garage) without the arguments.
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Resources Mentioned
(some may be affiliate links - thanks for supporting the show at no extra cost to you):
Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room
Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/261
Connect with Colette Roy
Instagram
Colette’s Book: Clutter and Couples
Organize Your Garage without Killing Your Partner
Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:
Instagram
Facebook
Website
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Tired of fighting every time you try to tackle a home project with your partner?
In this episode of the Wannabe Clutter Free podcast, host Deanna Yates sits down with professional organizer Colette Roy to talk about how to declutter shared spaces without losing your cool—or your relationship.
Whether you’re tackling the garage, the basement, or just trying to agree on what to toss, Colette brings real talk and practical strategies for making home organization a team effort (without the tension). Drawing from her course How to Organize Your Garage Without Killing Your Partner, Colette shares why organizing together is so tricky, how emotional clutter plays into the chaos, and how better communication can lead to smoother projects and stronger connections.
You’ll walk away with smart, relationship-friendly tips to finally get that garage in shape—without turning it into a battleground.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why clutter can create hidden emotional tension between partners
How to navigate different communication styles during organizing projects
Tips to set healthy boundaries and share the load fairly
The power of understanding your partner’s perspective when decluttering
How to transform your garage into a peaceful, functional space—together
Time Stamps:
00:00 – Intro + what to expect in this episode
02:53 – Meet Colette Roy & her clutter-with-compassion approach
03:55 – Smart strategies for getting started on home projects
07:11 – Why clutter causes friction in relationships
13:12 – What makes organizing with your partner so hard
17:03 – How to design a garage that actually works
22:01 – Key communication tips for couples
27:00 – Why home projects spark arguments
28:36 – Behind the scenes of Colette’s course
32:46 – Practical communication tools you can use today
40:40 – Understanding needs: yours and your partner’s
43:11 – Why having personal space matters
47:11 – Rapid fire wrap-up + final thoughts
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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.
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