In this episode of The Connected Community Podcast, Nicky Yazbeck is joined by Kate Evans, a psychologist and life and home decluttering coach, to explore the deeper emotional and psychological layers of decluttering. Together, they unpack why letting go of possessions can feel overwhelming and why clutter is rarely just about the physical items piling up.
Kate shares how decluttering is intimately tied to mental health, values, and personal history, highlighting the role of anxiety, depression, relationships, and even upbringing in shaping our attachment to things. She explains how sentimental value, the sunk cost fallacy, and the weight of family heirlooms often stand in the way of creating clear, intentional spaces. The conversation distinguishes between clutter and organization, emphasizing that true decluttering isn’t about perfect systems but about aligning one’s environment with one’s life and personality.
Kate also introduces her upcoming book, Ditch Your Sht: Decluttering Your Mindset to Declutter Your Home*, due out this October. Drawing from her own experiences, she encourages listeners to approach decluttering with compassion, understanding that they are not broken or failing if they struggle with it. Instead, the process is about acknowledging emotional barriers, facing fears, and creating sustainable systems that genuinely support well-being and joyful living
Takeaways
- Decluttering is not just about physical items; it's deeply emotional.
- Items can symbolize our beliefs and memories, making it hard to let go.
- The sunk cost fallacy can trap us into keeping unnecessary items.
- Finding sustainable ways to let go of items is crucial.
- Family heirlooms can carry emotional weight that complicates decluttering.
- Most adult children do not want the items their parents hold onto for them.
- Keeping multiples of items often stems from a fear of scarcity.
- Clutter and organization are not the same; true decluttering removes excess.
- The one in, one out rule helps maintain a clutter-free space.
- Awareness and intentionality are key to successful decluttering.
Chapters:
00:00 The Emotional Weight of Decluttering
04:01 Understanding Sentimental Attachments
06:47 The Sunk Cost Fallacy in Decluttering
09:44 Navigating Guilt and Responsibility
11:58 The Challenge of Family Heirlooms
14:32 Letting Go of Expectations for Future Generations
16:00 The Burden of Multiples and Unused Items
22:26 Decluttering Electronics and Boxes
23:34 The Dangers of Excess: Kitchen Tools and Gadgets
24:42 Mindset Around Scarcity and Abundance
26:36 Understanding Emotional Attachments to Items
28:19 Managing Linens and Towels Effectively
29:43 Clutter vs. Organization: The Tetris Master
32:09 One In, One Out: Maintaining Decluttered Spaces
35:27 The Motivation Behind Decluttering
39:52 Introducing 'Ditch Your Shit': A New Approach to Decluttering
Connect with me:
https://nickyYyoga.com
https://www.youtube.com/@TheConnectedCommunity
nickynamaste@gmail.com
Connect with Kate:
https://www.soulfulspacecoaching.com/
@katesevans.coaching
Keywords: decluttering, psychology, emotional attachments, sentimental value, sunk cost fallacy, family heirlooms, organization, clutter, mental health
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