Do you ever walk into your home and feel your chest tighten? That overwhelming sense of "what is wrong with me?" when you look around at the clutter? You're not alone—and it turns out, there's a powerful connection between what's happening in our homes and what's happening in our hearts.

In this honest and hope-filled episode, Kathi sits down with her dear friend Becky Keife, author of A Verse a Day for the Anxious Soul, to explore how anxiety and clutter are like twin sisters—different personalities, but showing up in remarkably similar ways.

What You'll Discover in This Episode

Both Kathi and Becky have walked through their own struggles—Kathi with clutter and Becky with a generalized anxiety disorder. Together, they unpack the lies we tell ourselves: "If I just tried harder," "If I wasn't so lazy," "If I could just be normal." Sound familiar?

The truth is, there's never just one cause for our struggles, and there's never just one solution. But there IS hope, and there ARE small, doable steps that can make a real difference.

Practical Tips Shared

For Anxiety:

• Go on a walk (you won't feel like it, but you'll feel better)
• Journal for just 3-5 minutes to untangle what's in your head
• Practice breath prayer—inhale "The Lord is my shepherd," exhale "I have all that I need"

For Clutter:

• Start with just 3 minutes (not 15!) and reward yourself
• Practice containment—you don't have to declutter, just corral items together
• When overwhelmed, focus only on dishes and laundry as self-care

A Word for the Woman Who Feels Ashamed

Becky offers this powerful truth: "Your anxiety, your clutter is not an indictment on your character. The state of your home has no reflection of the value of your soul." Whether you're struggling with a messy house or a messy mind, you are beloved. You are not alone. And today is not the end of your story.

Key Takeaways

• Anxiety and clutter share common roots: control issues, fear, trauma, shame, and unhealthy patterns
• Both can be hidden for a long time until we reach a breaking point
• There's a vast, livable space between "cured" and "why bother"
• Small, doable steps truly make a difference—you don't have to fix everything today
• You are worthy of support and don't have to climb out of the pit alone

If you've ever made a dramatic New Year's resolution about decluttering—only to feel defeated by mid-January—you're not alone. In this special workshop episode of Clutter Free Academy, Kathi Lipp and her husband Roger tackle the mindset traps that keep so many people stuck in the clutter cycle.

The All-or-Nothing Trap

That familiar pressure to make sweeping declarations like "I'm not shopping for an entire year" or "I'm decluttering my whole house this month" might feel empowering on January 1st, but these brittle systems are designed to break. When life happens—and it always does—one slip feels like total failure, leading most people to simply quit.

A Better Way Forward

The truth is, clutter-free isn't a finish line. It's a skill set. Instead of intensity, listeners learn to build consistency through small, repeated decisions that compound over time. The episode introduces the 15-minute decluttering method and explains why tackling spaces smaller than 2 feet by 2 feet creates the identity shifts needed for lasting change.

Understanding Right-Sized Consumption

Kathi explores the spectrum between overconsumption (fear-based stockpiling, comfort buying, and "fantasy self" purchases) and underconsumption (punishment-based deprivation). The goal isn't to never buy anything again—it's to buy and keep what supports your real life with the space, energy, and money you actually have.

Key Takeaways

• If your plan only works when you're at 100%, it won't work at all
• Small spaces create big identity shifts—start with one drawer, not an entire room
• Decision fatigue sets in after about 15 minutes, so work in short bursts
• Shift from being a "collector" to being a "curator"—keep the best, release the rest
• The goal isn't January intensity; it's building a rhythm you can maintain in October

This is part one of a two-part series designed to help listeners make 2026 their most clutter-free year yet—without the shame, without the all-or-nothing thinking, and with a plan that actually fits real life.

With Christmas just around the corner, the pressure to have everything perfect can feel overwhelming. But what if peace—not perfection—was the goal this holiday season?

In this quick but powerful episode, Kathi and Roger Lipp offer a lifeline for anyone feeling the holiday crunch. Whether you're hosting family, juggling last-minute preparations, or simply trying to enjoy the season without burning out, this episode delivers exactly what you need: practical, doable tasks that will transform your Christmas experience.

What You'll Discover in This Episode

Kathi and Roger share their top 10 tasks for December 23rd that will pay off big on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. These aren't deep-cleaning projects or Pinterest-worthy overhauls—they're real, achievable actions designed for busy people who want to actually enjoy their holiday.

Key Takeaways:

• Cook three dishes ahead of time - One side, one breakfast item, one dessert to free up oven and fridge space when guests arrive

• Focus only on main areas - Living room, kitchen, and guest bath get priority; skip the deep clean

• Put away 90% of wrapping supplies - Keep one roll of paper, a few bags, tape, scissors, and a Sharpie accessible

• Think through the needs of the day - Extra toilet paper, trash bag liners, paper towels positioned and ready

• Pick your outfit starting with shoes - Comfort is key when you're hosting and running around

• Clean out the fridge - Make room for dishes, platters, and leftovers

• Do all the dishes you can - Run that dishwasher even if it's only three-quarters full

• Guest bathroom two-minute rescue - Quick wipe, clean mirror, fresh towel, restock supplies

• Send a "here's the plan" text - Arrival times, parking, what to bring—predecisions equal peace

• Five-minute joy setup - Turn on the tree, light candles, play Christmas music

Night-Before Quick Wins

The episode also covers essential night-before tasks: setting up your coffee station, doing a 10-minute surface sweep, laying out serving dishes with post-it labels, and charging all devices. Roger's pro tip about running the dishwasher even when it's not full is a game-changer for keeping your kitchen under control.

As Kathi reminds listeners: "Today is not a day for perfection. Today is a day for peaceful triage." This episode gives you permission to let go of the overwhelming to-do list and focus on what actually matters—creating a peaceful, joy-filled Christmas for you and your loved ones.

Remember: Peace is an act of resistance. Let's resist the overwhelm together this Christmas season.