The Village That Had Too Many Letters: A Decluttering Fairy Tale

Ever feel like your home is drowning in stuff? You're not alone! Join Julie and Janis as they share a whimsical fairy tale about Alderwick—a village where storage bins multiply like rabbits and possessions pile up faster than good intentions.

What You'll Discover:

In this episode, we explore the enchanting story of a village overwhelmed by well-meaning clutter. When belongings start mysteriously disappearing, the villagers panic - until they realize nothing important is actually missing. Follow Juniper, the wise village mender, as she discovers why possessions were leaving and what they really needed.

The Big Lesson: Your possessions are like letters of the alphabet. Too few and life feels unfinished. Too many and the meaning gets lost. The goal isn't to erase your alphabet - it's to build words that make sense for the life you're living RIGHT NOW.

Key Takeaways:

• Why items "stop doing their jobs" and how to recognize when it's time to let go
• The gentle art of asking "Where do you belong now?" instead of "What if I need this later?"
• How to create balance without becoming a minimalist
• Why decluttering is about the life you're ACTUALLY living, not the seventeen new hobbies you might develop someday

Your Mission (Should You Choose to Accept It):

Pick ONE area this week and ask yourself: "Which letters no longer belong in my sentence?" Thank each item for its service, then decide - does it move on or need a new job? (you don't need to thank the inanimate object if you don't want to ... you can just say "bah bye!")

BONUS: Join our February "Decluttering Through the Alphabet" challenge! One letter per day builds your decluttering muscles through small, doable doses that create lasting habits. Download your FREE tracking calendar in the show notes.

No shame. No judgment. Just gentle progress toward a home that tells YOUR story.

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/abcdecluttercommunity
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Website: https://www.abcDEclutter.com
Podcast website: https://www.TheJJsDeclutterPodcast.com
eMail: hello@abcdeclutter.com

#DeclutterPodcast #DeclutteringTips #HomeOrganization #OrganizingTips #ClutterFree #DeclutterYourLife #SimplifyYourLife #MinimalistLiving #OrganizedHome #DeclutterChallenge #OrganizationHacks #HomeOrganizing #TidyHome #DeclutterMotivation #LessStuffMoreLife #IntentionalLiving #SimpleLiving #OrganizedLife #DeclutterCoach #ProfessionalOrganizer #JJsDeclutterPodcast #ClutterCrushers #SmallDoableDoses #AlphabetDeclutter #DeclutterFairyTale #EmotionsFirstDecluttering #ABCDeclutter

Keep it Simple, Keep it Intentional, and - as always - Keep Decluttering!!

Let It Go! A Wintertime Decluttering Tale

Winter has arrived in Frosthome… and so has the clutter. In this episode of The JJs Declutter Podcast, Julie and Janis share a fractured fairy tale with a powerful message. Let It Go! A Wintertime Decluttering Tale follows Queen Elsa-Light, a kind ruler who freezes decisions instead of making them and slowly buries her kingdom under coats, scarves, and sentimental snowflakes.

Through humor, storytelling, and very relatable winter clutter struggles, this episode explores how indecision and procrastination can freeze us in place and how small, intentional steps can melt overwhelm.

After the story, Julie and Janis unpack the decluttering lessons hidden inside the tale and offer practical, doable strategies you can use right now, especially during winter when coats, hats, and closets are front and center.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why frozen decisions keep clutter stuck in your home
• How procrastination disguises itself as “waiting for the perfect time”
• Why decluttering doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing
• How a Decluttering Dozen (just 12 minutes) creates real progress
• Simple ways to declutter winter coats, hats, scarves, and gloves
• Where to donate winter items so they can actually be used
• How to manage multipurpose closets without overwhelm
• Why entryways matter more than you think and how to keep them clear

This Episode’s Decluttering Challenge:

• Pick one closet
• Set a timer for 12 minutes
• Work on one small section only
• Stop when the timer ends or reset if you feel good
• No pulling everything out, no perfection required

Small steps. Real momentum. No frozen decisions required.

Winter Decluttering Tips Mentioned:

• Cull coats you never reach for during the season
• Donate winter wear to dry cleaners, shelters, Buy Nothing groups, or local charities
• Do a weekly flat surface sweep in your entryway
• Use a basket or bin to collect items that don’t belong and put them away

Join the JJ Decluttering Community:

Want encouragement, accountability, and zero judgment?
Visit www.abcdeclutter.com
Join the private Facebook group: ABC Declutter With JJ – Community

Share your progress, ask questions, and celebrate every small win.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abcdeclutterwithjj
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/abcdecluttercommunity
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abcdeclutterwithjj

Website: https://www.abcDEclutter.com
Podcast website: https://www.TheJJsDeclutterPodcast.com
eMail: hello@abcdeclutter.com

#DeclutterYourHome #WinterDecluttering #DeclutteringDozen #LetItGoClutter
#ClosetDeclutter #IntentionalLiving #DeclutterMotivation #TheJJsDeclutterPodcast

Keep it Simple, Keep it Intentional, and - as always - Keep Decluttering!!

Episode Description

The holidays are over, the decorations are shoved back into bins, and now you're standing in the middle of the mess thinking, "What just happened to my life and my bank account?" Between leftover cookies, wrecked sleep schedules, and uninvited credit card bills, it's a lot.

In this Magazine Moments episode, Julie and Janis tackle the post-holiday reset from three practical angles: your overstuffed pantry, your crying wallet, and your completely destroyed routine. Because guilt isn't productive, and misery isn't a goal.

What You'll Learn

Shop Your Pantry First

• Why the average family wastes $3,000 annually on uneaten food (that's a vacation, not garbage!)
• How to audit what you already own and build meals around it
• The genius of the "use-first bin" for opened or expiring items
• Smart storage tricks like freezing tomato paste in ice cube trays

No Spend January Challenge

• How to stop the flow of new clutter into your house
• Common rules: no coffee shops, shop the pantry first, delete Amazon (harsh but effective)
• Why online grocery pickup deserves a standing ovation
• The difference between intentional spending and mindless drive-through decisions

Transitioning Back to Normalcy

• Why structured (not rigid) routines help you adjust 40% faster
• The 15-minute bedtime shift that's 60% more effective than forcing immediate change
• Why your body needs recovery, not punishment, after December's chaos
• How to handle the "holiday hangover" when it's suddenly just... Tuesday

Key Takeaways

The post-holiday reset doesn't need to be harsh.
Pick ONE thing - pantry, spending, or sleep.
Small changes compound. Give yourself grace because you're human, and this is a transition, not a failure.

Featured Resources

• FoodDrinkLife.com - Shop Your Pantry First
• LifeWithLesMess.com - No Spend Challenge
• ZenNutri.com - Transition Back to Normalcy After the Holidays
  
  

Follow us! Join our community! Share with your friends!

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abcdeclutterwithjj
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/abcdecluttercommunity
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abcdeclutterwithjj
Website: https://www.abcDEclutter.com
Podcast website: https://www.TheJJsDeclutterPodcast.com
eMail: hello@abcdeclutter.com

Keep it Simple, Keep it Intentional, and - as always - Keep Decluttering!!

Let's be honest—if you made a New Year's resolution on January 1st, you're probably side-eyeing it like it's decorative decor, not an actual plan. And the stats back this up: only 25% of people stick with resolutions past 30 days, and fewer than 10% actually finish what they started.

But here's the relief—it's not your fault.

The Science of Why Resolutions Fail

According to research from Crucial Learning and Yale, most resolutions fail because they never become habits. And since 40% of what we do daily is habitual (brushing teeth, making coffee, washing your hands after you pee... especially if you're a guy), creating actual habits is the key to success.

The Three Brain Traps:

1. Hyperbolic Discounting - Your brain wants immediate gratification over long-term gains. That's why scrolling on the couch beats organizing the garage every single time.
2. Identity Attachment - When "I missed a session" becomes "I'm a failure," you've turned a setback into a character assassination. Your clutter isn't a moral failing—it's just stuff.
3. The Intention-Action Gap - We ignore predictable obstacles every year, thinking "this time will be different" without changing the plan.

The Revolutionary Solution: Wait Until April

Psychology Today research suggests January might actually be the worst time to start new habits. You're fighting post-holiday burnout, financial stress, short dark days, and depleted mental resources.

Why April Works:

• More energy and sunlight
• Time for genuine reflection
• Less stress and social pressure
• Spring's natural season of growth

What to Do Now

Use January through March as your planning season. Notice what's bothering you, explore strategies, and join our Clutter Crushers community. Then launch in April with energy, clarity, and a solid plan.

Remember: Real change happens when you're ready—not just because the calendar says so.

Join us! Follow Us! Subscribe to Us!

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abcdeclutterwithjj
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/abcdecluttercommunity
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Website: https://www.abcDEclutter.com
Podcast website: https://www.TheJJsDeclutterPodcast.com
eMail: hello@abcdeclutter.com

Keep it Simple, Keep it Intentional, and - as always - Keep Decluttering!!

🎉 Episode 56: Looking Back with Gratitude – Celebrating Your Year’s Wins

As the year wraps up, Julie and Janis invite you to put down the self-criticism, step away from the “good riddance” posts, and take a gentler, more empowering look back. This episode is all about finding and celebrating your wins, even if this year felt messy, exhausting, or downright hard.

Instead of focusing on what went wrong, the JJs guide you through a thoughtful Year-in-Review framework that helps uncover progress you may have overlooked. From decluttering wins and habit changes to personal growth, relationships, finances, health, and plain old survival, no victory is too small to count.

You’ll learn why your brain naturally fixates on the negative, how acknowledging wins rewires your mindset, and why progress does not have to be dramatic to be meaningful. Whether you cleared a junk drawer, set one boundary, asked for help, paid a bill, survived a hard season, or simply kept showing up, this episode reminds you that those things matter.

Julie and Janis also share practical ways to celebrate your wins: writing them down, sharing them with supportive people, creating visual reminders, and starting a simple “Wins of the Week” practice so future reflections feel lighter and more encouraging.

This is not toxic positivity. It’s balanced reflection, honest compassion, and building momentum rooted in gratitude instead of defeat.

So grab something cozy, give yourself 12 intentional minutes, and let’s end the year proud of what you accomplished, survived, and learned.

💬 Share your wins with us in ABC Declutter with JJ – Community on Facebook or at www.abcdeclutter.com. We can’t wait to celebrate with you.

Keep it Simple, Keep it Intentional, and — as always — Keep Decluttering!

#DeclutterWithTheJJs #CelebrateYourWins #YearInReview #GratitudePractice
#SmallWinsMatter #DeclutterMindset #IntentionalLiving #ProgressNotPerfection
#EndOfYearReflection #MindsetShift #DeclutteringJourney #SimpleLiving

Keep it Simple, Keep it Intentional, and - as always - Keep Decluttering!!

Welcome back to the JJ's Declutter Podcast ~ Fractured Fairy Tales Edition!

We're heading back to Whoville, where the halls are decked, the stockings are hung, and the glitter is absolutely everywhere. Full-on festive explosions that would make even the most enthusiastic decorator question their life choices.

The Holiday Chaos
It's early December in Whoville—garland on banisters, bows on pets, twinkle lights tangled in ways that defy physics. But in his cave on Mount Messmore, the Grinch sits clutching his "Silent Night, Please" mug, glaring at the chaos below. His cave is still recovering from last year's holiday hangover—broken ornaments everywhere, fake snow stuck to everything, and a half-melted candle shaped like Santa's leg.

The Spirit Returns
When the Grinch declares he'll skip Christmas and cleaning altogether, the Spirit of Clean floats in! "You learned to declutter last year, but look at this place! You've got more glitter than a kindergarten art room!"

She's here to help him manage the holiday chaos with simple maintenance routines. "Joy doesn't have to mean junk, and celebration doesn't require chaos."

The #Tidy12 Festive Edition
The Spirit hands him a timer: 12 minutes. "Pick one small area. This isn't about perfection, it's about progress."

The Grinch protests but hustles through sweeping, wiping, and muttering. When the timer dings, he smiles: "It's clean! And I didn't die!"

"That's the magic of the #Tidy12. You don't need hours, you just need focus and 12 minutes."

Taming the Tinsel
Next: organizing holiday decorations. Unlabeled bins, broken ornaments mixed with good ones, enough fake snow to trigger an avalanche.

"You've got to categorize," the Spirit explains. "If it doesn't spark joy or fit in a labeled tote, it's time to let it go. Remember our Keep or Let's Go system?"

The Grinch sorts everything into 3 neat bins: Tree, Trim, and To Donate.

"You're clinging less and cleaning more—keeping it intentional instead of keeping everything."

Party Prep Panic
Cindy Lou invites the Grinch to tomorrow night's party. He freezes: "Tomorrow night?"

The Spirit asks: "What's the rule?"

"Don't panic, plan it."

He sets his timer and does a pre-party power clean—wiping counters, loading the dishwasher, scrubbing his sink until it shines like a Christmas star.

The Whoville Secret
At the party, the Grinch is amazed—everyone's homes are festive and tidy. Cindy Lou shares their secret: "We clean as we go. Do a quick #Tidy12 session each day! The best gift you can give yourself is not waking up to a mess that steals your holiday joy."

Christmas Morning
The Grinch wakes to a quiet, cozy, clean cave. "It feels good to live in a space that sparkles without overwhelming me. I can actually enjoy the holiday instead of drowning in clutter."

The Spirit asks what he learned: "That joy and clutter don't have to be roommates. That small doable doses actually work. And that maintenance makes the magic last longer."

"May your days be merry, and your surfaces clear."

The Lesson
You can have a beautifully decorated home and your sanity with simple routines. With a daily #Tidy12 session, bin labeling, and a clean-as-you-go mindset, you can keep your home festive and functional.

Join the Clutter Crushers Club at www.abcdeclutter.com!

#Decluttering #HolidayCleaning #Tidy12 #ClutterCrushersClub #KeepOrLetsGo #DeclutterCoach

Keep it Simple, Keep it Intentional, and - as always - Keep Decluttering!!

Welcome to the JJ's Declutter Podcast Fractured Fairy Tale Edition! This holiday special tells the transformation story of the Grinch of Mount Messmore—a grumpy, cluttered soul who discovers that joy was hiding underneath all that junk. Spoiler alert: He didn't steal Christmas, but he did reclaim his peace, one #Tidy12 session at a time!

Meet Our Grinch

Forget Mount Crumpit—our Grinch lives on Mount Messmore, where:

• Every flat surface is covered in chaos
• Laundry mountains rival actual mountains
• Half-dead batteries breed like rabbits
• Unmatched socks could start their own band
• Even his Roomba filed for early retirement (with a strongly worded resignation letter)

Sound familiar? Yeah, we thought so.

The Journey from Grunge to Grinchtastic

A Messy Mountain Morning The Grinch wakes up to tangled Christmas lights, fossilized fruitcake, and coffee that tastes like "dust and regret" (what happens when you haven't cleaned your coffee maker since the moon landing). His excuse? "Why bother cleaning? It's just gonna get messy again." Classic clutter denial, right?

The Spirit of Clean Arrives Armed with yellow gloves and a Swiffer wand, the Spirit of Clean isn't here for excuses. She introduces the Grinch to the magic trio: Sort, Simplify, Shine. This is our emotions-first approach in action—we're not just cleaning surfaces, we're clearing minds and reclaiming peace.

The #Tidy12 Transformation The Spirit sets a timer: 12 minutes. That's it. The Grinch grumbles (naturally), but here's what happens:

• Expired cans tossed
• Floor-dwelling clothes folded
• Sock couples reunited after being separated since 2019
• A counter surface spotted for the first time in months!

That feeling when you see progress? That's dopamine, nature's reward for doing hard things. And it doesn't require Wi-Fi.

Deep Clean, Deep Thoughts Once he gets rolling, the Grinch can't stop. He runs vinegar cycles in the washer, wipes down counters until they gleam, and vacuums under couch cushions (finding 3 candy canes, 2 quarters, and an unpaid electric bill from March). His little green heart grows three sizes—one for each bag of junk donated to the Whoville thrift store.

The Big Revelation "I never knew less could feel like more," the Grinch realizes. "I thought I needed all this stuff."

The Spirit's wisdom: "Less mess, more peace. You don't need all this stuff to be happy. You just need room to dance, room to breathe, and maybe a clean mug so your coffee doesn't taste like dust and regret."

The Happy Ending By Christmas Eve, the Grinch's cave sparkles. His socks are folded, his sink is empty, and his heart feels light. He didn't just clean his space—he cleared his mind. He can think better, breathe easier, and the stress of constant mess is gone.

The Moral of the Story

Even the grumpiest, messiest soul can rediscover joy through cleaning and decluttering. A clean space really can make your heart grow three sizes. This is what we teach in the Clutter Crushers Club—you're not broken, you're not hopeless, and you absolutely have the power to transform your space and your life.

You just need to start with one Small Do-able Dose, one #Tidy12 session, and build from there.

Ready to transform your space? Join the Clutter Crushers Club at www.abcdeclutter.com!

#Decluttering #HomeOrganization #CleaningMotivation #HolidayCleaning #Tidy12 #ClutterCrushersClub #SmallDoableDoses #KeepOrLetsGo #OrganizedHome #DeclutterCoach

Keep it Simple, Keep it Intentional, and - as always - Keep Decluttering!!

In this heartwarming Magazine Moments episode, Julie and Janis dive into one of the most freeing concepts of the holiday season: gifting experiences instead of stuff. Inspired by Joshua Becker’s article “How to Gift Experiences Instead of Things” from Becoming Minimalist, this conversation unpacks why experience-based gifts deepen connection, reduce clutter, and create lifelong memories—without adding anything to the closet, drawer, or donation bin.

If you're ready to simplify your holidays, shop with intention, and give gifts that truly matter, this episode is for you.

What We Talk About in This Episode

• Why traditional gift-giving has shifted—and why it’s time to rethink it
• The four guiding rules for clutter-free gifting
• How to transition your family to experience-based gifts without overwhelm
• Thoughtful ways to choose the perfect experience for each person
• A massive list of 30 experience gift ideas ranging from free to luxurious
• How to present an experience gift so it still feels exciting to unwrap
• Long-term experience gifts that keep giving joy all year
• The magic of shared memories and DIY experience ideas
• How experience gifts can change a child’s life (yes, really!)
• When to honor loved ones’ requests for physical gifts

Plus, Julie and Janis share personal stories—camping trips, cooking subscription boxes, family experiences, and even a grandmother-granddaughter trip to Japan—that illustrate how powerful and memorable clutter-free gifting can be.

Why Experience Gifts Work

Experience gifts aren’t just “less clutter.”
They are:

• Meaningful
• Memorable
• Personalized
• Connection-building
• Budget-flexible
• Emotionally rich

And they reduce stress, storage needs, and the guilt that comes with unwanted items. Yes, please!

30 Experience Gift Ideas Mentioned

From simple to spectacular:

• DIY spa days
• Stargazing nights
• Cooking classes
• Museum passes
• Escape rooms
• Pottery lessons
• Nature walks
• Winery tours
• Ziplining
• Weekend getaways
• Luxury cruises

… and 20 more ideas to fit any budget or personality.

Perfect For:

✔ Minimalists
✔ Declutterers
✔ Busy families
✔ Parents wanting fewer toys
✔ Gift-givers who want more meaning
✔ Anyone tired of holiday overwhelm

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abcdeclutterwithjj

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📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/abcdecluttercommunity

🖥️ Website: https://www.abcdeclutter.com/

🎙️ Podcast Website: https://www.thejjsdeclutterpodcast.com/

🖥️Email: hello@abcdeclutter.com

#GiftingExperiences #ClutterFreeLiving #MinimalistGifts #DeclutterPodcast #HolidaySimplicity #IntentionalLiving #ExperienceGifts #SimplifyTheSeason #JJsDeclutterPodcast

Keep it Simple, Keep it Intentional, and - as always - Keep Decluttering!!