Ever look around your house and think, "How did it get this bad?"
You're not failing at being an adult, friend — you're just human.

In this episode of The Maximized Minimalist Podcast, we're walking through my signature method, The DASH Framework, to help you figure out exactly what's behind your clutter (and what to do about it).

You'll learn how to tell whether you're dealing with everyday mess, deeper clutter, or a system that simply needs tweaking, so you can stop spinning your wheels and finally create a home that feels light, manageable, and peaceful again.

If you've ever tried to organize clutter, declutter what wasn't actually clutter, or wondered why the chaos keeps coming back, this episode will be a game-changer.

• How to tell the difference between "expected mess" and true clutter — and why each needs a totally different solution.
• Why mess and clutter raise stress hormones (yes, really) and how to lower that mental load that's keeping you reactive.
• What to do when your home feels overwhelming — without starting from scratch or burning it all down.
• The DASH Method explained and how to use it anytime your home starts spiraling.
• How to know which step to focus on next so you don't waste time, energy, or money solving the wrong problem.

Want the full walkthrough?
👉 Get the DASH Step-by-Step Masterclass inside Clutter Cure Club: (https://www.katyjoywells.com/cluttercureclub-page837548)

Inside Clutter Cure Club, members are using DASH to find calm again:

• Megan realized her family room chaos wasn't clutter — her toy system just needed an update.

• Jen added a catch-all basket for mail and papers, instantly clearing her counters.

• Tanya turned her nightly reset from resentment to relaxation with a cup of tea and her favorite playlist.

Each woman solved a different kind of "mess," but the outcome was the same: peace, not perfection.

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• Join Clutter Cure Club
  Want to create a home that feels light, peaceful, and aligned with what truly matters?
  Inside CCC, we turn powerful mindset shifts (like today's episode) into small, doable changes that last.
  👉 Join me inside the Clutter Cure Club (https://www.katyjoywells.com/cluttercureclub-page837548)
• Join the Ready, Set, Simplify Newsletter
  Over 35,000 women read it weekly for clutter-busting tips, tiny mindset shifts, and practical steps to simplify your home and your life.
  👉 Sign up here (https://www.katyjoywells.com/simplify)
  
  
• Come Say Hi on Instagram
  Behind-the-scenes and real-life simplicity. @katyjoywells

If this episode helped you breathe a little deeper (literally and figuratively), share it with a friend who's drowning in the mess right now.

And if you haven't yet — hit Follow and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review. It helps other women find the show and join our community of Simplifiers who are trading perfection for peace.

The holidays are supposed to feel magical, but let's be honest — sometimes they just feel messy.
Between packed calendars, Pinterest pressure, and the endless to-do lists, it's easy to forget what this season is really about: connection.

In this cozy, feel-good episode of the Maximized Minimalist Podcast, host Katy Wells shares nine no-stress holiday traditions that bring back the joy, warmth, and presence you've been craving.

You'll walk away with ideas that are simple to start, fun for the whole family, and proven (by you — the listeners!) to create the kind of memories your kids will still talk about years from now.

Grab your cocoa (or cold Americano 😉) and let's make the holidays calm, connected, and actually meaningful again.

1️⃣ The secret to stress-free holiday traditions — why the best memories come from connection, not perfection.
2️⃣ Nine easy, cozy ideas that don't require extra shopping, Pinterest crafts, or late-night wrapping marathons.
3️⃣ How to know when a tradition needs to evolve so it still fits your current season of life.
4️⃣ Simple ways to spark nostalgia and gratitude through everyday rituals like pizza night or "Seasonal Soup Sundays."
5️⃣ Real listener traditions you'll want to steal — from cookie deliveries to ER staff to gratitude garlands and Christmas-tree-skirt handprints.

• Holiday Light Scavenger Hunt – pile the family in the car, turn on the playlist, and count Santas, snowmen & glowing reindeer.

• Hot Chocolate Bar Night – low-lift, high-joy. (Pretzels in cocoa optional 😂)

• Cozy Holiday Campout – sleeping bags + Christmas movie + living-room floor = instant memory.

• Outdoor Movie Night – turn your backyard into a drive-in (projector + marshmallows = magic).

• Gratitude Garland – create a colorful paper chain of daily "thankfuls."

• Seasonal Soup Sundays – a warm, grounding ritual that melts the Sunday Scaries.

• Family Gratitude Workout – burn off the pie and fill up on laughter and gratitude.

Each of these ideas checks the box for meaningful, not messy — because your December doesn't need more pressure. It needs peace.

• Connection > Perfection: Traditions don't have to look picture-perfect to matter.

• Simplify the Season: Pick one or two ideas that genuinely light you up.

• Let Go Gracefully: It's okay to evolve or skip traditions that no longer serve your family.

• Small Rhythms = Big Memories: Pizza Fridays, movie nights, or soup Sundays count just as much as Christmas morning.

Join Clutter Cure Club
Want to create a home that feels light, peaceful, and aligned with what truly matters?
Inside CCC, we turn powerful mindset shifts (like today's episode) into small, doable changes that last.
👉 Join me inside the Clutter Cure Club (https://www.katyjoywells.com/cluttercureclub-page837548)

Join the Ready, Set, Simplify Newsletter
Over 35,000 women read it weekly for clutter-busting tips, tiny mindset shifts, and practical steps to simplify your home and your life.
👉 Sign up here (https://www.katyjoywells.com/simplify)

Come Say Hi on Instagram
Behind-the-scenes and real-life simplicity. @katyjoywells

If this episode brought a smile, share it with a friend who's craving a calmer Christmas.
And if you haven't already, hit Follow and leave a quick ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review — your words help more women discover a simpler, more joyful holiday season.

What is up, Simplifiers? I'm so excited you're here. In today's episode of the Maximized Minimalist Podcast, we dive into one of those uncharted territories that doesn't always come up when we're talking about decluttering our homes: the money side of our life-seasons. Because listen—moving houses, starting school, kids growing up, sending them off, career shifts… these aren't just about stuff. They shake up our finances, our routines, our mental load, and yes, our homes.

I brought on my two AMAZING guests — finance strategists and self-proclaimed "budget besties," Vanessa and Shana (yes, alliteration and all the good vibes) — to unpack how transitions impact money, how you can build guardrails (just like you do with your home), and how you can walk into the next season with more peace, presence, and joy instead of overwhelm and guilt.

Whether you're prepping for a move, entering a new parent phase, supporting teens, or just feeling the mental load of "what's next?" — this episode is for you. We'll meet you where you are and give you the tools to create financial clarity and calm.

1. Why life transitions (moving, growing kids, career shifts) trigger money stress.
   Our guest experts walk through how what's already stressful + what's already money-stress = a double dose of overwhelm.

2. How to set up financial systems that run on auto­pilot so you don't have to hold it all.
   Think: separate accounts for bills, spending, savings. Guardrails for your money so you can move forward freely. (Yes — budgets that feel like freedom, not friction.)

3. How to have the "money talk" with your partner, kids, and yourself — without the guilt or the tension.
   Because simplifying your home helped you breathe; this will help your bank account breathe.

4. Turning a big change into a chance for clarity, not chaos.
   When you name the savings account "Mini Pony Fund" or "Moving House Buffer," you're giving purpose to your money. You're anchoring it to what matters.

1️⃣ You don't have to feel bad about money stress — it's just a signal you need a new system.
You're not broken. You're simply trying to run with yesterday's budget in today's season.

2️⃣ Money systems + automation = calm in the midst of the shift.
Set up accounts that do the work for you, so you can focus on your dance parties, slow mornings, and the people you love.

3️⃣ This is a team conversation. Don't DIY your finances in silence.
Bring your partner or your older kids into it. Dream together. Name together. Build together.

• Visit Vanessa & Shayna at Budget Besties for their upcoming 5-day bootcamp: budgetbesties.com/bootcamp

• Check out the "Financial Coaching for Women" podcast (where they break down every single one of these steps)

• Grab a pen and paper (or your phone notes) and ask yourself: What do I want my money to do for me this season?

• Love this show? Subscribe to the Maximized Minimalist Podcast so you never miss an episode.

• Follow me on Instagram at @katyjoywells for behind-the-scenes, tips on simplifying your home and your bank account.

• Want to revisit the "declutter your home" side while you work on your money side? Check out the Clutter Cure Club at https://www.katyjoywells.com/cluttercureclub-page

If you walked away from this episode feeling more empowered, more clear, or more "I've got this," will you do me a huge favor? Head to Apple Pods (or wherever you listen), hit subscribe, and leave a review. When you do, you help other overwhelmed women find this show and start turning their homes and their finances into happy places. 🎙❤️

Thanks for being here, friend. Ready, set, simplify—and let's budget boldly, live freely, and create a home and a life that gives back more than it takes. See you next time!