ORGANIZE WITH GRACE | Downsizing Help for Families | Clear Out a Home

There comes a point where many families need to address the proverbial elephant in the room: What happens to all of my parents' stuff someday? Whether you are helping aging parents downsize, supporting a move into assisted living, or simply thinking ahead for your own future, this conversation is important. In this episode, I sit down with Emily McDermott to talk about an inspiring topic (and book...

In this episode, I’m sharing who this podcast is really for and why I’ve shifted my focus toward helping the sons and daughters navigating downsizing, caregiving, and clearing out a parent’s home. If you’ve been carrying this in the background of your life and wondering where to begin, this is for you. Download the free guide: 👉  Helping Your Parent Downsize and Move

Gift bags seem harmless to keep, but over time, they can gradually multiply around the house. In this episode, I share how my own stash turned into bags of bags and a simple way to keep them under control.   Download your free declutter list below: 👉 40-plus Declutter Checklist — Organize with Grace   Thinking about downsizing? I also offer virtual downsizing planning sessions. If you'd like to f...

What if you didn’t need a full weekend to clear your closet?   In this episode, I’m sharing why “just one thing” might be the simplest and most sustainable way to begin. When decluttering feels manageable, you’re more likely to repeat it. One item at a time becomes space, relief, and momentum — without overwhelm.   If you’re ready for calm, steady progress in your home, this is your place to start...

Paper without a due date can be the hardest to deal with, like notes, lists, journals, and ideas you’re not ready to decide on yet.   In this opening episode of a short series on paper, we start with understanding why writing can feel safer than deciding, and why paper often lingers longer than we expect.   Links mentioned in this episode:   → Get this free resource and receive monthly updates fro...

January doesn’t have to be productive to count.   In this episode, I share why it’s okay if you moved slower than expected, felt tired, or didn’t follow through on New Year’s resolutions. Instead of pressure, I offer a simpler way to reflect using two simple questions that help you move forward without overwhelm.   I also speak to you who jumped into decluttering (especially paper) with momentum,...

There’s that one thing you keep meaning to deal with. The closet. The paperwork. The room you close the door on. You tell yourself you’ll get to it, but somehow you never do. In this episode, I talk about why it’s not that you don’t know where to start. It’s that doing it alone feels like too much. I share the simple first step most women are missing, why decluttering stalls halfway through, and h...

This episode is one of the most downloaded on the show, and I’m bringing it back with a fresh intro and outro for the holiday season. If you’ve ever bought something on impulse and wondered why, especially when life already feels full, this gentle replay will give you clarity and awareness. Inside this episode: • A relatable impulse buying story • Why we make emotional purchases • How small items...

Thanksgiving and the holidays evoke a range of emotions, including old memories, pressure to make everything look perfect, and the buzz of the season that never seems to slow down.   In this episode, we’re taking a deep breath together and asking one simple question.   Get ready to slow down for a few minutes while we do an honest reflection about holiday expectations, and a simple way to create t...

In this episode, I talk with you about slowing down long enough to actually feel ready for the season...not rushed, not behind, just steady and clear. If life has been moving fast and you’ve been wanting a moment to breathe and reset, this will meet you right where you are. And if you want to go a little deeper with me, you can join the 2-Day Calm Before the Holidays Reset. It’s something I create...

Hey friend, this little 3-part series is something I put together to help us slow down before the holidays start speeding up. If you’ve been feeling that pressure to jump into all the things already, these short episodes will give you a moment to breathe and come back to yourself. We’re just taking it one small step at a time, simple pauses, gentle reflection, and a chance to settle your nervous s...

I used to think I just needed better bins or a new system. But what I’ve learned is that we often do everything around the clutter: labeling, sorting, reorganizing,  instead of facing the real decisions that bring peace and freedom. In this episode, I share why clutter is a lot like moving credit card debt around instead of paying it off, and how slowing down can help you find calm before the holi...

Have you ever wondered why downsizing has become such a big part of our lives? Join me as we explore the history of downsizing, from multi-generational homes to the rise of consumerism, to understand its impact on us today.  Stay until the end so you can take the next forward step towards your downsizing journey. If you’ve been thinking about downsizing, decluttering, or creating a simpler home, t...

Are you waiting for the perfect bins or the perfect plan before you start decluttering? In this episode, I share how perfectionism keeps us stuck, why clarity comes through action (not waiting), and how one small step today can create real momentum. If you'd love my simple checklist to help you take the very first step, send me an email at grace@organizewithgrace.com and I'll get it right to you....

What if the reason you haven’t decluttered that drawer, or made that move, or followed through on your goals isn’t because there is something wrong with you? What if your nervous system is simply overwhelmed and doing its job to protect you? In this “mini” episode, I talk about something happening behind the scenes: a new series that explores the deep connection between nervous system regulation a...

I’m opening up about a big shift in how I see decluttering and downsizing. For years, I shared tips like “set a timer” or “start small”. But what happens when even those steps feel unreachable? I am learning that it’s about our nervous system. Together, we’ll talk about why clutter can leave us feeling stuck, what survival mode looks like in everyday life, and how finding calm and safety first can...

Feeling behind in your home or life? In this episode, we explore where that feeling comes from and why the truth might surprise you: you’re not behind. Learn how to release the pressure, embrace progress over perfection, and give yourself permission to reset your mindset and your home while decluttering and organizing. Ready to get started? Click HERE to answer a few quick questions, and let's sma...

Is your closet overflowing, but you still feel like you have nothing to wear?  Help is here! Nationally known stylist and color expert Shari Braendel shares with us how the right colors and fewer clothes can help you feel more confident and less stressed. If you’re ready to simplify, feel good in your clothes, and rediscover your style, this episode is for you.   Learn more about Shari: https://ww...

In this special 100th episode of the Organize With Grace podcast, I’m reflecting on the top lessons I’ve learned through professional organizing and hosting a show focused on decluttering, downsizing, and navigating life transitions. I’ll walk you through seven key truths I’ve seen again and again, from decision fatigue and the emotions that decluttering evokes to the fear of letting go and the po...

In this episode, I sit down with Sheri Valdez, who has many hats: realtor, mom of five, and seasoned guide through the often-emotional journey of buying or selling a home during a life transition. Whether you're considering downsizing, helping a loved one through a move, or preparing for your next chapter, Sheri shares invaluable insights into what really matters when making a home feel right for...

Are you tired of decluttering your home only to find it filled with stuff again months later? In this enlightening conversation with Dr. Christine Koh, host of the Edit Your Life Show, we chat about the psychology behind our attachment to possessions and discover practical strategies to break the "re-cluttering" cycle for good. Christine shares her transformative mantra that changed how she approa...

In this episode, I discuss why decluttering and downsizing need self-compassion and grace, not perfectionism.  I also share three simple tips to make downsizing less stressful: celebrate small wins, accept your feelings about letting things go, and define what "enough" progress means for your situation. Are you feeling stuck with your decluttering projects or planning a move? If so, this episode o...

Do you find that your messy home feels like a reflection of your heart and self-worth? Join us for a refreshingly honest conversation with Dana K. White, the beloved creator of "A Slob Comes Clean." In this episode, Dana opens up about her personal struggles with clutter and shares how her journey from chaos to clarity began with the creation of an anonymous blog. This blog started as an accountab...

Hey! If you're beating yourself up about those New Year's resolutions already falling apart, you need to hear this episode. I get super real about my own 4 AM dishwasher adventures (yes, really!) and why January feeling like a total blur is actually totally okay. I share this "as real as it gets" situated about helping a family handle an emergency downsize that really puts things in perspective. P...

🏡 Emergency Ready Home: Why Organization Could Save What You Value Most As wildfires impact Los Angeles communities, we're sharing a thoughtful reflection on home preparedness - not for those currently affected, but for those of us watching and wondering, "What if?" Together, we explore the connection between an organized home and emergency readiness. Through sensitive discussion of current event...