310: How to Break Free from Anxiety and Find Your Lifes Purpose with Martha Beck
Ever feel like the world’s designed to keep you anxious… and stuck? You’re not alone. And today’s guest—Martha Beck, best-selling author and world-renowned life coach—is here to show us a gentler way forward. In this episode, Martha shares the soul-soothing, science-backed strategies from her latest book, “Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life’s Purpose.” We dive deep into why anxiety is on the rise (and what you can do to quiet it), how to live in a “circle world” even when life feels like a box, and the simple actions that unlock your purpose—no hustle required. 🎙️ Inside this conversation: 🌿 How your environment (yes, even your kitchen counters!) can either fuel anxiety or bring calm 🌱 Why modern life is like living in a box… and how to create your own circles of peace, creativity, and connection 🧠 The real reason your brain is stuck in the anxiety spiral (it’s not your fault!) 💡 The magic of “sense drenching” and how it can melt anxiety in minutes 💛 Why your life’s purpose isn’t something you have to find—it’s something you live, one step at a time Martha’s insights are more than just tips—they’re an invitation to come home to yourself. To swap out overwhelm for curiosity. To finally create the calm and purpose you know you’re craving. Because when we declutter the noise and listen to our soul’s quiet whispers? That’s where real peace—and real purpose—live. 🔗 Links & Resources: Martha’s must-read book: “Beyond Anxiety” (https://marthabeck.com/beyond-anxiety/) Free Anxiety Toolkit (https://marthabeck.com/exercises/) from Martha to help you put these ideas into practice Join my free weekly newsletter, Ready, Set, Simplify, (https://www.katyjoywells.com/simplify) for more ways to calm the chaos in your home (and head!) 👉 Let’s step out of the box, into the circle, and find the freedom you’ve been waiting for. Hit play and let’s simplify, together.
--------
45:18
309: Life Advice You'll Actually Use Gretchen Rubins Secrets of Adulthood
If you’ve ever felt torn between wanting to improve yourself and just wanting to be… this episode is for you. I sat down with Gretchen Rubin—best-selling author, researcher, and self-knowledge expert—to unpack some of her most powerful insights from her book, “Secrets of Adulthood.” We’re talking about real-life advice you can actually use… the kind that makes you go, “Oh, that’s me.” 👉 No one-size-fits-all life hacks. 👉 No endless to-do lists. 👉 Just honest, practical wisdom about how to be a little more you—and a little happier in the process. 🎙️ What You’ll Hear: Gretchen’s favorite secrets of adulthood—like why “no tool fits every hand” is a game-changer for simplifying your life The surprising link between self-knowledge and decluttering (yes, your home and your mind!) How to stop “arrival fallacy” thinking—where we wait for someday to feel happier or enough Tips for balancing ambition with acceptance… because love is unconditional (and demanding!) Why self-awareness is the missing piece to everything from better mornings to real calm ✨ Why It Matters: So often, we’re bombarded with advice that doesn’t fit our lives or personalities. Gretchen and I dive deep into how to find what actually works for you—and why knowing yourself is the ultimate clutter cure. Because when you truly know yourself, you can build a life that feels lighter, calmer, and more aligned with what matters most. 🔗 Links & Resources: Grab Gretchen’s book, Secrets of Adulthood (https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Adulthood-Simple-Truths-Complex/dp/0593800737), for even more bite-sized wisdom you’ll want to stick on your fridge (link in show notes!) Love this kind of conversation? Join my free weekly newsletter, Ready, Set, Simplify (https://www.katyjoywells.com/simplify), for bite-sized tips and pep talks to help you declutter your home and your mind 👉 Ready for some of the best life advice you’ll ever hear? Hit play and let’s simplify—inside and out.
--------
40:07
308: Too Busy to Declutter 7 Tiny Wins You Can Grab in 5 Minutes or Less
Ever looked around your house and thought, “Where would I even start?” Maybe the idea of decluttering feels overwhelming—like you need a whole weekend, a label maker, and a small army to make progress. But what if I told you that big results don’t require big time? In this episode of the Maximized Minimalist, I’m flipping the script on what it really takes to simplify your space—and your headspace. I’m sharing 7 ridiculously doable decluttering wins you can grab in five minutes or less… even if your schedule is slammed. No perfect conditions required. No color-coded bins necessary. If you’ve ever felt stuck because you didn’t have time, energy, or motivation—this episode will help you get started (and feel good doing it). What You’ll Learn: Why traditional decluttering advice might be sabotaging your progress The nightstand trick that can create a domino effect of calm What your purse really says about your stress level (👀) My favorite way to clear digital clutter that takes less time than brewing coffee And the one drawer you definitely need to rename ASAP Real talk: It’s not about doing it all. It’s about doing something. Listen now for 7 quick wins that’ll leave you thinking, “Wait… decluttering can feel this good?” Links Mentioned: Want to breathe easier? I love AirDoctor (https://www.airdoctorpro.com) for cleaning up the invisible clutter in my home. Use code MAX for up to $300 off + a free 3-year warranty. Need a weekly nudge to simplify your life? Join my free newsletter (https://www.katyjoywells.com/simplify) for 60-second decluttering tips that actually fit your life.
--------
14:16
307: Feeling Stressed? How to Reset Your Nervous System with Michelle Grosser
Do you feel like your body is constantly on high alert—even when nothing’s technically wrong? Or maybe you wake up already tired, feel wired-but-exhausted by 2 PM, and no matter how much you “rest,” it never feels like enough? You're not broken, friend. You're likely stuck in nervous system dysregulation—and today’s episode will help you get back into alignment. I’m joined by Michelle Grosser, a nervous system coach, somatic practitioner, and former trial attorney who now helps women regulate stress, calm overwhelm, and feel safe and present again in their bodies and lives. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What a dysregulated nervous system actually is—and why it matters How to tell if you’re stuck in fight, flight, or freeze (even if you're “functioning”) Simple 90-second practices to regulate your nervous system on the spot Why hustle feels “safe” to your brain—and how to rewire that response How slowing down physically can create more clarity, peace, and energy 🔥 Quick, Practical Tools Shared: The Physiological Sigh — the 3-second breath technique that soothes your system instantly The Shake + Move Method — what your body needs when you feel anxious or overstimulated Cold touch hacks (yes, frozen peas can regulate your vagus nerve!) The Sensory Grounding Scan — perfect for when you feel stuck, numb, or foggy 💡 Your Takeaway Today: You don’t have to earn your rest. You don’t have to hustle for your worth. And you don’t have to live in a body that feels like a battlefield. There are simple, gentle tools that help your nervous system exhale—and once you learn them, everything shifts. 📥 Want More Support? Grab Michelle’s free Nervous System Reset Guide here: 👉 michellegrosser.com/reset And be sure to follow Michelle for more somatic tips: 📲 Instagram: @itsmichellegrosser 🎙️ Podcast: The Calm Mom 💛 Simplify Even More with These Resources: Ready to Declutter Even More? Check Out These Resources: 🚀 Get FAST Results with My Free Guide: 75 Things to Declutter Right Now Need a quick win? This guide helps you clear space and see results fast. 📥 https://www.katyjoywells.com/declutter 💡 Work 1-on-1 With Me Need personalized support to simplify your life? Let’s create a plan that works for you. 💼 https://www.katyjoywells.com/innercircle 🏡 Get Your Personalized Home Management Blueprint Want a step-by-step plan to manage your home effortlessly? Let’s create your custom blueprint. 📝 https://www.katyjoywells.com/home-management-mastery 📲 Connect with Me on Instagram Follow me for daily decluttering tips, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes peeks into my life. 💛 https://www.instagram.com/katyjoywells
--------
28:24
306: The Summer Declutter Plan 5 Things to Let Go of Now for a Lighter Season Ahead
☀️ Ready for a calmer, lighter summer? Let’s make that happen—starting with your stuff. If summer’s approaching and you’re already feeling behind—hello, cluttered counters, mystery sunscreen stash, and overflowing school papers—this episode is your roadmap to reset. In this episode, I’m walking you through 5 specific things to declutter now that will make your summer feel easier, more peaceful, and way more manageable. No massive overhaul. No organizing binge. Just small, powerful wins that help you create the margin you’re craving. Because here’s the truth: You don’t need more bins or a color-coded summer calendar. You need space—for joy, rest, fun, and being present. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 1️⃣ How to Clear the End-of-School-Year Dump Zone (Without Guilt) Tired of stacks of artwork and random folders piling up? I’ll show you how to quickly process school papers—and how to make one decision that eliminates the overwhelm for good. 2️⃣ The Easy Way to Declutter Last Year’s Summer Gear No more moldy towels, broken goggles, or expired sunscreen hanging around. Learn how to create a quick “maybe” bin to make decluttering painless and kid-friendly. 3️⃣ A 10-Minute Pantry Reset for Summer Sanity Toss the stale snacks, organize your overflow, and create a grab-and-go summer snack bin your kids can actually use—without asking you 47 times a day. 4️⃣ How to Let Go of Your “Maybe Someday” Summer Projects This is the pep talk you didn’t know you needed. You don’t have to organize your whole house or start a garden to have a meaningful summer. I’ll help you pick one thing—and release the rest with zero guilt. 5️⃣ Breaking Free from the Pressure to “Do Summer Right” This one goes deep. I’m sharing what shifted for me when I gave up being the Pinterest-perfect fun mom and chose presence over performance. 💡 One Powerful Reminder from This Episode: “Summer doesn’t need to be productive to be valuable. It just needs space to be what you need it to be.” 💬 Your Challenge This Week: Pick one clutter zone we talked about—school paper piles, summer gear, or your pantry—and give yourself just 10 minutes to tackle it. Then pause, breathe, and soak in the difference it makes. 🎧 Loved this episode? Share it with a friend who’s feeling summer stress before school even ends. And if you haven’t yet, be sure to subscribe so you never miss the simple mindset shifts and micro-wins that make a big impact. Ready, Set, Simplify – bye! 💛 Simplify Even More with These Resources: Ready to Declutter Even More? Check Out These Resources: 🚀 Get FAST Results with My Free Guide: 75 Things to Declutter Right Now Need a quick win? This guide helps you clear space and see results fast. 📥 https://www.katyjoywells.com/declutter 💡 Work 1-on-1 With Me Need personalized support to simplify your life? Let’s create a plan that works for you. 💼 https://www.katyjoywells.com/innercircle 🏡 Get Your Personalized Home Management Blueprint Want a step-by-step plan to manage your home effortlessly? Let’s create your custom blueprint. 📝 https://www.katyjoywells.com/home-management-mastery 📲 Connect with Me on Instagram Follow me for daily decluttering tips, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes peeks into my life. 💛 https://www.instagram.com/katyjoywells
You’ve decluttered before…so why does the mess keep coming back?
You’ve done the checklists, the bins, the late-night cleanouts—only to find yourself right back where you started.
It’s not your fault. You’ve just never been taught to declutter in a way that actually works long-term.
The Maximized Minimalist is the go-to podcast for women ready to declutter their homes, lighten their mental load, and finally feel in control of their space—and their life.
With over 5 million listens and a spot in the Top 50 global podcasts, host and holistic decluttering expert Katy Wells shares a fresh take on what it really means to clear the clutter—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Whether you’re:
✔️ Drowning in laundry and clutter
✔️ Feeling behind on everything (including your own to-do list)
✔️ Tired of organizing the same space over and over
✔️ Or just craving a calmer, more peaceful home
This show will help you go from overwhelmed to in control—without the pressure to be perfect.
Inside each episode, you’ll get:
✔️Practical strategies you can implement in 10 minutes or less
✔️Mindset shifts to help you let go (even of the sentimental stuff)
✔️Encouragement to quiet the guilt, the “what ifs,” and the mental load
✔️And simple systems to help you keep the progress going
You might be wondering:
“How do I get my family on board?”
“What if I have emotional attachments to everything?”
“Why do I declutter and it still doesn’t feel ‘done’?”
“Can I really simplify when life feels so full?”
These are the exact questions Katy answers every week—with honesty, real-life examples, and step-by-step guidance that actually works for busy families.
Whether you’re deep in clutter or just craving a little more breathing room—you’re in the right place.
🎧 New episodes every Wednesday
🎁 Start simplifying with Katy’s FREE guide: https://www.katyjoywells.com/declutter
📲 Learn more at: https://www.katyjoywells.com
Ready, Set, Simplify!
USA