100: Life-Changing Hacks to Make Tech Your Personal Assistant with Amanda Jefferson
We made it to 100 episodes of Paring Down! For this milestone, I wanted a super practical episode that will change your life.
So I sat down with the incredible Tech Whisperer, Amanda Jefferson, to talk about simple, life-changing hacks that help you make technology your personal assistant (instead of your enemy).
*No apps mentioned in this episode are sponsored. But we get to the nitty gritty with exact app names, specific Alexa features, and even which buttons to push on certain set ups.
In this episode, we cover how tech can assist with:
• family shared calendars
• grocery lists
• meal planning
• travel itineraries
• time blocking
• password managing
• email reminders
• maintaining habits
• decluttering photos on your phone
This conversation will make you wonder how you ever lived without these hacks!
Paring Down Instagram: @paring_down
Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
Paring Down Blog
Paring Down YouTube
AMANDA JEFFERSON
Instagram: @hey.amandaj
Website: indigoorganizing.com
APPS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Calendly (for scheduling appointments)
Motion (for time management)
Reminders Feature for Grocery ListChrome BookmarksTrip It App (for managing travel itineraries)
1Password (for managing passwords)Superhuman (for managing emails)
Hello Fresh (Get 10 free meals at this link)
Cleaner Kit (for decluttering digital photos)
Whats App (for communication)
Marco Polo (for communication)
SHANNON'S BOOK REVIEWS
Fiction
Nonfiction
100th EPISODE—FAVORITE EPISODES OF PARING DOWN:
50: The Guilt & Fear of Decluttering Gifts
81: The Art of Making Friends & How it Helps Us Declutter
19: Decluttering as a Couple with my husband, Aaron Leyko
77: What If I End Up Needing What I've Decluttered?
25: Releasing Shame When Decluttering with ADHD with Elena Willitts
94: Practical Advice for Living Intentionally with 7x NYT Bestselling Author Gretchen Rubin
85: Become an Essentialist with NYT Bestselling Author, Greg McKeown
72: Reclaiming the Sacred: Does Money Make Us Happier? with Jeff Golden
48: Decluttering Books as a Book Lover
5: Decluttering Sentimental Items
91: Things that Feel Illegal to Declutter (But Aren't)
45: Determining Your Priorities with Ashli Pollard
PARING DOWN RESOURCES:
Free Decluttering Checklist
Treasures of the Heart: A 7-Day Bible Study on Breaking Free from Material Attachments (free)
Complete Guide to Decluttering Kid Stuff
Free 15 Clutter-Free Gift Ideas
Free Gift Request Email Template
Free Know Your Why Worksheet
SPONSORS:
$300 off Air Doctor Pro air purifier: https://airdoctorpro.com/ - Use code PARING
Ethical, luxury women's clothing at Quince.com/paring for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!
10 Free Meals from Hello Fresh: www.hellofresh.com/paring10fm
20% OFF any AquaTru water purifier when you go to AquaTru.com and use promo code PARING
$15/month 5G wireless with Mint Mobile: www.mintmobile.com/paring
20% off chic, soft closet staples from Splendid: https://splendid.com/ - use code PARING at checkout
For Hers Hair Growth: https://www.forhers.com/paring
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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99: 7 Tips to Conquer Decluttering Burnout
Has decluttering become more overwhelming than freeing? You’re not alone. In this episode of Paring Down, I share how to reset when your'e completely burned out.
I hit some major burnout of my own this week, so hopefully the examples from my own life will give you fresh ideas to move forward.
Inside this episode, you’ll hear:
Why decluttering burnout happens (and why it doesn’t mean you’ve failed)
A mix of practical strategies and mindset shifts to keep you from throwing in the towel
The difference between intentional rest vs. taking a break
And plenty more. When you finish listening, I hope you’re ready to make progress with decluttering that doesn’t feel like a slog.
Paring Down Instagram: @paring_down
Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
Paring Down Blog
Paring Down YouTube
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
FREE TICKET to the Get Organized HQ Virtual Summit
My Daughter Needs Me
The L.E.S.S. Express
Paring Down Substack
Ep 89: The Key to Staying Motivated to Declutter
Ep 97: Harnessing the Scientific Power of Enthusiasm
Ep 77: What If I End Up Needing What I've Decluttered?
PARING DOWN RESOURCES:
The L.E.S.S. Express weekly newsletter
Free Decluttering Checklist
Free 10 Life-Changing Decluttering Hacks
Treasures of the Heart: A 7-Day Bible Study on Breaking Free from Material Attachments (free)
Complete Guide to Decluttering Kid Stuff
Free 15 Clutter-Free Gift Ideas
Free Gift Request Email Template
Free Know Your Why Worksheet
SPONSORS:
20% OFF any AquaTru water purifier when you go to AquaTru.com and use promo code PARING
$300 off Air Doctor Pro air purifier: https://airdoctorpro.com/ - Use code PARING
Ethical, luxury women's clothing at Quince.com/paring for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!
10 Free Meals from Hello Fresh: www.hellofresh.com/paring10fm
20% OFF any AquaTru water purifier when you go to AquaTru.com and use promo code PARING
$15/month 5G wireless with Mint Mobile: www.mintmobile.com/paring
20% off chic, soft closet staples from Splendid: https://splendid.com/ - use code PARING at checkout
For Hers Hair Growth: https://www.forhers.com/paring
15% off all Lume products like aluminum-free deodorant at lumedeodorant.com- use code PARING
Only $1.99 per meal with EveryPlate meal service - code paring199: www.everyplate.com/podcast
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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36:34
98: Shaping Your Home to Support Your Wants & Needs with Mia Danielle
If your house feels like it's working against you—or you can't seem to keep the clutter from coming back—this episode is for you.
After her divorce, today's guest Mia Danielle realized she needed to create a home that supported her, somewhat like a partner in life. That transition sparked her journey into minimalism and intentional living, where she began designing a home that worked for her, not against her.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How to create a home that supports your wants, needs, and lifestyle
Why traditional decluttering often fails and leads to the clutter cycle
Mia’s holistic approach to decluttering and minimalism
Small but powerful shifts to make your home feel like a supporter, not a stressor
Paring Down Instagram: @paring_down
Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
Paring Down Blog
Paring Down YouTube
MIA DANIELLE
Instagram: @itsmiadanielle
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MiaDanielle
Website: miadanielle.com
Resources: miadanielle.com/freebies
PARING DOWN RESOURCES:
Free Decluttering Checklist
Treasures of the Heart: A 7-Day Bible Study on Breaking Free from Material Attachments (free)
Complete Guide to Decluttering Kid Stuff
Free 15 Clutter-Free Gift Ideas
Free Gift Request Email Template
Free Know Your Why Worksheet
SPONSORS:
$300 off Air Doctor Pro air purifier: https://airdoctorpro.com/ - Use code PARING
Ethical, luxury women's clothing at Quince.com/paring for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!
10 Free Meals from Hello Fresh: www.hellofresh.com/paring10fm
20% OFF any AquaTru water purifier when you go to AquaTru.com and use promo code PARING
$15/month 5G wireless with Mint Mobile: www.mintmobile.com/paring
20% off chic, soft closet staples from Splendid: https://splendid.com/ - use code PARING at checkout
For Hers Hair Growth: https://www.forhers.com/paring
15% off all Lume products like aluminum-free deodorant at lumedeodorant.com- use code PARING
Only $1.99 per meal with EveryPlate meal service - code paring199: www.everyplate.com/podcast
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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97: Harnessing the Scientific Power of Enthusiasm to Declutter
In this episode of the Paring Down podcast, we uncover the surprising science of how enthusiasm can fuel your decluttering journey—and why your excitement matters more than you think.
You’ll discover:
How mirror neurons influence everyone in your home to get on board with decluttering
Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions and how joy leads to even more progress
The importance of cultivating harmonious passion so decluttering feels sustainable over time
Paring Down Instagram: @paring_down
Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
Paring Down Blog
Paring Down YouTube
MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE
The L.E.S.S. Express newsletter
My Instagram carousel about career breaks
Book: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Book: Hidden Potential by Adam Grant
PARING DOWN RESOURCES:
Free Decluttering Checklist
Treasures of the Heart: A 7-Day Bible Study on Breaking Free from Material Attachments (free)
Complete Guide to Decluttering Kid Stuff
Free 15 Clutter-Free Gift Ideas
Free Gift Request Email Template
Free Know Your Why Worksheet
SPONSORS:
Ethical, luxury women's clothing at Quince.com/paring for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!
10 Free Meals from Hello Fresh: www.hellofresh.com/paring10fm
$15/month 5G wireless with Mint Mobile: www.mintmobile.com/paring
20% off chic, soft closet staples from Splendid: https://splendid.com/ - use code PARING at checkout
For Hers Hair Growth: https://www.forhers.com/paring
15% off all Lume products like aluminum-free deodorant at lumedeodorant.com- use code PARING
Only $1.99 per meal with EveryPlate meal service - code paring199: www.everyplate.com/podcast
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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96: How to Make Your Home Feel Warm & Welcoming with Etiquette Coach, Alison Cheperdak
In this episode of Paring Down, I’m joined by etiquette coach Alison Cheperdak to talk about how to create a home that feels warm, inviting, and deeply welcoming, which includes motivation to declutter (without going overboard!), as well as emotionally intelligent ways to create personal connection.
She lets us know:
What to do if someone gives you a gift you don’t love (without feeling rude)
The one thing you can do that instantly makes guests feel welcome the second they walk through the door
The best way to ask guests to leave at the end of the night without outright asking them
If you want to become more hospitable without worrying so much about if your home is good enough, you'll get a ton out of this episode!
Paring Down Instagram: @paring_down
Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
Paring Down Blog
Paring Down YouTube
ALISON CHEPERDAK
Instagram: @elevateetiquette
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elevateetiquette
Website: elevateettiquite.com
MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE
Ep 48: How to Declutter Books as a Book Lover
PARING DOWN RESOURCES:
Free Decluttering Checklist
Treasures of the Heart: A 7-Day Bible Study on Breaking Free from Material Attachments (free)
Complete Guide to Decluttering Kid Stuff
Free 15 Clutter-Free Gift Ideas
Free Gift Request Email Template
Free Know Your Why Worksheet
SPONSORS:
Ethical, luxury women's clothing at Quince.com/paring for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!
10 Free Meals from Hello Fresh: www.hellofresh.com/paring10fm
$15/month 5G wireless with Mint Mobile: www.mintmobile.com/paring
20% off chic, soft closet staples from Splendid: https://splendid.com/ - use code PARING at checkout
For Hers Hair Growth: https://www.forhers.com/paring
15% off all Lume products like aluminum-free deodorant at lumedeodorant.com- use code PARING
Only $1.99 per meal with EveryPlate meal service - code paring199: www.everyplate.com/podcast
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
About Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, & intentional living
If staunch minimalism feels too extreme, but you want to declutter your house to alleviate some stress, this is the podcast for you. Shannon Leyko's style is like having your best friend in your ear, helping you get past those tough mental roadblocks that are keeping you from decluttering the things you don't need. From New York Times bestselling authors to everyday people in the trenches of life, Shannon's guests give practical tips and mindset advice for intentional living and self-improvement.
Listen to Paring Down if you've ever asked yourself...
Where do I start decluttering my house?
Where do I start decluttering when overwhelmed?
How do I declutter if I have ADHD?
What if I end up needing something I decluttered?
How can I stop shopping my shopping addiction?
How do I stop being stressed?
How do I keep my house clean?
How do I tidy my room?
How do I get my husband or wife to declutter?
How many toys should a child have?
How can I save money?
What is minimalism?
How can I be a minimalist with kids?
What should I declutter first?
How can I be a conscious consumer?
Find more of Shannon's work:
Instagram: @paring_down
Substack: https://shannonleyko.substack.com/
Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ParingDown
Listen to Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, & intentional living, EdTech Connect and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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