106: How Comparison Fuels Clutter & Financial Constraint with Amy Slenker-Smith
We are being influenced by way of comparison more than we even realize, and this episode is a really inspiring and uplifting conversation about learning to live in a way that we love—not letting advertising or insecurity drive our choices.
I sat down to talk with Amy Slenker-Smith, founder of Simply Enough, about how comparison quietly drives both clutter and overspending.
We explore
how advertising shapes what we think we “need”
how to create a home and life that reflect your values—not what social media or society tells you they should be.
the difference between healthy inspiration and harmful comparison
And more!
You'll walk away feeling more peace, clarity, and confidence in your own choices.
Paring Down Instagram: @paring_down
Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
Paring Down Blog
Paring Down YouTube
AMY SLENKER-SMITH
Website: https://www.simplyenough.net/
Instagram: @simplyenoughamy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slenkersmith
PARING DOWN RESOURCES:
Free Decluttering Checklist
10 Life-Changing Decluttering Hacks (free)
Treasures of the Heart: A 7-Day Bible Study on Breaking Free from Material Attachments (free)
Free 15 Clutter-Free Gift Ideas
Free Gift Request Email Template
Free Know Your Why Worksheet
Complete Guide to Decluttering Kid Stuff
SPONSORS:
20% off Longevity Mitopure Gummies for Urolithin A at timeline.com/PARING
15% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to Prolon’s 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet. *remember this is for metabolic health, not simply a weight loss hack*: prolonlife.com/paring
Ethical, luxury women's clothing at Quince.com/paring for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!
High-quality, eco-friendly activewear at fabletics.com/PARING - sign up as a VIP and get 80% off everything.
$300 off Air Doctor Pro air purifier: https://airdoctorpro.com/ - Use code PARING
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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105: Strategies for Living Minimally in a Big House (And Research on Buying in Bulk)
Can you live a minimalist lifestyle in a big house? In this episode of Paring Down, I explore what it really means to live minimally in a large home—and whether buying in bulk actually helps you save money or just adds more clutter.
Discover how American home sizes have changed over time, why the “bigger is better” mindset often backfires, and how to practice realistic minimalism and intentional living no matter how much space you have.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
🏠 5 surprising facts about U.S. home size trends and what they reveal about our culture of consumption
⚖️ The pros and cons of living in a large home—from space to breathe to the burden of upkeep
🧺 Simple minimalist habits to keep your big house clutter-free and calm
🛒 The truth about buying in bulk—when it saves money, when it wastes it, and how your geographical location affects it all
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Can I be a minimalist and still have a big house?” or “Is bulk buying really worth it?”—this episode will help you find balance between enjoying your space, saving money, and living with intention.
Paring Down Instagram: @paring_down
Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
Paring Down Blog
Paring Down YouTube
MENTIONED THIS EPISODE
Ep 69: The 10 Best Principles to Guide Your Decluttering
Ep 32: Finding the Time to Declutter
Ep 34: The Pitfall of Too Much Backstock
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:
20% off Longevity Mitopure Gummies for Urolithin A at timeline.com/PARING
15% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to Prolon’s 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet. *remember this is for metabolic health, not simply a weight loss hack*: prolonlife.com/paring
Ethical, luxury women's clothing at Quince.com/paring for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!
High-quality, eco-friendly activewear at fabletics.com/PARING - sign up as a VIP and get 80% off everything.
$300 off Air Doctor Pro air purifier: https://airdoctorpro.com/ - Use code PARING
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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104: Finding Adventure in Everyday Life (Thanks to Less Clutter) with Shannon & Gerry Arner
Whether you're an adventure junkie or totally risk-averse, this episode is a fun and motivating listen because it highlights how living with fewer possessions can help you live a more fulfilling life.
I chat with Shannon and Gerry Arner of the popular podcast and blog, Arner Adventures, about how their decision to pare down what they own opened the door to more adventure—both in everyday life and beyond.
We cover:
• How adventure affects our relationships
• What happens when a leap of faith goes wrong
• The amazing adventures we’d never do again — but are still grateful we said yes to, just once.
Tune in for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation about finding joy, connection, and adventure when you clear out the clutter—inside and out.
Paring Down Instagram: @paring_down
Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
Paring Down Blog
Paring Down YouTube
ARNER ADVENTURES
Instagram: @arneradventures
Website: www.arneradventures.com
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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103: Struggling Through PMDD to Declutter & Tidy
Getting a little personal this week. Living with PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)—or ANY chemical imbalance, hormonal sensitivity, or particularly difficult season of life—can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to keeping up with your home.
In this episode, I’m sharing practical ways to manage your space while living with a recurring shift in your energy and emotional bandwidth.
You’ll learn:
What PMDD is and how it impacts my daily life
5 simple strategies to declutter and tidy your home even during tough PMDD days
Mindset shifts that help you give yourself grace while still making progress
If you’ve ever felt like your home gets out of control during your PMDD cycle (or another challenging state), this episode is for you.
Paring Down Instagram: @paring_down
Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
Paring Down Blog
Paring Down YouTube
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Ep 71: How Growing Up in a Cult Made Me More Intentional
Ep 102: Creating Systems to Be Productive Toward What Matters with Chelsi Jo
Ep 94: Practical Advice for Living Intentionally with 7x NYT Bestselling Author, Gretchen Rubin
Ep 78: Addressing the Mental Load of Clutter with Dr. Morgan Cutlip
Happier Podcast by Gretchen Rubin
The Moth Podcast (live true-story storytelling)
Modern Love Podcast
Little Green Machine
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:
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
$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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102: Creating Systems to Be Productive Toward What Matters with Chelsi Jo
What would life look like if you didn't have to decide what's for dinner? If you had a communication system that actually worked with your spouse? If you weren't trying to squeeze in work and family at the same time?
Today's episode with Chelsi Jo from Systemize Your Life is a game-changer. You'll look at your life completely differently and wonder, how can I be more intentional so that I actually feel good about how I've spent my time at the end of each day?
Decluttering our schedules and systems is just as important as decluttering our belongings—in fact, they often go hand in hand. I hope you enjoy this conversation!
Paring Down Instagram: @paring_down
Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
Paring Down Blog
Paring Down YouTube
CHELSI JO
Instagram: @chelsijo.co
Fundamental Needs System
System quiz
Time Blocking Workbook
Systemize Your Life Podcast
Website: chelsijo.co
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
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, The Mel Robbins Podcast and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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