112: The Trap of Upgrading Our Lives with Laura Fenton
Happy Thanksgiving week to those of you in the U.S.! In this thought-provoking conversation with Laura Fenton—writer and creator of the beloved Substack Living Small—we talk about what it really means to opt out of upgrade culture.
At a time of year when we’re surrounded by sales, pressure to buy more, and ideas for trendy gifts, this episode is a breath of calm.
Laura offers a grounded, compassionate look at how choosing “enough” can bring more contentment, freedom, and ease into your daily life.
If you’re craving some recalibration on what's important in life—or simply want permission to step off the hamster wheel—you'll love this conversation!
Paring Down Instagram: @paring_down
Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
Paring Down Blog
Paring Down YouTube
LAURA FENTON
Substack Newsletter: https://laurafenton.substack.com/
IG: @laura.alice.fenton
MENTIONED THIS EPISODE
Ep 70: Is Decluttering Just for the Financially Secure? with Aubrey High
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:
Convenient therapy that’s covered by insurance: Rula.com/PARING
20% off Longevity Mitopure Gummies for Urolithin A at timeline.com/PARING
25% 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.
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
$300 off Air Doctor Pro air purifier: https://airdoctorpro.com/ - Use code PARING
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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111: The "But I Love Everything!" Decluttering Dilemma
If you love your belongings but feel overwhelmed by the piles, the mess, or the jam-packed closets, this episode is for you. Today, we’re breaking down 6 compassionate, practical strategies to help you simplify — without forcing yourself to stop loving your things.
This isn’t about minimalism for minimalism’s sake. It’s about creating breathing room in your home so you can actually enjoy the things you love.
In this episode, we cover:
• Redefining What “Love” Really Means
• The “Love It or Use It” Method
• Benefits of a Temporary Separation Box
And more.
The big takeaway: Loving your things isn’t the issue. The issue is when your stuff takes up the space meant for living.
Paring Down Instagram: @paring_down
Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
Paring Down Blog
Paring Down YouTube
MENTIONED THIS EPISODE
@emilywelchstyle
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 any AquaTru water purifier when you go to AquaTru.com and use promo code PARING
Convenient therapy that’s covered by insurance: Rula.com/PARING
20% off Longevity Mitopure Gummies for Urolithin A at timeline.com/PARING
25% 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.
10 Free Meals from Hello Fresh: www.hellofresh.com/paring10fm
$300 off Air Doctor Pro air purifier: https://airdoctorpro.com/ - Use code PARING
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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110: Is Overconsumption That Big of a Deal?
This week's "guest" episode is slightly different...because I'm the guest!
My good friends at the Pretty Furious podcast are graciously letting me air an episode when I was a guest on their podcast, because I just loved the questions they asked and don't think I've covered the consequences of overconsumption to this extent on Paring Down.
What, exactly, happens to non-biodegradable materials in landfills?
Why should you care, even if you don't particularly care about the health of the planet?
What role does overconsumption play in our mental health?
We dive into all of it!
Paring Down Instagram: @paring_down
Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
Paring Down Blog
Paring Down YouTube
PRETTY FURIOUS PODCAST
prettyfuriouspod.com
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 any AquaTru water purifier when you go to AquaTru.com and use promo code PARING
Convenient therapy that’s covered by insurance: Rula.com/PARING
20% off Longevity Mitopure Gummies for Urolithin A at timeline.com/PARING
25% 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.
10 Free Meals from Hello Fresh: www.hellofresh.com/paring10fm
$300 off Air Doctor Pro air purifier: https://airdoctorpro.com/ - Use code PARING
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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109: What to Do with Clothes that Don't Currently Fit
One of the hardest categories to declutter? Clothes that no longer fit.
But just because it's complicated doesn't mean we can't tackle it and make progress (without the overly simplistic approach to just get rid of anything that doesn't fit right now).
In this episode, we’ll start with validation—why it makes sense to feel stuck when your closet doesn’t match your current body—and then move into practical steps for decluttering clothes when your weight has fluctuated.
You’ll hear:
• Three normal reasons women’s bodies change size (from pregnancy to hormones to stress)
• Why your body’s size doesn’t define your worth
• The real problem with women’s sizing
• Five practical tips for editing your wardrobe with compassion — including how to create a “maybe” bin with boundaries
This isn’t about giving up. It’s about creating a closet that fits the you who exists today.
Listen now to learn how to simplify your wardrobe without shame—and make peace with the body you live in right now.
Paring Down Instagram: @paring_down
Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
Paring Down Blog
Paring Down YouTube
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Shift: Managing Your Emotions—So They Don't Manage You by Ethan Kross
Ep 37: Curating Simple & Ethical Wardrobes with Lacey Woodroof
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 any AquaTru water purifier when you go to AquaTru.com and use promo code PARING
Convenient therapy that’s covered by insurance: Rula.com/PARING
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.
10 Free Meals from Hello Fresh: www.hellofresh.com/paring10fm
$300 off Air Doctor Pro air purifier: https://airdoctorpro.com/ - Use code PARING
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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108: Avoid Clutter by Developing Personal Preferences with Courtney Florey
Do we even realize that we're creating a life based on what other people like, instead of our own preferences?
I loved this casual, relatable conversation with Courtney Florey of Declutter & Dwell to explore a surprisingly powerful way to prevent clutter before it starts: Getting clear on your personal preferences.
Together, we unpack:
Why developing contentment is key to simplifying your home and your habits
Practical actions to uncover what you truly love (beyond trends or what others say you “should” like)
How knowing your preferences helps you make confident decisions when shopping or decorating
My somewhat embarrassing story of subconsciously making purchases to impress the internet—and how cutting back on sharing my family revealed this underlying motivation
This episode is a reminder that a clutter-free home doesn’t just come from organizing better—it starts with knowing yourself better.
Paring Down Instagram: @paring_down
Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express
Paring Down Blog
Paring Down YouTube
COURTNEY FLOREY
Instagram: @declutteranddwell
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 any AquaTru water purifier when you go to AquaTru.com and use promo code PARING
Convenient therapy that’s covered by insurance: Rula.com/PARING
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.
10 Free Meals from Hello Fresh: www.hellofresh.com/paring10fm
$300 off Air Doctor Pro air purifier: https://airdoctorpro.com/ - Use code 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 Daily Stoic and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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