

115: Calm in a Crisis — Decluttering Emergency Supplies
16/12/2025 | 46 mins.
Are you actually prepared for an emergency—or just surrounded by emergency clutter? In this episode, I take a clear-eyed look at emergency supplies and why so many of us over-prepare for rare, dramatic scenarios while under-preparing for the things most likely to happen. We unpack how common cognitive biases—like the availability heuristic, denominator neglect, and “dread risk”—shape our fear-based stocking habits and quietly lead to clutter, overwhelm, and false security. I walk through five realistic categories of emergency preparedness: 1. Evacuation 2. Getting trapped at home 3. Obscure emergencies 4. Everyday sickness 5. First aid and explain how to pare each one down so it’s usable, accessible, and actually helpful when stress is high. If emergency prep has ever felt overwhelming—or like another excuse to hold onto too much—this episode will help you rethink what safety really looks like! MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: Ep 76: Is Celebrity Self-Help Advice Useful? with my brother, Jim Oliver Ep 19: Decluttering as a Couple with my husband, Aaron Leyko 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: Storyworth Memoirs to capture your loved one's life— get $10+ off: www.storyworth.com/paring 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

114: Navigating Grandparent Over-Gifting from Both Perspectives with DeeDee Moore
09/12/2025 | 53 mins.
In this episode, I sit down with Deedee Moore of More Than Grand to talk about something so many families quietly wrestle with: over-gifting from grandparents. Together, we dig into why it happens, how it feels, and what we can do to bridge the gap with more empathy and clearer communication. Both perspectives matter: The parent perspective (how too many gifts can create stress, clutter, or guilt) AND the grandparent perspective (how giving is often an expression of love, connection, and identity). We explore the sweet intentions behind the gifts, the frustration that can happen on the receiving end, and the simple conversations that can help everyone feel heard. This conversation is full of compassion, aha moments, and practical ideas for strengthening those precious family relationships—without letting “stuff” get in the way. DEEDEE MOORE: https://www.morethangrand.com/ Instagram: @morethangrand Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morethangrand MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: Free Gift Request Email Template 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: Storyworth Memoirs to capture your loved one's life— get $10+ off: www.storyworth.com/paring 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

113: Reducing Holiday Overwhelm by Setting Personal Boundaries
02/12/2025 | 44 mins.
This week, we’re exploring what it actually looks like to simplify your holidays—not just by cutting back on decor or gift clutter, but by setting personal boundaries that make the season joyful instead of stressful. If you’re navigating complicated expectations, travel pressure, or family disappointment, this episode offers a compassionate and research-backed look at why setting boundaries is healthy, not harsh. What to expect: • Why simplifying the holidays isn’t only about traditions—it's about emotional clarity and autonomy • My own story of choosing to not travel during Christmas while our kids are young • What “personal boundaries” really mean—hint: they’re choices you make for yourself, not rules you impose on others • Three research-backed benefits of healthy boundaries• A short 5-question checklist to help you decide if a holiday obligation is right for your family this year. Paring Down Instagram: @paring_down Paring Down Newsletter: The L.E.S.S. Express Paring Down Blog Paring Down YouTube OTHER HOLIDAY EPISODES Episode 61: Simplifying Holiday Traditions Episode 3: Avoiding Holiday Clutter with Karla Graves Episode 7: Making Holiday Decor Meaningful Episode 8: What the Bible Says About Our Stuff with Hanna Seymour Episode 9: Leaning Into the Season of Giving (Where to Donate Your Stuff) Episode 10: Why We Celebrate the Birth of Jesus with Molly Stillman Episode 11: Where Do Popular Christmas Traditions Come From? with Molly Stillman 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: Storyworth Memoirs to capture your loved one's life— get $10+ off: www.storyworth.com/paring 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

112: The Trap of Upgrading Our Lives with Laura Fenton
25/11/2025 | 53 mins.
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

111: The "But I Love Everything!" Decluttering Dilemma
18/11/2025 | 36 mins.
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



Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, & intentional living