Episode 174

Julia Ubbenga is a minimalist. I’m not.
But I read her new book Declutter Your Heart and Your Home from cover to cover—and I was both challenged and changed.

In this episode, we talk about what it really means to live with less—less clutter, less noise, less pressure—and how that can create more space for peace, purpose, and presence. We dive into the emotional side of decluttering, why stuff isn’t the real problem, and how simplifying your outer world can lead to deep inner clarity.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the chaos in your home or your calendar… this conversation will speak to you.

In this episode:

Why emotional clutter keeps us stuck
How to start simplifying when minimalism feels extreme
The surprising link between physical space and spiritual freedom
What Julia let go of—and what she gained
And why this kind of decluttering actually lasts

Whether you’re a seasoned minimalist or just starting to rethink what “enough” looks like, this episode will encourage you to move toward a simpler, more intentional way of living.

Expectations we have
The distraction of living with too much stuff
Do you feel like a mom or a full time stuff manager?
Luke Chapter 12
Misconceptions about minimalism
Growth mindset
Searching for a vision of a more decluttered life
Outer clutter and inner clutter
Inner clutter is often our biggest hang up
How comparison keeps us in a cycle of clutter
Aligning our actions and values
Poverty of the spirit through humility and detachment
Minimalism and legacy
Points that made me squirm in Julia’s book
Having a sentimental basket for meaningful items
Can knick knacks be
Spending habits and minimalism
Get in touch with why you buy…escapism? Boredom? Comparison?
Are you trying to create a home or trying to create ease?
The average person sees over 5,000 ads per day
Stuck thinking about our piles of stuff all the time
Moms being critical of themselves
If my house is disorganized, does it mean that my soul is cluttered?
Am I a hot mess if my house is a hot mess?
Seeing areas of our life that could use some improvement
“An awake soul senses inner promptings”
Seeing our external environment as a lens into our inner environment (not in a “shoulding” way)
Inviting God to be our moment to moment companion—and creating space for him to move
One of my main prayers is “Lord, use me. Ping me. Use me.”
The average home has 300,000 items in it
We live in a world unlike any other
Toys: the US has 40% of the world’s toys and only 3% of the world’s kids
How do we find the time to declutter?
Start with 15 minutes per day
Be committed to the process
How to host and still be a minimalist
Practical tips in Julia’s book: Dishwasher and organization tips
Her ideas are suggestions, not a prescription
Julia’s tips for handling our kids’ closets and clothes
Hurry sickness – our culture encourages hyper living where we are living on the surface as fast as we can. We need to slow down.
Jesus was never in a hurry
Do we have a patience issue or a pacing issue?
Digital decluttering
“Even when your inner and outer spaces are clutter free, if your digital practices still have the upper hand, your life will be anything but connected and meaningful.”