I Read 100 Books This Year. These 5 Changed How I Declutter, Rest, and Live
About the episode
Reading 100 books this year reshaped how I approach decluttering, burnout, and intentional living. These five standouts changed my energy, mindset, and home, all without adding clutter.
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Links mentioned in this episode (some may be affiliate links):
Reading used to feel impossible for me—until this year.
In 2025, I read (and listened to) nearly 100 books, and along the way something surprising happened. My mindset around decluttering, burnout, productivity, and intentional living began to shift in ways I didn’t expect.
In this episode, I’m sharing:
The decluttering and life books that shaped my year
The five standouts that genuinely changed how I live and coach
Why organizing alone isn’t enough when burnout is involved
How I read 100 books without adding physical clutter to my home
Practical tips for letting go of books without guilt
My 5 Standout Reads of 2025
Burnout by Emily Nagoski PhD& Amelia Nagoski DMA
Why you can’t organize your way out of burnout and how completing the stress cycle changed everything for me.
The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon
A simple (yes, slightly cheesy) story with a powerful reminder: your energy affects everything - your home included.
I Didn’t Do the Thing Today by Madeline Dore
A refreshing take on ambition, rest, and worth, without hustle culture or guilt.
How to Keep House While Drowning by K.C. Davis
A shame-free approach to care tasks that gave me permission to stop tying my worth to a clean house.
No New Things by Ashlee Piper
A powerful reframe on consumption, shopping habits, and stopping clutter at the source.
How I Read 100 Books Without Adding Clutter
I listened to nearly all of these books using Libby, a free app connected to my local library. Audiobooks allowed me to “read” while cleaning, driving, or folding laundry, without bringing more stuff into my home.
Let's Keep the Conversation Going
What book has changed how you think about your home or life?
Send me your recommendations because I’m already building my 2026 reading list.
Time Stamps:
0:00 – Why I chose books instead of goal-setting to close out 2025
2:15 – How I read nearly 100 books (and why that surprised me most)
4:30 – The types of books that shaped my decluttering mindset this year
7:45 – Burnout and why you can’t organize your way out of stress
11:40 – The Energy Bus and protecting your energy at home
14:50 – I Didn’t Do the Thing Today and releasing productivity guilt
18:10 – How to Keep House While Drowning and shame-free decluttering
22:30 – No New Things and stopping clutter before it starts
26:00 – How Libby helped me read more without adding physical clutter
30:45 – Decluttering books without guilt + my favorite question to ask
33:15 – Final reflections and building a meaningful 2026 reading list
Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
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About Deanna Yates
Based in San Diego, CA, Deanna helps high-achieving moms clear the clutter from their homes and lives.
Through coaching, courses, summits, and her top-ranked Wannabe Clutter Free podcast, she supports modern women in building organized, peaceful homes where they can thrive.
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