Declutter for Real Life: Flexible Minimalism Tips for Families with Desirae Endres (Ep 313)
About the episode
Have you ever looked at a "minimalist" home on Instagram and thought, well, that is never going to be me. My kids alone would destroy that in four minutes? Or convinced yourself that your clutter-free journey isn't working because your house just doesn't look the part? You are not alone. And this conversation is for you.
Helpful Links:
Links mentioned in this episode (some may be affiliate links):
Connect with Desirae
Minimalish Podcast: Search "Minimalish" wherever you listen
Desirae Endres is the host of the Minimalish podcast, and her decluttering journey started in 2018 when she sat down as a brand new mom and watched a documentary that completely changed the way she thought about her stuff, her home, and her identity.
Since then she has built an entire community around the idea of "minimal-ish" living, not a perfect aesthetic, not a stark white capsule home, just a real and intentional life with less in the way.
In this episode, Desirae gets honest about the postpartum anxiety that made her desperate for a calmer home, what it felt like when her husband said their house no longer looked minimal-ish, and the beautiful shift she had about what this whole journey is actually for. We also dig into how to get your kids involved in decluttering without it turning into a battle, and the single most powerful thing you can do to raise kids who genuinely understand how to let go.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
What "minimal-ish" means and why it has nothing to do with how your home looks
The real connection between clutter and mental health
Why letting go of stuff is really about letting go of past versions of yourself
How to involve your kids in decluttering without forcing it
What age kids can meaningfully participate (and when it is okay to just do it yourself)
The one thing you can do today that quietly teaches your kids to let go
CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction
2:59 Desirae's origin story: the documentary that changed everything
5:37 Why changing your nature is harder than changing what you own
9:21 How decluttering helped manage postpartum anxiety
11:37 Letting go of clothes and letting go of past versions of yourself
15:02 Baby stuff, the "what if" fear, and letting go anyway
20:20 Feeling like an imposter when your home does not look minimal
22:45 The minimalist aesthetic vs. the minimalist mindset
24:56 Accepting certain areas of clutter in your current season
32:43 Teaching kids to declutter: where to start
37:21 The power of narrating your own decluttering out loud
43:28 What age should kids start participating?
47:07 What Desirae wishes someone had told her at the very beginning
49:13 Decluttering as a gateway to bigger life changes
50:09 Rapid fire questions
About Desirae Endres:
Desirae Endres is a writer, podcaster, and advocate for intentional living, best known as the host of the Minimal-ish podcast. Her journey into minimalism began in 2018 after watching a documentary that inspired her and her husband to declutter their home. This shift helped her manage postpartum anxiety and led to a calmer, more joyful life. Through her podcast, Desirae shares practical insights on embracing a realistic version of minimalism that accommodates the messiness of everyday life.
We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.
BEFORE YOU GO!
✨ Snag my DAILY routine that keeps my home tidy & calm in just minutes a day ✨
cheers!
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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