What Clutter Costs You (and How to Get That Energy Back)

Operational Harmony: Balancing Business & Mental Wellbeing

🕓 Show Notes (Timestamped)

[00:00–02:00]
Julie introduces herself as the owner of Reawaken Your Brilliance and explains her broader definition of clutter—it’s anything that prevents you from creating a life and home you love. She talks about expanding Marie Kondo’s ideas beyond the physical into emotional and spiritual spaces.

[02:00–04:00]
Julie and Nikki discuss flexibility with rules. Julie believes guidelines help, but rigidity creates pressure. Her “handle it once” example about receipts shows that real life doesn’t always fit neat rules.

[04:00–07:00]
They share a lighthearted tangent about cats and clutter. Julie notes how too much of anything—books, games, cat toys—can overwhelm a space and mind.

[07:00–09:00]
Julie shares two client stories showing the emotional side of decluttering—how clearing a sock drawer unearthed childhood trauma, and how clearing a dining table helped a couple reconnect. She emphasizes that clutter and depression feed each other in a vicious cycle.

[09:00–12:00]
They explore how clutter affects mental health. Julie reminds listeners to find their comfort level instead of chasing unrealistic “Instagram perfection.” The goal is peace, not perfection.

[12:00–15:00]
Nikki opens up about her own experiences with clutter and mental health. Julie validates that awareness plus small, consistent action can create real change.

[15:00–17:00]
Julie explains how recognizing emotional roots—like keeping socks due to childhood scarcity—helps release attachment. Becoming present breaks the past’s hold.

[17:00–19:00]
Julie shares a favorite success story: helping a client release guilt over her late parents’ belongings, creating room—literally and emotionally—to start a jewelry business.

[19:00–25:00]
They discuss family control dynamics and clutter as power. Julie cautions against donating junk and stresses mindful giving—never donate what you wouldn’t gift to a friend.

[25:00–29:00]
Julie tells how she started her business in 2009 after a nonprofit job ended. With no perfect plan, she simply started—and kept adapting. She credits networking and openness to change as keys to growth.

[29:00–33:00]
They chat about social media frustrations and visibility. Julie admits she dislikes social media but uses it intentionally—focusing LinkedIn on corporate speaking.

[33:00–36:00]
Nikki shares her experience with Alignable as a more personal networking space. They discuss authentic connection versus spammy selling.

[37:00–42:00]
Julie’s top three home office organization tips:

1. Create zones for function.

2. Keep your desk as “prime real estate.”

3. Declutter your computer desktop.
   Nikki adds practical digital organization tricks—pinning folders for easy access and keeping desktops clean.

[42:00–44:00]
They share laughs about chaotic desktops and too many tabs. Nikki’s humor highlights how visual clutter overwhelms the mind.

[44:00–45:00]
Julie closes with a heartfelt reminder: “You are good enough, you are worthy, and you are loved.” She offers free resources at reawakenyourbrilliance.com for anyone ready to start decluttering their life.