Meet Tracy McCubbin

Tracy McCubbin has always loved to create clutter-free spaces, so she turned her organizational skills into a full-time business called dClutterfly, where she helps people organize their homes.  She’s also the author of two books. Her first book, “Making Space, Clutter-Free” teaches readers how to get rid of the clutter once and for all. Her newest book, “Make Space for Happiness,” describes the link between clutter and emotional wellness.

Why Tracy McCubbin Is Mentally Strong

Tracy says she was raised by a “hoarder.” This experience helped her realize how getting rid of things can be so emotional for many people. It inspired her to start teaching people about how getting rid of clutter can improve their mental health as well as how the inability to clear clutter may signal a deeper emotional issue.

What You’ll Hear on the Show

How clutter creates more stress The real reason we find it so difficult to part with items that get in our way How clutter can lead to feelings of shame How clutter affects so many areas of our lives, from our relationships to our finances How clutter affects your time Why your home doesn’t have to be completely organized How decluttering your space will make you happier and less stressed A step-by-step guide to decluttering one step at a time How to know if you have too much stuff in a room What to do with the stuff you aren’t going to keep How keeping too many sentimental things can keep us stuck in the past The best way to get started with decluttering your home

What You’ll Learn About Mental Health and Mental Strength

Your environment plays a huge role in how you feel. And sometimes, we assume being surrounded by a lot of stuff is a good thing—especially if it’s all sentimental things or fun items. But, having too much clutter can take a toll on your well-being. Discarding items or donating things you don’t need can be quite emotional for a lot of people. You might have trouble getting rid of a shirt that no longer fits because it reminds you of a happier time in your life. Or you might feel bad getting rid of an item because you paid a lot of money for it. If you’re really struggling to get rid of things and your clutter is impacting your well-being, seek professional help. There’s help available for people who find it tough to get rid of clutter.

Quotes From Tracy

“I want you to be happy. I want you to be successful. I want your home to support you.““Clutter is a time suck. You’re constantly dealing with it. You’re constantly moving it around.““I think people don’t realize how much having a house full of sort of sentimental stuff keeps us stuck in the past. One of the things I see when people have their closets full of clothes that they can’t fit into anymore, that it’s reminding them that, ‘Oh, your best days are behind you.’““Time is our most important commodity. If you figure out that every day I hang my keys in the same spot, and I don’t have to go looking for them, then I’m saving all this time.”

More About the Podcast

The Verywell Mind Podcast is available across all streaming platforms. If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too. If You Liked This Episode, You Might Also Like These Episodes For media or public speaking inquiries, contact Amy here.

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