564: How to Go from Full House to Living Light
Want to go from full house to living light? Today, we have a case study that will help you get there. Kathi is interviewing author Barb Raveling, who has a history of over-stuffing her closets and hiding things under the bed. The result? Feeling overwhelmed and stressed by clutter. (Can you relate?)
She tried to get organized, made piles and sorted donations, and – nothing changed. “What if I need this in the future?” she cried. In the meantime, her present self was distracted by all the stuff. (Perhaps you have felt this way too?)
About a year ago, Barb and her husband made a huge change. They started traveling every 13 weeks to live in a new place for work, and all they could bring was what fit in the car. Along the way, Barb discovered the freedom of leaving her things behind, and she wants to share what she has learned with you.
Here are Barb’s top tips for downsizing and living with less:
- Bring as little as possible – after a short stay at home Barb packed even less for the next adventure.
- What you do bring, be sure to keep it neatly contained.
- Think carefully before putting things in storage – is it really worth it?
Letting go of things means letting go of stress. Would you like to join others on a decluttering journey and move toward more peace in your heart and home? Join us for free in Kathi Lipp’s Clutter Free Academy on Facebook (a.k.a. the kindest corner of the internet) and get the encouragement and helpful hints you need along the way. Can’t wait to see you there!
Bonus: Be sure to subscribe to the podcast here to be notified when the next episode is released. When you do you will also receive a free Clutter Free Kit with handouts and video interview with Kathi.
Overwhelmed: How to Quiet the Chaos and Restore Your Sanity
Feeling overwhelmed? Wondering if it’s possible to move from “out of my mind” to “in control” when you’ve got too many projects on your plate and too much mess in your relationships?
Kathi and Cheri want to show you five surprising reasons why you become stressed, why social media solutions don’t often work, and how you can finally create a plan that works for you. As you identify your underlying hurts, uncover hope, and embrace practical healing, you’ll become equipped to:
- trade the to-do list that controls you for a calendar that allows space in your life
- decide whose feedback to forget and whose input to invite
- replace fear of the future with peace in the present
You can simplify and savor your life—guilt-free! Clutter, tasks, and relationships may overwhelm you now, but God can help you overcome with grace.
Kathi and Cheri Gregory, co-author of Overwhelmed, get together for this episode for a little discussion regarding the concepts of being overwhelmed and being clutter-free. So often we find that our clutter overwhelms us and that being overwhelmed contributes to our clutter. It can be a vicious cycle.
Kathi and Cheri discuss five steps to keep from getting overwhelmed as you declutter your home, your heart, and your life. Order your copy of Overwhelmed here.
Links Mentioned:
Kathi’s Favorites:
Question:
Barb felt constant stress at home being surrounded by projects that needed doing. What things in your home are weighing on you? What steps could you take toward freedom?
Meet Our Guest
Barb Raveling
Barb Raveling is a podcaster and author of seven books and Bible studies in the area of personal growth. Her top-ranked podcasts, Taste for Truth and the Christian Habits Podcasts, have earned over a million downloads and continue to inspire people to break free from their strongholds and grow closer to God. Barb writes from her own experience (she’s been consistently renewing her mind for life change since 2000) and her education as an executive Christian coach, certified through Coach Approach Ministries. You can connect with Barb at barbraveling.com.
Transcript
More Posts
Getting Out the Door Busy Morning Breakfast Guide
Do you have breakfast on the go, or do you go without breakfast? I am guessing most of us, or if you do not skip breakfast than you might fall into the "eat the granola bar with your coffee as you walk into work or drive the kiddos around" category. Let’s face it our...
Getting Out the Door: It’s All About the Night Before
I am not what you would call a "morning person". I don't function well first thing, but also don't have a ton of time to become fully alert. That's why I think the most important thing about getting out the door is getting ready the night before, (or in the early...
Why I Write this Blog for all My Friends with a Secret Idetity
One of the big reasons I started this blog, (or write books, or speak at events,) is because we all struggle, and I find in sharing our struggle, and working beyond it, we grow in strength. The best sentence a friend can say to another friend is "Me too!" When...
- #688 – Declutter Your Books in 15 Minutes a Shelf: Forever Shelf vs Flow Shelf for a Peaceful Library - September 23, 2025
- #687 – What’s Lurking Under Your Bed? Declutter the Forgotten Zone for Good - September 16, 2025
- #686 – Declutter Once and For All: Why Your Home’s Chaos Keeps Sneaking Back - September 9, 2025