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
“Kathi – I have a quick question for you…” The First Steps if you want to be a writer
"Kathi - I have a quick question for you..." Yep - I get that a lot. So many people have a story to tell. Whether it's their own, or one they made up in their head. And of course, the smart thing to do is get some advice from someone who has walked that path before....
The First Way to Use the Salsa Garden – Roger’s World Famous Salsa Recipe
First - Here is the winner of our $25 Gift Card to Home Depot KAREN JORDAN!!! Be sure to email my assistant at kimber at kathilipp.com to recieve your prize - and congrats. And hey - aren't we all winners since we are all on our way to have fab salsa gardens? If you...
Winners of the 1000 Dates Contest!
OK - first for the grand Prize winner of our 1000 Dates contest: Brandy at Spotted Smile Brandy wins a Flip Video Camera - how cool is that?!? Here are a list of the other winners who all did a FAB job (check out theirblogs - I follow them all!) Each of them will win...
- #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





