The Minimal Mom Dawn Madsen

Are you experiencing more anxiety than relaxation this summer? Are your expectations realistic? Do you feel stuck or broken? What is anxiety doing to you? How can we maintain momentum when we don’t feel like it?  Join Dawn and Britt Frank- a licensed neuropsychotherapist and author of The Science of Stuck and her newest release The Getting Unstuck Workbook- as they talk about seasonal summer anxiety, setting expectations, and getting “unstuck.”
IN THIS EPISODE:
2:36 Seasonal summer anxiety
3:51 Reset expectations
4:06 #Chuckthebucket
4:29 Don’t worry about the why.
5:14 My brain is on my side.
8:10 How do we help our kids?
10:17 It’s ok to need time.
11:32 Stimulation requires down regulation.
12:40 Boredom is NOT a problem to solve.
16:00 Microdose relaxation
18:42 Name it and own it.
22:25 Better done than good
23:01 How do we keep momentum going when the “pink cloud” goes away?
27:10 There is no such thing as a broken person.
27:35 Getting unstuck
32:20 Brains CAN change.
 
Resources Mentioned:
The Science of Stuck
The Getting Unstuck Workbook
The interruption of stuff (Podcast Ep. 24)
 
Bio/Her links: Britt Frank, LSCSW, SEP is a licensed neuropsychotherapist and author of The Science of Stuck (Penguin Random House), named by SHRM, Esquire, New York Magazine, and The Next Big Idea Club as a must-read as well as her new release, The Getting Unstuck Workbook. Britt received her undergraduate degree from Duke University and her master’s degree from the University of Kansas, where she later became an award-winning adjunct instructor. Britt is a contributing writer to Psychology Today and her work has been featured in Forbes, NPR, The New York Times, Fast Company, Psych Central, SELF, and Thrive Global.
 
www.scienceofstuck.com
IG: @brittfrank

Today I'll answer your questions like: How do I stop feeling overwhelming fear and guilt when letting go of things people have gifted me, even though I don’t want them anymore? I’m a homesteader, do I keep EVERYTHING in hopes of using it “someday?” My 3 kids share a room. Is there a better way to manage toys for older kids so the youngest doesn’t get into everything (or do I need to be reminded this is just a season)?
If you'd like to leave a voicemail with your own question, you can do so here: https://www.speakpipe.com/MinimalMom
In this episode:1:30 I’m a homesteader, do I keep EVERYTHING? 4:58 How do I know when to stop decluttering a room? 7:58 Hoarder, feeling fear and guilt when letting go of things 14:46 What’s the longest amount of time you’ve gone without cleaning? 18:38 Decluttering with special needs 22:57 My 3 kids share a room. Is there a better way to manage toys for older kids so the youngest doesn’t get into everything (or do I need to be reminded this is just a season)?
 
Resources mentioned:
Natalie Hoffman Podcast Episode
A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind
Laurie from Simply B Organized Podcast Episode

What are some of the biggest design mistakes? What is the #1 design tip? How can you avoid making this $10,000 design mistake? Today Dawn visits with Melanie Zaelich, an interior designer and owner of Home Stylist - a company that uses the power of design to bring more happiness to people. Melanie shares insights on how to avoid the biggest design mistakes and how she got started in design after being on HGTV.
IN THIS EPISODE:
1:18 Melanie's start on HGTV
3:37 Conventional vs. unconventional design
4:48 Biggest designs mistakes
5:00 #1 Design tip (get rid of your stuff!)
5:43 Save $10,000 with this one tip
12:21 Bring life into your space
14:58 Architectural Design vs. Minimalism
18:24 How do I discover my own style?
23:35 Get an outside perspective 
24:05 Newest design trends
 
Resources
Plant watering globes
 
ABOUT MELANIE:
Melanie is the owner of Happy Place Interiors. She loves seeing people light up when they enter a space that has been transformed. Melanie believes that your environment impacts your well-being and it can bring joy to your life and allow you to spend your time and energy on the things that are important to you — like, life. Happy Place Interiors puts a fresh spin on what you’d expect from an interior design company. Rooted in the belief that everyone deserves a happy home, our flexible and collaborative consultation-based, à la carte business model keeps high-quality interior design accessible. Learn more here: https://www.happyplaceinteriors.com/
 

Is my child addicted to video games? How do I know? What is a healthy amount of video game playing? Today Dawn visits with Dr. Alok Kanojia, also known as Dr. K, to discuss practical steps for preventing video game addiction. Dr. K, a former gaming addict and Harvard-trained psychiatrist, shares insights from his book "How to Raise a Healthy Gamer" on how to identify and manage gaming addiction in children.
How to Raise a Healthy Gamer Book: https://amzn.to/3x3zJdP
IN THIS EPISODE
00:00 Welcome Dr. Alok Kanojia 01:13 Can we REALLY raise a "healthy" gamer? 03:58 What about gaming addiction? 04:59 How have video games changed over time? 10:00 Sense of virtual identity 13:46 Are there actually benefits to playing video games? 15:47 Practical steps to getting video games under control 16:50 Get on the same team 22:09 25% rule 24:52 Can kids learn to manage video games on their own? 26:20 Ideal age to start playing 31:06 What if my spouse is the addicted gamer? 33:15 Do first person shooter games desensitize kids to real life? 36:04 Is there hope if I feel like I've ruined my child?
MORE ABOUT DR. K:
Follow Dr.K's podcast HealthyGamerGG https://open.spotify.com/show/6VaJwyS2KXxiXqR77jqzmP
Healthy Gamer Website https://www.healthygamer.gg/
- Instagram: @healthygamergg
- X: @dralokkanojia
- YouTube: @HealthyGamerGG
- TikTok: @healthygamer.gg
 
ABOUT THE MINIMAL MOM:
Hi, I'm Dawn, if we haven't met before, I'm married to Tom and we have four kids ages 8-13. We live outside of the Twin Cities in MN and have called ourselves minimalists for 8 years now. We got rid of 85% of our stuff and don't miss ANY OF IT! If you'd like to see more instructional videos about minimalism and decluttering, be sure to check out my YouTube channel!

Our Summer Declutter Challenge kicks off on Monday! Find full details here: https://www.theminimalmom.com/mentorship-group
Today I'll answer YOUR questions! If you'd like to leave a voicemail with your own question, you can do so here: https://www.speakpipe.com/MinimalMom
In this episode:
00:50 How do I solve my “Monica” closet? 06:27 My husband and I can't agree on this, help? 11:25 How do I push further without feeling guilty? 15:90 How do I get out of the comparison trap? 17:50 Decluttering with ADHD and no motivation, how do I get going? 23:30 How do I let go of perfectly good things?
Resources mentioned:
Podcast with Sarah McDonald: 5 Tips on Surviving, Thriving & Decluttering with Chronic Illness
The Science of Stuff by Britt Frank
The Minimal Mom Mentorship Group 

Summer Declutter Challenge: Refresh & Re-Home begins soon! Find full details HERE!
Do you or someone you love struggle with decluttering due to chronic illness? 
Listen in as Dawn talks with Sarah, a professional organizer and decluttering expert who also deals with chronic illness. She shares five tips to help those with chronic illness overcome hurdles in decluttering and simplify their lives.
 IN THIS EPISODE:
0:00 Top tips for surviving and thriving with chronic illness 01:05 Sarah’s Story 3:10 Planning for sickness 5:50 Ask for help how you need in the way YOU need 11:24 How to help others 14:20 Recognizing the mental load 17:26 Encouragement for those with chronic illness 18:46 Simple doesn’t mean bad 26:48 Weird but it works 28:37 Not all jobs are equal 36:34 Convenience sometimes is survival  
ABOUT SARAH McDonald
Sarah is a declutter expert, professional organizer, minimalist and simple living enthusiast; embracing simplicity, one change at a time.  She came from a family of hoarders, but Sarah broke free and is now on a mission to help others do the same! She believes that less is more and she loves sharing my experiences, tips, and tricks to make life easier and more meaningful.
LINKS: 
Find Sarah on IG: https://www.instagram.com/smallchangestv/Find Sarah on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallChangesMy jewelry is from Trades of Hope (Shop to help women out of poverty!): https://tradesofhope.com/minimalmom
 
Mother's Necklace on Etsy: https://cli.re/mom-necklace
(I have the gold in 18")Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn