Episode 81: “Clutter Tales” with Michelle Oram

Posted on by Victoria

Michelle Oram inspires me to tidy up, but not in the condemning, “hustle up and get ‘er done” kind of way. Michelle’s approach, told in her fabulous blog series, “Clutter Tales” is sensible, do-able and thoughtful. And no less effective.

In this week’s podcast, Michelle shares her strategy for attacking clutter by category in a magical, Michelle-like and methodical manner. The tips – including before and after photos – might be just the nudge you need to open that junk drawer and do the most daring thing. Dive in.

We give a nod to Marie Kondo of tidying up fame, but laud Michelle for giving us a slowed down alternative that’s no less productive. Sometimes, when we clean up, we find treasures from the past that might be saved digitally (lovely old photos) or items that we’ve long forgotten about which might be useful to others. Donating is a great outcome.

Michelle’s suggestions inspire because she allows herself the time to savor and remember before making decisions. If you’re like me, you might need a moment or two to jostle a tactile memory from an object. A moment or two to allow for time travel, courtesy of keepsakes.

For Michelle, decluttering took her back in time to a typing class and a teacher who taught her shorthand…and so much more. Treasures tucked into a yearbook invited Michelle to revisit her younger self by reading a homework assignment from her high school French class. Crawling into who we were, once upon a time, is one of the joys of tidying up and although you might not win any speed racer records, remember: You’re your own pace setter.

You will be inspired and delighted by Michelle’s storytelling. Listen all the way to the end because we detour into the joy of reminiscing with music. Find out about Michelle’s favorite bands – then and now. (Spoiler: Don’t challenge her to a singing contest. This girl’s got rock band cred!)

Please join us for the scenic and beautiful places we go when we share the power of story.

Vicki and Wynne 😊

Search (and subscribe!) for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or Pocket Casts OR Listen to it from your computer on Anchor: Episode 81: Clutter Tales with Michelle Oram

AND subscribe to our YouTube channel to see a video clip of each story: @SharingtheHeartoftheMatter.

Transcript for this episode:  Episode 81 transcript

Links for this Episode:

Boomer Eco Crusader – Live Green | Declutter | Simplify Life

Clutter Tales Archives – Boomer Eco Crusader

Other Episodes with Michelle:

Episode 39: Renaissance Woman with Michelle Oram

From the Hosts:

Vicki’s recently released book: Surviving Sue

Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

45 thoughts on “Episode 81: “Clutter Tales” with Michelle Oram”

  1. another great show from you two, and bravo to michelle. i like her approach to decluttering, and giving ourselves permission to ease into and go through the process, rather than having to make hard decisions all at once. i think things become clear over time, that may not happen immediately when encountering some of the things that we have kept. michelle is both a queen of decluttering and queen singer!

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    1. Yay! You’ve captured all the goodness from this episode with Michelle! Thanks so much, Beth. I agree with your comment about “easing into the process” of tidying up. Michelle gives us the all-clear to do so. Appreciate you for listening/watching and for enjoying all the sides of talented Michelle. (Maybe one day we’ll get her to do a verse or two from a favorite Queen song!) xo! 🥰

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  2. The written and oral productivity of the Wynne/Vicki team makes me wonder if you live 48 hr. days while I live a 12 hour version. More power to you both!

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    1. LOL! Thanks for the morning smile. We’re lucky to be pedaling together, Wynne and I, and we’re grateful to guests, readers, listeners, viewers, especially our dear Dr. Stein who checks all those boxes and still has time to inspire. 🥰

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    1. Thanks so much, Molly! You’re right – Michelle’s blog is full of terrific advice and wisdom on so many topics. If any readers/listeners aren’t following her, they should!
      Good luck with your tidying up journey. 🥰

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    1. I love it. Me, too! Michelle’s reminder to ‘ease into it’ sure is liberating. Lessens my self-loathing about my piles and accumulated STUFF. Just tackle it all one pile at a time. Good luck to you – parting with 80’s clothes is a hard one. I have regrets – still – about things I gave away! 😜

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  8. Oh, I loved this episode! I think we can all use the guidance on decluttering our lives. But I am also excited to hear about Michelle’s book project–that sounds like it will a great tool for those approaching retirement age (or feeling lost in it).

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    1. I agree, Erin! I think Michelle will have a fun and purposeful perspective to guide fellow retirees. Can’t wait to learn more about it! Thanks much, as always, for listening and for your support. xo! 🥰

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  9. Thank you for this delightful interview, Vicki and Wynne. Michelle certainly sent me down Memory Lane and I’m not even in the process of decluttering! I especially enjoyed her story about her shorthand textbook and her Russian teacher, her Great 13 Yearbook (which I’ve never heard of), and her 1980’s memories. 🙂

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      3. Yes, but I don’t need to keep all of it. I think I’ll sort through and try to get more than a dozen albums down to a few. I know they are filled with many photos of the same moments.

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  11. One of the most important points Michelle made was the notion of not leaving clutter for someone else to try and figure out. Our parents are gone now, but my wife and I had much different experiences. There were so many things in my mother-in-law’s place that her daughters had no idea about. My parents had some clutter, but one thing I especially appreciated is they had all of their wishes spelled out. That made tough decisions whether to toss things out so much easier.

    I also liked her sensible approach to do a little bit at a time. Too often we think we need to do everything at once, which is going to lead to regretful decisions.

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    1. Thank you Pete. I have a similar story. My mum decluttered a lot when my parents sold their home and moved to an apartment years ago. Even now, she’s always decluttering. Whenever I go to her places, she asks if I want something she’s decided to get rid of. If I say no, she’s not offended and puts it aside for the charity shop.

      My mother-in-law, on the other hand, has lived in the same house since my husband was a baby. She has never got rid of ANYTHING and has no intention of doing so. I’m dreading the time when we have to clear out that house.

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  13. What an engaging conversation! Congrats to Michelle on her retirement and I love the idea of a clutter blog as it can be so therapeutic to both tidy up but also reflect on the memories associated with each memento.

    I’m not surprised school memories were highlighted as I have so many fond memories as well and of the few things I choose to continue to keep, they are often school assignments too! 😆

    Growing up in the 80s was the best. Never going to be another era like that!

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