If you've ever found yourself deep in a DIY project—or in the middle of a decluttering meltdown—you know exactly how exhausting it can be to keep pushing forward without the right tools.

In this episode of the Stress Less Podcast, I’m pulling back the curtain on three big projects I’ve been working on and what happened when I stubbornly tried to muscle through them without the proper tools. Spoiler alert: I ended up with a sore hand, a major break from progress, and a fresh reminder of why using the right tool changes everything.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing how this simple mindset shift applies to organizing your home, why decision fatigue is the real enemy, and how the Decide Guide is the shortcut you didn’t know you needed. You’ll also get a sneak peek into the new Room-by-Room Organizing Guides I’m creating (based on feedback from Decide Guide users!) to help you tackle your whole home—one space at a time.

FREE RESOURCES

The Decide Guide: A Room-By-Room Resource to Help You Declutter With Confidence

CONNECT WITH ME

Come hang out on Instagram: @megansmithstressless

OR email me at: contact@megansmithstressless.com

Let’s talk about the one space in your home that’s supposed to feel welcoming—but often ends up looking like a tornado hit it.

Yep. I’m talking about the entryway.

Whether you’re walking in after a long day or chasing behind your kids as they kick off shoes, toss backpacks, and drop coats everywhere—this space has a way of attracting all the chaos. If your entryway feels more like a dumping ground than a functional landing pad, this episode of the Stress Less Podcast is for you.

In this episode, I’m breaking down how to organize your entryway in a way that’s realistic, mom-proof, and ADHD-friendly. It’s not about having a Pinterest-perfect mudroom (although that sounds cute in theory). It’s about making this space actually work for your everyday life—because when the first few steps into your home feel calm, it sets the tone for everything else.

We’ll talk through:

• Why the entryway tends to attract clutter fast
• Common mistakes that make the chaos worse (even if you’ve already “organized” it)
• My go-to categories for figuring out what actually belongs in your entry
• The specific systems I use in my own home—including how I manage shoes, backpacks, farm coats, papers, keys, and even wrestling bags that should have been put away a month ago

If you’ve ever felt like you just can’t stay on top of the mess—this isn’t about you doing it wrong. It’s about designing a system that fits your home, your family, and your current season of life.

Because let’s be real: Your entryway in summer is not the same as your entryway in the middle of winter. Your needs change. Your family grows. And your home should evolve with you—not stay stuck in a version that no longer serves you.

You don’t need to redo your entire house. You just need to start at the door.

Tune in now to Episode 35 of the Stress Less Podcast to learn how to make your entryway functional without the fuss—and how small, thoughtful changes in this space can ripple into more calm everywhere else.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Visual Checklist
• Pegboard from Target (Bright Room Brand)
• Over-the-Door Coat Hook
• Command Hooks
• Command Brand Broom Holder

FREE RESOURCES

The Decide Guide: A Room-By-Room Resource to Help You Declutter With Confidence

CONNECT WITH ME

Come hang out on Instagram: @megansmithstressless

OR email me at: contact@megansmithstressless.com

You know that one stack of papers you keep moving from the counter to the table to the top of the microwave... and then back again? If you’re constantly asking yourself where that one permission slip went, or why the mail pile is threatening to take over your kitchen, this episode is for you.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Brother Compact Mobile Document Scanner (for digitizing paper)

Command hooks, curtain rod, and curtain clips (DIY kids art display)

Chatbooks (for saving kids’ artwork digitally in printed albums)

FREE RESOURCES

The Decide Guide: A Room-By-Room Resource to Help You Declutter With Confidence

The Decide Guide: Tidy-Up Toy Edition: The Fastest Way to Decide What Toys Stay and What Toys Go

DESIGNED FOR YOU:

THE ULTIMATE TOY ORGANIZATION GUIDE: Play Spaces That Work is a private podcast with downloadable resources for buys families to get their toys under control.

CONNECT WITH ME

Come hang out on Instagram: @megansmithstressless

OR email me at: contact@megansmithstressless.com

Mentioned in this episode:

PLAY SPACES THAT WORK: Toy Organization Audio Course