Post Trauma Secrets & Decluttering
Hosted by wellness and decluttering experts Valerie Huard and JM Tetreault, the Post Trauma Secrets and Decluttering Podcast brings you on a journey from trauma to Joie de vivre! Like going on a vacation, you may be stressed and excited at the same time. You will enjoy every moment, try new things, discover new places, and still have time to relax. That decluttering journey will give you all the secrets you need to simplify your life by reducing your stress, decluttering your mind, organizing your space and getting control over your time so that you can create the life you...
#101 Decluttering After Losing a LOVED ONE is Overwhelming?
In this episode, discover how to begin decluttering after loss without feeling like you are letting go of the person you love. Through Rachelâs story, JM and Valerie explore grief clutter, emotional attachment to belongings, and how healing can start with just one box.
Learn how to create a simple keep, donate, undecided system, build a meaningful memory shelf, and move through grief at your own pace. This episode offers compassionate guidance for navigating bereavement, honoring memories, and gently reclaiming your space after loss.
IN THIS EP...
#100 What Happens When You Declutter With FRIENDS?
In this episode, JM and Valerie share Jennyâs powerful decluttering journeyâfrom doubt and isolation to clarity and connection. Discover how emotional healing, self-leadership, and intentional letting go transformed not just her space, but her relationships too. Explore how decluttering can become a personal evolution, the mindset shifts that unlock lasting change, and how your quiet courage can inspire others to start their own transformation.
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#99 What's the BEST Decluttering Method for YOU?
In this episode, discover the decluttering method that actually works for your lifestyle. JM breaks down four powerful decluttering stylesâemotional, logical, time-crunched, and peace-drivenâso you can find the one that fits your energy, season, and personality. Learn how to declutter without guilt, pressure, or overwhelm.
IN THIS EPISODE YOUâLL LEARN:
Identify your decluttering style: emotional, logical, time-limited, or peace-seekingLearn how to choose a decluttering method that fits your lifestyle and energy
Understand the emotional and mental blocks that keep clutter in place
Di...
#98 Is Retail Therapy the Ultimate Mood Booster?
In this episode, JM explores the hidden emotional drivers behind retail therapy. Learn how shopping often acts as a quick fix for deeper needs like comfort, control, and validationâand why it leaves us with more clutter and guilt. Discover practical steps to shift from impulse buying to intentional self-care and emotional clarity.
IN THIS EPISODE YOUâLL LEARN:
How retail therapy creates clutter, guilt, and emotional overwhelm instead of relief
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#97 7 Decluttering Tips for ADHD Overwhelm
In this episode, JM shares 7 proven hacks that helped overcome decluttering paralysis â from the 5-minute rule to body doubling and zone-based organization. Learn brain-friendly strategies to take action, reduce overwhelm, and finally make visible progress in your space.
IN THIS EPISODE YOUâLL LEARN:
Create clutter zones to reduce decision fatigue and streamline daily routines.
Use visual organization tools like clear bins and labels to avoid losing items.
Buil...
#96 The Surprising Power of Letting Go of Guilt
In this episode, Valerie and JM reveal how unspoken guilt can silently erode your peaceâand how to finally let it go. Through raw personal stories and practical tools, learn to release the weight of past regrets and reclaim your emotional freedom.
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#95 Confidence as Closure: Hereâs How to Own It
In this episode, Valerie and JM explore how to find closure without waiting for apologies, explanations, or validation. Learn how real confidence comes from withinâand how to close emotional loops by reclaiming your voice, story, and power.
IN THIS EPISODE YOUâLL LEARN:
Learn how to rewrite emotional endings without waiting for apologies
Explore real stories of people who reclaimed their power after silence or rejection
Gain tools to build c...
#94 Feel Like Youâve Lost Your Edge? Hereâs How to Get It Back, Step by Step
In this episode, Valerie and JM break down the competence pillar of self-esteem and explain why competence has nothing to do with perfection, titles, or certificates. Learn how rebuilding trust in your ability to learn and adapt restores motivation, confidence, and momentum.
IN THIS EPISODE YOUâLL LEARN:
Understand how true competence is built through self-trust, not perfection or credentials.Learn how trauma and chronic stress can disrupt your sense of ability and create avoidance.
Discover how stacking small wins and tracking progress rebuilds motivation and confidence.
#92 - Stuck in worry mode? (sense of security)
In this episode, Valerie and JM explore the second pillar of self-esteem: Sense of Security. Learn how trauma, stress, and clutter impact your nervous system and why feeling unsafe blocks healing and progress. Discover signs of low internal safety, how to ground your body, and tools to shift from survival mode into calm and control.
IN THIS EPISODE YOUâLL LEARN:
Recognize signs of low in...
#58 Ditch the Resolution: The Definitive Guide to Committing to YOURSELF in 2026
In this episode, JM and Valerie break down why most New Yearâs resolutions flopâand introduce a better way to grow: personal commitments. Learn how to set specific, meaningful goals, build lasting habits, and celebrate tiny wins that actually stick. If you're ready to ditch guilt-based goals and start showing up for yourself in a way that feels good and doable, this oneâs for you.
IN THIS EPISODE YOUâLL LEARN:
How personal c...
#91 - Feeling Lost? Here's How to Rebuild Your Identity from the Inside Out
In this episode, Valerie and JM break down the fourth pillar of self-esteem: Identity. Learn how to define who you are beyond labels, discover your core values, and reclaim your sense of self at any age. They explore how identity shapes your decisions, why it often gets lost after trauma or life changes, and what it takes to rebuild a strong inner foundation that isnât tied to roles, titles, or external approval.
IN THIS EPISODE YOUâLL LEARN:
What identity really means beyond roles and labels â Understand why defining yourse...#90 Feel Invisible? This Simple Confidence Shift Will Change Everything
In this episode, Valerie and JM unpack the real meaning of self-confidence and why it has nothing to do with being loud, forceful, or outspoken. Through relatable examples and clear explanations, they explore how low confidence shows up through hesitation, secondâguessing, and freeze responses, while genuine confidence is rooted in belief, stability, and calm decision-making.
IN THIS EPISODE YOUâLL LEARN:
How low confidence shows up in dai...
#89 From 'I'm a Failure' to âIâm Proud of Meâ â The Real Self-Esteem Shift
In this episode, Valerie and JM unpack the deeper meaning of self-esteem and why it influences everything from your confidence to your clutter. Through real-life examples and clear explanations, they explore how low self-esteem shows up in your body, your choices, and your daily stress.Â
IN THIS EPISODE YOUâLL LEARN:
How low self-esteem shows up in daily life â Learn the signs in posture, anxiety, and decision fatigue.
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#88 I Thought I Was LazyâTurns Out It Was a Trauma Response All Along
In this powerful episode, Valerie and JM explore how clutter, shutdown, and emotional paralysis are often signals of an overwhelmed nervous system. Youâll learn how trauma can silently shape your environment and self-talk, and how to shift from shame to self-compassion. With gentle tools like task shrinking, emotional safety cues, and trauma-informed journaling, this episode helps you take the first small step toward healingâand finally feel seen.
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#87 Clutter Is Costing You More Than You Think â Hereâs How
In this episode, Valerie and JM unpack why items get lost in the chaos, how clutter blinds your brain to what you already have, and why shopping can feel like a momentary relief. Youâll learn the psychology behind duplicate buying, the hidden costs it creates, and simple steps to take back control with category-based decluttering, visibility zones, and a âdo not buyâ list. A clear space means clearer choicesâand more intentional living.
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#86 Transform Your Retirement in 2025 with Zero Clutter!
In this episode, JM and Valerie walk you through how to declutter with purposeâwithout losing what matters. Learn why clutter builds up, how it affects your well-being, and seven practical tips to clear space, ease stress, and create a home that reflects your next season of life. From sentimental items to daily habits, this is your guide to decluttering for a calmer, more joyful retirement.
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#85 Clutter Isnât the Problem - Itâs Decision Fatigue
In this episode, Valerie and JM unpack the hidden force behind overwhelm: decision fatigue. From nonstop choices to emotional burnout, they explain why clutter often builds up when your brain is maxed outânot because youâre lazy, but because you're overloaded. Youâll learn small, actionable steps like the âDecision-Free Five,â reset baskets, and no-think routines to reduce pressure and reclaim energy. This conversation offers relief, clarity, and a powerful reframe: you're not brokenâyouâre just tired.
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Why clutter is linked to decision fatigue...#84 Why Your Beautiful Space Feels Hollow â And How to Fix It
In this episode, Valerie and JM unpack the emotional disconnect behind aesthetically beautiful spaces that feel hollow. They explore how life transitions, loss, and emotional needs often get left out of design trends. Youâll learn how to bring soul back into your space with texture, memory, and meaningâso it reflects who you are now, not just how it looks. Redesign your space not for style, but for healing.
IN THIS EPISODE YOUâLL LEARN:
Why styled homes can still feel empty â Understand the emotional gap behind picture-perfect spaces.How...
#83 Is This Depression or Just a Mess? How to Tell the Difference
In this episode, Valerie and JM explore the difference between laziness and depression, using side-by-side comparisons, personal stories, and trauma-informed insight. Youâll learn how mental exhaustion mimics avoidance, how shame blocks healing, and three small tools to regain clarity and energy. If youâve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or brokenâthis conversation will help you see the truth behind your struggle and remind you that youâre not alone.
IN THIS EPISODE YOUâLL LEARN:
How to tell the difference between laziness and depression â Learn key emotional and behavioral signs.Why...
#82 Decluttering After the Kids Leave: What No One Talks About
In this episode, Valerie and JM share Barbaraâs powerful empty-nest decluttering story and the trauma-informed steps they used to help her move forward. From creating memory boxes to reframing guilt as growth, this episode is a compassionate guide for parents transitioning into a new chapter. Learn how to release what no longer serves you and make room for peace, purpose, and possibility.
IN THIS EPISODE YOUâLL LEARN:
How to declutter after kids move out â Navigate the emotional side of empty-nest transitions.Why guilt makes letting go harder...
#81 What is the DO WellÂŽ Method? | Transform Your Life After Trauma
In this episode, Valerie and JM introduce the DO WellÂŽ Methodâa four-part, science-backed approach to healing through decluttering. Youâll learn how stress, mindset, time, and space are connectedâand why lasting change comes from addressing all four. With real-life transformation stories and practical insights, this trauma-informed method helps you clear more than just your home. Itâs a path to emotional clarity, resilience, and sustainable peace.
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#80 100 Things You Donât Need in 2025 (Declutter Checklist)
In this episode, JM and Valerie share the ultimate 2025 decluttering checklistâfrom kitchen drawers to digital overload to forgotten sentimental items. Youâll hear real-life stories of people who reclaimed their homes and their clarity by letting go of what no longer serves them. With tips for home, tech, finances, and lifestyle, this episode gives you everything you need to simplify your spaceâand your mindâstarting today.
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#79 What Your Clutter Says About Your Attachment Style
In this episode, JM and Valerie explore the connection between clutter and attachment styles: secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized. Through real-life examples and a quick self-assessment quiz, youâll learn how your emotional patterns show up in your spaceâand how to work with them instead of against them. Whether you hold on tightly or keep everything at armâs length, this episode offers insights to help you create a space that supports your emotional well-being.
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#78 Why 'Decluttering' Feels Exhausting (And Whatâs REALLY Going On)
In this episode, Valerie and JM get honest about the emotional layers that make decluttering feel overwhelmingâeven when your home looks âclean.â They unpack the neuroscience of why clutter is so triggering, share their personal story of burnout, and challenge the polished perfection of most organizing content. With insights on trauma, identity, and the reality of ongoing healing, this episode reframes decluttering as a journey of emotional clarityânot just tidy spaces.
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#77 This Is What 20 Years of Clutter Looks Like (and How We Fixed It)
In this episode, Valerie and JM walk through Leslieâs 20-year journey of caregiving, grief, and emotional attachmentâand how the trauma-informed DO Well Method helped her reclaim space, freedom, and joy. Youâll learn how clutter often holds meaning, why slow and compassionate support matters, and how decluttering can restore not just your home, but your life.Â
IN THIS EPISODE YOUâLL LEARN:
How the DO Well Method supp...
#76 How to Support a Loved One with Clutter (Without Pushing Them Away)
In this episode, JM shares compassionate, trauma-informed strategies to support someone whoâs struggling with clutter. Youâll learn why clutter often represents safety or survival, how to communicate with empathy, and why consent is non-negotiable. From asking the right questions to celebrating small wins, this guide offers powerful tools to help your loved one reclaim their spaceâwithout losing their dignity or trust.
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#75 Healing Through Decluttering: A Household Journey to Harmony
In this episode, JM unpacks how emotional attachments to objects can impact communication, especially when trauma or grief is involved. Youâll learn why some people hold on, how to approach decluttering as a household, and strategies like community vs. personal zones, shared goals, and weekly resets. Designed for couples and families, this episode offers a path to declutter with compassion, restore connection, and create a home that feels peaceful for everyone.
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#74 Decluttering Regrets: What No One Tells You About Letting Go
In this episode, JM shares the surprising story of a small drill bit with a big emotional impactâlost during a well-meaning garage clean-out. Together, JM and Valerie unpack the hidden cost of letting go too quickly and offer three mindful tips to prevent regret: use a Maybe Box, ask if an item carries a story, and slow down before tossing unique pieces. Whether you're clearing space or facing emotional decisions, this episode helps you declutter with intention, not remorse.
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#73 The Shocking Truth About Decluttering Guilt (And How to Let Go for Good)
In this episode, Valerie and JM unpack the hidden emotional weight behind guilt, nostalgia, and identity that keeps clutter in your life. Learn the psychology behind why letting go is hardâand the mindset shifts that make it easier. This episode covers simple, practical steps to declutter without guilt, from the One-Year Rule to photo-based memory keeping. If you're holding onto things out of obligation, this conversation will help you reclaim space, peace, and purposeâone small step at a time.
IN THIS EPISODE YOUâLL LEARN:
Why decluttering feels emotio...#72 Before You Toss Childhood Items, Watch This!
In this episode, Valerie shares the emotional story of losing her beloved blanketâand how that moment shaped her view on sentimental clutter. Together with JM, they walk through four powerful strategies to help you declutter keepsakes without regret: from memory boxes to meaningful goodbyes. If you're holding onto items from the past but craving a lighter, more peaceful home, this episode offers practical tools to help you release without losing what matters most.
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#71 I Wish I Knew Before Decluttering My Home
In this episode, Valerie and JM open up about the mistakes they wish they had avoidedâfrom rushing the process and tossing sentimental items, to decluttering without a system or support. Youâll learn how to slow down, reduce regret, and use simple strategies like the 4-Box Method and One-Touch Rule. Whether you're starting fresh or resetting after overwhelm, this conversation offers clarity, confidence, and community-driven encouragement for anyone on a decluttering journey.
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#70 Why You Canât Let Go â Clutter as a Trauma Response After Narcissistic Abuse
In this episode, JM and Valerie uncover the hidden link between trauma, narcissistic abuse, and chronic clutter. Through the story of Abby and insights into trauma attachment, you'll learn why letting go feels so hardâand how to start healing your space and your mind. With science-backed tools and compassionate guidance, discover practical steps to declutter safely and reclaim your peace, one item at a time.
IN THIS EPISODE:
Why trauma and narcissistic abuse create emotional attachment to clutterHow clutter becomes a coping mechanism and safety signal
#69 Your Home Feels Messy Because of THESE 3 Hidden Clutter Spots!
In this episode, Valerie and JM reveal the three key areas silently fueling daily overwhelm and share simple, actionable tips to reclaim your space. From taming countertop chaos to transforming your bedroom into a calming retreat, this is your step-by-step guide to a more peaceful, organized home.
IN THIS EPISODE:
How clutter increases stress, anxiety, and cortisol levelsTop 3 clutter zones to tackle first: living room, kitchen, and bedroomQuick, actionable decluttering tips for each key spaceSimple daily habits to maintain a calm, organized homeLINKS AND...
#68 I Decluttered My Entire Room â The Results SHOCKED Me!
In this inspiring episode, Valerie and JM take on the challenge of fully decluttering a messy bedroomâand uncover more than just extra space. Through simple strategies like sorting, letting go of sentimental items, and rethinking what truly matters, they reveal how clearing physical clutter leads to emotional clarity. Watch the full transformation and learn how to reclaim peace, focus, and energyâstarting with your own space.
IN THIS EPISODE YOUâLL LEARN:
How clutter impacts mood...
#67 Overwhelmed by Clutter? Try These 5 Easy Tidying Tips!
In this episode, JM and Valerie share easy-to-follow tidying rituals to feel more at ease in their homes. From the 5-Minute Rule to themed cleaning days and the one-item declutter strategy, these habits are gentle, effective, and built for any energy level. Learn how a little daily effort can lead to a big boost in comfort, safety, and peace of mind.
IN THIS EPISODE YOUâLL LEARN:
Decluttering tips tailored for seniors with limited mobility
Ho...
#66 Your Peaceful Home Starts Here: 10 Items to Toss Today
In this episode, JM and Valerie guide you through 10 specific items you can let go of right now to reduce stress and create a calmer, more focused home environment. From worn-out clothes to expired products and emotional clutter, discover how small changes can lead to big mental and emotional relief. Whether you're starting fresh or feeling stuck, these simple decluttering tips will help you reclaim your spaceâand your peace.
IN THISÂ EPISODE:
10 common items to declutter for instant home reliefHow clutter impacts stress, focus, and emo...
#65 The One Thing You Need to Let Go of for True Peace
In this episode, JM and Valerie reveal the hidden weight behind stress and anxietyâour attachment to expectations. Learn how clinging to ideal outcomes, perfectionism, and control can silently sabotage your peace. Through real-life stories and simple mindset shifts, they show how letting go of these attachments can lead to greater emotional freedom, clarity, and joy in the present moment.
IN THISÂ EPISODE:
How attachment to expectations fuels stress and anxietyWhy letting go of control leads to emotional freedom
The mindset shift that creates lasting inner pea...
#64 I Struggled with Mental Clutter Until I Tried This One Simple Habit
In this episode, JM and Valerie break down the science and simplicity behind intention settingâa powerful tool to overcome mental overload. Youâll discover how to reduce stress, improve productivity, and gain clarity by starting each day with a focused mindset. With real-life tips and examples, this is your guide to feeling more in control, present, and peacefulâall without adding more to your to-do list.
IN THIS EPISODE:
The power of intention setting to clear your mind daily<...
#63 How to Declutter Your Mind: 5 Techniques Youâve NEVER Heard Of
In this episode, JM and Valerie reveal five fresh, brain-based strategies to declutter your mind and regain control in a distraction-filled world. From the Brain Dump Method to the Two-Minute Reset and the Thought Jar, these practical tools help you feel lighter, think clearer, and get more doneâwithout the overwhelm. Perfect for anyone feeling mentally drained or stuck in constant multitasking.
IN THIS EPISODE:
How mental clutter impacts focus, stress, and productivity
#62 The Psychology of Decluttering: How to Get Motivated
In this episode, JM and Valerie explore why decluttering feels so hard and how emotional attachments, decision fatigue, and overwhelm can keep us stuck. Learn simple, science-backed strategies to get motivated, from 15-minute decluttering sessions to the Four-Box Method. With a focus on mindset, progress, and mental clarity, this episode is your step-by-step guide to creating a calm, organized environment that supports your well-being.
IN THIS EPISODE YOUâLL LEARN:Â
The psychology behind why clutter causes stress and overwhelmHow emotional attachments and decision fatigue block progress
Mot...
