Mar 24, 2025
Can Clutter Actually Make You Eat More?
Have you ever felt like the clutter in your home is adding to your mental load, making it harder to focus, relax, or even stay on track with your health goals?
In this episode, I sit down with Shannon Leyko, the powerhouse behind Paring Down, to explore how decluttering is deeply connected to emotional eating, stress, and mental well-being.
Shannon is a former Miss New York, a professional vocalist, and an author who never expected to build a career in the world of decluttering. But after moving to Alaska, writing a book, and navigating motherhood with three kids under four, she found herself drowning in stuff—and realized she wasn’t alone. Sharing her journey on social media, she quickly discovered that so many of us struggle with accumulation, attachment to belongings, and decision fatigue. Before she knew it, her Paring Down podcast and Instagram exploded, and she became a sought-after expert in realistic minimalism.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
· The surprising link between clutter and emotional eating (it’s not just about the stuff!)
· How societal and psychological factors drive us to overconsume—not just food but belongings
· The scarcity mindset—how growing up with little or experiencing financial insecurity can lead to hoarding behaviors
· How decision fatigue plays a role in both clutter and emotional eating
· Why self-worth is often tied to the things we own and how to shift that mindset
· Practical first steps to start decluttering without overwhelm
· Tips for supporting a loved one (like an aging parent) through the decluttering process with compassion
If you’ve ever walked past a cluttered corner of your home and felt instantly stressed but overwhelmed at the thought of dealing with it, this episode is for you. Shannon brings a blend of science, psychology, and heartfelt understanding to the topic, making the process of paring down feel empowering rather than stressful.
About Shannon Leyko:
Shannon Leyko is the host of Paring Down, a podcast dedicated to realistic minimalism and decluttering. She’s also a former Miss New York, an author, and a professional speaker. Shannon’s journey from performing on stage to helping people reclaim their spaces has been an unexpected but powerful one. She specializes in helping people understand the emotional and mental aspects of decluttering and how to create a more peaceful home and mind.
Connect with Shannon:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paring_down/
Podcast: Paring Down Podcast (available on all major platforms)
YouTube: @paringdown (https://www.youtube.com/c/ShannonOliver/videos)
Book: You're Completely Normal – Available on Amazon
.Join me inside the Emotional Eats Community—a space for midlife women who are ready to break free from emotional eating, food guilt, and self-sabotage. You’ll find real conversations, coaching, and support from women who get it.
Join the Conversation and Community:
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Note: The information in this podcast is not to replace working with your doctor, other medical practitioner or mental health practitioner. This podcast is to provide conversation, information and entertainment.