220 // Prepare for 2026 with Simple Planning Systems That Work for Real Mom Life - with Sarah Hart Unger from Best Laid Plans
Moms Overcoming Overwhelm | Decluttering Tips, Declutter, Systems, Routines for Moms, Home OrganizationShow Notes
If you have a love-hate relationship with planning (like I do) or think planning sessions are unattainable for a busy, overwhelmed mom - today’s episode is for you. I’m joined by Sarah Hart-Unger - practicing pediatric endocrinologist, mom of 3, writer, and co-host of the Best Laid Plans and Best of Both Worlds podcasts - for a refreshing, grace-filled conversation about planning that actually works in real life. Sarah shares the core ideas behind her book, Best Laid Plans: A Simple Planning System for Living a Life That You Love , including her flexible approach to nested goals, why “being perfect has no place in planning,” and how a solid master calendar and task management system can dramatically reduce mental load. We also talk about why moms of school-aged kids may benefit from seasonal (quintile) planning instead of quarterly planning, how to use an “ideal week” as a helpful reality check (not a source of guilt), and why making space for fun is a critical — not optional — part of any planning system.
This episode is full of practical wisdom and encouragement for anyone who feels overwhelmed, behind, or convinced they “don’t have time” to plan. Sarah Hart-Unger is a practicing pediatric endocrinologist, writer, and podcaster with a passion for planning. She loves to share her systems and techniques with others through courses and live planning retreats. She lives with her husband and three children in South Florida. She has been writing most days for over 20 years at theshubox.com. Resources Mentioned: Best Laid Plans: A Simple Planning System for Living a Life That You Love Best Laid Plans podcast Best of Both Worlds podcast Learn more about Sarah’s planning courses Related Episodes: Episode 78: Intentional Planning to Combat Overwhelm with Sarah Horgan From Simple + Intentional Episode 120: Intentional Weekend Routines for a Great Week Ahead with Lauren White from the Intentional Edit Podcast Episode 166: Why Compassionate Time Management Matters - with Kendra Adachi from The Lazy Genius *** I help moms declutter their homes, heads, and hearts.
Contact - > [email protected] Podcast -＞ https://www.simplebyemmy.com/podcast Learn -＞ https://www.simplebyemmy.com/resources Connect -＞ Join our free Facebook group Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms Instagram -＞ @simplebyemmy and @momsovercomingoverwhelm
*** Don't Know Where to Start? *** 5 Steps to Overcome Overwhelm -＞ https://simplebyemmy.com/5steps/ 5 Mindset Shifts for Decluttering -＞ https://simplebyemmy.com/mindset/
Wanna work with me to kick overwhelm to the curb, mama? There are three options for you! Step 1: Join a supportive community of moms plus decluttering challenges to keep you on track at the free Facebook group Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms Step 2: Sign up for the weekly Decluttering Tips and Resources Newsletter and see samples here: https://pages.simplebyemmy.com/profile Step 3: Get more personalized support with in-person decluttering and organization coaching (metro DC area only): https://simplebyemmy.com/workwithme/
More from Moms Overcoming Overwhelm | Decluttering Tips, Declutter, Systems, Routines for Moms, Home Organization
I’m excited to bring you this bonus episode with my friend Michelle Byrd from The Busy Vibrant Mom podcast and a regular guest on Moms Overcoming Overwhelm. It’s the 16th episode of Coffee and Tea with M&E! Grab your coffee or tea, pull up a chair, and join us. Hope you enjoy this honest conversation between two moms who GET IT! NOTE: I will be pausing the podcast to focus on my health and will let you know when new episodes are coming out. *** I help moms declutter their homes, heads, and hearts. Contact - > [email protected] Podcast -＞ https://www.simplebyemmy.com/podcast Learn -＞ https://www.simplebyemmy.com/resources Connect -＞ Join our free Facebook group Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms Instagram -＞ @simplebyemmy and @momsovercomingoverwhelm
You tell yourself that you’re going to get your life together - drink more water, journal, exercise, declutter. You do great for a few days and then your kid gets sick, or there’s an emergency at work. You feel like a failure and wonder if you can ever create habits that will actually stick. If this sounds familiar, don’t despair. Traditional habits wisdom, largely created by men, fails women because it ignores invisible labor and praises consistency that relies on perfection. Monica Packer is a mom of five and the founder of About Progress, a top-rated podcast about adopting progress over perfection. She has served thousands of women online as a certified habits and identity coach. In this episode, we dive into her new book Sticky Habits: A Woman’s Guide to Reclaim Happiness, Ditch Perfectionism, and Create Habits That Last. We chat about:
What happens when your partner has a completely different idea of how much stuff you should own? Today I’m answering a listener question about what to do when your stuff/clutter threshold is far different than your spouse’s - and the intentionality behind what we own. Have a question you’d like answered on the show? Just e-mail me at [email protected]. Resources Mentioned: To find out more about monthly virtual decluttering coaching, e-mail me at [email protected] The Diderot Effect More about clutter thresholds (from Dana K. White) Related Episodes: Episode 16: “My Husband Doesn’t Want to Get Rid of Anything!” How to Get Your Spouse on Board with Decluttering in 5 Simple Steps Episode 152: Getting Family Members on Board, Intentional Purchases, and Capsule Wardrobes - a Coaching Call with Vanessa Gurrusquieta Episode 203: Is Kids’ Stuff Taking Over Your House? Top Tips for Getting Your Family Involved with Decluttering - with Laura Forbes Carlin *** I help moms declutter their homes, heads, and hearts. Contact - > [email protected] Podcast -＞ https://momsovercomingoverwhelm.podbean.com/ Learn -＞ https://www.simplebyemmy.com/resources Connect -＞ Join our free Facebook group Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms Instagram -＞ @simplebyemmy and @momsovercomingoverwhelm
Do you feel overwhelmed in your home, even after you’ve decluttered? It may be that you need to “hush” it instead. Today I’m speaking to bestselling author Myquillyn Smith about her new book House Hushing: The Simple Method to Declutter and Decorate for a More Peaceful Home. Hushing your home isn’t just about decluttering - it also quiet decorating, soulful styling, and living seasonally. It’s about finding harmony and being able to hear what your house is saying to you. Myquillyn and I discuss:- why backwards decluttering is the high-reward, low-risk approach you’ve been looking for- how quiet decorating allows us turn down the volume of our house without getting rid of things- how to create a soulful home over time by layering in soul of the past, present, and futur- the edit/audit and plan/pick aspects of living seasonally and how to intentionally choose how you want to live in this season Go to Amazon or your favorite book retailer to get your copy of the book…or check below to see how to enter the book giveaway.
It’s the 250th episode of Moms Overcoming Overwhelm! To celebrate, I’m sharing 25 questions to ask yourself to help you live a clutter-free life! Thanks for all your support over the (almost) four years I’ve been doing this podcast.