Episode 706: From Vibe Words to Weekly Resets: 10 Pre-Decisions That Finally Make Decluttering Stick

Do you ever find yourself standing in a store, holding something pretty, and wondering if you should bring it home? Or maybe you're staring at a cluttered counter, feeling overwhelmed but unsure where to start?

What if there was a way to make every home decision easier—before you even have to make it?

In this episode of Clutter-Free Academy, Kathi Lipp and brand manager Tenneil Register continue their conversation about creating a "brand" for your home. This isn't about logos or marketing—it's about intentionally deciding in advance what you value so that every future decision practically makes itself.

What You'll Discover in This Episode

If you've been struggling to maintain an organized home or find yourself constantly second-guessing purchases and decisions, this episode offers a practical framework that will change everything.

Kathi and Tenneil walk through 10 pre-decisions that form the foundation of your home brand:

• Your season – Understanding what phase of life you're in right now
• Your three vibe words – The feelings you want your home to evoke
• What you're NOT – Clarifying what kind of household you don't want to be
• A simple color palette – Creating visual flow throughout your space
• Your style sentence – Connecting your words to your purpose
• Your shopping filter – Four questions to ask before any purchase
• Your landing pad – Where real life meets intentional living
• Your surfaces policy – Which spaces stay clutter-free no matter what
• A calendar rule – Protecting your peace through boundaries
• Your weekly reset ritual – How to maintain your brand week after week

The Four-Question Shopping Filter

One of the most powerful tools shared in this episode is the shopping filter. Before bringing anything new into your home, ask:

• Does it fit the vibe?
• Does it fit the palette or style?
• Do we have a home for it?
• Does it reduce effort or add effort?

If you get a yes to all four, move forward. If any answer is no, pause on that decision.

Key Takeaways

Creating a home brand isn't about perfection—it's about progress. As Tenneil reminds listeners, "A brand is ever being made. It's always being worked on. It's not a one and done." The goal is to enjoy the process of establishing, creating, and adjusting your brand as you go.

Start with your three vibe words, then pick just three items from the list of ten pre-decisions. Let your home brand develop slowly over time, and watch how much easier every decision becomes.