From Chaos to Calm: Nervous System Friendly Organizing with Tracy Hoth

What if being “messy” doesn’t mean you’re disorganized—and clutter isn’t the real issue?In this episode of the Building Resilience Podcast, I’m joined by organizing coach Tracy Hoth for a powerful reframe on what it really means to be organized. Spoiler: It’s not about color-coded bins or minimalist living. It’s about safety, clarity, and knowing where your stuff is—80% of the time.We talk about the nervous system side of clutter, why perfection is a trap, and how “messiness” might be a protective response rather than a personal flaw. You’ll walk away with mindset shifts, practical tips (hello, SPASM method!), and a whole new lens on what organized can actually feel like.If you’ve ever looked at your home, your business, or your life and thought, “I should have it more together by now”—this conversation is for you.⸻Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome + Leah admits she might not be that organized02:34 – Meet Tracy: An organizing coach with a nervous system twist05:55 – Why “organized” doesn’t mean minimalist or picture-perfect09:18 – The 80% Rule: A realistic definition of being organized12:43 – Leah’s tiny Toronto home vs. American closets17:05 – You can be organized and have stuff21:17 – Nervous system links: Why some people need more things to feel safe24:30 – SPASM: The 5-step framework for organizing29:49 – The hardest part of getting organized (it’s not what you think)33:12 – The emotional side of purging (guilt, scarcity, memories)38:05 – How to set limits without feeling deprived41:50 – Why baskets and bins aren’t the answer44:37 – Benefits of organizing: Calm, clarity, confidence48:30 – Organizing as a nervous system regulation tool52:11 – What organization reveals about your identity56:05 – How to break projects into doable steps59:40 – Is your “mess” actually protecting you?01:02:55 – Where to start: Mindset before method01:05:23 – Final takeaways + how to work with Tracy⸻🧠 Want More Tools?📝 Get my Resilience Journal to support your nervous system:📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mental+health+Journal&hidden-keywords=B0DNRSLV9F&ref=nb_sb_noss_1📌 Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Mental-Journal-Anxiety-Management-Self-Care/dp/B0DNRSLV9F/ref=sr_1_1🎓 Join the Nervous System Journaling Club:https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-journaling-club/about?ref=06e003b61b8148ebbafd3a067f3cc2e1📚 Explore Coaching, Courses, and Community:https://www.leahdavidsonlifecoaching.com📱 Follow me on Instagram & Facebook: @leahdavidsonlifecoaching💌 Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter: www.leahdavidsonlifecoaching.com/newsletter⸻🗣️ Enjoyed the episode?Like, comment, and share! It helps more people find healing through nervous system tools and resilience-building strategies.#Organization #NervousSystem #DeclutterYourMind #TraumaInformedLiving #EmotionalClutter #LeahDavidson #TracyHoth #BuildingResiliencePodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.