April 7, 2026

HotSpots ~ Why Your Kitchen Counter is Basically a Black Hole s2e14

HotSpots ~ Why Your Kitchen Counter is Basically a Black Hole  s2e14

We see you. You know that pile on the kitchen counter shouldn't be there. You know the bedroom chair isn't technically a wardrobe. And yet… here we are. In this episode, Julie and Janis tackle one of the most universal home struggles: hotspots — those flat surfaces that seem to magnetically attract every piece of clutter that enters your home. Spoiler Alert: it's not your fault. It's a systems problem, and it's 100% fixable. What You'll Learn: What hotspots actually...

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We see you. You know that pile on the kitchen counter shouldn't be there. You know the bedroom chair isn't technically a wardrobe. And yet… here we are.

In this episode, Julie and Janis tackle one of the most universal home struggles: hotspots — those flat surfaces that seem to magnetically attract every piece of clutter that enters your home.

Spoiler Alert: it's not your fault. It's a systems problem, and it's 100% fixable.

What You'll Learn:

  • What hotspots actually are (hint: it's not just counters ~ floors count too, people!)
  • Why they form ~ and why "I'll deal with it later" is basically a hotspot's origin story
  • The emotional toll of decision clutter and why that pile is quietly draining your mental energy
  • The Flat Surface Scramble ~ Julie & Janis's 12-minute method for clearing any hotspot fast
  • The Keep or LET'S GO sorting system to decide what stays, what goes, and what gets donated
  • How to create a Landing Zone so the hotspot doesn't creep back by Thursday
  • The 2-minute daily reset ~ because 2 minutes daily beats 2 hours monthly every single time


The Flat Surface Scramble ~ Quick Recap:

  1. ⏱️ Set a timer for 12 minutes
  2. 🧺 Sweep everything into a basket (no sorting yet!)
  3. 🧽 Wipe down the surface (clean surfaces = brains that don't want to mess them up again)
  4. 📦 Sort using Keep or LET'S GO: Keep • Lives Elsewhere • Trash • Sentimental • Goes Out


Resources & Links:

  • 🌐 Learn more about the Clearing Your Clutter course: abcdeclutter.com
  • The course is underway but it's not too late to join!!
  • 5 weeks of live coaching + a community of fellow declutterers cheering you on!


Your Challenge This Week:

Pick one hotspot. Set a timer for 12 minutes. Grab a basket. Go. You've got this.

Tag us on social or send a message when you do ~ we want to celebrate every single cleared surface with you! 🎉

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abcdeclutterwithjj

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abcdeclutterwithjj/

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/abcdecluttercommunity

🖥️ Website: https://www.abcdeclutter.com/

🎙️ Podcast Website: https://www.thejjsdeclutterpodcast.com/

🖥️Email: hello@abcdeclutter.com




The JJs Declutter Podcast is hosted by Julie Weisgerber and Janis Kosmala.

Keep it Simple, Keep it Intentional, and - as always - Keep Decluttering!!