43. Simple Ways to Declutter and Let Go of Perfection with Sarah Horgan
What if perfectionism was the very thing standing between you and the life you’re meant to live?
For kindergarten teacher, mother, and podcast host Sarah Horgan, the pursuit of “doing it all” came to a halt after a stage four cancer diagnosis at just 27 years old. What began as a journey of survival soon evolved into a radical reimagining of life itself—anchored not in achievement, but in presence, boundaries, and deep inner trust.
In this heartfelt episode of Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Sarah sits down with Monica to share her journey of self discovery, conscious living, and how motherhood inspired her to share her voice boldly and publicly.
From Crisis to Clarity
Sarah’s cancer diagnosis was the moment everything changed. At an age where many women are still figuring themselves out, Sarah was thrust into deep reflection; forced to reevaluate what truly mattered.
“I was newly married, I was teaching full time, and then I was given, like, a 30% chance of survival,” she recalled. “There’s nothing like a crisis to just completely put things into focus.”
That focus revealed just how much time and energy she had been giving away to external expectations: being agreeable, striving to please, saying yes too often. She realized that living boldly wasn’t a luxury; it was a necessity.
The Weight of Perfectionism and People-Pleasing
One of the most liberating lessons Sarah shares is that done is better than perfect. Her former perfectionist tendencies often led to over-functioning, overthinking, and burnout. The breakthrough came when she began to declutter; not just her home, but her beliefs, calendar, and internal dialogue.
Perfectionism and people-pleasing are mental forms of clutter, Sarah explains, and letting go of them is just as freeing as clearing out your closet.
“You don’t have to get it right 100% of the time, but if you say no to one thing and you feel how good it feels to save that space for yourself... then you can start to say no to other things.”
Decluttering as a Path to Self-Trust
Decluttering, for Sarah, became a spiritual practice. She speaks about using 10-minute timers to make quick decisions and trusting her gut on what stays and what goes. If something didn’t feel like a “definite yes,” she’d put it aside and revisit it later with more clarity.
She emphasizes starting small—but intentional.
“Pick your most stressful thing, because this might feel big, but it'll move the needle the most.”
This mindful decluttering wasn’t about aesthetic minimalism. It was about reclaiming emotional and mental bandwidth; something especially critical in the chaotic seasons of motherhood.
Saying No to Say Yes
As a mother, teacher, and coach, Sarah sees firsthand how moms stretch themselves thin trying to “do it all.” Her advice? Start practicing saying no. Even if it’s just once. Even if it feels uncomfortable.
She shared an example of recently saying no to a family dinner because it would have interfered with podcast editing and her movement practice. That small no was a big yes to alignment.
This kind of time management isn’t about productivity hacks. It’s a reclaiming of home management, energy boundaries, and self care.
“We often think we should be doing things… but you actually get to be in charge of most of what you show up to.”
Starting Before You’re Ready
Monica asked Sarah about her transition into podcasting and sharing her voice online. Like many women, Sarah hesitated. She feared the judgment of people she knew more than that of strangers.
“I just didn’t share it. If people came across it, it was fine. But I didn’t want to play small anymore.”
Sarah’s creative journey is a reminder that the first step is often the hardest, but most necessary. She urges other women to stop waiting until it feels perfect. Just begin. The clarity, confidence, and courage will come into motion.
Living Boldly, Even When It’s Hard
The conversation took an emotional turn when Sarah reflected on loss: both her parents and her brother have passed, and those experiences deepened her understanding of life’s fragility.
“Are you going to still live for them, or are you going to live for you?”
She doesn’t sugarcoat the discomfort of putting yourself out there. The fear doesn’t disappear. But what does grow is your capacity to hold that fear and act anyway—because the cost of not living authentically is far greater.
Picture of sunlit space with cozy textures.
Real-Life Rituals: Decluttering, Tea, and Walks in the Woods
In the rapid-fire section of the conversation, Sarah shared her favorite slow motherhood rituals:
A Cream of Earl Grey tea latte made with frothed milk and Canadian blends
Walks in the woods to soak in the smell and color of fall
Planning ahead for back-to-school season, while also taking it one moment at a time
These are the grounding rituals that bring her back to presence, especially when the season feels full. Intentional living, she reminds us, is about simplicity—not hustle.
Coaching for Moms Who Want to Live Differently
Sarah offers both 1:1 and group coaching for women who are overwhelmed by clutter and ready to make meaningful change. Her three-month container focuses on:
Letting go of what no longer serves (physical and emotional clutter)
Rebuilding self-worth and confidence
Creating a clear vision and aligned plan
Practicing soul manifesting and intention setting
For moms who feel disconnected, stuck, or constantly overwhelmed, Sarah’s message is clear: you don’t have to live on autopilot. There’s another way.
“If you're just sick of living the same day on repeat and you want to do something different… reach out.”
Featured Quotes
“You get one life that you get to live, and you want to do things that matter to you.”
“Don’t hold back, whatever creative call you’re feeling, you don’t want to stifle that.”
“I don’t want to play small anymore.”
“The discomfort of putting yourself out there is fleeting. You just need to begin.”
“You inspire others just by being true to yourself.”
Final Thoughts
Sarah’s story is a soul-deep reminder that intentional living doesn’t require grand gestures; it asks for courage, presence, and a willingness to let go of what no longer fits. Whether you’re drowning in clutter or holding back from sharing your voice, her journey is proof that alignment begins with one brave, imperfect step.
Connect with Sarah Horgan
Website: simpleintentional.com
Instagram: simpleintentional
Sarah Horgan is a kindergarten teacher, coach, mother, and host of the Simple + Intentional podcast. Her journey toward simplicity began after a stage four cancer diagnosis in 2014 and deepened when she became a mom. Through her work, Sarah helps women declutter their homes and lives, set boundaries, and embrace intentional living rooted in self-love and ease.
Pictured is Sarah Horgan.
Want more episodes like this? Listen to The Wand(HER)wild Podcast and connect with our community over on Instagram @wandherwild or through our digital events at wandherwild.com and retreats at wanderwildfamilyretreats.com.
