206: The Psychology of the Sunk Cost Fallacy: Why We Hold On and How to Let Go

A few months ago, I was talking with one of my new Inner Circle members. She said to me, "Katy, I joined your program because I can't keep living this way," and even though I knew I could help her, it broke my heart to hear that. 🥹 After beginning to work together, I quickly I realized the root of why she wasn't seeing progress wasn't a lack of willpower, lack of consistency or lack of strategy... NOPE. It was because (unbeknownst to her) she had a psychological bias called the "sunk cost fallacy" . Essentially, it's this idea that if you've already put resources (like time and money) into something, you should continue to invest in it (or KEEP it, in this case), even if you know it's not the best decision. This bias is known as the "sunk cost" fallacy because the resources you've invested are already gone, just like a ship that has sunk. And after taking my advice, which I also share with you too, in today's episode - her declutter progress skyrocketed. 🚀 I'm talking going from 0 to 100.  This is why I LOVE 1-1 coaching... Dialing into the roots AND providing people with tangible solutions they need to FINALLY get the results they deserve - there's nothing sweeter. If you, like her, are ready to dig deep, let go and create a home you love and that supports you, make sure to listen to today's episode and join me in my coaching program to get personalized support! https://www.katyjoywells.com/innercircle Cheering for you, xx Katy P.S. My 1-1 Coaching Program Is OPEN! Don't miss this opportunity to get direct support from me, conquer your clutter, and make this your best year yet. 💖

Om Podcasten

You’ve decluttered before…so why does the mess keep coming back? You’ve done the checklists, the bins, the late-night cleanouts—only to find yourself right back where you started. It’s not your fault. You’ve just never been taught to declutter in a way that actually works long-term. The Maximized Minimalist is the go-to podcast for women ready to declutter their homes, lighten their mental load, and finally feel in control of their space—and their life. With over 5 million listens and a spot in the Top 50 global podcasts, host and holistic decluttering expert Katy Wells shares a fresh take on what it really means to clear the clutter—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Whether you’re: ✔️ Drowning in laundry and clutter ✔️ Feeling behind on everything (including your own to-do list) ✔️ Tired of organizing the same space over and over ✔️ Or just craving a calmer, more peaceful home This show will help you go from overwhelmed to in control—without the pressure to be perfect. Inside each episode, you’ll get: ✔️Practical strategies you can implement in 10 minutes or less ✔️Mindset shifts to help you let go (even of the sentimental stuff) ✔️Encouragement to quiet the guilt, the “what ifs,” and the mental load ✔️And simple systems to help you keep the progress going You might be wondering: “How do I get my family on board?” “What if I have emotional attachments to everything?” “Why do I declutter and it still doesn’t feel ‘done’?” “Can I really simplify when life feels so full?” These are the exact questions Katy answers every week—with honesty, real-life examples, and step-by-step guidance that actually works for busy families. Whether you’re deep in clutter or just craving a little more breathing room—you’re in the right place. 🎧 New episodes every Wednesday 🎁 Start simplifying with Katy’s FREE guide: https://www.katyjoywells.com/declutter 📲 Learn more at: https://www.katyjoywells.com Ready, Set, Simplify!