HEATHER AARDEMA'S 'LIVING LIGHTER' REVOLUTION

How Decluttering Can Transform Your Health, Home, and Happiness

COURTNEY MCGEE

2025

Microplastics in Human Brain

The average human brain contains 7mg!

CODE Health

Innovative Formulas

Wellness Pioneers

Join the cast of sHEALed

Daryl Gioffre

Your gut is under attack

Peer Review Revolution

From misinformation to integrity

LATEST STORIES

In a culture obsessed with accumulation — more stuff, more success, more hustle — Heather Aardema offers a radically different message: less, but better. As the founder of the School of Living Lighter, Aardema is pioneering a holistic movement that empowers women to lighten not just their homes, but their bodies, minds, and lives.

“Decluttering isn’t just about tidying up,” she says. “It’s about clearing the path to who you really are — a lighter, freer, healthier version of yourself.”

Aardema sat down with TereZa Hakobyan-Lolli and Anthony Lolli, Editors-in-Chief of longevity and wellness platform Biohack Yourself, for an interview for the influential upcoming women’s health documentary, “sHEALed,” and unpacks the power of intentional living, the deep emotional roots of clutter, and how choosing “less” can lead to so much more.

The sHEALed Documentary is the sister documentary to Biohack Yourself, which became a massive success after exploding on the scene in December 2024 and ignited a firestorm of interest in information focused on health and longevity. Biohack Yourself features 114 prominent and respected high-profile politicians, doctors, bestselling authors, Ph.D.s, M.D.s, scientists, chemists, inventors, biotech investors, and world-renowned academics. Stemming from the success of Biohack Yourself, TereZa Hakobyan-Lolli and Anthony Lolli have grown Biohack Yourself Media to become the number one resource for health news, publishing over 500 articles ranging from breaking news to peer reviewed content.

From Corporate Life to Clutter Coach

A former health coach and corporate professional, Aardema spent 20 years climbing the ladder — all while feeling increasingly unfulfilled.

“I call it my corporate clutter,” she says. “I looked successful on the outside, but I felt empty. I knew I wasn’t living my purpose.”

A personal health crisis — including a battle with toxic mold — forced her to examine the role her environment and attachments played in her wellbeing. She began eliminating physical clutter and soon discovered a ripple effect: improved energy, mental clarity, and emotional healing.

What began as a personal experiment evolved into a global movement. Today, through her membership program Living Lighter, Aardema supports hundreds of women around the world in releasing the excess — from moldy Tupperware to limiting beliefs — and embracing the peace that comes with space.

Clutter is More Than Stuff

When Aardema talks about clutter, she isn’t just referring to overflowing closets.

“Clutter shows up in three ways: in our environment, in our bodies, and in our minds,” she explains. “And all three are deeply connected.”

Environmental Clutter includes the obvious: messy kitchens, jammed garages, disorganized closets. But it also extends to toxic home products, outdated wardrobes, and overstuffed storage units.

Body Clutter includes inflammation, toxins, and hormone-disrupting chemicals — from gasoline derivatives in water to Glade plug-ins and non-stick pans. These block the body’s natural healing abilities.

Mind Clutter is the invisible weight: self-doubt, perfectionism, fear of failure, scarcity thinking.

“Clutter tells us we’re not enough. That we need more to be safe or worthy,” says Aardema. “But that’s just a story. The truth is, we’re already whole. We just need to clear the interference.”

Decluttering Is Healing

Aardema shares that clutter elevates stress hormones — a claim backed by research. A UCLA study showed that simply observing clutter increases cortisol levels, especially in women.

“Every time you see mess, your body perceives it as a threat. It’s micro-stress that adds up,” she explains.

And stress, of course, is linked to a host of chronic illnesses: autoimmune disorders, obesity, insomnia, digestive issues, and even infertility.

“I’ve seen women lose weight, leave toxic jobs, and recover from illness after decluttering,” Aardema says. “Because once the clutter goes, their energy returns — and energy is everything.”

The Lightness Formula: Decluttering as a Lifestyle

Aardema’s signature approach, Living Lighter, is not about minimalism for the sake of aesthetics. It’s about tuning into what feels light — emotionally, physically, energetically — and releasing what feels heavy.

Her favorite tool? Ask yourself: Does this feel light or heavy?

“Pick up a pair of jeans. Haven’t worn them in five years? Ask yourself: ‘Do these feel light or heavy?’ If they feel light, keep them. If heavy, it’s your permission slip to let go.”

This filter applies to everything — from kitchen utensils to career choices.

“One client redid her entire kitchen, but still felt heavy when she walked in. She used this tool and realized the cabinet color was off. She repainted — and suddenly, the space felt light.”

Trauma, Scarcity, and the Psychology of Clutter

Aardema points out that clutter is rarely just about the items — it’s about what the items represent.

“Most clutter has emotional roots — usually childhood trauma,” she says. “Scarcity, instability, feeling out of control. People hold on to things to feel safe.”

She encourages clients to identify the voice behind their attachment: Is it a fear of not having enough? A story about worthiness? A belief that memories live in objects?

“Our memories don’t live in things — they live in us,” she reminds. “Letting go of an object doesn’t mean letting go of love.”

Start Living Lighter Now

Ready to declutter your life and health? Here are Aardema’s top action items:

Set a 2-minute timer and find three things to throw away. Small wins lead to momentum.
Use the “light or heavy” test for decisions big and small — items, invites, habits.
Start with what feels easiest — maybe your wardrobe, a drawer, or your inbox.
Be gentle with yourself. Clutter is a coping mechanism. Letting go takes time.
Practice hyper-presence. Research shows two minutes of focused awareness shifts brain activity from stress to empowerment. Try deep breathing, sunshine, or a short walk.
Join a community. Aardema’s Living Lighter membership provides global support, accountability, and coaching.

Kids, Partners, and Family Resistance

Many women wonder: how do I declutter if my partner or children aren’t on board?

Aardema’s answer: lead by example.

“Start with your own stuff. Be the light. Kids and spouses are more likely to follow when they feel the shift in energy.”

She also emphasizes empowering kids. Her own children have decluttered entire rooms — even art projects — without guilt or resistance. “They told me, ‘Mom, I’d rather have a healthy mom than more stuff,’” she recalls.

Decluttering is Spiritual

Though often dismissed as a domestic chore, Aardema sees decluttering as sacred work.

“It’s ordinary, it’s natural, it’s now. And when we bring presence to it, it becomes a spiritual practice — a reclamation of space, time, energy, and self.”

One client, a former hoarder, described the process as “liberating.” Others say it led to clarity, purpose, and deeper healing from conditions like autoimmunity, chronic fatigue, and depression.

“Clutter is just stuff. But lightness — that’s a way of being.”

What’s Next for Heather Aardema

Through her School of Living Lighter, Aardema is training graduates as “Soul Coaches” — mentors who help others embark on their decluttering journey.

She also continues to grow her social media presence, sharing practical tools, mindset shifts, and success stories.

“This isn’t about perfection. It’s about possibility,” she says. “And that possibility is available to every woman — right now.”

Check here for information about the upcoming spring 2025 edition Biohack Yourself Magazine, where the team at Biohack Yourself Media dives deeper into their insights on biohacking, longevity and cutting-edge wellness strategies. Biohack Yourself Magazine is the first peer-reviewed longevity publication with international distribution across the U.S. and Canada, bringing science-backed health optimization, functional medicine and performance-driven breakthroughs to a broader audience. Pick up a copy at major retailers, including Barber & Noble, Books-A-Million, Publix, Kroger, Indigo/Chapters, and select fitness gyms and pharmacies.