Stephing Up

Steph Pase

Hey legend, welcome to Stephing Up.

Have you ever felt that everyone got a manual for life, and yours is from Temu and it smells funny? Me too.

I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised best friend in your ears.

This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan.

We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself.

This podcast isn't for people with an alarm clock built into their brain, it's for the messy minds of the world. Because spoiler alert, you might know me for my organisation tips and tricks… but I’m actually a hot mess.

So if you’re feeling behind, burnt out and like you’re barely holding it together, this is the place for you.

New episodes drop every Monday morning.
So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones.
Because we’re Stephing Up together.

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LINKS:

Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up

Steph Pase on Instagram: @stephpase_

Steph Pase on Youtube: @stephpase.

Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners

Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”: Penguin Books Australia https://www.penguin.com.au/books/mastering-my-messy-life-9781761349256

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

20 episodes
Updated Sunday

Episodes20

Newest first

Sunday · 29 min
Decluttering 101: Best-ever hacks to cut through the clutter
Decluttering sounds simple—until you’re standing in front of a bursting wardrobe or a drawer you can’t open without something falling out. Then the overwhelm hits, it all feels too hard, and you just… give up. The biggest mistake people make is trying to declutter everything at once, without a system or clear decision-making rules. In this best-of episode I’m revisiting three of your favourite Stephing Up episodes, packed with simple decluttering strategies you can start using straight away. In this episode I share: 3 steps from Chaos to Clarity Why decluttering can feel so hard, and how to let go of your belongings. Practical tips to maintain your organised home… and stay sane! Your Decluttering Guide Download your free decluttering workbook + 30-day Declutter Challenge here: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/pages/30-day-declutter-challenge … Follow Stephing Up I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised bestie in your ears. This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan. We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself. New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we’re Stephing Up together. If today's episode helped, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify is honestly the best thing you can do to help us reach more women. … Let’s Hang: Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up Steph Pase on Instagram: @stephpase_ Steph Pase on Youtube: @stephpase. Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”: Penguin Books Australia Shop Steph’s Amazon shop See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 26 · 27 min
My Top 5 ADHD-Friendly Home Organisation Hacks
I hate housework. I'm an absolute mess by nature, and I have been my entire life. The only reason my house functions is that somewhere along the way I stopped trying to fix myself and started building the house around the person I actually am. Because everyone thinks organised people are disciplined. I'm not organised because I'm disciplined. I'm organised because I know exactly how useless I am at the tired end of the day... and I plan for her. These are my actual top five home organisation hacks after ten years of being the organisation girl online. Every tip is Kmart-level cheap, fast to set up, and has survived two kids and an ADHD brain. This episode is for you if: You're convinced you just need "more discipline" and then your house will finally stay tidy The floordrobe, the paper pile and the mystery fridge leftovers are all personally attacking you You want systems that survive kids, work and an ADHD brain... not a Pinterest pantry In this episode I break down: The wear-again hook: end the floordrobe with a two-second home for worn-but-not-dirty clothes Family documents organisation: the viral suspension file box (passports, birth certificates, insurance... one findable spot) Kids artwork storage: one file per year per kid + the guilt-free artwork cull The catch-all basket system: one per person + our BBB rule (bedrooms, bathrooms, basket) Caddies for everything: morning, night, tan, makeup + the kids' hair caddy going 8 years strong The ‘Use Me First’ fridge shelf: the food waste hack worth ~$1,500 a year The 3 Doable Home rules: decide once · one motion · in sight or it doesn't exist … Follow Stephing Up I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised bestie in your ears. This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan. We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself. New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we’re Stephing Up together. If today's episode helped, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify is honestly the best thing you can do to help us reach more women. … Let’s Hang: Submit your Hot Mess Hotline question here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUnWTcPntVMCQrdu2wSFqFHEnQkggznr_23Ux9zDBNvlh78g/viewform?usp=publish-editor Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up Steph Pase on Instagram: @stephpase_ Steph Pase on Youtube: @stephpase. Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”: Penguin Books Australia Steph’s Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com.au/shop/justanothermummyblog/list/17TTU785IMM53 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 19 · 33 min
The Mid-Year Reset for Messy Minds: Life Audit, Goals Check-in + My 3-Day Itinerary
The mid-year reset for messy minds: a doable life audit, goals check-in + my 3-day reset plan. Potato day included. It's July. I don't know how that happened either, and I'd like to lodge a formal complaint. I've been doing this reset for years, and the messy-minds version is deliberately simple. Because if you're anything like me (ADHD, seventeen tabs open in my brain, big plans in January), you've probably tried one of those intense mid-year overhauls before. You do step one and then you bail. This one is different. You can do the whole thing listening to the podcast in the car. This is for you if: It's somehow July and you can't point at what the first six months even were Your January goals are sitting in a notes app, quietly judging you Every mid-year reset you've tried was so intense you did step one and bailed In this episode: Mid-year review questions: the 7 questions I journal every July (including the one that stings... how much fun did you have?) Life audit made easy: 6 areas rated 1 to 5 — no wheel of life, no colouring in Start / Stop / Step / Stick With: the habits audit that actually changes something Goals check-in: the sunk cost fallacy + why your brain keeps you "safe" from your own goals The 3-day reset to book this month: mini reset day, get-shit-done day, potato day Routine rebuild: the bookends rule + the high-energy / low-energy versions … Episode links: Download your Reset workbook: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/blogs/news/stephing-up-podcast-is-back Hear the 3-day Reset Itinerary in S2, Ep1, Master Your Mess In 3 Days: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/im-back-master-your-mess-in-3-days/id1713434054?i=1000755432196 Hear the Routine Review in S2, Ep 6: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/when-you-dont-even-recognise-yourself-how-i-got-my-spark-back/id1713434054?i=1000762279899 … Follow Stephing Up I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised bestie in your ears. This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan. We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself. New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we’re Stephing Up together. If today's episode helped, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify is honestly the best thing you can do to help us reach more women. … Let’s Hang: Submit your Hot Mess Hotline question here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUnWTcPntVMCQrdu2wSFqFHEnQkggznr_23Ux9zDBNvlh78g/viewform?usp=publish-editor Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up Steph Pase on Instagram: @stephpase_ Steph Pase on Youtube: @stephpase. Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”: Penguin Books Australia Steph’s Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com.au/shop/justanothermummyblog/list/17TTU785IMM53 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 12 · 35 min
Stop Asking What's Causing Your Acne (Ask This Instead)
Your acne isn't a mystery or a moral failing. It's a stack of small fixable things. Stop asking what's causing it... ask what you changed. I've struggled with adult acne for a decade. Deep, cystic, painful acne all over my cheeks and jaw. The kind you can't cover, because you can hide the redness but you can't hide the texture. I'd avoid certain lighting. Some mornings I'd go to put my makeup on and it hurt so much I'd just cry. I've spent thousands trying to fix it. Skin clinics, facials, peels, antibiotics, Roaccutane, expensive skincare, cheap skincare. If someone promised me clear skin, I tried it. And a few weeks ago I woke up, looked in the mirror, and went: hell no. Not this again. But this time I knew what to look for. And the fix was so simple I couldn't believe it. This week's episode is everything I wish I'd known years ago. The biggest shift was realising adult acne is almost never one thing... it's a stack of small things pouring gasoline on the fire. So now, instead of asking "what's causing my acne," I ask: "what have I changed?" This is for you if: You've tried everything for your adult acne and it still keeps coming back You're sick of "just drink more water" advice You want the real, unsexy stuff that actually clears skin In this episode: Adult acne is a stacking problem: ask "what have I changed?" not "what's causing it?" Pore-clogging ingredients hiding in your skincare, haircare, and washing powder Skin barrier damage: why burning your acne off makes it worse Blood sugar and hormonal acne: the breakfast mistake that broke me out My simple skincare routine and the one thing to start with today … Follow Stephing Up I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised bestie in your ears. This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan. We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself. New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we’re Stephing Up together. If today's episode helped, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify is honestly the best thing you can do to help us reach more women. … Let’s Hang: Submit your Hot Mess Hotline question here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUnWTcPntVMCQrdu2wSFqFHEnQkggznr_23Ux9zDBNvlh78g/viewform?usp=publish-editor Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up Steph Pase on Instagram: @stephpase_ Steph Pase on Youtube: @stephpase. Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”: Penguin Books Australia Steph’s Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com.au/shop/justanothermummyblog/list/17TTU785IMM53 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 5 · 42 min
My Mess Was the Map: The Business Story I've Never Told Properly
Nobody knows what they’re doing, and that’s the good news. This is the story of how I started a business backwards. I launched Steph Pase Planners from a camp table with postnatal depression and no business plan. If you'd told seven-year-old me, the one sewing Pokemon toys out of old bed sheets and selling them on the street, that she'd one day run a stationery brand, she'd have believed you (she had range). If you'd told twenty-five-year-old me, sitting in a one-bedroom unit covered in breast milk with postnatal depression, she'd have laughed in your face. This is the story of how it actually happened. Not the highlights reel. The real one. This episode is for you if: You've ever had an idea but talked yourself out of it because you "didn't know how" You're the multi-passionate one who's been called a jack of all trades like it's an insult You're tired of business stories that skip the embarrassing, 3am, crying-over-spilt-ink bits In this episode I break down: Starting a business with no experience: why nobody, not even the founders you look up to, knows what they're doing Doing it scared: how you achieve things by doing, not planning Postnatal depression and the lounge-room blog that became Steph Pase Planners The camp table, 10,000 planners, and 3am shipping labels printed one by one ADHD, being a jack of all trades, and why the multi-passionate messes are winning now Why the mess Steph spent her life hiding turned out to be the map … Episode Links: Shop Business Planners: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/collections/financial-year-business-planners Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”: Penguin Books Australia … Follow Stephing Up I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised bestie in your ears. This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan. We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself. New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we’re Stephing Up together. If today's episode helped, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify is honestly the best thing you can do to help us reach more women. … Let’s Hang: Submit your Hot Mess Hotline question here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUnWTcPntVMCQrdu2wSFqFHEnQkggznr_23Ux9zDBNvlh78g/viewform?usp=publish-editor Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up Steph Pase on Instagram: @stephpase_ Steph Pase on Youtube: @stephpase. Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners Steph’s Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com.au/shop/justanothermummyblog/list/17TTU785IMM53 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 28 · 27 min
Do the Hard Thing First: Why You're Not Lazy, You're Avoiding a Feeling
Do the hard thing first: why you're not lazy, you're avoiding a feeling. The hardest part of any task isn't the middle. It's the start. That's the wall. I’m a chronic task avoider, and in this episode I’m sharing my tried and tested ADHD guide to beating procrastination and the avoidance loop. This episode is for you if: You'll dread one tiny email and somehow clean the whole house to avoid it You've called yourself lazy your whole life despite having a full, busy, can't-sit-still life You've tried every new planner and schedule and still can't make yourself start Here's what I break down in this episode: Procrastination is emotion management, not time management: why you're avoiding the feeling, not the task The avoidance loop: how "being busy" is actually how you dodge the thing that matters Open tabs: why unfinished tasks drain your battery all day (the 1920s study) Do the hard thing first: how to beat your own excuses to the door Three hacks to start: the doable start, name the feeling, and the 2-minute timer … Episode Links: Weekly Planner Notepad: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/products/weekly-planner-notepad-undated 2026 Planners: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/collections/planners … Follow Stephing Up I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised bestie in your ears. This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan. We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself. New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we’re Stephing Up together. … Let’s Hang: Submit your Hot Mess Hotline question here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUnWTcPntVMCQrdu2wSFqFHEnQkggznr_23Ux9zDBNvlh78g/viewform?usp=publish-editor Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up Steph Pase on Instagram: @stephpase_ Steph Pase on Youtube: @stephpase. Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”: Penguin Books Australia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 21 · 33 min
The Doable Glow Up: 10 Realistic Changes (No 5am Alarm)
A realistic, doable glow up with no 4am alarm and no 14-step routine? Welcome to my 10 sustainable changes to come home to yourself (created by a mid 30s Mum who lost herself for a minute). This episode is for you if: - You've started a glow up every Monday and quit by Wednesday (it's not you, it's the plan) - You've disappeared so far into motherhood/work that you caught your reflection and didn't recognise her - You want to feel put together without giving up your carbs or your personality Here's what I break down in this episode: - Doable glow up, defined: why a realistic glow up is built for your worst day, not your best - Wardrobe editing: the 5 questions that decide what stays - Colour season: the cheat sheet that makes getting dressed stupidly easy - 30g protein before coffee: the one habit with the biggest domino effect on energy, mood and skin - Self-trust and kept promises: where confidence actually comes from - Lowering the bar: why doing less on purpose is the reason it finally sticks … Episode Links: Steph’s 30-day Declutter Challenge: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/pages/30-day-declutter-challenge 2026 Planners: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/collections/planners Health Journal: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/collections/health-diaries … Follow Stephing Up I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised bestie in your ears. This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan. We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself. New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we’re Stephing Up together. … Let’s Hang: Submit your Hot Mess Hotline question here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUnWTcPntVMCQrdu2wSFqFHEnQkggznr_23Ux9zDBNvlh78g/viewform?usp=publish-editor Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up Steph Pase on Instagram: @stephpase_ Steph Pase on Youtube: @stephpase. Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”: Penguin Books Australia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 14 · 40 min
Weird Things I Do For My Mental Health (That You Won't Hear In Therapy)
I thought meditation would fix me. Instead, I put my phone on silent for six years. Here's the truth: I am not the girl who lights a candle, sits cross-legged on a linen cushion and meditates her way to inner peace. I've tried. Instead, I spent years wondering why every wellness routine on the internet seemed to work for everyone except me. The good news? Nothing was wrong with me. My nervous system was just overloaded. In this episode, I'm sharing the weird, unglamorous things I actually do to calm an anxious, overstimulated, ADHD brain. No bubble baths. No 5am ice baths. No pretending to enjoy meditation. Just seven simple things that genuinely help me feel calmer, less overwhelmed and more like a functioning human. Because weird works if it makes you well. This podcast is for you if: You've muted a group chat and felt immediate relief You've sat in the driveway because you physically couldn't go inside yet The sound of everyone needing something from you makes you want to hide in a cupboard You've tried meditation and spent the whole time mentally reorganising your life What you'll learn: Why traditional self-care doesn't work for everyone • How notifications keep your nervous system stuck in stress mode • Simple ways to reduce overstimulation throughout your day • Why movement can be more effective than meditation for some people • The science behind expressive writing, behavioural activation and transition rituals • Practical mental health tools you can actually use when life feels overwhelming Here's what I break down in this episode: Why We're All So Fried Phone On Silent For Six Years Batching Your Replies Noise-Cancelling Headphones The Two-Minute Car Sit Move, Don't Sit Feelings On Paper Before People Clean One Thing The Permission Slip ... Related Episodes: S2E8 – Phone Rules S2E7 – 8 Weird Systems I Use For My ADHD Brain (Because Nothing Else Worked) … Follow Stephing Up I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised bestie in your ears. This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan. We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself. New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we’re Stephing Up together. … Let’s Hang: Submit your Hot Mess Hotline question here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUnWTcPntVMCQrdu2wSFqFHEnQkggznr_23Ux9zDBNvlh78g/viewform?usp=publish-editor Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up Steph Pase on Instagram: @stephpase_ Steph Pase on Youtube: @stephpase. Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”: Penguin Books Australia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 7 · 43 min
Healthy Hacks: How I Finally Stopped Starting Over Every Monday
We’ve been sold the same message for years: start Monday, go all in, be perfect, and somehow transform your life in eight weeks. But what if that's exactly what's keeping us stuck? I’m here to tell you, I’ve done (and seen) some things. My own health journey has been vast. From beer and noodle box for breakfast, to bodybuilding extremes, and everything in between. I’ve finally found a balanced approach that actually lasts, and now I’m here to share the lessons I wish I had learned years earlier. In this episode, I share the health and fitness mindset shifts that completely changed my relationship with food, exercise, and my body. This isn't another episode about losing weight or chasing the "perfect" body. It's about creating habits that actually fit your life, breaking free from all-or-nothing thinking, and feeling better in your own skin without the guilt, shame, or impossible expectations. In this episode: Why the all-or-nothing mindset is sabotaging your progress The identity shift that makes healthy habits easier to stick to How to stop waiting for the "perfect" time to start Simple hacks for drinking more water and eating better The power of meal planning without overcomplicating it Why consistency beats perfection every single time My personal journey from unhealthy habits to bodybuilding and back to balance If you've ever started a health kick on a Monday, fallen off track, and felt like you've failed, this episode is your reminder that one imperfect choice doesn't ruin everything—and that lasting change is often much simpler than we make it. Because life isn't an eight-week challenge. It's the habits you can keep doing long after the motivation wears off. … Episode Links: S1 Episode: Gaining 25kg, Losing it all (and myself) and what it took to Find Balance Shop Meal Planner Magnets: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/collections/planner-magnets … Follow Stephing Up I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised bestie in your ears. This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan. We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself. New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we’re Stephing Up together. If today's episode helped, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify is honestly the best thing you can do to help us reach more women. … Let’s Hang: Submit your Hot Mess Hotline question here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUnWTcPntVMCQrdu2wSFqFHEnQkggznr_23Ux9zDBNvlh78g/viewform?usp=publish-editor Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up Steph Pase on Instagram: @stephpase_ Steph Pase on Youtube: @stephpase. Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”: Penguin Books Australia Steph’s Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com.au/shop/justanothermummyblog/list/17TTU785IMM53 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 31 · 38 min
How To Switch Off When You Already Feel Like You're Drowning
I thought rest was something you earned. It turned out I was wrong. Here it is … We're talking about the brutal truths I had to admit to myself, the 7 different types of rest, why scrolling isn't actually rest, and the simple mindset shifts that finally helped me stop feeling guilty every time I sat down. This is part 2 of a two-parter - Episode 11 on weekly planning is the practical “How I Plan.” This episode is about WHY rest still feels impossible even when you've got a plan. This is for you if: You have hidden in the pantry for 60 seconds of silence You sit in the driveway after school drop-off because you can’t bring yourself to walk in You’ve scrolled for 45 minutes and then wondered why you have no time to rest Here’s what you'll learn: Why you feel exhausted even when you've "done nothing" The hidden mental load so many women are carrying Why scrolling isn't giving you the rest you actually need The 7 different types of rest and how to identify what you're missing How to stop treating busyness like a badge of honour Simple ways to create more peace without changing your entire life Here's what I break down in this episode: What "drowning" actually looks like (and why it's not your fault) The 7 brutal truths about why you can't switch off The 70% cognitive household labour stat: why women are managing 7 people's lives on top of their own The 7 types of rest: physical / mental / emotional / spiritual / social / sensory / creative "Romanticising the mundane" + the anchor moment hack The reframe: "you don't have to earn your right to exist" Why batching + automating gives you hours back (without quitting anything) … Follow Stephing Up I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised bestie in your ears. This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan. We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself. New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we’re Stephing Up together. … Let’s Hang: Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up Steph Pase on Instagram: @stephpase_ Steph Pase on Youtube: @stephpase. Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”: Penguin Books Australia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 24 · 28 min
The Exact Weekly Planning System That Keeps My Life Together
If you've ever bought a planner and you just can't seem to stick to it. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, constantly behind, or like everyone else somehow got the instruction manual for life except you — this episode is for you. One of my most asked questions is ‘Steph, how do you do it all? How do you plan your week? How do you have everything running so smoothly?’ From the outside, it looks like everything does run smoothly. But to be honest, it hasn’t been easy. I've had to go through trial and error to create the systems that work, because in reality I’m a hot mess, and the way my brain works is very different. In this episode I share: I’m breaking down the exact planning system that keeps my life, business, kids, and chaotic brain functioning without completely falling apart. I talk brain dumps, priority blindness, Google Calendar hacks, the “top three + quick three” method, meal planning, habit tracking, and why your planner should work with your brain, not against it. I’ll also share how I use AI and automation to save hours every week (including the AI assistant I built called Dobby), why your nightly “handover document” might change your life, and the reason most planners fail people with messy minds. Because getting organised isn’t about becoming perfect. It’s about building systems that make life feel lighter. … Episode Links: Submit your Hot Mess Hotline question here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUnWTcPntVMCQrdu2wSFqFHEnQkggznr_23Ux9zDBNvlh78g/viewform?usp=publish-editor Shop 2026 Planners: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/collections/planners Shop Planner Stickers: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/collections/sticker-packs Shop Magnet Planners: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/collections/planner-magnets Shop Highlighters: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/collections/magnetic-markers/products/pastel-highlighter-pack Steph’s Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com.au/shop/justanothermummyblog/list/17TTU785IMM53 … Follow Stephing Up I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised bestie in your ears. This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan. We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself. New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we’re Stephing Up together. If today's episode helped, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify is honestly the best thing you can do to help us reach more women. … Let’s Hang: Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up Steph Pase on Instagram: @stephpase_ Steph Pase on Youtube: @stephpase. Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”: Penguin Books Australia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 17 · 26 min
Meal Prep Tips For People Who Hate Meal Prep
The reason your meal prep keeps failing isn't because you're not disciplined. It's because you're copying systems built for people who like cooking. If that's not you, those systems will never work. You know the spiral. You're on Pinterest, you find recipes that look amazing, you go and spend hundreds of dollars on groceries (including six herbs you've never heard of), and by week three you're hating life and the kitchen is a war zone. Week one you were motivated. Week two you were okay. Week three you've given up. You know what hasn't given up? The weird herbs. They're still in your pantry. They will outlive us all. In this episode I share: The 10-meal rotation: the framework that fixed my dinners forever ("we like what we like" beats Pinterest every time) Theme nights and the science of pre-set decision frames The meal plan is a guide, not a contract: how to swap meals without falling off the wagon Component prep, not full meal prep The viral lunch bag I designed at the SPP warehouse The Woolies online list hack that saves me 30 minutes a week Decide what's for dinner at 9am, not 5pm: the rule that ended my 5pm panic forever BONUS: The Grab-and-Go Tub — pantry snacks the kids choose from … Episode Links: Shop the Luxe Lunch Bag: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/collections/luxe-lunch-bags Shop the Shopping List Notepad: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/products/new-shopping-list Shop Magnet Planners: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/collections/planner-magnets Steph’s Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com.au/shop/justanothermummyblog/list/17TTU785IMM53 … Follow Stephing Up I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised bestie in your ears. This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan. We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself. New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we’re Stephing Up together. If today's episode helped, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify is honestly the best thing you can do to help us reach more women. … Let’s Hang: Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up Steph Pase on Instagram: @stephpase_ Steph Pase on Youtube: @stephpase. Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”: Penguin Books Australia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 10 · 30 min
Morning Me Cannot Be Trusted: Six Things I Do the Night Before
Have you ever stood in the kitchen at 7:14am holding two odd shoes and a half-made sandwich, wondering whether it's Wednesday or Thursday? It’s no secret that I’m a hot mess. And mornings (and the 35,000 micro decisions we need to make by 9am) are always extra messy. So if you've ever been late to the meeting that mattered because morning-you wrote the wrong start time in your head, or your screen time number scares the shit out of you, or you've already snapped at someone you love before the day has even started, this one is for you. The secret? Stop trying to fix your morning. Fix your night. In this episode I share the six night-before rituals I follow, because morning me cannot be trusted. The handover document, the launchpad, and the toast I refuse to make. In this episode: - The day I was an hour late to the Steph Pase Planners Zoom that broke me — and the rules I made because of it - 35,000 micro decisions by 9am: the science behind why your brain is exhausted before you've even started the day - Ritual 1: Outfit prep with the labelled hangers (and the 6pm weather check) - Ritual 2: Lunches 80% prepped (the alternative is the KFC drive-through, ask me how I know) - Ritual 3: The launchpad + the life pouch (which was originally an SPP tech pouch I made) - Ritual 4: Same brekkie every single day (overnight protein Whip-Bix because I hate toast) - Ritual 5: The brain dump → handover document for your future self - Ritual 6: The 15-minute increment alarm hack (and why "shaping" in psychology beats willpower) - The two-step rule (pulled from S2E7): if it takes more than 2 steps, redesign it … Episode Links: Shop the Life & Tech Organiser Pouch: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/collections/tech-organiser-pouches Steph’s Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com.au/shop/justanothermummyblog/list/17TTU785IMM53 … Follow Stephing Up I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised bestie in your ears. This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan. We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself. New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we’re Stephing Up together. If today's episode helped, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify is honestly the best thing you can do to help us reach more women. … Let’s Hang: Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up Steph Pase on Instagram: @stephpase_ Steph Pase on Youtube: @stephpase. Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”: Penguin Books Australia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 3 · 26 min
Mummy, Can You Put Your Phone Down?
"Mummy, can you put your phone down?" I’m taking you back to the day my 6-year-old shamed me with one sentence... and these phone and tech rules I made because of it. I know we can all relate to the struggle of succumbing to our devices. Hey, I love a good scroll, but when a kid says that to you, it hits you hard. Honestly, I have no control when it comes to technology. It felt like my phone was ruining my life, my attention span, and my mental health. Until this wake-up call. In this episode, I share the science behind why your phone is winning, and the 6 rules I created to help manage my own phone use. And the best bit: none of these rules require willpower..it comes down to our brain and the science behind it. This episode is for you if: You picked up your phone to do ONE thing and 4 hours later you're deep in your brand new hyperfocus of a 15-step haircare routine on TikTok (not speaking from experience or anything) Someone you love — your kid, your partner, your mum, your bestie — has asked you to put your phone down and you felt the gut-punch Your daily screen time number is genuinely offensive and you're sick of feeling like a piece of shit about it You have ADHD (or just a brain) and you've tried "more discipline" and shockingly it didn't work You want to stop scrolling at 1am but just one more... Follow Stephing Up I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised bestie in your ears. This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan. We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself. New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we’re Stephing Up together. If today's episode helped, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify is honestly the best thing you can do to help us reach more women. … Let’s Hang: Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up Steph Pase on Instagram: @stephpase_ Steph Pase on Youtube: @stephpase. Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”: Penguin Books Australia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 26 · 37 min
8 Weird Systems I Use For My ADHD Brain (Because Nothing Else Worked)
Here’s the truth: Your brain isn’t broken… it’s just overwhelmed. Whether you have ADHD or not, we’re all living in a world that’s busy, noisy, overstimulating—and expecting us to remember everything. So instead of trying to “be better” or “get more disciplined”…what if you just made life easier? In this episode, I’m walking you through the 8 weird (but wildly effective) systems I use daily to reduce overwhelm, stop forgetting everything, and actually function like a normal human. From the “sock theory” to the “life pouch”… these are the small tweaks that remove friction and make your life work with your brain—not against it. What you’ll learn: Why your brain struggles to keep up (and why it’s not your fault) How to reduce decision fatigue in your everyday life Why “simple systems” are more powerful than motivation How to work with your brain instead of constantly fighting it Here’s what I break down in this episode: Weekly Brain Dump Get everything out of your head and onto paper (aka cognitive offloading) The One-Type-of-Sock Rule Eliminate unnecessary decisions (yes, socks matter more than you think) Planner Always Open + Visible Out of sight = out of mind (so don’t let it disappear) Alarms for Starting (Not Just Leaving) Stop being late by planning for getting ready, not just the event The Launch Pad A designated space for everything you need the next day The “Life Pouch” One small bag with all your essentials—no more losing everything The 2-Step Rule If it takes more than two steps… redesign it Closing Shift Routine Reset your home each night so future you isn’t overwhelmed … Follow Stephing Up I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised bestie in your ears. This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan. We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself. New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we’re Stephing Up together. … Let’s Hang: Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up Steph Pase on Instagram: @stephpase_ Steph Pase on Youtube: @stephpase. Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”: Penguin Books Australia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 19 · 37 min
When You Don't Even Recognise Yourself: How I Got My Spark Back.
You don’t just wake up one day burnt out. You don’t suddenly lose your spark. It happens slowly. Quietly. While you’re still showing up… still getting things done… still functioning. Until one day, you look at yourself and think: I don’t even recognise who I am anymore. If you’ve been feeling flat, disconnected, or like you’re just going through the motions… this episode is for you. In this episode I share: The moment I realised I’d lost my spark—and the subtle, high-functioning burnout that got me there. Why burnout doesn’t always look like “falling apart”, and how it shows up in daily life. The real reason you ended up here (and the hard truth behind it). Practical, doable steps to start feeling like you again. Plus, I’ve created a free workbook to help you reset your routine and get your colour back. Grab yours here: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/blogs/news/stephing-up-podcast-is-back … Follow Stephing Up I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised bestie in your ears. This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan. We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself. New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we’re Stephing Up together. … Let’s Hang: Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up Steph Pase on Instagram: @stephpase_ Steph Pase on Youtube: @stephpase. Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”: Penguin Books Australia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 12 · 28 min
Why Your Kids Turn Feral After School (And 6 Rules To Fix It!)
Why Your Kids Turn Feral After School (And the 6 Rules That Fixed It). After school meltdowns, the witching hour, and the 6 rules I rebuilt to stop our afternoons falling apart as a mum with ADHD. This is for you if: Your after school routine is non-existent and every afternoon ends in tears (yours or theirs) You've ever been a snack bitch for 45 minutes straight and the kids still won't eat dinner You've cried in the pantry and then come out pretending everything's fine In this episode: After school regulation: why I don't talk to my kids for 30 minutes after school (and the brain science behind why they lose it) Screen time after school: the dopamine science that explains the meltdown when you take the iPad away After school snack prep: the lazy plate hack that stopped me being on snack duty for 45 minutes Evening lighting for kids sleep: why overhead lights after 6pm are suppressing your kid's melatonin (twice as much as adults) PM reset routine: the closing shift concept... treating the house like a restaurant you're putting to bed Revenge bedtime procrastination: the name for the 11pm scroll when your day wasn't yours (and why adult time fixes it) The catchall basket hack: batching the mess so you're not doing 100 trips with Polly Pockets Timestamps: 00:00 After school meltdowns: brains, dopamine, and a lit match 00:27 Why our after school routine fell apart 00:47 The witching hour: how did people in the 1800s do this? 01:36 "It stops me crying in the pantry as much" 02:28 ADHD and time blindness: "for me there's either now or not now" 04:05 The moment I realised my after school systems had slipped 05:16 RULE 1: After school regulation... regulate first, everything else second 07:05 What's happening in your kid's brain after school (the amygdala hijack) 10:10 The 30-minute decompression routine + calm corner ideas 12:50 RULE 2: Screen time rules... no TV until the after school checklist is done 14:49 Screen time and dopamine: why screens after school make meltdowns worse 17:35 RULE 3: After school snack prep (the lazy plate + protein hacks) 21:32 RULE 4: Evening lighting for kids sleep... no overhead lights after 6pm 23:37 RULE 5: The PM reset routine... putting the house to bed 25:14 The catchall basket: organising after school mess 27:00 RULE 6: Mum's adult time + revenge bedtime procrastination 27:45 Evening planner check: the routine that closes my day 28:15 Outro Follow Stephing Up I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised bestie in your ears. This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan. We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself. New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we’re Stephing Up together. … Let’s Hang: Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up Steph Pase on Instagram: @stephpase_ Steph Pase on Youtube: @stephpase. Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”: Penguin Books Australia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 5 · 36 min
Weird Things I Do to Keep a Cleanish House
You're not bad at cleaning. You just don't have the systems. When I was a kid, my room was so messy my mother hung a dolphin shower curtain across my shelves to hide it. Like, a full shower curtain. With blue dolphins on it. On brand for me at the time. And it worked great until the mess behind it got so big the curtain couldn't hold it anymore. I always thought I was incompetent. Turns out I just didn't have the systems. Here's how I tricked my ADHD brain into keeping a cleanish house. This episode is for you if: You've rewashed the same load three times because it smells like regret Your kitchen bench regenerates clutter faster than you can clear it You've genuinely considered moving house instead of cleaning the one you have In this episode I share: Why cleaning feels so hard (it's decision fatigue, not laziness) Theme days: the alliteration brain hack The cleaning playlist that tricks your brain Catch-all baskets: batching the mess The five-minute rule and why momentum builds dopamine AM/PM resets: putting the house to bed … Your Messy Life Reset: Now that you’re clear on how to work with your brain (and not against it)... go back and complete your Messy Life Reset. I’ll walk you through it step-by-step in Season 2, episodes 1 and 2. Grab your free Messy Life Reset workbook here: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/blogs/news/stephing-up-podcast-is-back … Follow Stephing Up I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised bestie in your ears. This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan. We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself. New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we’re Stephing Up together. … Let’s Hang: Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up Steph Pase on Instagram: @stephpase_ Steph Pase on Youtube: @stephpase. Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”: Penguin Books Australia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 29 · 30 min
Your Brain is a Goal-Blocker. How to get out of your own way.
Have you ever noticed that starting new habits can feel like pulling teeth? You’ve set your goal. You want it with every fiber of your being… yet you're still met with so much resistance. You have every intention of going to bed early, but suddenly it's three o'clock in the morning and you're doing a ‘Which kitchen appliance am I’ quiz? Turns out, there is a good reason for that. (And I’m a toaster, thanks for asking). Our brains see new habits as a threat because it doesn't know what's going to happen. Read that again. Your brain wants you to stay with what's familiar because it knows the outcome. And when it can predict the outcome, it feels safe. Your brain relies on knowing exactly what's going to happen, so it continues to pull you back to what it knows. So even if an existing habit is bad for you, like scrolling, overeating, staying in a job you hate or avoiding hard conversations, your brain thinks, “Well, I know how this ends and we survived it last time, so let's just do that again.” And it replays over and over again. Even if those habits make you unhappy. Even if they make you unhealthy. And even if they're keeping you stuck. In this episode, I’m sharing all the things I WISH we were taught back in school, including: The science behind why changing your habits is so hard. The truth about lazy brains… and the autopilot trap. The healthy habits cheatcode: Four steps you can take to ‘trick’ your brain into accepting a new habit. Why you should finally stop comparing yourself to others. … Your Messy Life Reset: Now that you’re clear on how to work with your brain (and not against it)... go back and complete your Messy Life Reset. I’ll walk you through it step-by-step in Season 2, episodes 1 and 2. Grab your free Messy Life Reset workbook here: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.au/blogs/news/stephing-up-podcast-is-back … Follow Stephing Up I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised bestie in your ears. This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan. We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself. New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we’re Stephing Up together. … Let’s Hang: Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up Steph Pase on Instagram: @stephpase_ Steph Pase on Youtube: @stephpase. Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”: Penguin Books Australia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 22 · 42 min
I Quit Half My Goals and My Life Got Better
Three months in, and your goals failed? Good. Here's what to do instead. This is Part 2 of the Messy Life Reset. Trust me, this is the perfect time... after the "new year motivation" has well and truly worn off. But first... listen to Episode 1, Master Your Mess in 3 Days, for part one of your reset! Grab your FREE Messy Life Reset Workbook: click here This reset is for you if: You’ve ever felt that everyone got a manual for life, and yours is from Temu and it smells funny. (Same) It’s the beginning of the year but you’re already feeling behind, burnt out and like you’re barely holding it together. You’re trying to stick to a routine that’s not achievable or realistic (hello guilt). In this episode: My guide for messy minds to reset for the year ahead Why your "best self" is actually perfectionism in disguise (and what to chase instead) The reflection exercise that made me nearly cry on mic... three mirrors, three versions of yourself The one-question filter that exposes which goals are actually yours The three non-negotiable days that I want you to schedule into your planner to help you reset and get back on track. What to do when a goal stops fitting... and the 5 signs it was never yours to begin with Plot Points: a smarter way to plan your year (mine are meal prep and guitar. That's the whole list.) Your workbook: Grab your FREE Messy Life Reset Workbook: click here Giveaway To celebrate being back, I’m giving you the chance to win one of five $100 Steph Pase Planners vouchers! Simply share a photo or video to Instagram of yourself listening to Stephing Up, and tag both @stephpase_ and @stephing.up . Winners will be announced on 31 March 2026. Timestamps: 00:00 You're not afraid of failure... you're afraid of being watched 03:18 Life update: editing my life, guitar, colour seasons 07:47 Quick recap of the 3-Day Reset from Part 1 09:07 Why "happiest self" beats "best self" (and it's not a small difference) 10:58 My best self equals perfect. It's perfectionism. 12:30 The filter question that changes everything 13:04 The Three Mirrors Exercise: healthiest, most successful, truest self 18:58 Tall poppy syndrome and being uncomfortable with your own wins 21:34 My dad never got to retire. That rewrote my definition of success. 23:05 Stagnation is OK. Rest can be the goal. 24:18 Plot Points: how to plan your year like a story 27:00 Categories: personal, home, relationships, health, business, hobbies 33:06 Why I dropped from 10K steps to 8K (and actually stuck to it) 36:20 5 signs your goal was never really yours 40:30 Thank God spin class got cancelled. That calm? That's your answer. Follow Stephing Up: @stephing.up I’m Steph Pase, your (somewhat) organised best bogan friend in your ears. This podcast is about growth that’s messy, building a life that actually fits you, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan. We’ll talk mental health, motherhood, business, ADHD and how to stop being such an asshole to yourself. New episodes drop every Monday morning. So set your reminder. Pop in your headphones. Because we’re Stephing Up together. Let’s Hang: Stephing Up on Instagram: @stephing.up Steph Pase on Instagram: @stephpase_ Steph Pase on Youtube: @stephpase. Shop Planners + Organisation: Steph Pase Planners Shop Steph’s book “Mastering my Messy Life”: Penguin Books Australia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.