An Interview With Drew Gerber
Ask for Experiences from Others — We have family members that are big on getting gifts, regardless of what we say. We always recommend one or two tangible gifts, and put the focus on experiences. Our kids love the zoo, the aquarium, etc. and it’s a great way to build memories! Experiences, vacations, and day trips truly make the best gifts! Then you can truly put focus on spending time with the ones you love. Let’s be honest, my kids play with toys for about a month or two anyway, and then they’re onto the next thing. Toys don’t bring long term happiness.
We live in a time of great excess. We have access to fast fashion, fast food, and fast everything. But studies show that all of our “stuff” is not making us any happier. How can we simplify and focus on what’s important? How can we let go of all the clutter and excess and find true happiness? In this interview series, we are talking to coaches, mental health experts, and authors who share insights, stories, and personal anecdotes about “How Simplifying and Decluttering Your Life Can Make Us Happier.” As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Jenna Johnson.
Jenna Johnson is a true authority when it comes to simplifying and decluttering. As the creator behind NonToxic Mama Bear, she has not only mastered the art of streamlining life but has also elevated it to an impactful lifestyle. With three children under her care (and another on the way), Jenna’s personal journey has been a testament to her expertise. Her approach is grounded in authenticity and practicality. She recognizes the overwhelming demands of modern motherhood and understands the need for simplicity. Jenna’s mission is to empower other mothers in her thriving Facebook community to declutter not only their physical spaces but also their mental and emotional clutter. Jenna’s insights extend beyond just tidying up; she delves into creating toxin-free environments for families, which is a crucial aspect of simplification in the modern world. Her wisdom is accessible, relatable, and results-driven, making it easy for anyone to embrace a simplified and decluttered life. With Jenna Johnson as your guide, you’re not just decluttering; you’re embarking on a transformative journey towards a more balanced, harmonious, and fulfilling life. Her expertise is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking the profound benefits of simplification and decluttering in today’s chaotic world.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share your “backstory” with us? What was it that led you to your eventual career choice?
Thank you for taking the time to interview me. I am happy to share insights with your community. I would say my backstory became truly interesting at the age of 29. My passion for living a cleaner, healthier life didn’t begin until I was pregnant with my first child. That was 7 years ago now! I grew up eating unhealthy and not familiar with the connection between my health and daily food choices or chemicals in products. I was the kid eating pop tarts and canned Chef Boyardee and chewing on Reese’s peanut butter cups daily. In college, I ate endless Mac and cheese from the microwave in my dorm.
Once I made my health a primary focus, I started to realize what I actually needed in life. I can agree that stuff doesn’t make you happier. Health is multifaceted, and once I fell into nontoxic living, it helped me simplify my home environment in so many ways. You learn to live with less. You start learning about the harm of toxins in everyday products, so you opt for simpler, cleaner swaps. I say I fell into nontoxic living by accident, simply because I didn’t wake up one day and decide I was going to start researching every ingredient I put onto and into my body. I started learning about the importance of eating organic while pregnant. Then it led to bigger ideas such as discovering how ingredients in personal care products, nail polish and even toothpaste can be harmful to our health. Because I’m a nerd for reading research, I gladly went down those rabbit holes. I thirsted for more knowledge and became consumed with making changes in my own life for myself and my developing child. There was no turning back at that point. Eventually after ten years as a special education teacher teaching elementary students with a variety of disabilities, I retired to raise my three children. I wanted to make clean living the full time focus of my life. That’s exactly what I do on my social platforms- but try to make it fun and less overwhelming for families looking to live cleaner and greener.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
Once a teacher, always a teacher. Although I’m not in the classroom any more, I still hold myself to the standard of making a difference. Those ten fulfilling years of teaching students with special needs left me with many interesting stories and learning experiences. Once I left teaching, my most important role became my main focus: being a mother. I would say giving birth to my daughter became my most interesting story. I was scared of birth so I didn’t prepare. I just wanted to “go with the flow” and wanted it all to work out. Well my first birth was by far my toughest and it shook me. After my daughter was born, I had to pick up the pieces of myself as a shattered first time mother. I had to mourn the fact that I didn’t have the birth I wanted. That postpartum period was truly challenging for me. I had a newborn that never slept and cried incessantly. I was exhausted and could barely get out of bed each day. Looking back, I know I struggled with postpartum depression. But when you’re “in it”, you cannot see it for what it is. You’re just trying to survive. As my daughter got older, the energy shifted and things became a bit easier. However, I was fearful of having another child. Then my fear turned into motivation. I vowed to become informed and started researching endlesslessly. I knew I was going to be informed for next time. Experiences shape and change you in ways you don’t always understand. I know that going through that process taught me to become a better advocate for myself and my children. That experience changed me forever. That’s what makes it my most interesting story.
Throughout the process of becoming a mother, I wanted to connect with other mothers outside of my inner circle who had the same interests in regards to simple living and ditching toxins in order to raise healthier families. Moms outside of the norm who don’t buy convenience foods or conventional products you see on shelves that contain questionable ingredients. Moms who do their research. Throughout this process, I have learned more about myself than I thought I ever would.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?
I’m always working on exciting new projects because I get bored easily. I tend to be bit impulsive, so when I can hack into my creative realm of thinking, the ideas just start flowing. I’m always hatching a plan on how I can best conquer the world! Haha. But really, if there is any way I can make the world a better place and help families, I will. That’s my goal. Collaborating with media outlets, partnering with influential people on social media, connecting with small businesses and larger brands… there are always a few projects in the works. My creative brain likes to work on many things at once. One specific focus includes finalizing my next digital guide, which addresses clean eating and healthy recipes. I also share tips on simple swaps you can make in your kitchen to avoid unnecessary toxins. Every project I take on has the sole focus of helping others.
Can you share with our readers a bit about why you are an authority on the topic of “How Simplifying and Decluttering Your Life Can Make You Happier”?
I think as a nontoxic lifestyle expert and mother, I have a lot that I bring to the table. There is much to be said about living with less, and focusing on what’s important. As a mother, I’m always thinking about how I want to raise my children better. What do I want to teach them? What principles should I instill in them? What values should I teach them to be important? Finding balance is one of those principles. Living healthy is another. Now don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t mean they can’t ever have a piece of candy! We all want to live and enjoy life. But we can do it in a way that doesn’t harm our bodies and doesn’t lead us down a path of disease. Healthy habits start young. I only wish I had this knowledge as a child or young adult. My life would’ve looked very different!
My childhood represented an excess of unhealthy foods. Learning to “live with less” can be applied to every facet of your life. Cleaning up those areas, and essentially “decluttering” the excess from your life, ensures that the important priorities shine. The excess can be a distraction from what’s really important.
What makes me an authority is my desire to help others and spread awareness in regards to healthy living and ditching toxins. This also relates to the idea of living with less. There is so much to learn! I like to think of myself as a life-long learner.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the main focus of our interview. We live in a time of excess. We have access to so much. But studies show that all of our “stuff” is not making us any happier. Can you articulate for our readers a few reasons why all of our possessions are not giving us happiness?
As a previous shopping addict, this question is right up my alley. I came to realize that my impulsive shopping habits were actually due to being unhappy on the inside. Instead of dealing with my childhood trauma the right way, I sought out quick fixes like shopping (aka retail therapy) my entire life to make myself feel better and in control. When I became a mom, much of that surfaced and I began to learn why I was resorting to such behavior. Don’t get me wrong, buying stuff gives you a high, and I still love to shop. But when the high comes down, you realize you have a bunch of stuff you truly don’t need, even though you wanted it at the time. You realize you become obsessed with the idea of having more and don’t know why you even need it. Stripping away those layers and finding out why we do the things we do answers so many of these questions. Possessions can bring some happiness, but they are not everything.
For me, I got caught up in always buying new things. I needed more and didn’t know why. At the time, I didn’t know I was trying to fill a void. People that are truly happy on the inside seek comfort from different things. They find happiness in experiences, or quality time with others. To each their own, but personally I have found “extra” stuff or in every things doesn’t bring me true happiness. Buying something special for a friend or family member as a gift brings happiness. Possessions that are meaningful such as family heirlooms bring happiness. We have to learn to be content with what we have, and with less overall.
When you are deep into toxin free living like me, impulsive purchases usually means sacrificing on quality and leads to increased exposure to unnecessary toxic chemicals that are often found with conventional items in stores.
On a broader societal level, how do you think this excessiveness may be harming our communities and society?
With the way our society conducts itself today, I think people are getting used to having anything they want at their fingertips. With technology as prominent as it is, almost anything can be delivered same day (which I’ll be honest — has saved us many times buying last minute diapers from Amazon). But having the possibility of getting what we want when we want it, leads to an expectation of instant gratification, which can lead to impulse purchases and more. We are training our children to feel like they need more and more in order to be happy. Not only are there a plethora of social media accounts that promote shopping for the latest holiday home decor on a daily basis, but our society has glamorized the fashion industry, which is focused on consumerism and producing clothes fast. When these clothes aren’t bought, we end up with a ton of waste. The production of this type of clothing also puts harmful amounts of toxic chemicals into the environment during manufacturing.
Some celebrities and influencers are exposing the toxicity of this and many other industries, but regardless the majority of our media outlets have a mind of their own. Shopping for a new shirt leaves you with endless options at multiple stores. The amount of availability and choices in regards to material goods is overwhelming. Personally, I think our larger societies and even smaller communities are being significantly affected by what’s promoted in the mass media. While I don’t see that going away anytime soon, I use this as motivation to teach my children about smart consumerism and making good choices when it comes to balance.
I have tried to instill this very principle of living with less, specifically this year. I went through all of my holiday decor boxes and donated / sold about 90% of it. My husband thought I was losing my mind. But inside I knew I didn’t need it. It’s not being one happiness. My marriage and children do. My work does. Decor sitting in boxes does nothing. We still decorate for fun, with small things here and there. But we have significantly downsized our level of “stuff”. Additionally, I cleared out much of my closet and donated boxes of toys, clothing, etc. I want to be careful what I teach my children in regards to what is truly important. Things are not everything. Toxin free living can make you think you need to go out and replace everything in your home, meaning you have to go buy a bunch of “stuff”. But that simply isn’t the case. You do what you can with what you have, and make simple swaps as the years progress.
The irony of struggling with happiness in modern times is glaring. In many places in the world today, we have more than ever before in history. Yet despite this, so many people are unhappy. Why is simplifying a solution? How would simplifying help people to access happiness?
I think mental health is an epidemic in our society that’s not talked about enough. As someone who studied psychology in college and behavior in my graduate program, and worked with students that struggled mentally, there are many different facets that makeup a person’s mental health outside of just genetics and environmental experiences. Because of this, people struggle to be truly happy on the inside, because of a wide variety of reasons. This leads to unwanted addictions and the development of unhealthy methods of coping throughout life.
To put it frankly, I don’t think there is a simple solution. The culture we have created and promote across the country blurs what’s truly important.
Many people cannot separate themselves from their phones long enough to connect with friends and family in real life. While social media and access to online communities is important, and I’m someone who speaks to this through my work, I think finding a balance for people is a struggle. People become consumed with what others have, what they are doing, and what they are missing out on. They fall into a comparison trap, further disconnecting them from their own life and priorities. We live in a celebrity culture, where people have become so consumed with what others are doing instead of living their own life, and enjoying present moments.
If people can take the time to step away and look inside of themselves, they can strip away those complex layers to find what truly makes them happy and what may be blocking them from it. This is no easy task. Mental health is utterly complex and everyone has a different history and circumstances. Simplifying can help people become happier because it can reveal what’s hurting or needs to be healed. People that feel they need to buy more and more stuff are not addressing the root cause, or reason why they feel that way. I can say that speaking from experience.
Can you share some insights from your own experience? Where in your life have you transformed yourself from not having enough to finally experiencing enough? For example, many people feel they don’t have enough money. Yet, people define abundance differently, and often, those with the least money can feel the most abundant. Where in your health, wealth, or relationships have you transformed your life?
As a child who was recognized heavily for my awards and accomplishments growing up, this is something I still struggle with. The idea of being perfect haunts me. Without a doubt, I would define myself as an overachiever. I struggle with seeing myself as good enough. Sometimes I see this as a strength because it pushes me to desire world change, and to dream big. But this can also lead to a blurred understanding of what abundance actually is. For me, abundance is defined as being happy and healthy, living a long life, and enjoying my work. If you pursue your passion, you don’t work a day in your life. My marriage and relationship with my children bring that feeling of abundance.
I grew up with parents who were always concerned about money. Their childhood lacked the feeling of having enough to be comfortable financially. Because of this, their idea of abundance was formed from their own experiences. It drove their decisions throughout life. Personal experiences heavily defines your perspective of what is truly abundant.
Many people define abundance as having to do with money, or having enough money to feel comfortable. But as you mentioned, abundance can mean many things. It can mean quality health, spending time with loved ones, or doing work that is fulfilling. I just finished watching the Netflix series called the Blue Zones. It was so intriguing. There were people living all over the world in different locations, that celebrated different cultures, and yet they defined abundance in different ways. Some of them defined it as daily activities with their friends. Some of them defined it as faith. Others worked in their garden, or turned their creative passion into their job. It was a breath of fresh air to see how others lived, and what they drew meaning from. It’s definitely a series worth watching!
People, places, and things shape our lives. For example, your friends generate conversations that influence you. Where you live impacts what you eat and how you spend your time. The “things” in your life, like phones, technology, or books impact your recreation. Can you tell us a little about how people, places, and things in your own life impact your experience of “experiencing enough?”
My husband and children heavily impact my feeling of having enough on a daily basis. My health also plays a role in it. Having meaningful and fulfilling relationships makes me feel like I have “enough”. I love the feeling of being needed by my children. Being a mother fulfilled a void I never knew I had. There are things that can be distracting from those relationships, such as social media, the use of phones, being consumed with what others are doing, etc. but all comes down to balance. I truly believe that is the key to finding happiness. Not one extreme or the other. A blended, balance of everything good.
What advice would you give to younger people about “experiencing enough?”
I didn’t feel like I had enough until recently, being in my 30s. There were many events in my childhood that left me feeling empty and I grew up overcompensating for them. If I could go back and recognize this, I would focus less on trying to fit in, and instead focus on what made me feel happy and whole. Whether that was faith, school, extracurricular activities or hobbies, relationships, sports, etc. In today’s day and age, young people have access to socials and the mass media earlier than my generation did. This has significantly transformed what is viewed as important, and even though it’s a helpful tool, also contributes to skewed priorities.
My advice for younger people is being happy with less — feeling like you need more and more becomes a trap. Discover your passion and fuel that fire. Go with it, and see where it takes you. But slowing down and enjoying the present is key. If you’re not focused on accumulation, or impressing others, then you can focus on priorities and what’s actually important. I think largely, parents need to instill these principles in their children at a young age, so they don’t grow up chasing outrageous ideas or feeling like they are chasing the idea of having enough, when really that feeling comes from inside first.
Based on your experience and research, can you share your “five ways we can simplify and declutter our lives to make us happier?”
There are a ton of ways we can simplify our lives. But these are 5 that stand out to me, since our family implements these regularly as a way to avoid accumulation of too much stuff — so we can focus on what matters.
- Declutter weekly if possible — This leads you to realize some of the extra stuff you have, you really don’t need.
- Donate 2–3 times a year — Going through specific areas of your house regularly each year, allows you to donate what isn’t being used. This helps to declutter larger items and assess whether something is worth keeping.
- Skip the birthday gifts — We have 3 children, with one on the way. We are inundated with stuff, and many of these things are gifts the kids receive for their birthdays. Recently, we have been asking for “no gifts” on their invitations. Some people still bring gifts but it’s minimal. Last summer, we invited 100 people to my daughter’s birthday pool party. To imagine receiving gifts from every one of those people is just unnecessary. I also don’t want to teach my children to expect an excess of gifts with every celebration. Parties can be about the experience. That leads me to my next point.
- Ask for Experiences from Others — We have family members that are big on getting gifts, regardless of what we say. We always recommend one or two tangible gifts, and put the focus on experiences. Our kids love the zoo, the aquarium, etc. and it’s a great way to build memories! Experiences, vacations, and day trips truly make the best gifts! Then you can truly put focus on spending time with the ones you love. Let’s be honest, my kids play with toys for about a month or two anyway, and then they’re onto the next thing. Toys don’t bring long term happiness.
- Invest or Donate — My husband would be happy to hear me say this. Every time you feel tempted to make an impulse purchase, invest that money instead! Another idea is giving to a charity. Not only will it help to increase levels of dopamine (as we shopping addicts love to feel) but it makes you feel that you’re doing good in the world by giving back! Investing is setting yourself or your children up for the future. Donating to a charity in need is helping others. Both choices are a win-win!
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
My goal is to help families raise healthier children by choosing better food based on real ingredients and ditching toxins within their home and surrounding environment. If I could inspire a movement, it would be for companies to clean up their act across the globe. People are left to research things themselves in order to know what’s safe, because they cannot trust companies to do so. There are larger corporations that run the majority of these companies. There is no transparency with the ingredients they use, and we are left to trust the marketing we see in stores and on television.
What I’m learning over time is that many brands are greenwashed. This means they claim to be utilizing clean ingredients to make their products, but the exact opposite is true. Companies don’t have to disclose everything on their labels. We are led to believe if something is on the store shelves, it’s safe. But throughout the rise of toxin free living, we are learning that is not always the case. As part of this movement, I would give attention to small businesses in order to praise those that put care and consideration into every product they make, versus a larger company that produces for the masses, not always living up to the standards we need as parents. I think there are multiple industries that can be cleaned up- from clothing within the fast fashion industry to toxins and hidden chemicals within the fast food industry, and more. Ditching toxins and having access to healthy food shouldn’t be this hard. Parenting is challenging enough. We just want the best for our kids, and this includes clean products and healthy foods.
I’m not sure what the future will bring but I am open to every opportunity that comes my way that gives me a chance to give back to families and make the world a better place.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
I am active on social media, including my Instagram account (IG: @NonToxicMamaBear) and Facebook group. Visiting my website IAmMamaBearLiving.com will lead you to my blog where I share tips and tricks for healthier living and also allow you to sign up for my newsletters. I share promotions, tips, and personal stories in regards to balancing toxin free living in today’s world while raising kids. If you’re a podcast listener, I recently started one last year as a way to reach more families and listeners. The podcast is called Nontoxic Talk. Last season, I addressed topics such as healthy skincare options, easy swaps you can make in your kitchen, and healthy ways to detox your body. I encourage readers to connect with me on socials, and reach out to me via email. I do personalized detox consults in-home and virtually. Aside from helping families decrease toxins in their home with individualized feedback, I help moms create and finalize their baby registry in order to choose less toxic options from the get go. I promote and sell digital guides and my first ever created children’s book called The Beach Clean-Up, which aims to teach children about the increasing harm of plastic within our community and across the globe. I hope readers will reach out to me! I’m always excited to connect with like minded families.
Thank you so much for these insights. This was so inspiring, and so important!
Thank you so much for the opportunity to be interviewed! It was enlightening. I always enjoy discussing meaningful topics and sharing personal insight.
Jenna Johnson Of NonToxicMamaBear On How Simplifying & Decluttering Your Life Can Make You Happier was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.