FREE EVENT! Power Up for Pesach—Join Me Live!
Before you read this email, read this:
Are you feeling overwhelmed with your to-do list?
Wondering how you’ll manage to make Pesach, feed everyone, and still hold onto some sense of calm?
I hear you.
And that’s exactly why I’m so excited to share something that will help.
For the 5th year in a row, my friends Dalia and Jodi have put together Power Up for Pesach—a completely FREE series of workshops designed to support Jewish women physically and spiritually during this busy time of year.
💡 Imagine stepping into Pesach feeling energized, calm, and ready. These workshops will inspire you, help you feel better about yourself, and free up more energy and time to spend with the people you love.
And the best part? I’ll be speaking live! 🎉 Join me on Tuesday March 23 at 9 PM Israel time, for my session, where I’ll be sharing practical strategies to make Pesach prep easier and less overwhelming.
If you can’t make it live, don’t worry—replays will be available!
The workshops started on March 18, and I would love for you to be part of it.
👉 Click here to register: www.powerupforpesach.org
AND NOW FOR TODAY'S HOCK:)
Pesach prep is a lot. We all know that.
But here’s something that you may not realize:
The stress of Pesach isn’t just about the cleaning. It’s about the stuff.
Think about it:
✅ We don’t feel overwhelmed scrubbing a countertop.
We feel overwhelmed when we first have to clear the countertop, move piles of mail, put away random things, and then finally get to the scrubbing.
✅ We don’t feel overwhelmed switching dishes.
We feel overwhelmed when we have to first shove aside the chametzdik dishes packed into overstuffed cabinets, struggle to make room for our Pesach dishes, and then start setting up.
✅ We don’t feel overwhelmed kashering the kitchen.
We feel overwhelmed when we first have to pull piles of chametzdik gadgets out of the way, empty out crammed drawers, and shuffle around things that don’t belong.
Cleaning is work.
But clutter? Clutter turns that work into a burden.
Did You Know?
Clutter Doubles Your Cleaning Time
You might've read this in my book, Frum Minimalism:
When you have clutter, you’re actually spending twice as much time cleaning.
Why? Because every time you clean, you’re doing three steps instead of one:
1️⃣ Move the clutter out of the way.
2️⃣ Clean the surface.
3️⃣ Put the clutter back.
Let’s say you’re cleaning your living room for Pesach. If you have:
❌ End tables covered in picture frames, books, and random stuff
❌ A coffee table buried under magazines, toys, and knickknacks
❌ A china cabinet stuffed with things you don’t even use
You’re working twice as hard.
First, you have to move everything out of the way.
Then, you finally get to wipe down the surfaces.
Then, you have to put it all back (or shove it somewhere else!).
Now imagine if you only had what you truly loved and needed in that room. Cleaning would be fast.
The Fix:
Declutter Before You Clean
This year, before you start scrubbing, start with decluttering.
Because the less stuff you have, the easier Pesach prep becomes.
And if you haven’t grabbed my Free Pesach Decluttering Guide, you can download it here for step-by-step decluttering checklists!
TIP 1: Simplify Your Pesach Setup
I'm sure you can relate. Every year, we pull out the same boxes, full of:
🔹 Things we actually use
🔹 Things we never use but feel guilty getting rid of
🔹 Things we forgot we even had
This year, do this instead:
✅ Take out your Pesach boxes and be brutally honest.
What did you actually use last year?
What sat in the box untouched?
If you didn’t use it last Pesach, you don’t need it.
🔹 That fancy glass butter dish you thought was cute but never take out?
Donate it.
🔹 That massive soup pot you use once every three years?
If you really need it, borrow it.
🔹 The chipped plates you keep “just in case” but always skip over?
Time to let them go.
✅ Let go of extras.
Do you need:
❌ Four potato peelers?
❌ Three soup pots?
❌ An extra food processor “just in case”?
Stick to the essentials.
If you reach for the same peeler, knife, and cutting board every year, why keep the extras?
✅ Store smarter.
The less cluttered your Pesach storage is, the easier it is to set up next year.
Pack things neatly, label clearly, and get rid of the unnecessary so you’re not dreading the unpacking next time.
TIP 2: Declutter Your Kitchen for Easier Switchover
Pesach kitchen prep gets overwhelming when your cabinets and pantry are already bursting.
Decluttering before Pesach will make the switch a breeze.
Ask yourself:
🔹 Do I love and use everything in my kitchen?
Or am I holding onto things because I “might” need them one day?
🔹 Are my cabinets jam-packed with extra dishes, mugs, and gadgets?
If you haven’t used that yogurt maker, fancy serving dish, or fifth baking pan in the last year, it’s just taking up valuable space.
🔹 Are my drawers filled with utensils I don’t even like?
If you always reach for the same spatula and never use the rest, why are you keeping them?
🔹 Do I have expired spices, old condiments, or half-used baking ingredients?
Clearing them out now means less work when it’s time to kasher the kitchen.
Make Space in Your Kitchen Before Pesach
✅ Clear out chametzdik appliances.
Do you have:
❌ A waffle maker you haven't used in two years?
❌ A broken toaster you keep meaning to fix?
❌ An old mixer collecting dust because you use a different one?
Put them away or donate them now—your Pesach setup will be so much easier.
✅ Declutter dishes & utensils.
Do you need:
❌ 10 different mixing bowls?
❌ Mugs that no one uses?
❌ Extra sets of silverware “just in case”?
If it never gets used, why is it taking up space?
TIP 3: Declutter Clothing Before Yom Tov Shopping
New Yom Tov clothes are exciting and an important part of the chag —but do you really need to buy so much? Decluttering first makes sure you’re only buying what you actually need.
Go Through What You Already Have
Before you shop, check what’s in your closets so you don’t end up with doubles, extras, or things you don’t really need.
✅ Try on last year’s Yom Tov outfits.
Do they still fit?
Do you still like them?
If not, donate
.
✅ Go through your kids’ closets.
🔹 Pull out anything that’s too small or worn out.
need to keep things that won’t be worn.
🔹 Check for sibling hand-me-downs.
You might already have something perfect for this year!
🔹 Make a list of what each kid actually needs.
Instead of impulse buying, you’ll shop smarter.
✅ Declutter everyday clothes, too.
When you’re adding new Yom Tov outfits, make space by letting go of things you no longer wear.
🔹 That stained blouse you always skip over?
🔹 The skirts that never fit right?
🔹 The sweater that's just not comfortable?
Donate or trash them.
Shop Smarter for Yom Tov
✅ Make a realistic list before you buy.
Instead of grabbing whatever looks nice, shop with a plan.
✅ Stick to what you actually need.
Do you need five new outfits per kid, or will two be enough?
✅ Think mix & match.
A few versatile pieces go further than lots of separate outfits.
Your Pesach Will Feel Lighter—In Every Way
When you take the time to clear out the unnecessary, you’re left with a home that actually feels good to clean. You’re making space—not just in your kitchen, but in your mind.
Pesach prep doesn’t have to be overwhelming. When you declutter first, cleaning becomes simple.
So before you start scrubbing,
set a timer for 15 minutes and declutter just one area. You’ll be amazed at how much lighter everything feels.
And if you want even more strategies for a calm, clutter-free Pesach, I hope you'll join me at Power Up For Pesach!
Let me know—where are you starting?
Hit reply and tell me!
Wishing you a peaceful, clutter-free Pesach! ✨
Ellie
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