Weekend Wisdom: Don't let your legacy be containers full of stuff. When I started simplifying my life in 2006, I was pretty sick. With a recent multiple sclerosis diagnosis and in the middle of a full-on relapse, I know things had to change. I also knew that stressing myself and my family by going after that overnight fix I was always after wasn’t going to work. Today, I’ve been relapse free since 2008, thanks in part to removing a bunch of stress in my life through simplicity, gentle...
5 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, These are the things I've done that have made the biggest difference and allowed me to be present for what matters to me. Once I began to simplify, I realized I wanted more than to just get through my life. I wanted to show up for it, to be in my life and not just checking pieces of it off my list each day. I wanted to stop proving myself by what I accomplished and start noticing what meant something to me. If you want that too these simple secrets will help. 5 Simple Secrets to...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, The simplest way to move forward with decluttering (or almost anything) is to get back to basics. Getting rid of stuff comes with all kinds of complicated emotions and feelings, so it's easy to get frustrated. If clutter crept back in after a big decluttering effort a few months or years ago, it's easy to think that the work you did was a waste of time. You might be wondering ... Where did all this stuff come from? Why can't I let go? What's wrong with me? Instead of getting...
9 days ago • 1 min read
Weekend Wisdom: Juggling everything makes it impossible to enjoy anything. Something you probably don't know about me is that I have pretty major dental anxiety. It took me a long time to find a dentist I trusted. When I did find one, I stayed with his practice for 15 years (or more) until he recently closed his business. Finding a new dentist has been a challenge and very stressful. I can be calm in almost any situation but not at the dentist. I know how to soothe my nervous system, but I...
12 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, Create these simple spaces. They will help you create a calm home. They will also give you momentum and motivation to eventually declutter and simplify your whole house or your entire life. Once you are enjoying these simple spaces and getting a glimpse of your calm home, keep going. Create other spaces that will serve as little simplicity sanctuaries to remind yourself of the clutter-free, calm home you want to live in ... to thrive in. 3 simple spaces that will turn a...
14 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, For most of my life, I was deep in debt and the idea of saving for an emergency fund was laughable. When I began to simplify and reduce stress, I knew that money was one of the most stressful things in my life. I had some work to do. I started an emergency fund before I paid off all of my debt. Even though it was slow going and took some time and creativity, that stress-free feeling of knowing I had extra money set aside was worth the effort. If you want to save for an e-fund or...
16 days ago • 1 min read
Weekend Wisdom: If catching up worked, you'd be caught up by now. Maybe it's time to relax instead. Even though I'm looking forward to fall, I'm cherishing the last summer moments. Today I'll have an early morning coffee with a good book in my backyard and stroll through our local farmer's market. My plan is to find a bunch of tomatoes and make a roasted tomato soup and my favorite marinara (recipe in today's favs). AND NOW, ON TO THE FAVORITES Click here to see all of the Weekend Favorites...
19 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, The comfort and consistency of daily rituals can help you to feel more calm and grounded. Practice some of these daily rituals even when you don't feel stressed to build resilience and soothe your nervous system. The following daily rituals will help you let go of stress with more ease for a happier life. You can experiment with these seven simple rituals to release stress and worry (without getting overwhelmed). 7 Daily Rituals to Release Stress and Worry xo, Courtney
21 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, Did you ever think that clutter might be making you sick or stressed, or that it is preventing you from healing? Living with less clutter can actually improve your health. This has been my experience and science agrees! Read more about how clutter makes us sick and what to do about it in today's article. Living with Less Clutter Can Actually Improve Your Health. xo, Courtney
23 days ago • 1 min read