The way you feel about yourself is a tricky thing. No one wants to be egotistical or overconfident. But most us are more likely to err in the opposite direction – to be unsure, self-doubting, lacking in self-esteem. A library of self-help books and/or years of therapy can maybe help. But for a simpler approach, you […]
18
Apr
Apr
Earlier this month a took a week off. I went away for my previous vacation and didn’t particularly enjoy it, so this time I decided to make it a staycation. And I’m glad I did! I spent most of my week catching up with friends, watching DVDs, reading, and generally lounging around. It was wonderfully […]
11
Apr
Apr
Here are some common frustrations I hear from people who are trying to declutter their lives and organize their homes: My husband is a hoarder – he still has college notes from the 80s. My wife’s hobbies have taken over the entire house. My kids have too much stuff and won’t get rid of anything. If you relate, […]
30
Mar
Mar
It’s the end of the first quarter of 2013, plus I’ve just run 7 Days To An Organized Home Office. Which makes it an excellent time to take a week off! I’ve recently learned that going away is not necessarily the best way to unwind, at least not for me. So I’ll be taking a staycation […]
You know that lovely feeling you get when you’ve just organized your shoes, decluttered the filing cabinet, or streamlined your vintage doily collection? *insert plaintive voice* Why does it never last? Why does the chaos always return? Why can’t I stay ahead of clutter and disorganization? The answers, respectively, are that it can, it doesn’t have to, and there […]
22
Mar
Mar
With a change of season upon us, now’s a great time for a spot of spring cleaning. But instead of focussing on the external environment, let’s start with ourselves. By tidying up mental habits and self-talk on the inside, we can make life a lot more happy and ordered on the outside too. Here are 7 simple but powerful ways to spring clean your mind. […]
21
Mar
Mar
Are you doing 7 Days To An Organized Home Office with me? Whether or not you’re doing the program, I think you’ll like these inspiring home offices… This is one of several rather high-tech home office spaces. Here you’ll find some colorful home offices such as this one. For a range of modern designs check […]
12
Mar
Mar
The Um, Joy of Happiness Did you know that happiness is associated with all kinds of cool benefits? They include: Physical & mental health Coping skills Resilience Work satisfaction Good relationships – with colleagues, friends, and loved ones Long life Immune system strength Liking yourself Altruism Liking others Effective conflict management. That means happiness isn’t […]
07
Mar
Mar
What’s your biggest home office challenge? When I asked this question on Facebook I didn’t expect 200 replies from people frustrated with towering paper piles, ineffective filing systems, and unsatisfactory habits for dealing with all the clutter spoiling their home office spaces. So I’m super-excited to announce my brand-spanking-new program: 7 Days To An Organized Home […]
04
Mar
Mar
This is a 5-minute organizing task from the Organize-In-5 Diary. How To Make Up Memory Boxes For Your Family’s Mementos And Keepsakes – In Just 5 Minutes! Find or buy some attractive boxes – one for each family member. Kids might like to cover theirs in re-cycled wrapping paper. Label them with the person’s name. […]
28
Feb
Feb
The secret of getting ahead is getting started. ~ Mark Twain Sometimes we put off things that we want – decluttering our house, or clearing out our closet, or starting our diet and exercise program, or beginning our novel. We can’t imagine how we could ever deal with so much clutter. We look at our wardrobes […]
20
Feb
Feb
Sometimes we hold so tightly to things or situations or people. We fear the unknown. We doubt we can cope without them. Better the devil we know! But when we do finally let go of the job, the person, the conviction to which we’ve clung till our knuckles are ragged, we often find something more wonderful […]
19
Feb
Feb
This week I did something that scared the pants off me. Fortunately not my actual pants, but my figurative pants. My figurative capri pants. I sang a song. In front of a relative stranger. With my neighborhood-cats-are-crying singing voice. Why, you may ask, would I inflict this aural abuse on someone? One of my personal […]
14
Feb
Feb
Happy Valentine’s Day everybody! What’s your best relationship tip? In honor of the day, and to round off this week’s little relationships series, here are 20 neat ideas for better relationships. 20 Ideas For Better Relationships Spend more time with the people who matter most. Let go of grudges. Do something every day for someone […]
13
Feb
Feb
These lessons have completely changed the way I relate to my loved ones. I hope they’re helpful to you too. Best Relationship Advice Ever Part 3: Swap Complaining For Asking So often when people are unhappy with someone in their lives they complain about what’s wrong. He never does any housework. She never wants to have sex. Mom […]
12
Feb
Feb
This week I’m sharing some of the things I’ve learned over the years about relationships. I hope these lessons are helpful to you, too. Best Relationship Advice Ever Part 2: Plant Your Own Garden Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. ~ Veronica A. […]
11
Feb
Feb
This Friday is my wedding anniversary (16 years – yikes!). And Thursday is Valentine’s Day – which to me is about all relationships, not just romantic ones. Which makes it a good week to think about relationship stuff. My relationships – romantic, family, friends – are a huge part of my life. They teach me so […]
07
Feb
Feb
Be a Rainbow In Someone Else’s Cloud. ~ Maya Angelou It takes so little to brighten someone else’s day. Yet it can leave them feeling happy for a moment, an hour, a day, or give them a sweet memory for life. And it makes you feel pretty awesome, too. Here are some ideas for being […]
04
Feb
Feb
You may know that I recently did my annual declutter. (I’ve shared my declutter checklist here and post-declutter photos here.) But you may not know that some unexpected things happen when you get rid of clutter. Here are 6 of them… 1. You don’t buy things unless they’re awesome After decluttering – when your stuff is pared down to what you use […]
01
Feb
Feb
As well as being the month I declutter my house, January is when I like to do all that health stuff. I create a health to-do list and schedule: A check-up with my doctor A visit to my dentist and hygienist General blood tests to keep an eye on iron and other stuff my doctor […]