Maximum Gratitude, Minimal Stuff

We're all different, and we're all comfortable with more or less clutter.  Some of us lean more minimalist, and some of us don't.  But for most of us, when we improve our surroundings, we improve our state of mind.  When we make order in one area, we see more clearly in another.  When we clear out something that's messy and bothersome, we may be able to clear up a situation that's been giving us trouble. There's no one right way to be, of course.  We've achieved the right level of order when we can find what we need, function well in our space, and feel comfortable in our surroundings.  For some people, that requires zero (or near-zero) clutter.  For others, their tolerance is a little higher. Here are my top tips for getting control of the stuff in my life so that I can feel more in control of my life. Try these quick and easy actions 1.  Make your bed. It's the center of your bedroom, and it sets the tone not just for that space, but for your w...

If you listen to wealth managers, you'll think that growing your net worth is exciting.  I don't think money is exciting.  But saving money can be comforting, satisfying, and freeing. There are several unsexy ways to save money.  They won't rev your heart rate, but they can make life simpler and more secure.  Let's learn how they work. 9 savings strategies 1.  Eat the same meals every week. This habit makes your grocery shopping faster and easier, makes the cost more predictable, and it simplifies your kitchen chores!  Simply choose a couple of breakfasts, two or three lunches, and a half-dozen dinner options that you can rotate.  You'll never wonder what to fix, you'll save a ton of money over eating out or ordering in, and you'll waste less food.  (Wasted food is wasted money!)  Plus, if you're trying to follow any kind of special diet, keeping track of your carbs, calories, fat, or whatever becomes much simpler. Before you knock it, try it...

I know this won't work for everyone, but it does for a lot of people.  If you're feeling sad, worried, or overwhelmed, instead of trying to soothe yourself with something that might wind up making you feel worse (such as an extra glass or two of wine, a sweet treat, a TV or gaming binge, or an expensive shopping trip), try doing something that might actually make you feel better. After all, the antidote for feeling out of control isn't to abandon control.  Feeling upset is a reason to seek order and purpose, not to abandon them. My prescription A friend was angry with her boss, so she spent the afternoon cleaning out her office.  Sorting, tossing, shredding, making space, and finally organizing helped her calm down.  Plus, she loved her tidied, pretty work area so much that she proudly posted a couple of pictures on social media. The sense of satisfaction with a job well done will improve your mood, too, and increase your sense of competence and efficiency. This isn...

Yes, decluttering can take a lot of time.  It can be physically taxing.  It can even be emotional.  But these aren't the hardest things about it. The real challenge is the number of decisions that need to made, over and over, about everything you own.  You don't just need to handle all of your possessions – you need to decide what to keep and where to store it.  You need to decide what to discard, and how best to do that (sell, donate, recycle, trash). We all know that decision-making is fraught with peril.  It's not just fatiguing.  You start worrying that you're missing something important, or you get trapped in overthinking.  That's why we so often avoid making decisions.  Our aversion causes us to procrastinate, which is at the root of our clutter problem.  It just seems easier to shove something into the back of a closet and leave the decision for later – or never. Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions. Barbara Hemphill T...

Most of think we're being practical when we hang on to extras "just in case."  The spare cables, extra towels, surplus mugs and all of those canned green beans we got cheap are tucked away for the future when they might come in handy. It feels reasonable.  Farsighted.  Adult.  Certainly, we're trying to protect ourselves from future need or inconvenience. But while all of this clutter might look like security, it could be stealing something we need more – the ability to adapt when life changes. The burden of "just in case" We might think that keeping all the extras makes life easier.  But if you've ever had to move house, or just search for something in an overcrowded drawer or closet, you know that more isn't always better. Just imagine if you had to move within the next month for a new job or to care for a family member.  How much work would that entail?  How much more effort is required because you have to sort through and make decisions about st...

I appreciate the men and women who have served in the armed forces.  They sacrificed time, comfort, safety, and sometimes their futures so that I could live in a country that still believes in democracy and freedom. Today, my husband Jon and I will give thanks for these family members who gave their lives: my grandfather's older brother Robert, who died fighting in France in World War I Jon's grandfather August, who was killed while driving an army ambulance in north Africa during World War II Raymond, Douglas, and Smitty, comrades and friends of Jon's father Bob, who perished fighting in Germany during World War II We also appreciate other relatives who served: Jon's uncle Ray, who served during World War II my father Robert, his brother Kenneth, and all four of my mother's brothers, who served in the army at various times during the Cold War Jon's older cousin Steve, who was wounded in Vietnam My sister-in-law's father Dan and my son-in-law's father Ri...