Maximum Gratitude, Minimal Stuff

Who says winter is the only time to hygge?  Hygge elements enhance life every day, no matter the time of year. Hygge (originally a Norwegian word pronounced "hoo-gah") can be loosely translated as "well-being."  The Danes adopted the word and turned it into a lifestyle.  They're always at or near the top of the list on international happiness surveys, and hygge is a big part of the reason for that. Why should you care about hygge? Maybe you're not Danish (I'm not either), and you're wondering what this fascination with hygge is all about.  You're already super-busy, and you don't need to add one more "must do" item to your schedule. Being too buy, fixating on achievement, and always looking for more and better are habits that add to our stress and dissatisfaction.  How can we possibly find contentment when we're always chasing the next big thing?  That's a foolproof recipe for unhappiness. Usually, it's not money, posses...

I recently replaced my 9-year-old refurbished iPhone (which I owned for almost 5 years) with a 3-year-old refurbished iPhone.  The only reason I did this is because my old iPhone was no longer supported by updates, which made it more vulnerable to the scammers and hackers out there.  Otherwise, it still worked just fine.  I do appreciate the greatly increased battery capacity of my new phone, and the camera quality is slightly better.  And I really appreciate my son, who located a suitable phone and helped set it up. I've never been an early tech adopter, but a 9-year-old device seems prehistoric to many.  Why do I resist the constant push to upgrade?  Because I'm an underconsumer, and proud of it. The latest trend? There are many "cores" out there.  Cottagecore, Grandmacore, Gothcore, you name it.  Fads have always come and gone, and I've participated in my share of them.  (Yes, I owned a few Gunne Sax dresses back in the 70s and early 80s!)...

Sometimes you know you're moving to a smaller space in several months, or even next year, and you can plan for that date and take more time on each of these steps. But life isn't always ideal, and we don't always have a choice.  So if you've only got a few weeks to decide what you want and need so you can move on (or even if you simply want a fresh start in your current home), here's your cheat sheet. The 7 steps 1.  Assess. Professional organizer Katherine Lawrence suggests you begin this process by analyzing your space and gathering your resources.  After a complete walk-through, including basements, attics, sheds, and the garage, ask yourself the following questions: Are there large collections or antiques that need special handling? Are there cabinets, drawers, or boxes filled with papers and photos that will be tedious to sort? What are the categories (such as kitchen items, linens, and clothing) that will be easy to donate? You will need trash bags, moving bo...

I used to buy clothes every week or two, even if I didn't technically need anything new.  Why?  I was hoping to look cuter, more stylish, or more professional.  Thinner, and more fun.  Or maybe more serious! Whatever my hopes, I always felt I had something to prove.  I was trying to create a persona, because I definitely didn't believe that I could be accepted and loved at face value.  I used my wardrobe to create a look that others would like. That's why I pity celebrities.  They're always trying to create a look that entices others.  We look at them, judge them, and maybe try to emulate what they're doing.  It's sad, really, because they can never just be themselves.  They can't even age normally. So even when I was pregnant, even after I had two children and my body was changed forever and clothes that fit me became harder to find, I bought new stuff all the time.  Eventually, I bought fewer clothes, because it was too frustratin...

A big change may be what you need, what you crave, and what you dream of – but maybe you don't see how it can happen today, this weekend, or even by the end of this year.  But if you want to find more satisfaction today, it's possible. 4 practices for more fulfillment 1.  Get present. When we're overwhelmed by possessions or a to-do list, worry and fear distract us from what we want to focus on.  Our attention is diverted by worry about all the other things we have to do, and fear that we'll never accomplish what needs to be done, or what we really dream of doing. This anxiety is the result of "future thinking," and the antidote is to be in the present.  If this is very different from your usual behavior, take it slowly at first.  Set a timer for 10 minutes and just focus on what you're doing or experiencing right now.  If 10 minutes is too long, try five.  You can even state your intention out loud:  "Right now, I'm doing this, and I'm giving...

Decluttering might feel like the hugest, most difficult job you must tackle in order to achieve the simple life you crave.  But is it really necessary?  Is it possible to design a simpler life even if you remain surrounded by clutter? Here's the truth:  Clutter is an obstacle to a life of value and focus.  It's a thief that gets in the way of all that really matters. Clutter steals your attention from more important things. Clutter steals your time when you have to search for the belongings you need. Clutter steals your effectiveness, because it makes every task harder.  Clutter steals your comfort when you want space to think or relax. Clutter steals your money when you add to it, maintain it, or insure it. Clutter steals your purpose, because it makes you feel trapped and futile. Clutter steals your joy, because clutter both manifests depression and causes it . Decluttering literally removes these barriers and clears your path to a simpler life, which is why d...