Author Archive
Practical Tips for Simpler Living
Posted by: | CommentsMohamed is starting a blog for an easier going approach to simpler living. Not minimalist or selling everything and moving to the country. Like me 
He asked some of us with simple living blogs our most practical tips, so I thought I’d share the compilation with you here:
http://midwaysimplicity.com/27-legends-reveal-tips-to-simplify-your-life/
What Do You Want?
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I believe one of the best ways to get to the core of what’s important to you and to travel the road towards simplicity is to ask the right questions. So I am starting a series called Moving Towards Simplicity. You can answer these questions in your journal, in the comments below or at the MySimplerLife Facebook page.
Question #4:
What Do You Want?
We’ve been told we can’t have what we want. Or we shouldn’t want things. We don’t like to admit our desires. But, then how can we go towards them?
I want peace. Space for deep thinking and reflection. I want to make my own choices. I want family time and a growing business. I want to take my daughter traveling. Wonder. Joy. Love. Health. Music. I want to cherish my moments. I want to dance. I want to expand my comfort zone and to feel more energetic. I want new kitchen curtains.
How about you? I want…
Weekly Simplicity Tips
Posted by: | CommentsWelcome to this week’s issue of Weekly Simplicity Tips. This was a great weekend with nothing going on. So Saturday I spent relaxing, renewing and reading. And Sunday I caught up on email, laundry & paper.
I also tried my hand at digital scrapbooking for the first time.
- Create a budget for your next vacation and start saving.
- Remember money is just energy – it’s not good or bad. It only has the value you give it.
- To make the good times feel like they last longer, savor and use your senses to slow down time.
- How is your focus? How much stimuli do you have going? TV, ads, computer games, emails, cell phones.
- Share something you feel shame about with a compassionate friend and watch the shame drift away.
- Are you doing something right now, just to gain approval?
- Worry is negative anticipation instead of anticipating good things. Take action instead of worry.
Solutions
Declutter Club begins April 23
Does your home nurture you? Or isn’t it squishing you out with the clutter? If your flat surfaces always are piled with stuff and you run into things too often with your shins, join us in creating homes that you want to be in.
http://www.encouragingcoach.com/programs-decluttergroup.htm
Declutter Group Giveaway
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I haven’t done this before, but thought it would be fun to give away one spot in the Declutter Group which starts April 23.
You want a simple plan, that will integrate into your busy life and will solve your clutter problem.
So I have created the: 6-Week "Get a Handle on Your Clutter" Group. I love simplicity as most of you know, so I didn’t want this to be a complicated, time waster.
Instead I have laid out the plan step-by-step in an easy to use workbook.
With weekly chats in my chat room and message boards for daily challenges with one another you will get the support and encouragement you need to keep on going. You are definitely not the only one struggling with your home.
So how do you enter?
Just post below why you want to join the Declutter Group. Don’t worry it’s not going to be judged. *shudder*
I’ll be picking a name randomly with random.org. I will be choosing Friday and will email the winner.
Read more about the Declutter Club here.
***
UPDATE: And the winner is Roberta Nichols. Congratulations!
What Do You Bring to Others?
Posted by: | Comments
I believe one of the best ways to get to the core of what’s important to you and to travel the road towards simplicity is to ask the right questions. So I am starting a series called Moving Towards Simplicity. You can answer these questions in your journal, in the comments below or at the MySimplerLife Facebook page.
Question #3:
What Do You Bring to Others?
Sometimes we don’t see this, so we can ask our friends and family. It doesn’t have to be work related. What do people thank you for? What are you known for? What’s really easy for you?
This is what is at the bottom of my newsletter:
I help the overwhelmed create saner, simpler lives. I deliver…
Untamed possibility. Breathe easier simplicity. Hope.
On the wings of understanding and encouragement.
Step by step breaking down from “no way! “ to “why not?”
How about you? I bring…
Who Are You?
Posted by: | Comments
I believe one of the best ways to get to the core of what’s important to you and to travel the road towards simplicity is to ask the right questions. So I am starting a series called Moving Towards Simplicity. You can answer these questions in your journal, in the comments below or at the MySimplerLife Facebook page.
Question #2:
Who are you?
The good. The bad. See yourself in honesty. Describe what makes you, you. Then you can create a life around who you really are. Not who you wish you could be.
I am 4 ft 11. I am introverted and kind. Lazy and fearful. I am highly sensitive, optimistic and see potential. I am calm and laugh easily. I am intuitive and sometimes see more than what is really there. I am spiritual. Encouraging. I love to learn, write, read and be outdoors.
How about you? I am…
Moving Towards Simplicity Questions
Posted by: | Comments
I believe one of the best ways to get to the core of what’s important to you and to travel the road towards simplicity is to ask the right questions. So I am starting a series called Moving Towards Simplicity. You can answer these questions in your journal, in the comments below or at the MySimplerLife Facebook page.
Question #1:
Why do you want a simpler, saner life?
For me, I want a simpler life so I have time to recuperate, be in nature and nurture my body and soul. I want the people in my life to know they are more important to me than a to do list. To me a simpler life is a more fulfilling life.
How about you?
Weekly Simplicity Tips
Posted by: | CommentsWelcome to this week’s issue of Weekly Simplicity Tips. Butterflies flew all around us at Frederick Meijer Gardens. Colors caught our eye and then they would be gone. But, some held still long enough for a picture. And because of our early spring, this year we saw the blooming tulips, daffodils and other spring bulbs.
Photos by Brea Dargis
- When your cleansers are empty, replenish with green kinds.
- What are you not telling yourself the truth about?
- Narrow down the amount of books you are reading at one time.
- Go on a family picnic. Even if you just pick up sandwiches from Subway.
- Declutter the area that is bugging you the most.
- Decide to do something you love to do. Share it at the Simpler Life facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Simpler-Life/133688783345981
- Check the expectations you have of others and how they are clouding your relationships.
Solutions
Declutter Club begins April 23
Does your home nurture you? Or isn’t it squishing you out with the clutter? If your flat surfaces always are piled with stuff and you run into things too often with your shins, join us in creating homes that you want to be in.
http://www.encouragingcoach.com/programs-decluttergroup.htm
My Stress is Worse than Your Stress
Posted by: | CommentsCath Duncan, of Remembering for Good, wrote this great article on hierarchies of grief. Depending on what your loss was will determine how much sympathy you get and how long you are allowed to grieve. But, this hierachy is not good for you or for society. It just leads to judgment and shame. Is grief really where you want to one up someone on? Instead Cath suggests that we give everyone full permission to feel and grieve as they need to. And wrap everyone in that blanket of comfort.
And I was thinking that we do this in other ways as well. From going on about what a horrible day you had to how busy you are. Your day is always worse than the other person’s. You are more busy than anyone else. And if feels that way because it is happening to you. Just as grief is personal, your life is yours so you feel it more acutely.
Maybe this week, when someone complains about how much stress they are under, you nod and sympathize. Instead of going into a story right away about how much stress you are under. Listen. Give comfort. Because we are all under pressure. Life feels hard for many. We don’t need to compare lives to see whose is the hardest.
Let’s just gather together to hold each other up – no judgments.
She Serves What?
Posted by: | CommentsI just found out that an older lady I know, who is extremely smart and I’ve always looked up to, can’t cook. And she serves canned vegetables.
I was delighted. Now she is more accessible to me.
And the camaraderie. I cook simple food, because I am not talented in the kitchen. I love the show, "Worst Cooks in America." In many ways, I relate.
I also haven’t figured out how to use my sewing machine which I’ve owned for years.
What do you think will happen if you let people in enough to see that you aren’t perfect?
From what I’ve seen, the most likely outcome is a closer relationship.
