One of my clients is using Dressing Your Truth to pick clothes that match her look and personality and to declutter what doesn’t. Then we were talking about food choices and I mentioned the idea of eating your truth. Eating what you know your body loves and that tastes good.

We can use this concept for many things. In what our home looks like – does it match you and your family’s personalities and needs? If you had a specific idea of what you would bring into your home and what no longer enters that would make buying and decluttering easier.

You can use this for activities. Differentiate activities that are truly "you" and things you are doing out of obligation. Check to see if your activities represent your truth. If you decide you will only leave home 3 evenings a week you will have a built in policy with which to say no. If you decide cooking isn’t your specialty and you will not participate in bake sales, you can do that. If you love to design, or write or speak and that kind of volunteer opportunity comes up, you might say yes to it.

The requirement is that you know yourself. It is also helpful to say, "I need to check my schedule" before saying yes to ANYTHING.

How about exercise? Personality-wise do you like to do things with a group or alone? How about activity level – do you like high energy or a more soothing energy? You can do the kind of movement you liked as a kid. You don’t need to do the "in" exercise if it’s not for you.

Here are some questions to ponder:

1. What kind of home do I want to live in?
2. What needs would I like my home to meet?
3. What do I no longer want in my home?
4. What part of my home always slows down the flow of my daily routine?
5. What does my family do in my home?
6. Is there a spot for each of those?
7. What are my skills that I would like to use in volunteering?
8. How many evenings out a week do I want to have?
9. What activities do I not like to do?
10. What kind of exercise fits me?

My grandparents have taught me a lot about simplicity. Not because they grew up in the depression era – Grandpa’s family had to move from Pennsylvania to Detroit to see if they could get work with cars. They didn’t have lots of money to start with.

But, that’s not why they have taught me about simplicity. They lived in the same house for about 50 years. They rarely updated the look of the house. Not a lot of knickknacks and re-painting. They drove the same type of car all the time because they got a deal from a family friend. They ate out when they had a coupon. Neither spent much money on clothes. They never worried about, "keeping up appearances."

They have specific priorities. They wanted to travel and they have – China, Australia, Alaska, Europe and all over the world. Often they combined their trips with a learning program through Elderhostel because of their love of learning. And many trip in the U.S. were done in their camper.

People are a priority. It seemed someone extra was always invited to Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. From exchange students to missionaries to far off friends. It took them weeks to drive from Florida to Michigan after the winter season because of all the stops they made along the way to see various friends. Even in their 90’s people drop by their place and Grandma always feeds them.

It used to be with things from their garden. This is their first year without a garden. It was Grandpa’s passion. He made a greenhouse and had lights in the basement to grow the tomato plants from heirloom seeds. The tall fenced in garden took up almost half of their tiny yard.

They simplified what they spent their money and time on, so they would have money and time for what was most important to them. I love that they have been so clear on their priorities.

What are your priorities? What are you doing just to keep up appearances?

Instead of feeling resentful for saying yes when you really wanted to say no, try these phrases:

1. Someone in my time class uses the phrase, “That doesn’t work for me.”

2. I am feeling overwhelmed and can’t put anything else on my plate.

3. I have a policy to never ….

4. I really can’t…. right now, but I can….

5. I’m sorry, I have another commitment.

6. Thanks for thinking of me, but I am not able to.

7. I appreciate the request, but I am not taking on anything else right now.

8. I am honored you thought of me, but I don’t have the time to do a proper job.

9. My heart wouldn’t be in it.

10. Thanks for the invitation, but an early night is a better option for me.

What are your favorite ways to say no?

Learn other strategies in my Change Your Relationship to Time Class

Welcome to this week’s issue of Weekly Simplicity Tips.

The 100 Day Challenge started Sept. 23 but it’s still open and my finance class starts Oct. 7

Time for Art Prize in Grand Rapids. Brea and I went Thursday. Here are a few of the entries:

Pictures by Brea Dargis

1. Put snacks in one basket for easy access for the youngsters.
2. Plan for a way to get at least 3 walks or other types of movement this week.
3. What needs to be planned for this week?
4. Are you saying yes out of joy and service or obligation and wanting people to like you?
5. Practice following through for a day.
6. Turn off the tech for an hour and get outside.
7. Quit trying to force a particular outcome in your situation.

Get into financial integrity

Starts Oct. 7

This class will help you:

• get your finances in order
• start saving
• create a plan to get out of debt
• consolidate, automate and simplify your system
• create a simple spending plan

Each class will bring you closer to financial integrity. And you’ll find you are not alone.

Let me help you simplify your money systems: https://www.mysimplerlife.com/simplify-your-money-systems-class

Welcome to this week’s issue of Weekly Simplicity Tips.

Wanting to get your financial systems in order? The next class starts Oct 7.

And the 100 Day Challenge starts Sept. 23

Here are some pictures of a recent walk:

 I was much shorter than the foliage.

Milkweed floating

Pictures by Brea Dargis

1. What do you need to let go of that is keeping your life stagnant?
2. Release some old information – magazine articles, project papers you no longer need, A papers from elementary school.
3. Do an action without rushing today.
4. If something in your life is feeling icky and out of integrity, what can you do about it?
5. Plan a seasonal delight for this upcoming season.
6. Get rid of 10 things.
7. Before you buy an item, think of how much work time is needed to pay for the it.

Get into financial integrity

Starts Oct. 7

This class will help you:

• get your finances in order
• start saving
• create a plan to get out of debt
• consolidate, automate and simplify your system
• create a simple spending plan

Each class will bring you closer to financial integrity. And you’ll find you are not alone.

Let me help you simplify your money systems: https://www.mysimplerlife.com/simplify-your-money-systems-class

I am 4 ft 11 (almost). Being this short has its challenges. From having to ask for help at stores so I can get something off the top shelf to trying to reach the bottom of my washing machine for that lone sock without falling in. Nothing is made for me. Not cars, amusement park rides, weight rooms.

I don’t get to go to the thrift shop for inexpensive clothes. I have to go to the petite section of the few stores in my area inhabited by tall, blond, Dutch people. I have to travel long distances to get certain size 5 shoes.

I hate when I drop something between the couch and the end table because I can rarely reach down far enough to get something.

I can’t help with our tent or help carry large things – my arms are too short. And they never see me at the deli counter.

Seeing at concerts and events is almost impossible. As soon as people stand I can’t see a thing. And sitting is rarely comfortable because my feet don’t reach the ground most of the time.

I have always been in the front row for pictures or singing in choir.

The lovely nicknames like Shrimp, Stump, Midget Girl got tiresome. And the jokes I’ve heard a million times.

So I’ve had to learn to cope.

Even as a kid, I knew that everyone is teased about something. Since I couldn’t grow taller, I’ve accepted it. I’ve even learned to look at the benefits. My friend grew up tall in middle school and hated it. She said she always wanted to be petite.

I’ve learned to ask for help for things like putting bags in the overhead on airplanes. I’ve become more assertive so I am seen and heard.

I have a stool by my bed and a stool in the kitchen.

I can squeeze further up in concerts.

I always check out vehicles before I buy to make sure I can see out the back window so I back up.

I enjoy having a smaller wardrobe and shoe collection because of shopping with a much smaller selection.

Being short is just one challenge. People have to deal with health issues, being too tall, things like dyslexia and ADHD, relationship issues, feeling too old, addictions, overspending. Everyone on earth has challenges.

You can complain about them (and sure venting in a journal is great. Telling your friends and family over and over probably will be annoying them.) And you can come up with workarounds, solutions and mindsets.

Think of a current challenge for you. What are 15 things you can do to work through this challenge?

A couple weeks ago I did a post on How to Catch Up. But, I don’t want you trying to catch up on everything in your life. Some things you can let go of catching up with if you get in a busy time:

• Newsletters
• TV shows you only kind of like
• News programs
• Blog reading
• Facebook
• Magazines
• Ideas you thought you might do one day
• Recipes you will never get to

All of these are about information. We all get plenty of information coming at us every day. We can’t digest it all. So often we need to trim this information sources at the beginning. Here are a few articles on information for you:

Information Reduction Plan

Simplifying Information

This infographic I found very interesting. The 9.5 hours a day living for stuff is more than I would expect. Something to think about.

Graphic from Masters in Human Resources

I noticed a trend. Work is now supposed to be your fulfillment. You are supposed to work your bliss. If you aren’t happy at work, you are doing something wrong. This new expectation adds to the pressure of perfect body, perfect house, perfect relationships, etc. Now even your job has to be perfect.

Like the other things, no job is perfect either.

My Grandma says if it were fun, they wouldn’t call it work and pay you for it.

This isn’t to say you shouldn’t try to find a job that makes you happier or create your own work. I did after all.

But, don’t expect work to completely fulfill you. Even in jobs you like, you will get stressed and have to do things you don’t like to do. (Please not another financial month end.)

If you are in a stinky job at the moment, what if you thought of work more in terms of character development and learning? Every job can teach you something about yourself, the world and teach you skills.

I was very shy when I started working as a fast food cashier in high school. Four years later I could talk to people.

You can also think of your job as being in service. You are serving someone with each job or no one would give you money for doing it. That’s another viewpoint to take.

If you aren’t in an optimal job right now, it’s o.k. You don’t have to feel badly or like this is another area you aren’t living up to expectations. Improve the job you are in with your work ethic, your attitude and making your space your own. Keep your eyes out for opportunities to do more of what you love to do.

In the meantime, find your fulfillment elsewhere – in your family and friends, in volunteering, in your spiritual life,  in a hobby. Work doesn’t have to be your fulfillment for you to have a good life.

Welcome to this week’s issue of Weekly Simplicity Tips.

This week was unusually super busy. How did I handle it? Join in the Change Your Relationship to Time class. Starts Monday, Set. 9.

I have the best readers, quite a few of this week’s tips came from you.

And here are more pictures of our Labor Day Weekend trip.

Pictures by Brea Dargis

1. Reader Mary says you can also sell old high school year books for cash. (Last week I said to sell old textbooks)
2. Another reader says we can opt out of credit card offers here.
3. And other junk mail from here.
4. Make books at Snapfish instead of scrapbooking if you don’t have time for it.
5. How are you speaking to those you love?
6. Write on your calendar when you need to refill your prescription before it runs out.
7. Sandra says "I have a board I created the width of each spool apart. My nails are longer and my bobbin fits on top the spool" But, it’s similar to this Pinterest Picture.

   

New Time Class- Limited Room – September 9, 2013

Attention: Hurried, overwhelmed individuals with too much too do and not enough time to do it

5 More Reasons You’re Going to Want This Class

6. Find out how to plan instead of always putting out fires. Yet, let go of over-planning.

7. You will get clear on what is important to you. You’ll get in touch with your soul and see what is best for you and your family.

8. You will make friends that "get you." I always love how supportive the classes are with one another. As someone recently said, "Now I know I am not alone."

9. You will learn to soothe yourself with self-compassion.

10. You will play with the fear and ego that keeps you in panic mode.

http://www.encouragingcoach.com/programs-timecourse.html