Figuring out how you want to feel this season is a way to find out what to say no or yes to.

I want to feel wonder and connection this season. So looking at the lights, going to Christmas eve service, singing in the choir, going to the various social things are yes for me. Baking and decorating aren’t big on my list this year.

For some it may be stillness and silence. Saying no to social obligations and creating extra quiet time is on their list.

For others the holiday season is all about creativity – so they love spending time making, decorating, taking pictures and wrapping presents.

Perhaps this year you want to feel giving and generous so you concentrate on picking presents and volunteering.

How do you long to feel this December?

***

Photo by Guy Schmidt

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

A reader asked what to do with old family photos. It can be a big project, so make sure you break it down into little steps. Still procrastinating? Break it down into tinier steps.

The first thing is to bring them to family members who might know who they are if they are not labeled.

If you want to create an album, gather the pictures together and decide how you want to organize them. By date? By location? By who is in the photos? By theme? This is probably the longest part, so only do a few minutes at  a time if it overwhelms you. Wear cotton gloves to protect the photos.

Ones that you don’t want for the album you can still put in photo safe boxes (archival quality, acid-free). Not in a shoebox which doesn’t keep them from decay. If you have pictures in those old sticky type albums TLC says to keep them there. Trying to get them out can tear them.

Remember, you don’t need to keep them all. See if family members want some. You can even throw out the bad ones.

Don’t store your albums in damp places like the basement or the garage. Store negatives in a safe. According to the Library of Congress, photos should be stored at 68°F and 30-40% relative humidity

If you scan your pictures (or pay someone to have them scanned) you can create faster albums through places like Shutterfly. You should scan at least a few, in case of fire, to preserve your family history. And you can put them online on a family website, put to DVD as a slide show, put in a digital picture frame. Make sure the scanner is dust free. And scan at least 300dpi.

Other ideas (scan them first):

Turn them into an ornament

Put them under glass on a coffee table or on dresser

Put them in old windows

Put them on pillows

in Mason Jar

Get photos copied on a t-shirt, mug, calendar or mouse pad.

What do you do with your photos?

Welcome to this week’s issue of Weekly Simplicity Tips. So I got the survey results and it looks like I’ll be doing the finance class this October. Can’t wait!

I’m a day late on the newsletter, because I was in Kansas City where I was at my cousin’s beautiful wedding by a lake. Sarah and Carl are made for each other. I loved visiting with all my relatives. And we got to eat Kansas City BBQ. Yum! 

1. Have a happier trip by packing a light blocking face mask and ear plugs.
2. Your life stays smaller when you don’t allow yourself to make mistakes. Where are you holding back so you don’t err?
3. If your life feels loud and distracting, try driving without the music or audio on.
4. Set up any eye appointments you need.
5. Write a thank you note.
6. Make plans for the last months of the year – 3 to 5 objectives.
7. Get in touch with your power to make choices. Where are you acting as if you don’t have a choice?

Solutions

Last Group of the Year

Why do I think the declutter group would be helpful to you?

• You can establish the declutter habit
• You can get unstuck if you have not been decluttering
• You can get help with specific items and declutter situations. Wouldn’t you love to go, "I have this ______, what should I do with it?"
• A group to cheer you on and to be accountable to

Starts Sept 24, 2012

And just to let you know, the price next year is going up. This is time consuming for me, so even though I love running the group I need to up the price for January.

http://www.encouragingcoach.com/programs-decluttergroup.htm

100 Day Challenge

Love this 100 Day Challenge to get things done the final days of 2012. I have done it the past few years : (this is an affiliate link)

Welcome to this week’s issue of Weekly Simplicity Tips. I discovered a new bird on a walk in the wetlands with a friend – a green heron. The website What Bird is a great help for identifying birds.

Need any graphic design work?

Since my daughter can’t work this summer due to her broken ankle and can’t get money for college that way, she is doing more graphic design work. If any of you are looking for website buttons, headers, wallpaper, etc. email me at . Brea has done most of my buttons, headers, wallpaper, & logos. She also has done client work for other people.

1. Throw out or refresh sachets that have lost their scent.
2. Get to the bottom of your email inbox by the end of the month so you can go into a new season clear.
3. Decide to have fruit for dessert instead of junk food at least one day this week.
4. What gives you delight? Can you experience it this month?
5. Finish a book that has been on your to read shelf.
6. What project can you complete this week?
7. Ask yourself why you are acting so busy.

Solutions 

Making Time for Fun and Self-Care Call

Summer time is fun time. At least it was when we were kids. Are you missing fun in your life?

Join me on this content rich call with ideas for making time to take care of yourself, feeling more energetic and centered, and getting rid of the guilt. Practical ideas, not "no real person has time for that" ideas. You will also have time to ask questions for your own personal situation.

See more:

https://www.mysimplerlife.com/fun.htm

Welcome to this week’s issue of Weekly Simplicity Tips. The time class starts June 25th, not tonight. I was a week off after vacation 🙂 Jeff had a half day so we took Brea to Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park. Unusual animals and you can get pretty close to them. Brea especially liked the serval cat.

And following the Iquana when it escaped.

http://www.boulderridgewap.com/

I am also so excited to have gotten tickets to meet my friend from South Africa for the first time. I haven’t flown in an airplane for years, so a little nervous. She is going to be in the States in Charlotte, North Carolina in July. Anyone from there who can tell us what not to miss?

1. How are you doing on your self-care?
2. Donate three things that drain your energy.
3. How can you make something you don’t like to do, into something more enjoyable this week?
4. Finish something you want to release into the world.
5. Create a few moments of full, unconnected to technology rest.
6. Speak only good of others for one day. See how you feel.
7. Research how to make one thing in your life easier.

Solutions 

Change Your Relationship to Time Class – Starts June 25

For those of you that are tired of feeling hurried and tense all the time:

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

 ***

I know a lot of you are crafters and I thought you might be interested in this:

Kaye’s Quilting Friends! You’ve seen us on TV! You’ve seen us on the internet! Now get us in your mailbox every week! Quilting tips and techniques, advance notice of new products, weekly and monthly sales, special deals, and free projects. Information at your fingertips and in your email box. Just click here to join the fun!

Send an email to subscribe to:?subject=Subscribe_QuiltingBooks_Patterns_Notions

Welcome to this week’s issue of Weekly Simplicity Tips. My friend and accountability partner Marcia from the Organising Queen blog, has her new book out. And I know from the inside out, how much time and care she put into this book. It’s called "Live Organised" and you can read more about it here. There’s also a bonus for you if you buy a copy before June 1. Read more at the Live Organised website. 

Also, I did an audio interview at Midway Simplicity with some quick simplicity tips if you are interested:

http://midwaysimplicity.com/creating-a-saner-simpler-life-with-beth-dargis/

1. Book flights Wed a.m. for cheaper tickets.
2. Look at your desk. What is there just to remind you to do something? Write it on the to do list and put it away.
3. Compile your notes in one notebook or start using a computer program like evernote.
4. Put your CD’s to your computer (import in to itunes for example) before they get scratched.
5. Have a list of books you want to read all together, like on the Amazon wishlist.
6. Start planning any parties in the upcoming season.
7. Use this timer, to make sure you get the silence you crave: http://www.yourmeditationtimer.com/timer

Solutions 

Change Your Relationship to Time Class – Starts June 25

I really loved the class we did a few months ago and seeing the breakthroughs regarding time. I wasn’t planning on doing this until fall, but I’ve had people ask for it.

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

Ask yourself: do you want to live your life in a constant state of hurry and worry?

When it comes to time, have you tried system after system but nothing works?

Or do you keep all your to dos in your head hoping you don’t forget anything?

Or worse, have a time system that takes so much time to manage you wonder if it’s even worth it?

We all want to feel in control of our time, but how do you do it?

My goal is to help you change your relationship with time.

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

Welcome to this week’s issue of Weekly Simplicity Tips. The heron is back in the wetlands we walk frequently.

Photos by Brea Dargis

1. Schedule your exercise for the next month.
2. Always think about the outcome you want before starting a project.
3. Make your next dinner with friends, a potluck.
4. Next time you have a problem, forget about it and do the dishes or take a walk. When you get back, you may have a solution.
5. Say, "I choose not to buy that right now." Instead of, "I’m so broke." See how that makes you feel.
6. Notice beautiful and good things that are in your life right now. Share some what at the Simpler Life facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Simpler-Life/133688783345981
7. Remember the obstacles are your life. No life is smooth sailing.

Solutions 

Declutter Club begins April 23

Have you been trying to declutter by yourself? Stuck under shame, guilt and stuff? Let the declutter group bring you comradarie and get you unstuck.

http://www.encouragingcoach.com/programs-decluttergroup.htm