Dealing with emotional attachment to stuff doesn’t have to suck.

Dealing with emotional attachment to stuff is a very common challenge for people journeying through the process of getting organized. Whether you’re feeling stuck, downsizing, moving, or just needing a change in your space – you are not alone. In fact, we’ve explored the topic of why we form attachments in the first place.

Is having emotional attachment to stuff bad?

I hesitate to say a firm no, that having emotional attachment to stuff isn’t bad. However, if you find yourself having an emotional attachment to every object you encounter, I would challenge to ask you if you have a strong understanding of who the real you is?

It is completely normal to have emotional attachment to non-living things. Just look how children form relationships with their favourite toy growing up, playing make believe, having crisis moments when that toy disappears, etcetera. Adults are no different in their ability to create relationships with their belongings – though tantrums are lesser as we age, right?

How can I declutter if I have emotional attachment to stuff?

Set yourself up with the right expectations and go easy on yourself. If you have experienced difficulty with attachment for most of your life, change is not going to happen over night. The good news is that by understanding what you want to achieve, where you want to go, and allowing yourself realistic time to process getting organized, you will.

3 Ways to help declutter through emotional attachment

ONE: Develop the right mindset

Success often lies in understanding the potential outcomes to undertaking your goal to declutter. Now is the time to think about all the positive outcomes that could occur if you get organized. For example, easier to tidy up every day, a bit of revenue gained from selling unwanted items, etc.

In order to avoid major upsets along the way you must also imagine all the challenges that you could face getting organized. For example, dealing with buried grief attached to an inherited item, accepting that money was wasted on impulse purchases, etc.

TWO: Honour your feelings

If you are feeling something when you look at or hold an item, it’s a valid feeling. Make sure you respect yourself during the process of letting go. Nothing is silly, nothing is shameful. Psychologists still don’t fully understand how the mind forms all attachments, so denying your feelings has no place in this process.

However, you are capable of changing the story you always tell yourself around the owning of an object. If you feel guilt looking at a jacket you never wear, but it was a gift from a friend – do you want to continue holding that guilt or are you ready to make room to feel something better?

THREE: Get the right help

You decided what is truly helpful during your decluttering process. Help can come in the form of a friend, time, a professional organizer, meditation, a dumpster bin, a donation centre, an online marketplace, a 30-day challenge, an online course, etcetera.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for processing emotional attachment to stuff. There is beauty in believing that your decluttering process looks different from mine; that Joe’s looks different from Tammy’s. If you are here reading this post – you are already on your journey. Congratulations.

Your stuff doesn’t define who you are

Dealing with emotional attachment to stuff can feel painfully slow and confusing. Remember you ask yourself, why are you getting organized? It’s important to understand your why because it holds the power behind your motivation. The most successful people who get organized and stay organized are fuelled by a why that promotes internal motivation. You have to want to change and do something different, otherwise you are going to remain in that old story. Try our mini-crash course if you would like a deeper explanation in how to get started.

Since 2012 we have witnessed many clients and students being held back by their own thinking distortions around the idea of getting organized. What is a thinking distortion? Simply put, it’s our brains way of telling us how things are or ought to be based on past experiences and teachings. And yes, we can all get stuck at one time or another in thinking distortions. So, I wanted to break down 10 common thinking distortions that we see on a regular basis.

Why is understanding thinking distortions important in order to get organized?

Understanding your own unique thinking distortions can help you break out of negative thought patterns. Most of the time we don’t even recognize that we’re stuck in an old story line. It isn’t until someone new helps pull back the blinders that allows us to see the situation in a different way. Emilio and I are often a catalyst for change in people’s homes not because we’re amazing professional organizers, but because we help people see a situation in a different way.

Can you change thinking distortions?

The good news is that by becoming aware of thinking distortions you are then able to change them. It’s not always overnight, but awareness is the first step to positive change. By allowing yourself to be open to new ways of thinking, you are creating an opportunity for future success where there may not have been previously.

10 Common thinking distortions for getting organized

1. Black and white thinking

What is it: Everything is viewed with an all or nothing approach.

Example: I tried to organize the garage in one day and I couldn’t finish it. I will never be able to park the car in the garage and I am a complete failure.

2. Setting unrealistic expectations

What is it: Expectations are set that no one, or very few people, could every achieve. However, there is a sense of failure when expectations are not met.

Example: I must be a perfect mother and know how to help my kids stay organized at all times.

3. Selective thinking

What is it: Only remembering the negative. Lots of good things could happen in the day, but only the bad are remembered.

Example: I accidentally shredded a piece of paper I needed while sorting my tax papers, but you were finally able to still file your taxes on time.

4. Converting positives into negatives

What is it: Changing a good experience into something negative. Being unable to accept a compliment.

Example: A friend says how lovely your kitchen is and you respond that it’s so messy and disorganized.

5. Overgeneralizing

What is it: Use of the words “always” or “never” when talking about situations.

Example: My children never clean their room. I always am left to tidy up the house.

6. Exaggerating unpleasantness

What is it: Making something sound far worse than it is. Like making a mountain out of a mole hill.

Example: If the garbage isn’t taken out on garbage day the house will become infested with rats.

7. Catastrophizing

What is it: If consequences for something are going to be negative, then the situation would be unmanageable.

Example: If I don’t finish organizing the house my family will hate me.

8. Personalization

What is it: Everything revolves around you. It’s all my fault. You take everything personally.

Example: My spouse doesn’t want to organize the shed with me, so I must be a terrible person to work with.

9. Mistaking feelings for fact

What is it: Taking what you feel in your body or mind and believing that it must be true about yourself.

Example: I feel unmotivated, therefore, I am incapable of doing anything. I feel disorganized, therefore, I am a disorganized person.

10. Jumping to negative conclusions

What is it: Assuming the worst.  Oblivious to seeing positive outcomes.

Example: I unexpectedly inherited a lot of stuff and stuffed it into my basement. I have extreme hoarding tendencies. The donation centre isn’t taking my quilts. I am not worthy of sharing.

Did any thinking distortions seem familiar?

If you resonated with one or a few of these common thinking distortions, relax. Take a breath. It’s completely normal to have these thoughts. Now that you are aware that they potentially could be standing in your way of success, you are more likely to overcome them. Remember to be mindful and loving with yourself. If you catch yourself thinking one of these common thinking distortions, try sharing with someone or journal out other possible ways of viewing the same situation. You’re great and don’t you forget it!

Organizing is a skill that you could learn if you are interested in making self-improvements. If you have ever looked around at others: friends, family, people who have clean, organized homes and thought “wow, they make it look so easy and effortless, it must be so nice to have that come naturally” then you’re doing yourself a disservice.

I wish I learnt this sooner

I wish I had learned this sooner myself, instead of just assuming that I didn’t have the knack for organizing, and I had to accept that my home would always be messy and disorganized. If you believe that some people just have the knack for organizing, and some people–like you–just don’t… then no wonder your sporadic cleaning efforts have never lasted. 

Because the real reason that some people make it look easy, is that… Being organized is a skill.

And skills are something that anyone can learn! Those people who just easily, breezily keep a tidy, uncluttered home, are just flexing those organizational skills that you can learn from our How to Declutter & Organizing Any Space course.

Organizing is a skill you can learn right now

If we can agree that being organized is a skill, then we can realize that… it’s okay not to be an expert right away. No piano player dives right into Chopin, you start with Chopsticks. There is a path you can follow towards mastery. And different people will be at different levels.

Some people were lucky

Their parents taught them these skills at a young age, and they internalized them so that it didn’t even feel like something they ever had to learn. Not all parents and families pass these skills along, but you can still learn these skills later in life.

And I can hear you saying, “Alright, I can learn these skills, but I actually like some of my stuff. I don’t want to have to get rid of my entire wardrobe when I don my minimalist robe.” Well, you don’t have to be a fanatical minimalist to learn a couple of things from the “own less stuff” movement.

Emilio and I both developed our organizing skills through our parents and numerous life experiences. For example, did you know that before the age of 26 I had been employed as a housekeeper, a provincial park maintenance worker, a bartender, a server, a sheep farmer, a kitchen manager, a tour guide, a nanny, an ice cream attendant, a landscaper, a University student, a varsity rugby captain, and the list goes on and on. All of these job opportunities helped me develop my organizing skills across the span of my life. Organizing is a skill and we want you to help you strengthen it with some simple exercises.

3 easy exercises to improve your organizing skills

Discover your organizing style – it’s true, there is an organizing style that probably speaks to you. Even if you don’t consider yourself an organized person – that’s a style of its own! Once you discover the organizing style that feels right for you, you will be more confident in your ability to stay organized. Because here’s the secret, there is no one way to be organized. It’s about finding out what works for you and your family and owning it!

Write in one place – we are personally big fans of Bullet Journaling, but no matter what system you use to write down your ideas, lists, or thoughts; keeping everything in one place is the key for keeping your thoughts organized. I used to use scrap pieces of paper to make my to-do lists and things to remember, but in the end I just had missing pieces of paper everywhere. When I switched to one journal over 5 years ago I stopped losing things, I could reference my ideas better, and generally I was a lot less stressed.

Use a calendar – you can use analog or digital, but start inputting your commitments. You will find yourself becoming better aware of how to manage your time, which is an excellent organizing skill. This is especially beneficial if you find yourself over committing, showing up late or missing appointments.

You’re never too old, or young, to improve your skills

We’re a bit biased when it comes to how important we think organization can be for quality of life. Our personal experiences have demonstrated time and time again that strengthening our organization skills helps us stay resilient to change and ready for opportunities. We believe that you can do it too and we are here to support you on your journey. Come join our private facebook group for support.

Clearing digital clutter can be like pulling teeth, no one really is interested in doing it. And because digital clutter often lies out of sight out of mind it can create big problems. But there is strong evidence that taking steps to organize your digital life can have positive ripple effects on our mental health. I can admit that when I was able to organize and create a photo album from piles of inherited photos I felt overwhelming relief. Now my photo clutter has turned into a slim photo book that I can share with family.

Is clearing digital clutter even necessary?

Emilio and I noticed several years ago that our Google Drive storage capacity kept expanding year after year which started to set off alarm bells in our minds. It’s true that each year our business and our personal lives grow in new areas and with new content, but we were in denial about what files were actually necessary.

If you were to stop right now and think to yourself – is everything in your digital life necessary? Are you paying for storage space that may not needed just to avoid clearing digital clutter? If the answer is yes, we have some simple strategies for you below. If the answer is no, you can still benefit from reading the strategies to help prevent digital clutter from piling up in the future.

Clearing digital clutter to clear your head

We have worked with many clients who contacted us because their digital clutter. Their clutter was negatively impacting the way they worked, their sleep, and their inability to find things when they needed them. First I just want to share that there is no shame in having a lot of digital clutter.

Think about it, there isn’t a lot of education coming out about how to manage the files we create and use everyday. Smartphone companies more than happy to show you all the ways in which you can take photos, share documents, download apps. However, they don’t share in the fine print you could end up buried in digital clutter. That’s why we’ve created a list of strategies to help you mitigate those pitfalls.

6 Simple strategies for clearing digital clutter

1. Unsubscribe – this is directly talking about email clutter and not only to do you want to address what’s already in your inbox, but you want to prevent more from coming in. We have helped clients who have had over 10 000+ unread emails in their inbox – this isn’t uncommon. We recommend always finding a solution that works for you, but there are free services to help you unsubscribe and paid versions like Unroll.me and Mailstrom.

2. Inventory your devices – as the years go by you may notice that you have more places where digital clutter could be living. Take a moment with a piece of paper and a pen to make an inventory list of where things exist. For example, external hard drives, cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive, desktops, smartphones, cameras, laptops, tablets, etc. Once you have this list compiled it will be a lot easier to consolidate digital clutter and also to decide if all devices are still relevant.

3. Recycle old electronics – many times we come across clients who have closets and boxes full of old computers, devices, and phones. Often the hesitation with old electronics are fears of people hacking data or files off of the old electronics. If this is the case make steps to clear those devices and get those devices to a drop off location where they can be properly disposed of. Our electronics are filled with resources – everything from glass and plastic to gold, silver, copper and palladium – that need to be recovered and recycled and it’s never been easier to do so. Just type your postal code and find a spot near you.

4. Make a photo plan – they’re so easy to take, yet can be so difficult to decide what to do with! What do you really want from your photos? There are many ways that you can preserve those photo memories and not too long ago. It’s a great idea to clear your phone and start fresh. Set an intention for why and how you take your photos and they less likely to create frustrations in the future.

5. Book a yearly digital purge – this is Emilio and I’s favourite solution for keeping digital clutter to a minimum. Yes, it’s true, even professional organizers accumulate digital clutter! Every year between Christmas and the New Year we schedule 6 hours to go through our Google Drive and declutter. It’s a tedious task, but the relief we feel after completion is priceless. We know where our files are, we let go of what’s no longer relevant, and we often finish feeling inspired for the year ahead. The blocking off in our calendars keeps us accountable to getting it done and we protect that appointment as if it was booked with our doctors.

6. Try a digital detox – we have personally experienced taking an extended break from using digital devices and witnessed dramatic changes in how we use the devices upon returning. It’s a great idea to take a break, if even for half a day, from your devices to see how it feels to not have that distraction.

You have the power to turn it off

To conclude I can honestly say that when the overwhelm starts to bare down on me it’s a relief to know that there is a power switch on every device. Don’t hesitate to do a factory reset if that’s what you think could help. Humans have survived centuries without a digital life and my grandma would say that she didn’t miss out on any joy in life because she didn’t have a smartphone or computer, ever. All you need is love.

For many years Emilio and I have wrestled with the idea of going carless. Would living in Canada without owning a car actually work? While KW Professional Organizers was in full operations it wasn’t an option we could really consider. I mean, it would be pretty challenging working with clients in their homes and then not having any wheels to hull away unwanted items for donations. Good thing our online courses were up and running so we could help in other ways.

Covid-19 lock-downs here in Ontario changed all of that thinking. KW Professional Organizers was not considered an essential service and for well over a year we have not been offering one-on-one services. Also, our daughter was accepted into a daycare program that was right around the corner from our house. All of a sudden we no longer had a need for car use on a daily basis.

Carless could actually be a convenient option

We live in an urban location in Waterloo, Ontario and since moving here in 2012 the local carshare company has dramatically improved their offerings. We live right off of a major bus route, there is a light rail transit not far from our home, and the Waterloo Region has been slowly adding more protected bike lanes. Everything started adding up to be the right time to try going carless.

Going carless could save us serious bank

When we crunched the numbers we realized that we had the opportunity to save $400+/month from insurance, licensing, and gas. Not to mention the savings from selling our Dodge Caravan and annual maintenance costs. You know the old adage a car is the endless pit you throw all your money in. Emilio and I debated for a long time and then finally decided to post an add to sell the van. We decided to test our experiment for one calendar year and experience all the seasons carless.

5 myths of going carless

Myth #1: You can’t use a car anymore

Just because you’re letting go of ownership of your car doesn’t mean you can’t drive other cars. We became carshare members the minute we sold our car. We knew that if push came to shove and we needed to take a trip somewhere or pick up large items we could always count on having access to wheels. Our local carshare Communauto is a wonderful resource and helps us feel comfortable in our decision to go carless.

Myth #2: Owning a car provides more options to move around

It’s funny because we were so worried about not having options to go places, but the truth is that the opposite happened. Owning the car limited our way of thinking about moving. When we let go of the car we started to think of all the different ways we could move around. For example, when Emilio took Eva to go second hand shopping for some clothes across town he needed to think about how he would do it. Instead of just jumping in a car and going from point A to point B, he and Eva took the light rail transit, explored a new paved trail by roller blades and stroller to visit the shops, and then jumped on the train home. They both enjoyed the whole experience and fit in exercise, exploration, and practical shopping at the same time. In the past it would have been a pretty mundane drive to the store, shop, and drive back home.

Myth #3: Public transit is your only way to move around

Depending on your location there are a lot of ways to get around without relying heavily on just public transit options. When we sold the car we invested in an electric scooter, an electric skate board, we own three bicycles with trailer and seat attachments for our daughter, we use roller blades, we walk, we are car share members, and occasionally have used the bus and light rail transit. Please remember, we’re just sharing our experiences and we know that not all areas are as well served as where we live. We had tested electric scooters in San Francisco and absolutely LOVED the experience. We knew that owning a scooter would be a great joy to ride.

Myth #4: You will miss your car

This is definitely a personal belief, but so far Emilio and I have been at the height of summer activity, going from here to there and we DO NOT miss our van. In fact, there has been more joy and excitement in our movement, our exercise goals are easy to accomplish, and we have so far never experienced not being able to rent a car when we need it. Also, we have saved hundreds of dollars since selling the car.

Myth #5: Everyone should go carless

Absolutely, this is a hard NO. Going carless is not for everyone and can definitely be more challenging depending on where you live. However, for our lifestyle, location, and family size, going carless has been a real game changer. Many of our neighbours, friends, and family were worried about us when we embarked on this experiment, but have witnessed us take to the new adjustment very well. We hope that by us sharing you can reflect and ask yourself if going carless is right for you. It’s more than ok if it’s a No.

Re-thinking the way you move

Going carless has provided a positive ripple effect in our life. We are intentional about where we go and how we get there. Our fitness levels have risen and with that our levels of depression have dropped and according to Harvard exercise can be as effective as anti-depressants. Both Emilio and I are looking forward to adding sled and ski’s to our ways of travel this winter. Going carless is paying off for our family.

Best videos for inspiring hope by Green Renaissance

In an online world where it has become increasingly difficult to see uplifting and hopeful stories, Green Renaissance from South Africa is filling this gap in a big way. Maybe you have already been suggested to watch one of their beautifully filmed short stories. I felt strongly that our audience would not only enjoy these videos, but they would also feel full and content after watching them.

Green Renaissance in their own words is “passionate filmmakers, living off-grid and dedicating our time to making films that we hope will inspire and share positivity out into the world.” Not only are these videos made consistently, but they are being produced now and reflect the times we are currently living in, yet the messages are timeless. The videos focus on simplicity, lifestyle choices, family, relationships, and environment.

Green Renaissance’s videos help with letting go of stuff

No word of a lie, but I was doing some annual decluttering in my bedroom and closet, while I sorted through belongings I had Green Renaissance on the playlist. I couldn’t tell you how many times I felt joy, overwhelming emotion, and validation with the stories they told. Listening to the videos about living simply really helped me make the choice to keep or let go way easier.

Watch the first that caught my eye Being Simply Beautiful which they describe as “stuff everywhere! Bags, clothes, cars, iPads. We love our stuff. And over time, we’ve come to believe that this ‘stuff’ is what defines who we are. But our possessions will never fully satisfy the inmost desires of our soul. They never have. And they are not about to start. In fact, most of the time, it distracts us from the very things that bring meaning to our lives.”

Green Renaissance’s validation for moving slower

From decluttering my belongings to moving into truly appreciating the simple joys of life – their videos kept sending me these overwhelming messages of calmness, contentment, and belongings. You see the videos that are created by Green Renaissance confirm that there are more (many more) of us humans out there who don’t require stuff to feel happy. The stories being shared are coming from real people across a diverse field who share and say the things I hear in myself almost daily.

I was forwarded this wonderful video by my good friend Mandy called Grounded in Realness. They describe the video as “All too often life can feel like a competition to see who is the busiest. Our lives are filled with rushing, stress, anxiety, and exhaustion. Being overworked has become a marker of success, and it’s difficult to resist getting caught up in the wave. We’re less in tune with our bodies and minds and there’s little time left over to simply ‘be’.”

My favourite watches from Green Renaissance

• Do What You Love – Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. And above all, do what you love.
• Unplugged – Something is amiss and we can’t quite put our finger on what. It seems that the further our society progresses, the more disenfranchised we feel. And although the digital world is compelling and absorbing, having a conversation without a phone in our hand, a headphone in our ear, or a screen in the background is the real art of being human.
• Soul Animals – There is something magical about horses. If you spend any amount of time with them this becomes quickly apparent. But what sets them apart? How are they so intuitive? Why do they touch our hearts so deeply? It’s a feeling that is often difficult to put into words.
• How Much Is Enough? – We’re encouraged to seek out success, wealth, and material possessions, against which we measure our status, self-worth, and happiness. We continually strive to achieve these things, but when we get them, we feel only a fleeting sense of happiness before setting our sights on the next thing. And this pursuit of ‘stuff’ often comes at the sacrifice of our physical, mental, and emotional health. 

Time well spent filling your cup

It feels good to watch something that leaves you with hope in your belly. I cannot thank Green Renaissance enough for sharing their passion for positive storytelling. I hope you find value in watching their videos and please share widely. The world could all use more love and kindness.

Discover Emilio’s audio meditations on Insight Timer 

During Covid-19 lockdowns Emilio focused heavily on creating audio meditations to connect with our followers. He, himself prefers to listen to content rather than read or watch. He’ll be the first to tell you that nothing makes him feel better than to pop in some ear buds while doing dishes, laundry, or walking around outside.

Growing conversations were occurring around applications like Insight Timer, Headspace, and Calm from our circles and Emilio chose to explore Insight Timer on a recommendation from a colleague. Since then he has been hosting live events every Tuesday at 10:00 am EST.  

What’s your learning style?

Not everyone learns by watching or reading – auditory learning can often provide fewer distractions and fit seamlessly into your daily routines. If you’re not sure what your learning style is we suggest you do a little self exploring in that area. And yes, you can be a mixture of many different learning styles.

Emilio recognized a need for audio meditations with a focus on lifestyle education. He created meditations with focuses on organization, minimalism, and self care – and they’re popular!

How to incorporate audio meditations in your day

Listen, audio meditations are not for everyone, but if you’re considering giving it a try here are some suggestions to make a seamless transition into your daily routines.

Helpful tips:

• Know your equipment – what would you like to listen on? This could be your mobile phone, over a wireless speaker, in the car, or from a computer. Figuring out the logistics of your listening will make the decision of where and when to listen easier.

   

• Choose a Topic – it’s easy to download the Insight Timer application, but there are a lot of topics to choose from once you get into it. If you’re concerned about where to start, take a moment and think about what you would enjoy listening to, learning about, or exploring BEFORE you get started. It will help prevent decision fatigue in the future. We recommend starting with Emilio’s Self Care 10 day course 😊

   

• Test the new habit – before putting any money into this new activity we suggest you test the idea for free first. Insight Timer allows users to access over 60,000 audio meditations without paying a dime.

   

• Set your boundaries – decide on a time of day when this activity would add value to your life, not take value away – we encourage digital detoxes. For example, maybe you can listen during your lunch break while out for a walk – getting some exercise and relaxation in your ears at the same time. We wouldn’t suggest you listen when you’re spending time with friends or family unless they are partaking as well.

Finding strategies to improve wellness

At the end of the day Emilio is producing these audio meditations to help people on their journey towards self love and improved wellness. He also has a sincere desire to connect with you one-on-one which is why he hosts the live events every Tuesday at 10:00 am EST. If you’ve been wanting to ask questions or suggest topics – attending the live events is the perfect opportunity.

Living during the Covid-19 pandemic

My day started like any other regular day during the Covid-19 pandemic. I woke up and started in on my morning routine, but routine has become so much harder for me to maintain. I think it’s important to reflect on this time in lockdown because it has been such a challenge.

No, let me rephrase that. This time in lockdown has been an entirely new lifestyle change. In many ways, I’m grateful for all the new opportunities to test my resilience, but I admit there have been real lows of depression.

And because I am an optimist at heart, I started to look at all the ideas my family and I have used to try and raise our happiness during this pandemic. I am always learning and open to more, so if you have some ideas to share at the end of this article, please leave them.

There is no shame in being depressed 

Yes, I can hear you listing the compiling factors as to why you might be feeling down. In fact, there is growing research about the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on people around the world.

Please remember that acknowledging sadness, anxiety, and depression in your life is actually a step to healing it.

8 ideas used to feel better during the Covid-19 pandemic

1. Counseling – interestingly enough, it was Michele Obama’s confession of going to counseling that opened me up to even considering it. Previously, I didn’t even think I was worthy of going to counseling – I didn’t truly acknowledge that I might have challenges worth discussing with a counselor. The truth is, Emilio and I started couples counseling and we immediately found relief for the arguments that seemed to be stuck on repeat. We also were given helpful exercises and new language to use for de-escalating our confrontations. If you have ever been in doubt about using a counselor – I highly recommend you engage in a free consultation with one. My journey is continuing with one-on-one counseling and I have found it to be very eye-opening.

2. Hobbies – Can you relate to having creative outlets that you never really found the time to pursue before the lockdowns? I love to play guitar, paint, garden, and go for walks – all of these received far less dedicated time before Covid-19. Now, these hobbies are the things I look forward to in the day and bring me such joy.

3. New Hobbies – Emilio always knew how to juggle with 3 balls, but during the first lockdown he decided to take his skills to the next level using tutorials on Skillshare. He mastered juggling 4 balls and is now on to learn how to do 5! Emilio also gave me a slackline for my birthday this year and this has been a lot of fun to learn.

4. Learning Something New – Is there anything that you’ve been wanting to learn more about or expand your interest in? I am currently completing my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training to complement my Yin Yoga certification from the fall. I am so grateful for the expansion of online learning and the accessibility to explore our interests. And don’t underestimate the learning that comes from the library, there’s no need to enroll in a course when a book from the library will fill that need.

5. Go Carless – you don’t need to sell your vehicles to experience this feeling of freedom. You can choose to have carless days of the week or carless afternoons. All the research says that if we want to feel well we need to exercise every day, so going carless helps knock this task off the list. Depending on your climate and location there are many alternatives for not using the car – walk, ride, bus, train, scooter, etc. If you want to make time for exercise – consider ditching the automobile.

6. Digital Detox – taking a break from notifications and scrolling may sound easy to do, but I challenge you to try it. I slowly quit each social media channel after reading Digital Minimalism. I found it challenging to feel bored, not share what I was doing, and to know how to fill all the extra time accompanied by quitting. Side note: I’m used to quitting bad habits – read about my 10 years of sobriety.

7. Daily Fun – you know what I’m talking about! Good old-fashioned fun. Emilio and I like to do a daily board game. Our favourites include but are in no way limited to cribbage, Patchwork, Azul, Agricola, Jaipur, Monopoly Deal, and Splendor. Your choice of daily fun sounds completely different from ours, but if you struggle with knowing what to do. Try to think back to your childhood – what brought you joy? What made you laugh out loud?

8. Connecting with Self – How can we know how to spend our time if we’re not even sure about how we feel? Energy levels are up and down, so it’s important to check in and plan your days accordingly.

Doing less also works

These 8 offerings to feel better may have led you to feel more overwhelmed. Maybe you’re saying to yourself “Crap… I should be doing this and this and this.” Honestly though, taking a break and just breathing could be exactly what some of us need. The Covid-19 pandemic hasn’t been a slowdown or stop for many of us. In fact, the opposite has occurred with more childcare, more meals to be made, more workload falling on your plate, more bills mounting up, and fewer support outlets available. If this is the case, take a breath and hug yourself. You deserve a beautiful, long hug.

“When you know what’s important to you, making a decision is quite simple.” Anthony Robbins

Learning how to say no can be a real challenge. You see saying no is like a muscle that needs to have regular exercise otherwise it becomes weak. And as your “saying no” muscle gets weaker, you end up doing more stuff you dislike and feeling like you never have time for yourself. Can you relate to that feeling? Explore how to say no and you’ll start to improve your overall happiness.

Why do I keep getting sucked into stuff I don’t like doing?

First off, don’t beat yourself up. Oftentimes people who have difficulty saying no are working against their natural instincts. For example, you may be a people pleaser and thoroughly enjoy being able to provide help to those who ask for it. The problem normally arises when too many people are asking for your help or you’re not being realistic about the amount of time you can offer to others.

However, one of the biggest reasons people have a hard time saying no is because they are not aware of their boundaries or in fact, have never created healthy boundaries.  But do not fear, setting boundaries is a lot easier than changing your natural instincts. People who are great at saying no understand their boundaries very well. They are confident when they have spare time, they know who they enjoy helping, and they have a good sense of when they are overcommitting.

So how do I learn to say no?

Let’s start by examining some basic boundaries that you can set for yourself and others around you. Remember, boundaries are personal decisions and only you can determine what will work best for your life.

4 basic boundaries you can establish with examples

• Time Boundaries – this can be as simple as letting people know when it is a good time to call or as detailed as setting up a schedule for work meetings
• Material Boundaries – letting your roommates know what is off-limits to share or creating your own office at home with a lock on the door
• Emotional Boundaries – verbalizing how someone can support you by listening and not offering judgments or suggestions of solutions
• Work Boundaries – having clear outlines of role expectations, duties, and responsibilities or deadlines
• Explore more healthy boundaries

4 ways to verbally say no

1. Thank you for asking, but no. Have you thought about asking (insert name), I think they would love to do it?
2. No, based on previous experiences this is not something I would like to do.
3. No, I currently have too much on my plate.
4. Although I really want to say yes, it is best for me to say no because I will not be able to give it 100%

Practice makes permanent

The more you exercise your muscle to say no the easier it will become with time to practice. Although, sometimes you may be met with confrontation, but again the more you understand your boundaries the more confident you will feel in your decisions to say no.

Moments, days, and time, in general, can really fly past us as we go about our lives. You know what I’m talking about right? You had been planning or visualizing that special day for months and then when it comes to the day of the event and – BAM – sweet, but over.

So how do we hold onto those moments? How do we truly savor the good stuff while it’s happening? And one answer is being present. Being physically and mentally present is the best way to live in the moment.

Why would you want to learn how to live in the moment? Because it reduces stress, helps you feel happier, and way more reasons than I can to type out. 

Do I have to constantly pinch myself to be present?

Being physically present is often the first way to live in the moment. Focusing on the physical is an easier steppingstone because it’s tangible, we’re tangible. We can pinch our arms and know that we’re here, we can feel it.

Being mentally present is more challenging to achieve for some because our minds are untrained in slowing down. Meditation is one way to train your mind to slow down and has been scientifically proven to improve overall wellness. Yet, although it is simple in theory, it can be difficult in practice.

Let’s practice living in the moment

We’re going to use an exercise of eating to put our skills to the test. Eating is something we all have to do to survive however it is commonly rushed or thoughtless activity. If you want to practice living in the moment you can start with your next meal.

Depending on what meal you choose (breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack time) you will want to block off a decent amount of uninterrupted time. A 20-minute minimum is required for your brain to even keep up with whether or not your full, so keep that in mind.

Tips to live in the moment while eating

• Set the table – take some time to clear a nice space, set down cutlery, a dish, and something to drink from. You may even want to light a candle or put a comfy cushion on your chair.

   

• Put distractions away – use this opportunity to put away the computer, phone, keep the radio and tv off. You are trying to avoid prompts that could take your attention away from this moment of eating your food.

   

• Be grateful – before you start in on your food think or vocalize some words of gratitude. Getting into a state of gratitude will help you not only enjoy what’s in front of you but will help you get into a positive state of mind.

   

• Eat what you enjoy – this might sound like common sense, but actually, many of us don’t plan for foods that truly nourish us. Meal planning can help you if this is something you struggle with.

   

• Observe your food – whether your alone or with others, take some time to discuss and describe your food. This action will help you be present and physically aware.

How to live in the moment is actually about slowing down

It is easy to get caught up in the fast-paced movement of our culture – Watch this! Be more productive! Have you tried this yet? Share that! – I used to find myself constantly asking if there could be 25 hours in the day, but now this feeling is rare.

The tips shared above can easily be transferred to other situations as well by applying the same strategies.

• Set the table = Set yourself up for success – meaning having the physical things around you that help you do the activities you love, help you relax, and add value to your life. If your items feel cluttered, consider decluttering and getting organized.

   

   

• Put away distractions = Minimize distractions – the same rule applies almost everywhere in your life. Be mindful of when and how you interact with distractions. Set boundaries for your digital life.

   

   

• Be grateful = Be grateful – yep, this is a good practice all day long, no matter what you’re doing.

   

   

• Eat what you enjoy = Do what you enjoy – evaluate how you spend your time and try to incorporate more of what you love. And if you don’t love your job consider the ways you can modify it or leave it for something better.

   

   

• Observe your food = Observe your surroundings – no matter where you are, the more aware you are of place, the smells, the sounds, the easier it will be for you to become physically present in the moment.

Like all advice, I recommend and personally always take things with a grain of salt. You are the only person who knows what makes your life feel good. So try out these tips and feel free to modify and tweak them as you see fit. Enjoy living in your moments.

It’s controversial to write a blog post with a strong stance about feelings. No person can tell you what or how to feel. Feelings are what we control and sometimes cannot control, but after four years of practicing gratitude, I do know that saying we have no influence on those feelings is a cop-out. Yes, it may be challenging for some to find their version of happiness, but opportunity does exist to foster this feeling. Happiness is a choice, but it’s not black and white.

Focus on what’s going right

Let’s be clear, you can choose to be happy and still feel depressed, have negative stuff happen, or lose hope. Life isn’t going to stop throwing us curve balls just because we’ve declared we only want to be happy. José González sings about the beauty and pain of life well in his song El Invento. So if you notice yourself slipping away from happiness take a step back and turn your focus to what is going right. If happiness is a choice it means you will have to put in the work to make it happen.

Where are you spending your time?

You can also reflect on how you spend the bulk of your time. Knowing how you spend your time will lend itself to discovering who, what, and where is positively and negatively contributing to your happiness. Take a look at your calendar or start tracking your mood on a daily basis. You can be mindful or actually write your results in a journal, on your computer, leave yourself voice notes on the phone, or have a friend keep you accountable with check-ins.

4 ways to make happiness a priority

1. Practice gratitude every day – be it affirmations, meditations, journaling, or conversation the more you integrate gratitude into your life
   
2. Know yourself – build a self care list, schedule time for happy moments, invest in learning about who you are. Have you tried finding your Hygge yet?
   
3. Limit the negative – keep your exposure to the news limited, avoid engaging in negative conversations, say “no”
   
4. Have more fun – maybe it’s getting a special treat for after dinner, reciprocating massages with your partner, completing a puzzle, or planning an online game meet-up; try to include fun at least once a day.
   

Happiness is a choice you might like

If you notice yourself reacting strongly to this post – either positively or negatively, sit and reflect on those feelings. I know myself personally was very opposed to the idea that I could influence my happiness. I’ve unpacked a lot of that in the last 10 years and am still learning. Be kind to yourself.

Recently, Samantha was invited by CTV News to share KW Professional Organizers’ tips on spring cleaning and decluttering. With the spring season right around the corner many may be looking to kick start their spring cleaning and decluttering, but sometimes figuring out where to start can be overwhelming. Here’s the truth: there is no one-size-fits-all answer here.

Our rule for choosing a place to start is tackle the space that BUGS you the most. However, there are common mistakes we all make while getting ready for decluttering so here’s how you can avoid them.

Avoid these 4 common mistakes

1. Ignoring your frustrations – try to avoid investing all that time in spring cleaning and decluttering without getting rid of the stuff that really bugs you. Like the pieces of paper always falling off the fridge or the pile of shoes that trip you every time you come in the door. If it helps try to visualize that if you could snap your finger what would be the one place that you would like to eliminate all your frustrations? Is it the kitchen? The closet? The spot might be as simple as a drawer or the entire garage.
   
   
2. Not thinking it through – the easiest way to fix this common mistake is to answer some questions: What’s the ideal outcome? What would you like for this space? What activities do you want to do there? How do you want to feel in that space?
   
   
3. Comparanoia – let go of comparing yourself and your spaces to others. You can avoid this habit by minimizing scrolling on social media. Remember, the best results are going to come from your true desires – not your neighbours.
   
   
4. Shopping – there is no need to buy until you’ve completed your spring cleaning and decluttering. When you have completed your decluttering – then it is maybe time to look for a product if one is missing. We can’t tell you how many clients we have that are shocked by how little they needed to feel well in their tidy home.
   
   

Basic decluttering rules to keep in mind

Time. If you are like most of us and before we started organizing in 2012 we used to be a little over-optimistic when it came to scheduling enough time to spring clean and decluttering. It’s a real thing called planning fallacy. A good rule of thumb is to always add 2 hours to whatever you estimate.

Activities. Design your spaces to suit what you’re going to be doing in that space. For example, if you’re a painter and all your stuff is always tucked up on the top shelf of a closet the likelihood of you being able to use it is pretty low. Whereas if you can set up your space with some art supplies in a nice space where you have access to it you’re more likely going to enjoy and partake in that activity more often.

What’s the secret of keeping things from getting cluttered?

Know that this process always looks worse before it gets better. Make sure you offer yourself permission to really ask, “are all the things in our space bringing us value? do we really need all of these things?”

When you know everything in your space has value then you can create permanent homes for those items. It’s having a permanent home that makes tidy-up time so quick and easy. For example, the keys hang here, the books go on this shelf and fit, the clothes all fit in the drawers, and the extra toilet paper is stored here, etc.

Kindergarten classrooms are the best example of how items have permanent homes. This method is demonstrated every day when the children know exactly where to return their toys. Art supplies are in this corner, books are in the reading zone, and building blocks go in this box, etcetera.

Having permanent homes doesn’t mean that there will be no mess. Let’s be serious – sometimes it looks like a hurricane has gone through the room, but having designated spots to return everything is the secret to keeping things from getting cluttered.

Where’s one place in your home that is tidy?

Remember, no matter how big or how small, everyone has the ability to be organized. So enjoy this spring cleaning and give yourself time to declutter the spaces that are really irritating you – the results will be better than you could have imagined 😊

It’s not uncommon to wake up, look around and say to yourself, “I can’t do this. I just want to stay in bed.” There is no shame in feeling like your home or life is or has become cluttered. You are not alone. Heck, if you were alone in this struggle there wouldn’t be national associations of professional organizers all over the world. From Canada to the US, the United Kingdom to Korea, Japan to Brazil, these associations only exist because people just like you also can get themselves into a cluttered mess and need help to regain balance.

We have written previously about how understanding your basic needs can help lead you to calm the chaos that a cluttered life can bring. However, the following is a practical way for helping to focus your energy on keeping things simple.

First, identify where the cluttered feelings come from

Like any good problem solver, we first need to identify what area is causing the most frustration. It could be an obvious answer to physical clutter throughout the home or it could be mental clutter caused by scheduling, people in your life, or work demands. Feeling cluttered can appear in many areas of your life, not just physical stuff. If you need convincing evidence, you can watch our video on the effects of having a decluttering and organize space.

Try this exercise. If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your life magically, what would it be?

Examples:

All the items in my home have a permanent storage place and everything looks tidy.

My email inbox is at zero.

All the meals for the week are prepped and ready to serve with minimal effort.

How to prepare yourself to fix feeling cluttered

After completing the exercise above you now have an area where you need to place your focus. Keep in mind though that you are more likely to be successful when you are feeling well yourself. Some may say that it’s a “chicken before the egg” situation, but when in doubt – always fill your cup up before taking on a big project or life change.

Love yourself some more – you’ll find more success

1. Sleep – are you getting enough, good quality sleep? If the answer is no, try making some changes such as starting a bedtime routine, eliminating screen time before bed, feeling comfortable where you sleep, trying a sleep aid like an eye-mask, sound machine, or earplugs.

    

2. Breath – sounds crazy right? Of course, you’re breathing. However, there is a big difference between breathing unconsciously and mindfully exercising your lung muscles. There are many guided meditations or breathing practices that you can follow along to for 5 minutes a day which can really help you get into a relaxed state. All of this in turn can help you tackle more challenging projects.

3. Food – it’s not about what or how much you eat, but we believe it’s important for you to enjoy your food. So no matter what you consume, are feeling well? If no, consider making a change here. And we highly recommend removing any stress associated with food, if you’re challenged with this suggestion make sure to read our resources around meal planning.

4. Time – has your calendar drastically changed since the impact of Covic-19? Potentially you are facing more or less free time, more or less isolation, more or less work. We mention time because our time really affects how we set our expectations. Now is the time to recognize the power you have over decided where you spend your time. For a great exercise on this try designing your ideal week. 

You can do this!

Take your time and recognize that change will happen in small, intentional steps. Leave us a comment below about how feeling cluttered affects your life – we’re here to help.

Wow, there are a lot of ways to use a bullet journal. Maybe you’re like me when I was getting started and did a quick search online which quickly made me feel overwhelmed with how or what to start with. And for this reason, I’ve compiled my favourite bullet journal ideas into this blog. If you’re brand new to bullet journaling it was invented by Ryder Carrol.

Why you’ll love these bullet journal ideas

The whole reason Emilio and I create content is to help people like you feel empowered to live your life on your terms. We wrote even wrote a book about it. Our students literally transform their lives by upping their organization skills and doubling down into self-care and purpose. One of the ways this happens is through journaling. So if you’re ready to start making positive changes in your life try out the bullet journal ideas below.

Keep your bullet journal simple to start

Although we’re sharing with you 10 different bullet journal ideas, please know that getting started is as simple as writing pen to paper. So let go of perfection or thinking you need to be artistic to get the true benefits of bullet journaling. This is a common misconception. Watch me briefly explain the idea of bullet journaling on CTV. Please remember we’re sharing these ideas to inspire you.

And look I’ll show you an example of how I progressed to getting more creative (which isn’t necessary) by providing photos of my reading list templates below.

First attempt at a reading list:

Second attempt at a list:

Third attempt at a reading list:

Every year I have more fun and enjoy the process of creating my reading list. If you have time and want to colour then go for a creative template. If you just want to keep it minimalist then a simple list works well.

10 Bullet Journal Ideas

1. Daily Entry
   The most simplistic form of journaling is to make notes on a daily basis. Whether you journal to keep track of your ideas, work, or passions; a daily entry is the easiest way to get started with bullet journaling.
   
2. Tracking Habits
   Wow, being mindful of your habits can do real wonders for awareness in your life. Often times as humans we tend to have overly optimistic or pessimistic views of our own personal history. The habit tracker allows you to stay accountable, so whether you’re trying to break a bad habit or form a good one — this is a great place to make that happen.
   
3. Designing Your Ideal Week
   Emilio and I are huge advocates for designing how you want your week to look like. Emilio keeps his week digitally on Google calendars, but I still prefer the one-pager for visual effect. Your week may not always happen the way it looks on paper, but if you can even get a little close to your dream week why not go for it, right?
   
4. Creating a Song Book
   Obviously, this may only apply to those among us who enjoy singing or playing an instrument, but having some favourite songs in your journal can help you tap into your inner rock star. No need for wifi when you’ve gone your lyrics in your bag 🙂
   
5. Taking Notes from Meetings
   There is a lot of evidence coming forward that making a concerted effort to record notes during important meetings or learning opportunities can help forge pathways in your brain for a lasting memory. I personally find it very helpful to jot down a few big takeaways when I’m trying to learn. Also, helps keep me from falling into a deep sleep.
   
6. Doodling
   Scribbles, circles, abstracts, or specific drawings can help make your journal a fun written history to look at. By creating your bullet journal you are not only benefiting from the practice of journaling, but you are literally creating the coles notes of your life. Who knows, there might be a keen biographer who’ll use this to write your life story one day. 
   
7. Practicing Daily Gratitude
   A great practice to help retrain your brain to focus on the positive. We’ve written a blog post all about this practice.
   
8. Special Interest Pages
   Our example is the moon cycle and the names of the full moon in indigenous cultures of North America. This just demonstrates that you can create a special interest page about anything you are learning about, curious about, or trying to be mindful of. 
   
9. Time Management
   Below is a weekly spread in Emilio’s journal where he wanted to be conscious of where and how he was spending his time. As a self-employed person, he found this information super valuable for helping him focus on what is really important in his life.
   
10. Lists – ex. Self Care, Bucket List
    It is a lot easier to execute some self-care or follow your dreams when they’re always available to revisit. Taking some time to think about what fills your cup is a big step towards knowing how to help yourself in dark times. And of course, your bucket list is a great tool for living a life you’ve always dreamed of.
    

A bullet journal is designed by you, for you

At the end of the day, I really hope you understand that your journal is YOUR journal. This post is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of how many bullet journal ideas exist. Make your journal what you need it to be so that you feel confident in using it. And of course, if you have any comments leave them below – we’ll be right there to answer!

Since the onslaught of COVID-19, we have been asked repeatedly how to best create your home office and ideal workspace. You may very well be reading this post from your own desk at home right now. And, we want to help you get set up for success by sharing the idea of what having a minimalist desk is all about.

Minimalist Desk Examples:

A minimalist desk can look like this:

But a minimalist desk can also look like this:

Does this seem confusing? Don’t worry, many people often misunderstand that minimalism doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to own anything. But in fact, minimalism is about removing what is no longer important in your life to reveal what is truly important for you to function the way you love. Read more about defining minimalism. And if you would prefer, listen to Emilio’s audio version.

So in the first photo, you can see that Emilio’s desk is simple and fun, not a lot to his murphy-style minimalist desk. And in the second photo, there are a lot of items in and around the desk, but all of them are again necessary for creativity.

How do I create my own minimalist desk?

We’re glad you asked. By following the steps we’ve outlined below you can create your own minimalist desk in a matter of minutes or hours, depending on what activities you’re doing in your workspace. Meaning that if you’re a laptop user and coffee drinker your desk will be easier to create than the woodcarver who has hundreds of necessary tools.

4 Steps to a Minimalist Desk

1. Decide – you can do this in your mind or on paper, but create a list of activities that you are going to do while at your desk (this helps you understand what physical items you might need or how much clear space you require)

2. Eliminate – find the table, desk, or area that you are going to use as your minimalist desk and take everything off of that space. You are going to set these items aside and decide one-by-one what will go back (remember to use the list you just created if you get stuck on tough items)

3. Store – now’s the time to find the right homes for the items your keeping. Often times you will never need to buy products, you probably have what you need around the home, so get creative.

4. Keep Tidy – maintenance is the most neglected strategy for having a great workspace. Try integrating a daily tidy-up of 5 minutes either morning or evening that every item returns to its proper home and used mugs go back to the kitchen sink. 

By using the D.E.S.K. acronym you can create a workspace that works for you and the work you do. Your minimalist desk is waiting to be discovered and only you know what will work best. And remember that you can always change and pivot as your needs change with the times.

Working from home can be a real blessing when you feel inspired by the place that you camp out, so take some time and create your minimalist desk. Love minimalism, but your workspace is fine? Find more inspiration in our minimalist solutions post. We look forward to seeing what you create. Leave us a comment below and we’ll be sure to answer quickly.

Mealtime can be easier with a few simple tools.

First of all, thank you for being here. The fact that you’ve stumbled upon or searched for ways on how to be more positive means that you’re on the right track. I used to find myself falling into long periods of depression and it didn’t seem to matter how much self-medicating I did, I still felt down.

Luckily, people who were suffering just like me have shared their stories of finding ways to stay positive, and one in particular resonated with me; that was daily gratitude journaling. It all came from discovering a morning routine that worked for me designed by Shawn Achor.

Focus on gratitude

Even when we’re at our worst and life seems to weigh us down there are still things that can bring joy, that we can be grateful for. However, if you are currently struggling with depression I want you to know about Canada’s Crisis Help Lines. You are worthy. Please reach out for help.

Practicing daily gratitude helps retrain the mind to focus energy in positive areas. And by actively thinking about things that you are grateful for, you set yourself up for approaching life’s experiences with a healthier attitude. Trust me, just look at the photo of my first daily gratitude journal page below – I’ve been doing this since November 2016. And I am happy to report that I have been tracking my depression in my bullet journal and it is now rarely evident.

How to be more positive: a daily journal exercise

It may seem too simple, but the challenge lies in making this simple exercise a daily habit. And if you can create this habit you will be on your way to living more positively.

Daily gratitude layout

Write three things you are grateful for: examples below

1. I am grateful for a safe home and warm bed.
2. I am grateful for my friend who called me last night just to talk.
3. I am grateful for my pet who gives me love and affection.

Write one positive experience from the last 24 hours: example below

Yesterday it felt great to get outside for a walk. The sun was shining, I saw a woodpecker, and when I arrived home I felt energized.

Set up your gratitude journal tonight

Now that you’ve seen my sample journal entry and you have the layout all you need is the desire to try it for yourself. If you want to give gratitude a try I recommend collecting a piece of paper (or journal), a pen and put them beside your bed tonight. When you wake up in the morning make writing out your gratitude the first thing you do. I’m grateful that you’re here and you read this post. Please leave me a comment with your thoughts.

10% Happier Podcast will help you weather the Covid-19 storm

It’s normal to feel anxious because of Covid-19

And to be completely honest, it was very hard for me to really accept the new form of lifestyle that many of us find ourselves in.

We need to stay away from others and we are more confined to our homes in order to save people.

We need to wash our hands and be diligent about hygiene to protect others and ourselves.

So how do I not lose sanity?

Because I have already had negative feelings of wanting to flee, wanting to go back to drinking, wanting to not give a crap, wanting to run into the forest where no one could find me.

Don’t worry. I haven’t taken action on any of those thoughts.

I have also already had positive feelings of laughing until my belly hurt, exhaustion from running outside, extreme satisfaction from eating a great meal, inspiration from listening to a podcast.

Here’s what the 10% Happier Podcast offers as practical actions to allieviate 

• get outside and move your body 
• lead from a place of compassion
• wash your hands for 20 seconds while saying: “may I be happy, may I be healthy, may I be free, May all beings be happy, be healthy and be free.”
• limit how much you are listening, speaking, and reading about Covid-19
• If you have funds, keep donating and patroning
• check in on neighbours, friends and family by phone, letter, or online methods
• try meditation

There is so much more in the full podcast How to Handle Coronavirus Anxiety | Special Edition. It really gave me a lot of practical tools that I could use to help me when I enter into states of anxiety and worry.

I will have more moments when I fall into dispair and I know that I can come back to these tools and find my way out.

Please share these resources with everyone you feel could benefit.

Take care in your home. Wash your hands. Focus on what you can do to keep yourself healthy and sane.

Coronavirus Sanity Guide by 10% Happier Below

Thank you for reading and sharing. 

If you want to watch a great mini-series of someone decluttering their entire 1 bedroom apartment with us click below to watch. 🙂

Desiderata by Max Ehrmann (1872 – 1945) offers wise advice to contemplate.

Reminders can help ground us when life is overwhelming

I am sharing this reading by Max Ehrmann because I featured it in my bullet journal this year.

I found this newspaper cut-out on my deceased grandmother’s fridge when we were cleaning out her home. I wondered to myself when she cut it out and how often she read it. It’s interesting to recognize ‘reminders’ in other people’s spaces.

Do you have something placed somewhere to remind you of something?

In truth, the auto-pilot functions of life sometimes allow us to forget the importance of stopping and taking time to ponder. And sometimes that is all we do need, is to let go and relax. But I bet if you look hard enough, people place reminders all throughout their homes and work spaces to help them remember something that is important to them. Whether it be a photograph or a piece of art, a sticky-note or a favorite toy — reminders are all around us.

Personally, I do like to ponder some philosophy every day — deep thoughts — to remind myself to not take life to seriously. If you’re feeling overwhelmed try these tips for decreasing it.

How can something written 100 years ago still mean so much?

Take 5 minutes and read this passage out loud. Ask yourself:

• Are there any words you don’t understand?
• Is there anything that speaks to you at this moment in your life?
• Did you feel that reading it was a waste of time?

Desiderata (Latin: “Things Desired”)

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the ignorant; they, too, have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations of the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in the sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

– Written by Max Ehrmann in 1927

Let’s solve your daily frustrations with minimalist solutions that don’t cost money.

Big changes can occur with simple ideas. 

We recently presented a workshop on the topic of Minimalist Solutions to Every Day Frustrations. We broke the ideas down based on the 7 Ingredients for an Extraordinary Life (if you haven’t read our book, you can buy it here). Those 7 ingredients are Body, Mind, Work, Social, Family, Stuff, and Giving Back. Those headings are to help guide us in discovering our frustrations. 

So, take 3 deep breaths and shake some part of your body.

Now, think about your daily life, your routine or lack of routine. Do you have any frustrations that come to mind?

Example: Not having enough motivation to exercise, impulsive shopping, too many activities and feeling overwhelmed, poor relations with family members, etcetera.

The acknowledgment of these frustrations is not meant to make you feel bad. Once you can identify a frustration you are then more able to take steps to eliminate them. And if you can’t think of any frustrations that’s okay too. Smile and be proud that you’re in a good place.

Scroll to the area that matches your frustration.

BODY 

In order to feel well each one of us will need different amounts of sleep, food, and exercise. If one of those areas are being neglected it can leave us feeling frustrated with our Body. The following are 3 minimalist solutions to help get you back on track.

MIND 

It’s a power centre and requires attention to stay healthy. Some of us need more stimulation and others require a pull at the emergency breaks. 

STUFF 

If you want to take steps to evaluate your belongings please start by reading our post on decluttering.  

FAMILY 

The best minimalist suggestion we have for you is to communicate. If face-to-face visits are challenging or physically impossible then we recommend writing letters, making phone calls, or a digital version of both. Also, preserving memories can be a very healing and happy experience.

SOCIAL 

Take a moment right now and ask yourself, “Do I need more social activities or less social activities?” There is no magic number, everyone needs different amounts of social engagement. The following suggestions will help you be accountable and have some fun. 

WORK 

A vast majority of us will spend a good chunk of our time on work. Whether you work 9 to 5, shift work, or are seeking a new position our suggestion remains the same.

GIVING BACK 

The final area. An area of your life that should come when you feel you are ready to give your energy away. We don’t recommend jumping into this when you aren’t feeling able to look after yourself. Avoid burn-out or compassion fatigue by making sure your cup is full before Giving Back.

We believe that this can be one of the most rewarding areas of your life. The easiest way to be able to do it often and with intention is by looking after yourself and trying to stay away from frustrations in your own life. Also, giving back is a great way to gain perspective, maybe even feel a bit more gratitude. 

If you’re currently not in a position to give back consider accepting help from someone around you. Accepting help can be a great way to catapult yourself into feeling well again, which will then put you in a better position to give back to others. Do you see? It’s a beautiful ripple effect. So the only minimalist solution for this area of your life is to look after yourself so that you’re then able to look after others. 

Slow Climate Change By Getting Organized

Making a change that is within your control actually helps.

Climate change happens all the time. Just speak with an elder and you’ll hear the stories of incredible weather events and how “different” it was in their time. So I believe we can all agree that climate change is real, how quickly it happens is of course what most scientists are worried about.

Now before I lose you… 

I know that the topic of climate change is completely overwhelming and scary. But I want to offer that by getting organized personally you can have a huge positive impact on our environment.

Yah right Samantha. Give your head a shake. What makes you think that?

Well, I’m glad you asked because that leads to my next point.

Emilio and I have witnessed, since 2012, what the impact of getting organized can have in one person’s life. And that impact didn’t stop at one person, it had a positive ripple effect on their environment and for everyone around that person. 

So, how does getting organized slow climate change?

Great question. Slowing climate change is such a big problem because it’s hard to say what problem should we try to solve first. There are many problems that contribute to climate change. However, I have created one practical step you can do every day to help slow climate change, but it takes getting organized to do it.

And before you say you’re not capable of getting organized, let me say: Even if you are the most disorganized person in the world, you are still capable of getting organized! I believe in you.

Organization is a muscle, you have to work at it to make it stronger and stronger. Also, support and education for improving personal organization are available through books, professionals, and online resources. Be open to receiving help. 

Simplify Your Schedule

Everything starts and ends with your time. When you’re tired or in a time crunch you make rushed decisions. When you’re relaxed and meeting deadlines with ease, you make more intentional decisions. 

This practical step may not be the most convenient solution, but it is simple. If you were looking for a way to tackle the big scary monster that is climate change, this will make a big difference. And you’ll feel so much better as well.

So if The United Nations are correct and we only have 11 years left before environmental catastrophe then let’s use every minute of it well. I would like to quote a conversation from a wonderful story The Lord of the Rings. 

“‘I wish it need not have happened in my time,’ said Frodo.
‘So do I,’ said Gandalf, ‘and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.’”

Thank you for reading this blog and for always doing your best. It’s all any of us can ask of ourselves.

Laura Munz and I created this cartoon during a recent discussion about Climate Change.

Advice for Helping Someone Who Has Clutter.

We get asked a lot, “How can I help someone who has clutter?”

Finally, I compiled our top 6 pieces of advice. And like with all advice, take the pieces that speak to you and leave the rest. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions when it comes to clutter. Relationships can also vary greatly which might alter your approach. For example, our advice for someone you live with is much different than for someone you work with.

And if you do know someone with clutter the best behaviours you can have towards them are: being empathetic & showing concern, setting clear limits, and using a great deal of patience.

The most problematic behaviours you can have towards them are: being frustrated, supporting the disorder, making excuses for a loved one, and associating relationship dissatisfaction.

Either way, here are some tips. 

1. Acknowledge Who Has the Problem

The truth is that often times the issue with things is really your own. So first we want to make sure everyone is on the same page about how we define clutter and next, what levels are considered to be a safety issue. Compare some spaces visually using The Clutter Image Rating Scale — anything that compares to a 5 or higher on the scale is an indicator that clutter could be a problem.

If you share the spaces with this person, but it turns out they’re not too high on the clutter image rating scale, then maybe you need to relax your expectations. Setting boundaries for your own space will also help everyone maintain spaces that they can enjoy. Remember, it’s not a crime to be messy or have piles… some people, in fact, enjoy “crowded” spaces, but it’s Okay to ask that your areas are not affected. 

2. Use Inspiration to Create Change

One of the most difficult steps in the process of clearing clutter is actually letting it go. Often times the person with clutter knows they want to change, but still find it challenging to get started (or even talk about it). We’ve found that starting with motivational stories and videos can sometimes be a great tool for starting a conversation. Here are 4 Ted Talks that really get the juices flowing.

3. Can They See Their Clutter?

Clutter blindness is a real condition. Over time we get used to our environment and become “blind” the potential issues that affect others, but not ourselves… well, at least we think it doesn’t affect us. One exercise we use with our clients to help them see their clutter is this: We meet at a neutral location, like a cafe, and show them a photograph of their space. Often times they’re shocked at what they see, which wasn’t obvious to them when they were actually in their space. Here are 3 signs that a person could have clutter blindness.

4. Their Stuff is Important

We absolutely have to stress the importance of you understanding what it’s like to be in their shoes. It is very important that you don’t minimize their attachment to their belongings. Remember the old adage, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” You may not fully understand the reasons why they keep what they do, but it’s important to recognize they at one time or another valued it. Here is a great video for learning about why we keep stuff we don’t need.

When you come from a place of respect for their belongings trust can be established. Establishing trust is very important for helping them move forward with deciding what stays and what goes. And from there, they are more likely able to agree to boundaries and find homes for the items they truly use and love.

5. Help Them See the Costs of Clutter

We don’t know many people who enjoy losing money, time, or energy. Helping a person find ways to eliminate frustrations and save more money, time, and energy could be your gateway into helping them deal with their clutter. Here are some great tools to help you with that.

6. Promote Their Passion

The number one reason we have found success with clients overcoming their clutter is because they see the potential to pursue their passions. When the clutter is gone, there is more time and space to do the things they love. So help them remember the things that make them happy. Here is a great tool to get started. When people start doing things they love, somehow harder tasks (like letting go of clutter) become easier to accomplish because there is light at the end of the tunnel.

As I mentioned at the beginning of the post, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions for clutter. However, hopefully, you have found some starting points that can assist you in your journey. If you enjoy listening to advice here is a video of Emilio sharing an experience he had at a workshop.  

Intentional living in a 7-Day Challenge

Your life is busy… and life can sometimes feel overwhelming. We want to help you shed those feelings and spring forward with the season. That’s why Kitchener Public Library asked us to come up with the 7-day challenge to help you get started.

Since 2012, we have been partnering with Kitchener Public Library, generously leading free workshops to share education about everything and anything to do with organizing, minimalism, and self care. We want to empower you to feel and be your best. If you’re not looking for videos, but trying to live more in the present moment we suggest you read our other posts.

Are you ready? Try some or all of these:

About the Video Tutorials

We all learn in different ways. Some of us are better learners with visuals, some of us with written instructions. We created video tutorials to go along with each of the challenges to help you get a bit more instruction if you’d like it.

Want more help? Watch the videos below.

Day 1 SOCIAL  

Day 2 FAMILY   

Day 3 STUFF   

Day 4 GIVING BACK   

Day 5 BODY   

Day 6 MIND   

Day 7 WORK

You define your family.

Make a phone call today to someone you want to catch up with.

Watch the video below to get further details and explanations.

Think of three things you’re grateful for.

Afterward, go out of your way to do something selfless. Big or small, you decide.

Watch the video below to get further details and explanations.

You can meditate.

Protect 5 minutes for this practice sometime throughout your day.

Watch the video below to get further details and explanations.

Why We Love Our Library:

Our library not only encouraged us to create the 7-day challenge, but staff also participated in the challenge.

At Kitchener Public Library, they are committed to great customer service.

Here is their customer service promise:

People are at the centre of all they do. Everyone is welcome and each person is valued. They listen carefully, anticipate and quickly respond to needs, and always do their best to put “Yes” before “No”. Their goal is outstanding customer service.

This means:

• They work together as a team and look forward to trying new things.
• They’re committed to updating their knowledge and skills in order to deliver service that surprises, enriches, and delights.
• They design for the experience of customers in every new initiative they take on.

Being lazy doesn’t mean you can’t be organized.

There are days, even weeks, where even the smallest effort is difficult to achieve.

And for this reason, I asked my friends and family for their go-to lazy ways to stay organized. I knew that with the upcoming change in our lifestyle, having a baby, I would need all the help I could get with staying organized when sleep and time seemed to disappear.

You define what being organized means, but here are some lazy tips to get you there.

They are in no particular order. Find something that speaks to your organizing style and apply it.

Take on Less.  

Keep things simple and clear that calendar. When was the last time you really took an audit of where you spend your time? It’s a lot more exciting when you look at the day ahead and get excited, rather than dreading the things you have planned. Remember, if you’re not intentional with your time, someone else will determine how you spend it.

Own Less.

The less you own, the less work and maintenance you will be responsible for. It’s easier to clean up when there isn’t so much in your way. It’s faster to get going when you don’t require as many things to bring with you. There is always more time when you’re not shopping for the next and best things. It’s easier to be lazy when you own less.

Do Things in the Moment.

Don’t let the work pile up. If you can get it done in less than 5 minutes DO IT NOW. And consider whether you need to be saying “yes” all the time. Flex that “No” muscle and buy yourself some time to consider whether you’re giving too much of yourself to other people’s agendas.

Hire Help.

Are you fortunate enough to afford some help? Sometimes we don’t even consider this option because who would want to be my virtual assistant? Who would want to clean up my home? Trust us, there is someone out there willing and happy to do that work for you. And sometimes they just what you need to be able to carve out some much needed time for you.

Clean Up After Yourself.

Put that book back where it belongs. Wipe off that knife and cutting board right away. It’s all those small little tasks that can be done quickly that often are the jobs that, if left unfinished, pile up into clutter and hours of work. 

Don’t Procrastinate the Small Stuff.

Make that phone call. Pay that bill. Plan your meals for the week. Those tasks that take the smallest of efforts save your future self enormous amounts of time. Try it, your lazy self will thank you.

Write Things Down.

This can’t be any clearer. Our only suggestion is that you use one place to do it. Whether it be your phone, a whiteboard, a bullet journal, or your hand — write down what you want to get done. It will help protect your brain from mental clutter when you forget what you wanted to do.

Share Your Calendar.

Going digital isn’t easy for everyone, but if you can get on board with a digital calendar you’ll save yourself a lot of frustrations. Less time being late, fewer apologies for missing an event, and more aware of where your spending your time.

Maybe you’re already applying most of these suggestions or you have better suggestions, please share them in the comments below. Again, I felt I wanted to share what was given to me by my inner circle because they’re definitely all amazing people, doing amazing things. I had to laugh when one of my friends made the suggestion “Don’t Have Children!” It rings true because they are a new parent themselves, but I have to say they certainly get a lot accomplished with their newest family member — something I believe can only happen when you have a bit of organization on your side. 

Some might think that the word lazy is a negative one, but I actually think we could all use a lazy revolution. Time to slow down and prioritize what is really important. Let go of the things we don’t really need to be doing and focus on what is important to us. For some, myself included, it might be a well-deserved nap, a session of starring at the wall, or putting that project off just a little while longer until you feel ready.

Happy organizing!

Our Choice for Top 2018 Inspiring Documentaries

In 2018 we were able to host 4 documentaries each season that inspired conversation in our community about different ways of living, working, and loving. We were honored to host our documentary series at a local independent theatre, The Princess Cinemas. After each documentary, we would have a discussion or Q&A to help digest what we had watched — this was probably one of the biggest highlights. 

Hosting the documentary series allowed us to expose ourselves to new ideas and also meet a great community of people. We highly recommend you watch these documentaries if you get the chance. We especially recommend that you treat yourself to a night at your local theatre as well because you never know who you might meet. 

Heal (2018)

Director Kelly Noonan Gores’ documentary takes us on a scientific and spiritual journey where we discover that our thoughts, beliefs, and emotions have a huge impact on our health and ability to heal. The latest science reveals that we are not victims of unchangeable genes, nor should we buy into a scary prognosis. The fact is we have more control over our health and life than we have been taught to believe. This film will empower you with a new understanding of the miraculous nature of the human body and the extraordinary healer within us all. Visit the official site.

Living the Change (2018)

Directors Jordan Osmond and Antoinette Wilson have brought together stories from their travels, along with interviews with experts able to explain how we come to be where we are today. From forest gardens to composting toilets, community supported agriculture to time banking, Living the Change offers ways we can rethink our approach to how we live.

Each and every one of us has the power to create change. Living the Change sets out to inspire us to do just that. There are so many exciting and important ideas and initiatives out there, so much hope and inspiration. We want to generate discussion as widely and deeply as possible about how each of us views the future and our part in it. Visit the official site.

Generation Wealth (2018)

For the past 25 years, acclaimed photographer and filmmaker Lauren Greenfield (The Queen of Versailles, Thin, kids+money, #likeagirl) has traveled the world, documenting with ethnographic precision and an artist’s sensitivity a vast range of cultural movements and moments. Yet, after so much seeking and searching, she realized that much of her work pointed at one uniting phenomenon: wealth culture. With her new film, Generation Wealth, she puts the pieces of her life’s work together for in an incendiary investigation into the pathologies that have created the richest society the world has ever seen.

Spanning consumerism, beauty, gender, body commodification, aging and more, Greenfield has created a comprehensive cautionary tale about a culture heading straight for the cliff’s edge. Generation Wealth, simultaneously a deeply personal journey, rigorous historical essay, and raucously entertaining expose, bears witness to the global boom-bust economy, the corrupted American Dream and the human costs of capitalism, narcissism, and greed. Visit the official site. 

You Are Here: A Come From Away Story (2018)

When U.S. airspace was completely shut down in the hours following the terrorist attacks on 9/11, and all civilian airliners within reach of the U.S. were ordered to land at the nearest airport, 38 planes landed at the Gander airport. With no warning and with no time to prepare, a city of only 9,000 residents played host to more than 6,500 frightened, exhausted, and hungry passengers who “came from away” around the world.

Director Moze Mossanen travels deep within this unique tale to shine a light on the actual Newfoundlanders and passengers whose lives have inspired the musical Come From Away. This includes the mayors of Gander and Appleton, Newfoundland, community workers, police officers, TV reporters, and more – all real-life people who worked tirelessly alongside countless others to comfort and care for their unexpected guests.