These days we all rely on technology to stay informed, to stay connected, and hopefully stay productive. If you use digital technology at some point during the day or if you know someone who uses it on a regular basis, then this episode is for you!
While I know that technology has many positive influences on our life, it definitely can have a down side. And that's what we talk about today... we take a look at the negative effects of digital distractions. I then give you some tips on how to prevent digital distractions (and I'm pretty sure some of them you haven't thought of before).
Do you know anyone who needs to simplify the digital overload in their life? Share this episode with them by having them go to CarlaRae Arneson.com/episode47. You can also share all our previous episodes with them by having them go to LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com.
Be sure to stay updated on all our future episodes by subscribing to life made simple on iTunes or whatever podcast app you prefer to use. If you're new to the whole podcast world, and want more info on how to subscribe, just check out my website for some detailed information on what a podcast show is and the best way to tune in to listen.
Do you like what you hear on the show? I would love to hear about it. Just go to iTunes to leave the show a rating and review. I would really appreciate it.
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode47
Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com
Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"
Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY
Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"
Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE
Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson
Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae
Today I share with you a light-hearted poem that a client gave me about 10 years ago. It's called "Stuff! Stuff! Stuff!" I'm hoping that maybe by the end of it you’ll get so sick and tired of hearing me say the word “stuff” that you’ll be inspired to go purge some of your own!
Do you know anyone who could use a little inspiration to get rid of their stuff? Anyone who could use a little motivation to simplify their life? Share our show with them by having them go to LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com. There, they can easily check out all our previous episodes.
And be sure to stay updated on all our new episodes by subscribing to Life Made Simple on iTunes or whatever podcast app you prefer to use.
If you like what you hear on the show, please take a minute to leave me a rating and review on iTunes. I would appreciate it more than you know!
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode46
Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com
Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"
Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY
Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"
Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE
Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson
Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae
This episode is a part two to last week's Monday show, episode #43. If you haven't listened to that entire episode yet, go back and push play on that episode. You'll definitely not want to miss anything from part one of this show!
Whether it's something that you just already have too many of, something that's just not your taste, something you simply just don't have room for, something you might never use, something that maybe you loved long ago but not anymore, or something that was once treasured by a family member that you are now inheriting... whatever it is, when you receive a gift that you don't really want and you don't really need, it can bring out so many uncomfortable awkward feelings!
In last week's episode, I gave you some ideas on how to navigate those feelings that naturally come up sometimes. I explained that you can simply put all your focus on the ACT of giving rather than the actual gift itself, by showing your appreciation for the efforts and thought behind the gift.
I then gave you all my thoughts of whether or you should keep unwanted gifts. And to sum it up, yes, you should let go of gifts that you no longer like, need, or use.
Problem solved, right? Unfortunately, no. We all know it's a little more complicated than that. When you decide to exchange or return the item, you donate it, or even re-gift it, what do you do with the residual feelings of guilt that you're left with once the unwanted thing is out of your life? Even if you end up replacing it with something you really want, your mind is probably inevitably going to be invaded by a bunch of uncomfortable feelings. You feel bad that the person spent time, energy and money buying the thing. You might feel sad that they thought you'd like it and that you don't. You feel nervous that they'll wonder why they never see you wearing it, or using it, or why it isn't on display somewhere in your house. Then you feel even more nervous trying to figure out what to say if they should ever ask about it.
Which is exactly what I talk about on today's part two episode. We look at whether or not you should tell the person that you're letting the gift go, and what you can do if the gift giver has hurt feelings about it all. Then, I give you some ideas on how to prevent unwanted gifts from coming into your home in the first place and how YOU can be a better gift giver yourself.
Do you know anyone you could share this episode with? Do you know anyone who could use a little inspiration and motivation to help simplify their life? Please tell them about our show! They can find us at LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com.
And have you checked out my free guide yet? It's called "The 9 Ways to Simplify Your Life". You can find the link to the free download in my show notes, or send a text message to the number 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY.
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode45
Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com
Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"
Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY
Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"
Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE
Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson
Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae
Like I always say, this show is dedicated to helping you simplify ALL areas of your life.
But there is one area that I'm probably most passionate about and it actually encompasses and has a direct affect on all other areas of your life. And that's your mindsets... your attitudes, your thoughts, and your beliefs.
And why am I so passionate about helping people with their mindsets? Well there's really no way to successfully simplify any area of your life, if you don't have healthy and positive mindsets for success. It all starts with your mind!
On today's episode I talk about one quote that I love and live by. The truth is I could probably talk hours about this subject, but this "3 Minute Thursday" episode is meant to offer you a little dose of inspiration to get you through your week, so I keep it short and sweet.
Do you know anyone would enjoying listening to the show? Just send them to LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com and they can check out all our previous episodes.
And be sure to stay updated on all our new episodes by subscribing to Life Made Simple on iTunes or whatever podcast app you prefer to use.
And if you like what you hear, please take a minute to leave a rating and review on iTunes. I would appreciate it more than you know!
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode44
Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com
Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"
Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY
Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"
Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE
Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson
Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae
Have you ever had this problem? Someone gives you something that you don't really like - or you don't really need - and yet somehow you feel bad about telling them. So you reluctantly keep it. You hold onto the gift, and out of obligation you allow it to take up space in your home. Or, you get the courage to return it to the store (if it's returnable) yet then feel sheepish and guilty about it. And heaven forbid, the gift giver ever ask about the missing gift! Because I'm sure you would be mortified if you had to tell them you no longer have it.
Maybe it's an issue of already having too many. Or maybe whatever it is it's just “not your taste.” Or maybe it's something you simply don't have room for. Or it's something you'll probably never use.
Or maybe, you have an item that someone gave you a long time ago, that you really did love at some point, but you no longer use or enjoy it for whatever reason.
Or maybe the so-called gift is something that was once special to a member of your family that you have somehow inherited.
This is a dilemma we have all struggled with at some point in time. Over the years, there have been so many gifts that people have given my family that ended up sitting around unused or crammed in the back of a closet or hidden in a box in the garage because I felt too guilty about returning or donating them. I totally get it! What do you do with gifts that you don't want?
I actually have so many thoughts on the topic of gifts and guilt, that we decided to divide this episode into two different parts. For this week's episode, I talk about the awkward feelings we all feel when we receive an unwanted gift and how to navigate those feelings. Then, I talk about whether or not you should let go of unwanted or unused gifts. We also look at the guilt that inevitably comes with that and how to get past it.
For next week's Part 2 episode, I'll talk about whether or not you should tell the person that you're letting the gift go, and what you can do if the gift giver has hurt feelings about it all. During Part 2, I'll even give you some ideas on how to prevent unwanted gifts from coming into your home in the first place and how you can be a better gift giver yourself.
Want even more tips on how to find the freedom of simplicity? Just check out my free guide, called "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life". You can find the link to that free download in my show notes or just send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY.
Know anyone who needs a little help letting go of unwanted gifts? Or anyone who would enjoy listening to the show? You can share all my episodes with them by having them go LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com.
I would so appreciate it if you could help spread the word about our show!
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode43
Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com
Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"
Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY
Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"
Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE
Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson
Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae
We just celebrated New Years and we are now officially in the year 2017! Like most Professional Home Organizers and other Life Coaches, I love January! Yes, I always get a handful of new clients this time of year - people seeking help and support to help keep their New Years Resolutions - but that's not the main reason I love January.
You see, in November during Thanksgiving we tend to focus on what we're thankful for in life, the blessing and good things that have come our way. In December, the world celebrates holidays that are full of life, light, and hope. And then comes January... time to reflect, reassess where we are in life, and redirect. I love this month, because to me it represents a fresh start. I love the excitement and anticipation for what the next year will bring.
On our Monday episode of this week, I shared with you the New Year's Resolutions and commitments I made for myself this year to help simplify my life. Today, for our short and brief "3 Minute Thursday" episode I propose a little challenge for you.
During this season, it's almost inevitable that you will spend some time reflecting on what you want more of in your life during this coming year, whether it me more love, good health, joy, wealth, and so on. But, during this time of renewed expectations and dreams, I challenge you to also spend some time thinking about what you want to LET GO OF this coming year.
Every single day of this coming year, I encourage you to let go of 1 thing each day. It's kind of a unique challenge called "365 Things in 365 Days". Check out today's episode for more details.
Know anyone would enjoy listening to the show? Just send them to LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com and they can check out all our previous episodes.
To stay updated on all our future episodes just subscribe to Life Made Simple on iTunes or whatever podcast app you prefer to use.
Do you want more ideas on how to find the freedom of simplicity? Just download my free guide called "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life".
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode42
Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com
Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"
Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY
Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"
Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE
Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson
Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae
If you're listening to this episode on the week it was released, then Happy New Year! January is the perfect time to reassess your long-term goals and recommit to specific ways of reaching them. On today's episode I give you a detailed look at some New Year's Resolutions that I've committed to implementing this upcoming year to help build better habits that will simplify my life. And my hope is that you will consider putting some of these habits into practice in your own life this year, as well.
Now, if you are one of the many people who have resolved to NOT make any New Year's Resolutions, or if you're tuning in to this episode some other time of the year... no big deal! The habits and commitments I offer you don't have to be considered New Year's Resolutions, just think about them as being some of my top tips and techniques on how to find the freedom of simplicity.
Do you want more ideas on how to simplify your life? Just download my free guide called "The 9 Ways to Simplify Your Life".
And do you know anyone would enjoy listening to the show? Anyone who could use a little motivation and inspiration to simplify their life? Just send them to LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com and they can check out all our previous episodes.
We have a brand new episode for you every Monday as well as a quick and brief "3 Minute Thursday" episode for a little inspiration to get you through the week.
To stay updated on all our new episodes, so you don't miss any, just subscribe on iTunes or whatever podcast app you prefer to use... and of course, it's totally free! If you're new to the whole podcast world, and want more info on how to subscribe, just check out my website for some detailed information on what a podcast show is and the best way to tune in to listen. Just go to CarlaRaeArneson.com/subscribe.
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode41
Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com
Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"
Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY
Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"
Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE
Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson
Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae
