Do you know someone who either has too much stuff in their life? Or has a hard time letting go of their unused and unneeded items? On today's episode of Life Made Simple, I give you my thoughts on how to live with someone who could be considered a pack rat.
Now you may not actually live with someone who is a pack rat, but maybe you have one in your family. Maybe you have parents who are pack rats. Even if you don't currently live with a pack rat, this episode is still for you.
And if you're listening, and you don't live with a pack rat, and you don't have one in your family, and you don't even know a pack rat at all, well, this episode is still for you.
All the things I talk about on today's show are concepts that you can actually apply to ANY relationship in your life. Any relationship where you struggle with wanting and wishing that the other person was different in some sort of way. Any relationship, particularly with someone you live with, where you wish they would make positive changes and for some reason, they just don't. How do you peacefully live with someone who you so desperately want to change?
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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!
And have you checked out my free guide yet? It's called "The 9 Ways to Simplify Your Life". Just send a text message to the number 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY.
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Episode #53: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode53
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Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY
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On today's show I give you an inside look at one major predicament I've come across many times in my adventures of being a home organizer. I also share with you my simple strategy for solving the problem once and for all. And many of you just might relate!
Let me tell you all about it. Now, I'm sure you can imagine, while working with my clients I get so excited when I watch them purge all of their useless, unwanted junk. But, while I usually have a big smile on my face, they are not so enthusiastic about the process.
Here’s how it usually goes: I stand there holding the donation bag wide open. My helpless victim slowly places the unwanted item into it, teeth clinched, with a furrowed brow, and a low pitch moan coming from the depths of their despair. I, of course, am very confident that they will soon forget about their precious rusty cheese grater simply because they have two more just like it. Besides that, its home for the past eight years has been under a pile of plastic bags stuffed in the back corner of the pantry. I try to reassure them by saying, "I promise you, even though it feels like torture to let go of it now, you won’t miss it!"
Years ago, when I first started my business I used any type of bag that my client had available for donations. Sometimes the bag was small, sometimes see-through, sometimes a wide open box and many times we didn’t use a bag at all and just made a pile of items to donate. I figured it didn’t matter, as long as the stuff was on its way out of the house, right?
Well, eventually, I started to notice a trend… an hour after making the bold decision to let something go my client would see the item in the see-through bag or in the pile, staring at them and then they would change their mind. I would then have to take a few minutes to convince them all over again as to why they really didn’t need a third blender, which didn't even work.
The donation bag problem then got worse. Usually, after our session, my client would agree that they would take the time in the coming week to drop off the donations at the Goodwill. And they did drop it off, but then in the middle of cleaning out the bedroom during our next session, I would come across the same vintage 1986 brown hairdryer that was banished from the bathroom the previous week!
My client would then confess to digging through the donation bag right after I left their house. I somehow would maintain composure and gently ask if there was anything else that was salvaged from the donation bag. Surprisingly, most of my clients would usually fess up like, kinda like a six year old that was just caught with their hand in the cookie jar. I always appreciated their honesty, but I felt bad that they would put themselves through the same emotional roller coaster of letting the item go all over again.
Finally I came up with a solution for all my clients who had a really hard time purging… the BIG BLACK BAG. Gone were the days of thin, small see-through plastic bags. I started to arrive at our organizing sessions equipped with a box of heavy duty black bags with draw strings. Magically, once something was put into the black abyss, it was never to be seen again! An item couldn’t peek out of the sides of the bag to longingly seduce my client into keeping it. Better yet, when the bag was full, I would tie it shut! I started to refer to it as the “tie of no return” (although my clients weren’t always so amused).
Now, for the much heavy items, I still used boxes, but I would strategically place them on the other side of the room, I would be the only one to put things in it, and then I would tape it up when it was full.
A couple years later I got really smart and started to offer a new “perk”: if it could fit in my car, I would haul it away FOR FREE! My clients totally loved my new service. I loved it because it made our organizing sessions a lot more productive… we weren’t wasting time purging things twice.
So, moral of the story: if you have a hard time letting things go, try using a big black bag. Once you place an item in it, commit to not digging through it. Don’t torture yourself by making the decision twice. You’ll probably forget that you even owned that cracked picture frame by next week. Do yourself a favor… toss it into the big black void and bid it good riddance once and for all!
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If you've liked what you've heard so far, I would love it if you would take a minute and leave us a review on itunes. It would help us out immensely!
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode55
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Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"
Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY
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Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE
Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com
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One question that I've received a few times from listeners and have been asked many times throughout the years is this: Is there a difference between a "pack rat" and a "hoarder"?
Well, some people would say that both terms mean the same thing. And while I would agree there is overlap, there are differences between the two. And that's what we look at on today's episode of Life Made Simple.
I define and explain the differences and similarities between a hoarder and a pack rat. I then dive into a lot of the psychology behind it all.
Do you know anyone who would enjoy listening Life Made Simple? 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!
And don't forget to subscribe on itunes or whatever podcast app you prefer, to stay updated on all our new episodes.
If you've liked what you've heard so far, I would love it if you would take a minute and leave us a review on itunes. It would help us out immensely!
And don't forget to submit any questions or topic ideas to CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae.
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". Just send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY. And you will get the free download delivered right into your email inbox.
Links Mentioned in this Show:
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Episode #25: "How Can I Help My Child Let Go Of Stuff? (Ask CarlaRae)"
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"
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Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com
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All of us, of course, want to flourish and be successful in every aspect of our life. Right? Unfortunately, in this day and age, it is a common misconception that in order to be a better people, in order to BE more, we need to DO more.
And the result? Well, we spread ourselves thin and then wonder why we aren't more productive.
What if, instead of resolving to do more with our time, we try to do less? What kind of a positive effect could that have on us? Maybe we need to focus our energy into taking things off our plate rather than putting more things on.
We all must come this realization: while many ideas and opportunities that cross our path charm us with their novelty, they are actually the arch-enemy of achieving our goals and dreams. New ideas and pursuits can sometimes be beneficial to us, but many times are just distractions that steer us off-course.
So, how do we say "no" when we're faced with a variety of tasks that look appealing but might actually pull us in the wrong direction? Well, that's exactly what I talk about on this episode of Life Made Simple.
Know anyone would love 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 I have a huge favor to ask of you. If you like what you hear, we would so appreciate it if you would take a moment and leave us a rating and review on itunes.
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Episode #51: "A Must-Have Tool To Stay Motivated Everyday"
Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"
Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY
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Like I often talk about on the show, the key to simplifying your life is to figure out what's really important to you, focus only on those things that really matter, and let go of anything and everything that doesn't.
In order to have the life you've always dreamed of and become the person you've always wanted to be, you must put your time and efforts into pursuing your dreams, goals, and everything you value... and somehow let go of anything holding you back.
And that's what we talk about today. On this episode of Life Made Simple, I talk about one amazing tool that will empower you to focus on what's really important in your life so that you can push forward and accomplish all your goals, dreams, and anything that you aspire to be. This one tool can be a total game changer if you give it a chance. I started using it about two years ago and it's completely changed my life.
That incredible tool that I'm referring to is called a Vision Board. Do you have a vision board yet? Well if you don't, then definitely tune in to today's show... I tell you exactly why you need one, why it works, and I give you the specifics on how you can easily make one.
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Episode #2: "Why Change Is So Hard"
Episode #9: "Why You Must Make Personal Development A Daily Habit"
Episode #16: "The Best Way To Reward Yourself When Reaching A Goal"
Episode #34: "Do You Have A Power Phrase Yet?"
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
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Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae
Eeeek!!! I honestly can't believe we are already on episode #50!!!
If you're listening to today's episode on the day it was released, then let me remind you that we are only 5 days away from Valentine's Day, a time to celebrate love and romance - with of course chocolate and flowers. Although, in our family, we actually celebrate every year with sushi. My amazing hubby makes my son and I homemade sushi for Valentine's Day, because I'm not really big fan of chocolate.
Does the thought of Valentine's Day make you feel all mushy, gushy, and sentimental inside? If so, then now is the perfect time to create a special keepsake “Love Box”. In today's episode of Life Made Simple I tell you how.
Do you want more ideas on how to find the Freedom of Simplicity? Just download my free guide called "The 9 Ways to Simplify Your Life". You can find the link to it in my show notes, or send a text to the number 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY.
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode50
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
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Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae
I want to share with you all the details about a very special online 5-day event that will take place next week starting Wednesday February 15th (of 2017) and goes through Sunday February 19th. And it's completely free! That's right, it doesn't cost anything... it's FREE!
Don't worry... if you're tuning in sometime after February 15th, it's not too late to join in the fun! Just click on the registration link and you can sign up to get notified when it becomes available in a couple months after the original event.
The online event is called The Simple Living Summit. (A summit, if you don't know, is an online conference with interviews, presentations, and workshops from top experts in a field who teach and share their knowledge.)
A few months ago, I was approached by the creator of The Simple Living Summit and I was asked to be a guest speaker for the program. I was so honored and of course couldn't turn the opportunity down!
The purpose of this particular Summit is to spread the principle of simple living by giving you access to a large group of leading experts and mentors in the fields of psychology, home organizing, health, finance, career, travel, and relationships.... which of course are all the different areas I love to talk about on Life Made Simple!
On each day of the summit, a handful of interviews and workshops are released for you to watch. You'll have the opportunity to access to them for 48 hours after they're released... and you can watch them whenever it's convenient for you. You don't have to watch them at any particular time, so long as it's within the 48 hours.
To register for the event, just click here: Simple Living Summit.
Or you can just go to CarlaRaeArneson.com/Summit . There you will find the registration page where you can easily sign up for the event.
Links Mentioned in this Show:
The Simple Living Summit: CarlaRaeArneson.com/summit
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode49
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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
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Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae
While I am a professional home organizer, I'm here to talk about gaining control of not just your home, not just your time and to-dos, but also your attitude and outlook on life, your relationships, and so even your health... because a healthier you is a happier you!
And on today's episode, I give you a few quick tips on how to help simplify one aspect of your health: your vitamins and supplements.
So often, when I'm helping clients manage their homes and their schedules, the topic of vitamins and supplements come up. Many of my clients have certain vitamins - and sometimes even special medicines - that they intend to take every day, but for some reason they find that it's really hard to get in the habit of taking them consistently.
My family and I used to struggle with this a lot a few years ago, until I figured out a little system that works well for us. And that's what I share with you today.
Want more tips on how to find the freedom of simplicity? Download my free guide, called the "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life". You can find the link for it in my show notes. Or just send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY.
Do you know anyone - friends or family - who want to simplify their life? Have them check out our show! You can share all our episodes with them by having them go to LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com.
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode48
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
