On my quest to simplify my home and my life I am learning how to let go. On today's episode I share with you one unique strategy that I have developed that has helped me to successfully let go of so many things in my life.
It's not something that I read in an article or a book. It's actually kind of a concept that came to me one day when I was trying to figure out why it's so hard to let go of certain special things in my home. I started to apply it to my life and realized over time it made a huge difference in how I view those special items I tend to keep. Over time, while embracing this strategy I've successfully changed my relationship with those items.
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Episode #10: Can You Have Too Much Of A Good Thing?
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Simplicity University: SimplicityU.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
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I've had many listeners ask me what my recommendations are for to-do list apps. Years ago I tried out a few... some were great, some not so much. Finally I stumbled across one that was exactly what I was looking for. Now keep in mind, I am not an affiliate for this company. They have not paid me to give this review. I just wanted to share with you the app that I use and love.
For more info on to-do lists, check out our last episode when I talked about why to-do lists just don't work for some people. I explained why you should definitely consider having to-do lists, if you don't already. We looked at why it's important to properly maintain those lists and then I gave you some unique tips and techniques on how to do just that.
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Google Keep: keep.google.com
Episode #89: How To Declutter Your Brain And Keep It Organized
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Simplicity University: SimplicityU.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
Whether or not you consider yourself to be a "list-maker" type of person, we all have - to some degree - a love/hate relationship with our to-do lists.
On today's episode, we take a look at why to-do lists just don't work for some people. I explain why you should consider having to-do lists, if you don't already. We look at why it's important to properly maintain those lists and then I give you some unique tips and techniques on how to do just that.
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Episode #68: Get More Done With A Focus Frame
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Simplicity University: SimplicityU.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
As you know, if you listen to the show often, I am on a quest to simplify my life. Because life can be crazy, chaotic and cluttered... and clutter in my home and schedule causes unnecessary stress and anxiety. Which is why I am on a mission to declutter and simplify my life. I want freedom from the anxiety and stress that comes from clutter. I want to find the freedom of simplicity. And I'm also on a mission to help inspire and motivate YOU to join me in the journey.
On today's quick and brief episode I share with you one of my favorite mottos that I adopted a few years back to help me declutter and simplify my to-do list.
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Episode #75: Treat Your Life Like A Rose Bush - "It's Time To Prune!"
Episode #76: How & What To "Prune" Out Of Your Life
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode88
Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com
Simplicity University: SimplicityU.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
When you clean out your closet, why is it so hard to let go of clothing that for some reason you love, but will never actually wear?
What spurred this topic for me was my recent experience cleaning out my own closet. Every year just before summer, I take time to put away all my winter clothes and pull out all my summer wear. Since we live in the Pacific Northwest, half my fall and winter clothes stay in the closet year round, so that I can layer when needed.
Usually I clean out my closet and my son's closet around April or May. But this year, I have to say, I didn't clean out my own closet until a last weekend (which is mid July). According the National Weather Service, Seattle had its coldest winter season since 1984! And for some reason Jack Frost did not want to let go of spring. The sunshine and warm air didn't begin to appear until late June and it's still a lot cooler than usual.
So, when I finally made the time to clean out my closet, I was so ready. Now remember, if you've listened to the show before, I've been a home organizer for over 15 years, BUT, I am also a recovering pack rat. I have a hard time letting go, which is why I became a home organizer in the first place... to help other people explore the psychology behind clutter and chaos.
For some reason, clothes can be really hard for me to let go of. And this time, it wasn't necessarily any easier than other times. But like I said, I was so ready. I was tired of looking in my closet full clothes yet feeling like I still had nothing to wear. I was ruthless. I was on a roll. That black bag filled up pretty quickly.
And why? Well, over the years I've learned how to develop a different relationship with my clothes. I've had to explore the psychology behind why I hang onto clothes that I love but never end up wearing. I confess, there were quite a few items that I've had for years, yet never wore. I used to justify keeping them, but this year I dug a little deeper.
When I came across a piece of clothing that for some reason I didn't want to part with, yet knew I probably wouldn't wear it, I asked myself a few questions. On today's episode I share exactly what those questions are and what you can do with all those clothes that for some reason you love, but never wear, and just can't let go of.
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Episode #21: Here's Your Closet Clean-Out Master Plan
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Simplicity University: SimplicityU.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
I'm going to share with you one ugly truth... it's the fact that looks do matter when it comes to home organizing.
I know that a lot of people don't believe this, but it's true. When someone views the organization of their home as strictly utilitarian, they don't put much thought into the aesthetics of their system. And many times, this is their biggest problem.
They figure, "Any old container will do," or "No one will see it but me, so who cares what it looks like." As a result, their organizing system is boring, uninspiring, and ugly to use.... so then they don't use it or maintain it.
On today's episode I share with you a story about a client of mine who discovered that looks really do matter when it comes to your organized space.
Trust me: if you can add a sense of personal style to your space - even if it's behind closed doors - you will be more likely to honor it, use it, and maintain it.
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode86
Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com
Simplicity University: SimplicityU.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
Life Made Simple is a podcast show dedicated to helping you simplify all areas of your life: your home, your time and to-do's, your mindsets, your health, and even your messy relationships... which is what I talk about on today's episode. While I've been a professional home organizer for over 15 years now, I am not a neat freak.
This weekend I was chatting with someone I had just met and after she asked what I did for a living she replied, "Your house must be perfectly clean and organized all the time." Yes, I get that a lot. But no... I have no shame in saying that my house is never perfectly clean and organized.
Now technically if you looked in all our cupboards and closets they are definitely very organized... don't get me wrong, everything we own has logical home, which of course is one of the keys to staying organized.
But the fact is I have a husband, a six year old son, a dog, and a full time job. The struggle is real. My house is far from perfect. Now, many years ago before I was married I was definitely considered a "neat freak" and my house was immaculate. I was obsessively tidy.
But now, nooooo way! It would be impossible to keep up with the steady stream of mayhem that flows through our house on a daily basis.
Now, I know that our home isn't as bad as most... especially families with more kids. Luckily my husband isn't a complete slob and he always helps with cleaning up the house when it gets out of control. I've also been training my son to pick up his toys and put his dirty clothes in the hamper. But he's only six. I can really only expect so much. Years ago, for the sake of my sanity, I had to let go of my unrealistic expectations of keeping a perfectly tidy home
There is nothing more frustrating than living with a spouse, a child, or even a roommate whose messy habits thwart your own efforts to stay organized. And when you're trying your hardest to simplify your home, trying to clean up after an untidy family member can be demoralizing. It's easy to just want to throw in the towel and give up.
On today's episode we look at how to live with a messy family member without going insane.
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Episode #55: (PART 1) How To Live With Someone Who Won't Change - "I Married A Pack Rat"
Episode #57: (PART 1) How To Live With Someone Who Won't Change
Episode #13: How To Simplify Any Messy Relationship In Your Life
Episode #72: Try To Turn People Into Trees
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode85
Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com
Simplicity University: SimplicityU.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
