Here are 12 things that get in the way of ease
My word for the year is ease…the absence of difficulty or effort. Just thinking about ease makes me take a deep breath and relax. Even feel a little happier. My life already has a lot of ease in it. I’ve made certain choices the last few years to move toward ease. Leaving a career I […]
These 6 habits guarantee life is a struggle
Are you crazy busy? Do you tend to complicate things? Find yourself getting stuck in confusion? Are any of those how you get in your own way? Or maybe you’re easily distracted. And struggle with what’s a priority—and what’s not. Even find yourself putting productivity ahead of people. If any of these sound familiar, read […]
Why my carry-on bag has me questioning life
I recently returned from a 17-day adventure in Paris. And I can’t stop thinking about my carry-on. I took a compact 20″ hardside spinner that fit with room to spare in the overhead. In it were my favorite clothes and must-have essentials. Even with only 20 x 14 x 9 inches, I packed more than […]
Yeah, but I can’t ignore the rest of my emails
This is Part 2 of a post about inbox zero. Be sure to check out Part 1: Why inbox zero is the wrong measuring stick I typically get pushback at this point about the argument against inbox zero. The “Yeah, but…” begins. Yeah, but I can’t ignore the rest of my emails. Yeah, but I […]
Saying “it’s complicated” is just a big excuse
Do you have a special talent for making things difficult, overly involved, convoluted? In other words, for making life more complicated than it needs to be. Perhaps you’ve created a complex process for filing your emails, recycling the garbage, celebrating holidays or tracking your finances. And do you find yourself defending the complexity by saying, […]
3 ways to simplify—and really enjoy—the holidays
The holidays are just around the corner. And for every Christmas carol playing on the radio, I hear someone complaining about crowds at the mall and stressing over finding the perfect gift. Don’t let this time of year wreak havoc on your serenity. Here are three ways to simplify—and really enjoy—the holidays. Don’t aim for […]
It all falls apart when you won’t decide
It seems everyone is trying to simplify some aspect of their lives. Their calendar, commitments, finances… Their commute, To Do list, expectations… Their morning routine, relationships, living space… The desire to simplify is strong. On the other side of simplified is more time and freedom. Less stress and anxiety. More of what matters and less […]
Mini mission—Take the next step
There’s something you want. Some goal you want to achieve. Or milestone you want to reach. Maybe it’s launch a business. Or lose 20 pounds. Maybe it’s write that book. Or run a marathon. Maybe it’s take that trip. Or change careers. Maybe it’s declutter and simplify. Or move across country. Whatever your goal, it […]
Which of the hundreds of cereals do you want?
The other day a friend and I were talking about how many choices are available to us. But not in a good way. Shelf after shelf of toothpaste. Over a hundred types of hand soap. An entire aisle of cereal. Choice overload. Decision fatigue. That’s the world we live in—and bump up against every day. […]
It’s been a year. 10 thoughts about downsizing.
It’s been a year since Hans and I moved from the hotel where we lived for six months into our current apartment. All in all, we went from a house of 1400 square feet to a hotel room of 300 to our current abode of 733. What a journey it’s been. At the one-year mark, […]