On Simplicity

It’s time for me to put my money where my mouth is, so to speak.  I talk a great game about simplicity, but in truth, it’s easy to be simple at this point in my life. This week, the real test starts.

My husband is going in for surgery (nothing life-threatening, just corrective), and I’ll be picking up a lot of extra work as a result. My amazing spouse handles most of the household chores, like cooking, shopping, and all maintenance. I do the laundry, cleaning, and drink mixing.

So for the next few months, as B recuperates and is largely immobile, I’ll be:

• Taking care of B
• Taking care of all household chores
• Taking care of the yards
• Cooking (not my strong suit, so we’ll see how this goes)
• Driving
• Shopping
• Taking care of our beloved (and highly energetic) dog Roo
• Working my regular job
• Working on On Simplicity
• Taking on extra freelance writing work (to help defray the cost of surgery and make up a portion of B’s lost wages from being away from work)

I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of folks look at this list and say, “So what? I’ve been doing this for 20 years. Whaddya want, a cookie?”

That’s fair.

But it’s a big change for me, and I’m taking it as a challenge. It’s a call to make life as simple as possible, for my own sanity.  I look forward to learning new ways to streamline and be happy with less. 

If you’ve got any advice for me, I would very much welcome it in the comments. Have a great week, everybody, and thanks for reading!

Have you ever struggled to kickstart a new habit? It’s easy to find excuses and create delays. It’s even easier to give up entirely. Have you ever considered why it’s so difficult?

Why Are New Habits So Hard to Establish?

To be truthful, we have enough battles to fight every day. You may be trying to eat healthier, spend less money, develop better sleeping habits, or exercise regularly. Add the daily efforts to do your best on the job, be kind to your family and friends, and handle all the random tasks and chores. That’s a lot of stuff to handle!

No wonder it’s such a struggle to create a new habit!

New habits shouldn’t always be such a such a battle. If the habit you want to develop isn’t especially life-altering, consider finding the path of least resistance before you begin. (For instance, I’m thinking of a note-taking system or cleaning routine, not a dramatic diet plan here.)

Finding the Path of Least Resistance

1. Focus on minimizing the scariest or most difficult part of the new habit. For example, if bad weather, bad neighborhoods, or bad timing are killing your plans to take up running, consider a treadmill. Running is enough of a challenge, so remove the roadblocks for a better chance of success.
2. Attach the new habit to an established one. Piggybacking habits can really work. Adding a multivitamin to your daily routine? Attach it to your morning cup of coffee. This can work for most habits. It serves as a reminder and makes it easier for the new habit to become automatic.
3. Build in a cushion or gray area. “Failing” at a new habit can make you want to quit. To keep yourself from feeling like a failure when you have a setback, create some cushion. This might mean a set number of days off per week or a shortened routine for days when you’re pressed for time.
4. Cut the habit down to its most basic components. You’re going for as short and sweet as possible. If your new cleaning habit takes half an hour each day, that’s a challenge. Can you get away with doing less? Can you do it every other day? Can you cut some tasks entirely? Find the shortest, fastest possible routes and by all means, take them.
5. Make sure the new habit matters. If the new habit is a serious struggle, consider whether it’s really worth it. You’ve probably got enough to focus on. Add to your plate only when it’s truly beneficial to yourself or others.

There’s no glory in the struggle if the struggle is unnecessary. When it comes to new habits, your best bet is usually making it easy on yourself and just getting the job done.

Do you have any additional tips? What about exceptions? When does this approach work best? Drop into the comments and add your opinion!

photo credit: tharendra

photo credit: DeaPeaJay

Let’s face it: 80 percent of being organized is simply having enough storage space. While newer homes and apartments have upgraded the amount of closet space available, most people don’t have multiple walk-in closets where they can stash their stuff.

If You Can’t Get Rid of It, Hide It

While it’s nice to think that we shouldn’t have more stuff than our closets can hold, it’s not always realistic. Due to a huge range of totally valid reasons, you may have a lot of stuff that you don’t want to get rid of, but don’t have a place for. The trick to keeping your home looking clean and calm is getting as much stuff as possible out of sight. It’s easy if you’ve got an extra room or closet. If you’re in an older home or an apartment, you can still get your stuff out of sight, you’ll just have to be more creative about it.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, just a few tricks that may work for you:

Under the Bed

Under-bed boxes are cheap and roomy. Available at places like K-Mart and Target, these cardboard wonders sell for just a few bucks. You can fill them with out of season clothing, old textbooks, rarely used memorabilia or mementos, blankets and linens, and just about anything. If they don’t fit under your bed, simply get a box cutter and go to work.

Pros: Cheap and roomy

Cons: Need a bedskirt to hide them, very un-feng shui (if you’re concerned with that)

Repurpose a Dresser

Dressers are a great way to stash stuff, since the drawers provide a built-in organizational system. Pick up some cool pieces at garage sales, from friends and family who are upgrading, or at Ikea or Target (anywhere, really). If a piece has good bones but a raging case of the uglies, try painting the exterior and changing the knobs or handles. With new knobs and paint, you can create a matching set. I’ve used my dad’s childhood dresser as an entertainment center (DVDs, CDs, video games, etc.) and it’s currently the default Repository of Crap for mail, keys, notes, chargers, etc and works very well.

Pros: Looks like real furniture (instead of a storage item), lots of room, easily organized

Cons: One more piece of furniture to port around, may take some work to actually be attractive

Attractive Boxes

Things look under control when they’re containerized. It’s a bit of an illusion, but it’s an illusion that works. You can make a room look less cluttered by putting any homeless items in a box, and then spraypainting, decoupaging, or wrapping that box. Whether it’s sitting on a shelf in a bookcase, stacked with other boxes as an impromptu coffee table, or simply piled in a corner, a box can hide a range of items. Hide CDs or DVDs, old love letters, spillover kitchen utensils, your old tax forms, or anything that needs a place. If you’re worried about losing track of items, place a label tag on the bottom or on the underside of the box lid.

Pros: Cheap, easily accessible, can also function as cheap decoration

Cons: Somewhat haphazard, can look like cheap decoration

Sneaky Coffee Tables

My mom’s house always look very neat and clean. Until you lift the skirt on the one of the coffee tables, that is. Who knows what you’ll find? Her DVD collection? An old fabric stash? Photo albums? If you’re really strapped for space, switch out your cool, minimalist coffee tables or bedside stands for a basic round card table and drape a throw over it. Everything underneath? Free storage space!

Pros: Cheap, easy to change as your tastes evolve, easy to access

Cons: A bit girly, easy to accidentally kick stuff underneath, not great for home with little ones or curious pets

Maximize Closet Space

Your best bet for hiding stuff is in the closet, and there’s almost always some wasted space built into closets. Whether it’s the square feet of floor space or the three feet over the hanging bar, look for empty space. Shelving options are pretty cheap, especially if you’re not trying to make your closet into a masterpiece. Cheap wire cubes (between $10 and $20) can give you both horizontal and vertical space, plus they help keep things compartmentalized. Use them for t-shirts, pajamas, shoeboxes, sweaters, or anything that’s sucking up space.

Another good place to check is in the garage and yard sections of department stores. The items you’ll find here are usually more affordable than products marketed as “closet solutions,” plus you get an industrial-chic look. Pick up bookcase-style metal racking for around $10 to score extra shelves for folded clothes or room for hobby materials. I’ve yet to run out of uses for a hand-me-down plastic shelving unit that has four shelves that break apart. If you’re really concerned about the ugly factor, use plastic spraypaint to add some style.

There are plenty of additional solutions, but these are all things that have worked for me. (And trust me, I crammed a lot of stuff into some small spaces!) So if you’ve got additional suggestions, please pack into the comments and add to the list!

photo credit: cursedthing

Okay, I know your first question: why would you want to do less? I’ll give you a few reasons:

• Less stress
• More time for fun
• Doing things better

Convinced? Alright then, let’s identify one of the biggest culprits: your to-do list. If your to-do list has become a repository of things you wish you would do, then that’s putting extra pressure on you. You wouldn’t be alone if you found yourself rundown and tired from constantly doing things, but feeling like a bum because you never get to the bottom of your list.

If you’re ready to do less and enjoy more, it’s probably time to declutter your to-do list. The following ideas have worked for me:

1. Cross off any big items that you wish you were going to do, but aren’t actively planning on doing anytime soon. This includes things like, “paint the house” or “finish writing novel.” If you really want to get it done, keep the first step on the list (”pick up paint swatches” or “outline chapter three”).
2. Cross off any items you feel like you should do, but don’t actually care about. For instance, items like “Organize photos in albums” will only make you feel guilty and unproductive. Of course, this doesn’t mean you get to nix stuff you need to do, but just don’t want to–like “Schedule doctor’s appointment,” or, “Breast self-exam.”
3. Limit your list the number of things you can realistically do in a day or two. Just because you include 20 items, that doesn’t mean you have time in your day to complete them. In the end, you’ll just feel busy and overworked.

That’s it! I know it’s not a long list, but these three steps can take you a long way toward a simplified to-do list. If you’ve got any other tips, please share them in the comments! Let me know what works for you–or what hasn’t, and I’ll put together a follow-up for a few weeks from now.

photo credit: Jun Kaneko

Feng shui, in its Westernized form, is the art of arranging rooms to maximize the flow of positive energy. Whether or not you practice feng shui as a hobby or a lifestyle (or not at all), there are quite a few good ideas that come out of this tradition. But what does feng shui have to say about clutter?

The Dangers of Clutter: Scarier Than You Think

First, clutter is a serious problem. We typically think the biggest problem with clutter is that we lose some time here and there looking for items. If you’re practicing feng shui, you’re more worried about clutter damaging your health, decimating your bank account, and making you tired and depressed. Since feng shui is about creating a positive flow of energy, clutter is seen as literally blocking that flow. In a cluttered room, your energy stagnates, your mood declines, and your focus dwindles. There’s no energy to bring in new ideas and inspiration. You’re essentially trapped.

What’s the Definition of Clutter?

So what constitutes clutter? You’re going to love this: anything you don’t use or love. This is a definition that allows us to let go of things that may be useful (someday) or that we feel obligated to keep. If you don’t use it or love it, chuck it. And if you love an item, it’s good for your home. So what if your favorite cozy blanket doesn’t match the decor? If you love it, it’s bringing you good vibes.

Other energy-sucking clutter zones include unfinished projects (I’m in trouble here…), unorganized areas, and a glut of items. Since each room only has space for so many items, there’s a cap to how many tchotchskes you can have before they start to strangle you. Plus, any items that aren’t in their proper places are also considered energy-blockers.

Unblocking the Chi: How to Clear out a Room

How do you clear it out? There’s no mystery here: get rid of stuff. Anything that you don’t love and value should be considered ripe for the “outta here” pile. Then, organize what’s left. Both visible and out-of-sight clutter count, so if you’re really trying to create a positive flow of energy, you’ll need to hit the closets and drawers in a space as well.

So does the feng shui definition of clutter resonate with you? Do the dangers of clutter seem realistic? Let me know your thoughts and ideas in the comments!

photo credit: Unhindered by Talent

Is your pantry bursting at the seams? Are your canned goods spawning? Time for a quick and dirty decluttering session! Remember, quick and dirty isn’t about getting it done perfectly, it’s about getting it done good enough for now. Here’s how I tackle the pantry when it gets unruly:

1. Scan for items you can’t remember purchasing and toss or donate them. Not sure when that can of creamed corn came into your life? Then there’s a big, fat chance it’s out of code. Either way, it’s time for it to go. Check the date and toss it if the expiration date has passed. If not, toss it in a food drive bag. You’re clearly not interested, so pass it on to someone who needs the food.
2. Seek and destroy container clutter. If you buy things in bulk, they’ll usually come in large boxes. By the time you’re halfway through the stash, the box is just taking up space. Empty the contents onto your shelves (if that makes more room) or a smaller container and chuck the Meta-Stuff.
3. Stick like items together. Sometimes clutter isn’t clutter, it’s just disorganization. Put breakfast items together, snacks together, drinks together, and so on. Plus, this is a good way to figure out what you need and what you have too much of. (I have, like, eight cake mixes but no tubs of frosting…)
4. Start eating! Okay, I’m not talking about stuffing yourself sick right this second, but there’s no point in beautifying your pantry if you’re not using the items you’ve already got. So start cooking with the things you’ve already got (that are now kind of in order) and you’ve found an automatic way to keep the clutter to a minimum in the future.

Woo-hoo! You’re done! If you’ve got any tips to add (or just a record-breaking out of code item), let it fly in the comments!

photo credit: frandango24

Bathrooms have an aura all their own. While pretending to be mini-spas, household bathrooms actually hide everyone’s dirty secrets. If anyone should want to know what perfume you wear, what kind of deoderant you need, or even what meds you’re on, the bathroom’s ready to spill its guts.

As much as the trend toward spa-like retreat bathrooms has taken hold, most people can’t keep this level of zen cleanliness up on a daily basis. So, what happens? Bottles and tubs, jars and tubes of all types proliferate on the bathroom counters. After all, these items are used at least once a day. Why wouldn’t easy access be the simplest route possible?

Keeping necessary items within arms reach isn’t a bad thing. But it does leave a tiny problem: dozens of labels, all in different colors, all screaming for attention. People get paid lots of money to design these labels to get you to buy them. In other words, you’re inviting ugly advertising into your sanctuary.

Label Liberation: Peel Away

It’s time to liberate yourself from labels! Find every label you can peel off and go for it! (Safely, of course; prescription labels are on there for a reason…) For items that can’t be peeled, consider looking for label-less bottles to put them into. (Thrift stores and discount stores should have lots of cheap glass and plastic pump bottles for things like lotion and face wash.) In just five minutes, you might find that your counter looks less cluttered and more organized. It’s an easy solution that doesn’t require any change in your habits. Try it and let me know how it goes!

photo credit: Athenamama

Storage stores seduce you with promises of simplicity, order, and decluttering bliss. The truth? It’s just more stuff. Even worse, it’s more expensive than the stuff you put in it half the time. That Container Store catalog? Consider it organization porn.

What Is Meta Stuff?

So what is Meta Stuff? Meta Stuff is the item(s) you buy to… hold your stuff. That’s all it does. It doesn’t clean the house for you, it doesn’t cook dinner, it doesn’t make you smarter. It just takes all the stuff you already have and…. holds it.

From plastic Rubbermaid containers to individual snack bar carriers, Meta Stuff is everywhere. You can buy a container specifically for your Christmas ornaments. You can also find items to hold soda cans, a single baking soda box (seriously), and toilet paper. You name it, there’s a way to store it. So, if I love to be organized, what’s the problem?

The Problem with Meta Stuff

My problem with Meta Stuff is that it’s still stuff. It doesn’t transform your stored items into something useful. In fact, it adds an unnecessary layer between you and the items you use.

Plus, Meta Stuff is expensive. Am I seriously supposed to pay $15.99 for a toothbrush holder that’s going to get spit all over it? Most people would be better off putting their money into higher quality items or–better yet–saving the extra dough instead of spending it on stuff to hold stuff.

Meta Stuff is, in most cases, just another layer of clutter. It’s another item to move, to clean, and to insure.

Meta Stuff encourages people to buy more to fill up the containers. Like Why We Buy discussed, the size of a container affects our perception of how much we have. If your game rack has 50 slots and you only have 20 games, it’s easy to feel like you need more.

Are All Storage Containers Bad?

No, I don’t hate all storage containers. Some are truly great and provide a benefit that makes them worth the space and money they require. (Toilet brush holders immediately come to mind.) The problem is that many people don’t get creative. While a plastic Christmas ornament container can cost up to $30, you can use an empty case of bottled beer for free; it’s got ornament-sized cardboard separators and everything.

Storage containers are good when they add utility to items that didn’t have it before. Storage containers are good when they free up space or keep your stuff out of sight. But they don’t have to cost an arm and a leg or be fingernail chipping factories to be effective.

Alternatives to Expensive Storage Containers

If you’re ready to get creative, you can source all kinds of cool storage containers in your own house. Best of all, they’re free. Try:

• Milk jugs–cut off the tops and they’ll hold lots of stuff
• Mailing and packing boxes–the ultimate in sophisticated simplicity
• Baskets
• Rubber bands–yes, they still work!
• Cereal boxes–perfect magazine/paperwork holders
• Coffee cans or jugs–awesome for storing nuts, bolts, & garage stuff
• Tackle boxes–if you no longer have tackle, they’re awesome for jewelry
• Fancy shopping bags and brown bags
• Beer boxes–they actually look pretty cool stacked together with filing or games
• Prescription pill bottles–more common than film cannisters these days anyway
• Old dressers–my favorite for everything from sewing supplies to DVD storage
• Cappuccino tins

There are tons more ideas, so please add on any you think of or currently use! Next time you’re tempted by that salacious Container Store mailing, avert your eyes and be thankful you’ve surrounded by better storage options.

photo credit: me and the sysop

You’ve probably heard of the “pay yourself first” idea before. It’s common advice in the personal finance world, since it’s a great way to save. When you pay yourself first, you ensure that you always get a cut of each paycheck, even before the phone company, insurance office, and local pizzeria do. It’s an excellent way to force yourself to save money (essentially, you bill yourself instead settling for the leftovers), and it’s an elegant philosophy.

Take “Pay Yourself First” a Step Further

If “pay yourself first” has helped millions of people to build monetary wealth (it’s a cornerstone of David Bach’s The Automatic Millionaire), can it also help them build a richer life? I think so.

Imagine having a guaranteed time each day just for yourself, to do whatever you’d like. You could indulge yourself, meditate, play a game, catch up with a friend, or simply stare at the walls and breathe deeply. Who has time for that, though? You’ve got to cook dinner, toss in a load of laundry, catch your favorite show, and spend time with the family.

Who Has Time for That? You Do

Unless you’re the President, you do have the time for these blissful moments. However, too many of us place a higher priority on taking care of tasks that have clear and tangible benefits. So taking time to catch your breath and steal a smile gets put on the back burner again. And again. And again. The unfortunate end result of this self-sacrifice is impatience and unhappiness.

If you want to make time for yourself, you’ve got to prioritize it. Just as you can pay yourself first from each paycheck, you can also pay yourself first in your daily schedule. As you pencil appointments in your calendar or create a daily to-do list, include a specific time for yourself. It can be as little as 15 minutes or as much as you need. The trick is to physically schedule yourself in first, before anything else. Everything else can (and will) be scheduled around your dedicated time. You’ll find that you still get everything done, and you’re also having a lot more fun while you’re at it.

Make It Stick with Visual Reminders

It’s well-known that writing something down makes it more memorable. If you don’t specifically write down your scheduled personal time, there’s a pretty good chance that you’ll let something else take priority. So get t it in writing. You can:

• Keep a daily “To Do” list
• Mark it on your daily planner
• Schedule it on the monthly family calendar
• Set a reminder on your phone
• Create a task on Backpack

One of the best reasons to actually mark down this appointment is that not only will you respect the appointment, but your family, friends, and coworkers will as well. That’s the bottom line: to take control of your own time, you need to prioritize what’s truly important and stick to it. The dishes can wait. The lawn can get an inch taller. But you’ve got to start living your life today. Don’t just hope for a few stolen minutes during a lull. Take back your time by paying yourself first.

Or, How to Kick the Jams (Out the Door)

No matter how much you love music or are into completing your collection, there comes a time to cull your CDs. Whether it’s taking forever to find Bob Marley among the Backstreet Boys or your 5ives outnumber your Franks, your music collection should be catering your needs, not the other way around. As with any good library, weeding the collection is what helps it grow into something enjoyable, relevant, and useful. If you’re still on the fence, here’s some reasons to consider winnowing your music stash:

Immediate Rewards of Weeding Your CD Collection

So you’re ready to dive in. Where do you start? If you don’t have a plan, it’s easy to get sidetracked and get bogged down in indecision. Try these steps instead:

Get Ready to Rock

Ready, Steady, Go

1. Do a quick scan of all titles. Instantly pull any CDs that you know you’re done with and dump them in your box.
2. Now, pick a starting place and go album by album. Most CDs will be an instant “Keep,” so don’t waste time debating their merits. If you love it, keep it. If you really like it, keep it.
3. If you hesitate at getting rid of a CD, put it in the box. (Don’t worry, you’re not getting rid of it yet.)
4. Walk away for awhile. Come back to make a second round. You may end up getting rid of more or you may wind up pulling some items out of the Sell box. Both are fine.
5. Put a date on the box and let it sit for a period of a few weeks to a few months. About nine months is the money spot for me; if I haven’t missed anything in the box in nine months, I’ll probably never even remember it’s gone.
6. Once your deadline has passed, simply load up the box (don’t open it if you don’t have to) and either sell away on eBay or Half.com, or trade them in at a local music store. No drama, no debate, no deliberation. The cooling period has taken all the agony out of letting go of music.

One More Step:

Your albums aren’t the only CDs that need weeding; your mixes do, too. When you clean out your regular collection, go through your burned CDs as well and chuck anything that regularly skips, you never liked in the first place, or you’ll never listen to again.

There’s one caveat, though: if your mixes are largely autobiographical (ie, they take you back to a specific time and place in your life), consider keeping them (or the most meaningful highlights). These are like musical journals that take up just a tiny amount of space. After all, who knows when you’ll want to remember what “23 Hours and 15 Minutes ‘Til My Art History Final Is Over” felt like? (For me, apparently it felt like Eve and Prince combined with a heavy dose of Synchronicity.)

Tips to Keep in Mind

• Don’t go too crazy. Culling is about pulling items here and there, not huge overhauls.
• Repeat the process on a semi-annual basis or quarterly basis. Smaller, more regular pulls are more effective, in my opinion.
• Don’t get rid of artists or discs because you’re not currently in the mood for a specific genre. Your tastes will probably fluctuate and you may miss that CD. Instead, get rid of items that you think are irrelevant to your interests, flat-out subpar, repetitive, or you’re really truly “over.”
• Play “Would You Rather” when it comes to borderline CDs. Yeah, you could hang onto that old All Saints album because you might possibly get a hankering for it someday in the right mood. But when it comes down to it, would you rather spend an hour listening to Marvin Gaye? There’s your answer.