You’ve probably heard so much about decluttering in relationship to minimalism that you’ve made a natural association between the two, but decluttering or letting go is actually a very small part of it. I think it’s really the first basic step, and truly embracing meaningful and simple living is much richer and deeper in context. Minimalism also doesn’t mean that you live with 12 items and that’s it. You can have as many things as you want, and I find it imperative to spend time feeling grateful for the items that matter most and contribute greatly to your mental health and wellbeing. Read on to learn what my favorite things are, with pictures!
Read MoreWith the holidays coming up, stress and tensions are high as families are attempting to make plans for the holidays. Whether you agree or disagree about how to proceed, these next couple of months are bound to bring tension in your marriage and family. But don’t let any of those external factors or relationships do damage to your marriage. Keep reading to learn how to set boundaries as a couple to get through all the hard stuff by growing your connection instead of increasing conflict.
Read MoreIf you find yourself having trouble in your relationship during the election, you’re not alone. Most couples are noticing tension and stress, whether they are on the same side politically or not. It can become overwhelming, and my biggest concern is seeing the space and division in relationships. Your marriage is strong, but big events can certainly trigger both of you, taking a toll on the solid, secure feeling you had just a few months ago. Read on for my thoughts and plea for you to show compassion and reconnect on this eventful day.
Read MoreIf you think the stuff you’ve been holding onto in your marriage to use against the other person or to prove a point and justify your anger is helping you, think again. Carrying your relationship clutter around with you like a prized possession is quite normal, but it’s also a symptoms of the deeper issues in the marriage and it’s really keeping you stuck. Learn why this is so and what you’ll need to embrace to make major changes in your marriage and begin moving forward.
Read MoreI’m continuing to explore the ideas around how relationship clutter is actually getting in your way at the beginning of marriage counseling. Learn the different between first order change (resolutions in the initial problems you’ve come to therapy with) and second order change (the shift in your relationship that heals underlying problems). By getting everything out on the table, your marriage counselor can help you filter through the mess and start working on building skills and focusing on what' really matters. After all, don’t you want an unapologetically amazing marriage? Yeah, me too!
Read MoreAre Minimalism and Couples Therapy connected? I didn’t really realize it, but the way I’ve been doing couples therapy for the past 7 years aligns perfectly with my new found love of simplicity, minimalism, getting to the heart of what really matters, and letting go. Learn more about how to Marie Kondo your relationship and why that’s so important.
Read MoreIn this blog post I explore aspects of anxiety in a deeper way and give you an overview of tips to help your anxious partner and yourself move through this experience just a little bit easier. There’s also a video at the end with more practical tips for communication so please check it out and share the blog and video.
Read MoreThanks to all the therapists from all over the place who contributed to this blog post. We’re exploring coping skills when both partners are out of work, specifically during the coronavirus pandemic. This was a question I received on social media and I feel grateful to have explored it in more detail.
Read MoreMinimalism provides mental health benefits on an ongoing basis, and I’ve found the principles particularly helpful during these uncertain times. Managing stress, anxiety, and fear are essential to getting through this coming out stronger on the other side. Learn more about how minimalism can be a helpful approach to dealing with a crisis and why it’s something worth considering.
Read More“Why are we snapping at each other and how can we make it stop? This crisis is putting us in crisis, and we’re over it!” I know you’re scared and feeling unnerved about our current and future situation with cover-19. Conflict will increase expectedly over the next few months. Don’t worry, it’s only temporary. Read to learn more about why and watch my in depth video with tips.
Read MoreWith everything in our lives shifting at a rapid pace, anxiety is at an all time high. People are aware that therapy could help, but are having trouble figuring out how to fit it in or understanding what it will look like as the coronavirus pandemic continues. I’d like to engage everyone reading to take a collective breath, and dive into exploring options for therapy in the midst of an ongoing crisis situation.
Read MoreOne of the hardest parts about decluttering is figuring out where to take all the stuff you’ve decided to get rid of. Making that decision and going through the process of decluttering can be draining and pull from your energy, so it’s important to take care of yourself and plan ahead to after the declutter. That way you know exactly where you’re taking your stuff and you can act quickly to clear your space. Here’s 5 local places you can donate your stuff, with a few bonus ideas!
Read MoreEmotional baggage…where do you feel it? Where does it come up in your body, in your mind, in your space, in your habits? This post helps you slow down and spend some time figuring out the deeper roots to some of your problems. And as always, I want you to remember and confidently know that you are enough without your stuff.
Read MoreAre relationships easy for you? Do you struggle with how to manage difficult relationships in your life? We carry clutter from past and present relationships everyday, often not noticing how heavy it all weighs on you. Read on to explore how relationship clutter is affecting your life, how it ties into all the other areas of clutter, and how it doesn’t matter where you start decluttering, you’ll see positive results.
Read MoreHow many unread emails do you have? What about the number of photos stored on your phone? What percentage of your apps do you use on a regular basis that add value to your life? What if you cut your digital space and usage by 20%? By 50%? By 75%? Sit with that for a minute. If you’re feeling brave, read the post to begin exploring curating your digital consumption.
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