3 Ways to Find Happiness Through Simplicity

Why aren’t we happier? When I looked at some stats the other day, I wasn’t all that surprised to find out that 33% of Americans report being less happy today than in 2008 and 2009, when 35% reported being very happy. And what about optimism? Why is it that 75% of Americans reported being optimistic about the future in 2011, but only 67% reported the same feelings in 2013? We have to blame this on something or somebody, don’t we?  Even our Declaration of Independence says we’re supposed to be happy. It says,  “Americans have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” What’s up with this? Why aren’t we happier? Why do so many of us struggle to be happy, even while making big decisions based on our condition of happiness? As an example, a friend of mine broke up with her partner last week for just that reason – she […]

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How to Quiet Your Mind for a Simpler Life, Even When It’s Busy

Don’t you hate the way your brain so quickly goes to “what if” thinking? What if this happens, or what if that happens? Or, I’d better shift to Plan B just in case “what if” happens, or I’d better not do such and such because “what if” might happen. Ugh. Did you know that every time your brain goes to “what if” thinking, you’re increasing your anxiety and stress?  That’s because every “what if” is usually your brain thinking up some disaster scenario.  Stop for a minute and ask yourself when one of your “what if’s” actually did happen! Probably never! Things usually don’t turn out in all the negative ways we imagine, do they? Or if they don’t turn out perfectly, we always have a way of finding another path. And oftentimes, things work out even better than we imagined. But that’s easy to say, isn’t it? I know […]

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Simplifying Life: The Day My World Was Unplugged

There is one very important day in my path to living a simpler life. I don’t remember the date, but I do remember the day. Chances are, you have the same issues I did, and you don’t even know it. Allow me to explain… I was in my early 20s, married and didn’t have kids when I realized that I had more stresses in my life than the typical: Mortgage is due. Car is running funny. What should I wear? Things that I had never considered stressors, and in many cases I thought were actually positive things were causing me stress, and I didn’t even know it. I Was Completely Plugged In I was the go-to person about pop-culture. I looked forward to TV shows, I was plugged in and knew all of the latest references going around in the office. I knew which movies were coming out and when, […]

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Imperfection is the new good life

Are you as exhausted as I am about trying to be perfect in every way? Enough! Let me start with foodie perfection. I read a New York Times article that really sang to me. It’s titled, “A Question of Taste.” The sub-head is this: “Perhaps lazy summer days simply conjure understatement, but suddenly, fancy kitchens and the hyper-styled meals they produce feel overcooked.” Above the headline are photos of very un-updated kitchens. I let out a huge exhale reading this and looking at the pictures. Exhaling at the idea that I can be happy with an OK kitchen, I can be happy with my not perfect body, not perfect hair, not perfect thoughts, not perfect home, life, relationships…..everything.   Do you realize how much subtle (and not so subtle) pressure we’re under to be perfect in so many ways? Let’s go back to foodie perfection. I love a good meal, […]

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