Tips for Decluttering Your Home

There’s no time like the present (or a month like January) to declutter your home for a fresh start. Unless you declutter year-round, your space is probably in need of some organization with a dash of minimalism. For those of you who aren’t so much into getting rid of your possessions or things, I can’t stress enough how important it is to edit your space consistently throughout the year. I could go on and on about the benefits of decluttering, but here are my top 3:

It declutters your brain

Decluttering helps you see your space clearly, both physically and mentally. A clear house means a clear brain, so if you’re feeling like a mental detox, try giving your space a refresh or getting rid of a few items, and you’ll be surprised at how much lighter you feel.

It reminds you of what you have

Going through your things gives you an inventory of what you have on hand, what’s out-of-date, and what you actually need (there’s nothing worse than buying double of something because you didn’t know you already had it)! It also keeps things in order, and maintains “having a place for everything”, which we’ll get into later!

It gives you the opportunity to truly love the items you have

Even though you’re giving away/donating items, decluttering makes you appreciate the things you really love in your home that much more. For the things you don’t love anymore, it’s time to donate them to a thrift store or charity, for someone else to love. To get there, below are my top tips for tackling the beast that is decluttering your home.

Start with something small

To prevent intimidation and discouragement from that pile of junk hiding in your closet, start small. This could be the junk drawer in your kitchen, or maybe the cupboard under your kitchen sink that has way too many cleaning products to count. Starting your decluttering journey with a small “15 minute win,” as Shira Gill calls it, will give you instant satisfaction with that area, and will encourage you to continue these wins in other spaces. To do this, take a “before” photo of your space, take 15 minutes to organize it, and take an “after” photo of the result. The results will shock you! Something that tends to pile up for me? Reusable bags! I always seem to have way more than I need, so I constantly give them away to reduce the clutter.

Whatever you choose to declutter first, go through each item, ask yourself how often you use it, and if you really need it or love it.

Sort into categories

If you’re decluttering your kitchen, take everything out and sort it into categories. There’s no reason for some pots to be in one area, and other pots to be in another. Divide your items into categories to see what you have too many of, then figure out the best way to organize the volume of each category you have. Baskets, lid racks, jars, air tight containers and label makers are your best friends here.

Clean as you go

If you’re already removing everything from a certain area, it’s an opportune time to clean! Deep clean the space, and develop a plan of attack before you put everything back by using baskets, trays or dividers (with labels) to keep similar items organized together and easy to find. Every single item should have a home, so you don’t need to think twice about where it is.

Time for the bigger picture

When you move on to bigger spaces, look at the bigger picture. What’s bothering you about that space? What will make your life easier? Is there a certain area you avoid because you’re not happy with it? Here are items to think about when decluttering:

• Extra furniture pieces that don’t necessarily fit in your space

• Home decor items you no longer love/have too many of

• Extra kitchen gadgets/appliances

• Old clothes

• Shoes you forgot you had

• Old sheets and towels

• Expired goods

Maybe it’s time to get rid of them, to make room for an item that does, or to clear the space entirely. Take time to ask yourself how much you love each piece, and go from there.

Sell the items you no longer love

Now, you may be asking yourself, how do I get rid of these items? Well, start with your high value items. List them for sale on local buy and sells like Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, or consignment stores (if they offer you a decent amount). People are constantly searching sites for items just like yours (it’s the sustainable way to shop!) so you may as well get some money back and contribute to the recycle culture. If they won’t sell, ask around if anyone wants them, or drop them off to a thrift store like Value Village or Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

If you buy something new, sell something first

With my textbooks, the only way I buy used ones is if I sell my old ones. The same rule should apply to the rest of your home. If you have enough clothing, sell or donate something before you add something new to your closet. If you’re looking to buy a new rug, sell your old one, then use that money to buy a new/pre-loved one. I’ll actually be doing this soon (let me know if you’re interested in my rug)! You’ll house items you love, save money, and sell someone else something they love—a win win situation!

Give yourself a deadline

Despite how long the process may take, don’t get sidetracked by going through photo albums or getting lost in a book. Set timers for each room, and give yourself a deadline so you can race yourself and make it a little more fun. And don’t think you have to do it all at once. Using each day of the week for each room is a realistic approach and gives you a little break in between.

If you have any other decluttering tips, feel free to share them below! Looking forward to making some swap outs in my space this year, and selling items as I go!

Xo

Linnea

10 Healthy Habits for a Fulfilling 2020

1. Wake up earlier and establish a productive morning routine

   I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I’m not a morning person! But I recently bought a wake-up light alarm clock to get my butt out of bed a little earlier, and it’s made a huge difference. Here’s to establishing a peaceful, slow morning routine that includes self care, coffee, reading, and diffusing some bright essential oils.

2. Listen deeply

   I’m a communicator by trade and by sign, but listening can always be improved. I hope to listen deeply to every conversation I have, and only jump in when they’re looking for input.

3. Give to others

   Over the past few years, I’ve focused a lot on growing and healing myself, so this year, I’m looking forward to focusing on others, giving my time and support whenever possible. As manager of the Employee Volunteer Program at work, I’m lucky enough to see the generousity and compassion of all the people I work with, so it’s in turn, inspired me to give back to more charitable causes this year.

4. Make more sustainable choices

   I’ve done all the basics: reusable bags, reusable coffee cups and water bottles, portable straws, stashers, reusable/silicone sponges, etc, but we can always do more! This year I hope to incorporate a few more items to do my part as much as I can for the environment.

5. Read once a day

   As a book club member, this is key! Reading before bed every single night might just be the key to falling asleep faster. This will also encourage me to go to bed earlier, shortly after I get home from school.

6. Prep wholesome foods for a nutritious week

   Even though I meal prep every week, I get tired of my healthy meals pretty fast, and I usually make too much of one dish. I get hungry when I’m at school, and found myself going to the cafeteria way too often than I’d like to admit. This year’s prep will include choosing meals with similar ingredients for the week, shopping, chopping my veggies as soon as I get home from the store, and using them in different combos for different meals. That way, I won’t get tired of what I make!

7. Increase water intake

   I already drink quite a bit of water, but there’s always room for improvement. Instead of snacking at work “just because”, I’m aiming to down more water instead. You know what they say, hydration is the fountain of youth.

8. Create an in-depth bucket list

   I have started a list, but I’d definitely like to expand on it, and sit down to ask myself what I really want to do in my life. This list has been put off for too long!

9. Invest in relationships

   Relationships are super important to me, and I’ve managed my friendships pretty well in recent years. The other ones, not so much.

10. Give it your all

    Commit, focus, and give it your all. If you want it bad enough, you’ll get it. I’m aiming to multi-task to the max this year, doing side hustles and projects all year long. It will mean exercising my workhorse muscle with very little free time, but I’m already used to that. This is the mentality I’m embracing for everything in my life this year. Ya girl is coming into 2020 fearless!

What are some of your healthy habits you’re aiming for this year?

xo

Linnea

8 Inspirational Books I've Been Loving

Being part of a book club, I read quite a few books throughout the year. And because I’m a gemini, I tend to read multiple books at once, and squeeze them in whenever I can. To save some time, for self-improvement/wellness books that aren’t as fun to cuddle up with, I loooove to listen to them like a podcast. So like podcasts, I put them on while I’m commuting, cooking, getting ready, or even doing homework (multi-tasking at it’s finest). So while I’m sitting here blogging in bed, about to dive into another book, I thought I’d share a few of the books I’ve been absolutely loving, which will all inspire you to grow and be your best self in 2019!

1. A Tribe Called Bliss

I read this book a while ago after listening to a few episodes of the Earn Your Happy podcast, but I recently picked it up again because I needed a refresher for 2019, and omg! It’s such a great book to help you realign, reevaluate who you want to be around, the energy you want to surround yourself with, and ultimately, who you want to become. Your tribe is sooo important for the life you want to live. Do you want a life of growth, prosperity and honesty? Or a life laying low, staying small and being meek? It’s a pretty obvious answer to me, but one that’s a tough one to address if you’re not ready for it. If you’re ready, pick it up for serious girl gang inspo.

2. Becoming

I’ve always loved Michelle, so it’s no surprise that her book made my list! If you need a push to feel empowered to do what you’re set out to do, give it a read.

3. The Magnolia Story

This book is one of my favourite books of all time. I absolutely love the story of Chip and Joanna Gaines, probably because I relate a lot to their story, and they’re just so darn cute. It’s also such a huge reminder that you can start out with literally nothing. One day your life really can change forever, and you can have a show, store, books, brands, a target collection - anything is possible with a vision! 

4. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

This has been one of my go to textbooks in my house for a very, very long time. And now that Marie Kondo has come out with her TV series, her techniques are becoming more popular than ever. But this book, along with the sequel, Spark Joy, are both so great to inspire you to live a clutter free life, full of the things that bring you the most joy! Unlike the show, she explains all the reasons behind her tips, and the importance behind them.

5. You are a Badass

Also a book I read quite a few months ago, but Jen Sincero really is a badass. I had the pleasure of hearing her speak at a Tony Robbins event, and she is amazing! She’s hilarious, doesn’t give a f***, and pretty much shoves the fact that you ARE a badass down your throat until you believe it. Read it to kick your butt into the right mindset for 2019. 

6. The Archetype Diet

As my latest read, this book blew my mind. The way Dana has been able to pinpoint 4 different body types down to how we think as women is incredible! I highly recommend reading this book to help you understand your relationship with food, and to learn what foods you should be eating for your body type! This book is serious food for the soul.

7. China Rich Girlfriend

Ok, maybe this book isn’t that inspirational, but some of the characters really are, like Rachel, for instance. Reading books like this is one of the reasons I love reading to begin with; you find yourself in places you’ve never been, with people you’ve never met, and maybe they’ll inspire you to go see those places and get out and meet those people! I’ll be moving onto book #3 soon, but it’s pretty obvious that I’ve been hooked since we read the first one at book club last year! 

8. Grit

If you love stories that push you to exercise perseverance and strength, this is just the book for you. Sometimes, we need to be reminded that other people have it way worse than we do, so we need to push ourselves even further to build that grit and resilience. Only then will we come out stronger, more independent, and more confident than ever.

What are your book recommendations to kick the year off right?! I’d love to hear them! Don’t be shy - leave them in the comments below or DM me on Instagram!

xo

Linnea

A New Year of Intentions

As we transition into a new year with a fresh perspective and appreciation of the year prior, I can’t help but think about all the endless opportunities and possibilities this new year will bring. To start the year off right, I’d like to share some of my intentions with you, put them out into the universe, and potentially help you find yours. Here we go!

1. Share more. I’ve been encouraged to share more of my life, more of my real thoughts, rather than just my interiors, so that’s what I intend to do. I want to be as authentic as possible on here, so if sharing more of my personality and what’s really going on in my life can do that, let’s do it!

2. Start the day earlier. This is a tough one for me, because I’m not a morning person, and I struggle waking up if it’s pitch black out. I looove waking up to natural sunlight. But where I live, that only happens a few months out of the year, so I’m making an effort to wake up earlier, and in turn, go to bed earlier. I’m going to try to do 2 morning workouts a week (in addition to my evening ones), and hopefully see a difference in my productivity and energy!

3. Start meditating. As a frequent yogi, meditating isn’t far fetched for me, but I’d like to start making time for it. I hope to create a new morning routine that incorporates meditation (along with gratitude) to start my day off on the right foot.

4. Listen to the body. I did pretty well with this last year, but I want to continue listening to what my body is telling me. I also want to start lifting more weights and mix up my workouts. I used to love lifting weights, so I’m excited to get back into it.

5. Let the soul sing. This one might be a little woowoo for some people to understand, but it’s pretty obvious that people often ignore what their soul is trying to tell them. Friendship not working out? Cool, maybe it’s not the right one for you right now. Job is draining you? No worries, find something that doesn’t. Not happy in your relationship? Maybe it’s not meant to be. Is your home stressing you out? Ok, maybe it’s time to KonMari your entire place. It’s times that we cut out the noise, ignore the excuses, and listen to what our soul is trying to tell us that we find the right path.

6. Challenge yourself. The first few months of my year will be busy to say the least. Longer work hours, school, the blog, and making time for my dog, fitness, my well-being, family and friends is a lot to juggle, but I’m up for the challenge. I’ve created a schedule that I think will set me up for success, so I’m excited for the challenge, and can’t wait to start learning.

7.  Be more present, especially with the ones I love. Even though this blog requires tons of screen time and social media attention, I want to make an effort to be more present, whether that’s with loved ones, having dinner with friends, or exploring a new place, I want to continue living in the now. It’s so important to remember that this is the main event. We aren’t living in some limbo mode just because our life isn’t where we thought it would be. So live like it’s the main event! Don’t waste your time thinking what if, maybe later, it’s not the right time... because wake up! There is no better time than now.

8. Enjoy what you have. As we head into the new year, I want to start enjoying everything I have, and spending way less. I regularly practice the KonMari method in my home (and omg the show is so relaxing - she’s killin it), and it’s made me realize that I really do have everything I need. I shouldn’t be spending money on material items, because I don’t need them. So I’ll be focusing on enjoying the simple things I have, releasing what I don’t love, and living more of a simple life.  

9. Laugh everyday. Once my Farfar passed away, I realized just how much he made me laugh. I have certain friends that I literally have stomach cramps from being with all night because I’ve been laughing so hard, and I honestly believe that laughter really is the best medicine! Even on days that I’m laying low, I want to be able to laugh at least once that day. And if that means cracking jokes in the mirror, then that’s what I’ll do lollll.

10. Go out less. As I’ve got older, going out has become way less important to me. And when my friends have similar mindsets and lifestyles to mine, we honestly don’t find a need to go out or drink our faces off. Instead, we catch up on life, have deep convos, watch movies, cook meals, and just enjoy each others’ company. As weird as it sounds, I’m actually looking forward to drinking less, staying in more, enjoying dinner parties and living the hygge life.

11. Get active outside. As active as I was last year, I wish I got outside more. That’s an intention I’d like to set this year - embracing the fresh air, more hikes, more runs, longer walks with Dash, and maybe even a few bike rides.

12. Accept that this is where you’re supposed to be. Even though I never imagined being where I am today, I’m exactly where I need to be. I’m starting a new journey, expanding my knowledge about something I love, and so stoked for what’s to come.

I’m sure this list will grow and evolve as the year progresses, but it’s a great starting point. Let me know if any of these intentions resonated with you. I’d love to hear yours too! 

xo

Linnea