Life Made Simple With Carlarae Motivation Inspiration Home Organizing Time Management Lifestyle & Wellnes

Organizing your home is all about playing "The Category Game." Most everything falls into specific categories that then have specific homes. But when you’re sorting, purging, and organizing all your stuff, what do you do when you come across a few random items that DON'T seem to fall into any specific category? Where do you put those sort of things? When you come across something that doesn’t fit one of the obvious categories, it’s easy to get stuck, frustrated, and overwhelmed. And you definitely don't want those random items to float around and clutter up your space. On today’s episode of Life Made Simple I give you a solution for all those little random items that don’t seem to have a specific home.   Links Mentioned in this Show: Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode197 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com   Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com   Free Guide:  "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"   Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY   Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your H

Today, I have a crazy idea I want to suggest to you. What if you committed to having one tech-free day each week? As in no technology. No cell phone. No computer. No tv. If an entire day each week is unreasonable or too hard, then maybe consider just a few hours in the evening. One evening per week when you commit to going completely tech-free. On today's episode I give you some thoughts and tips on how to establish a tech-free time in your schedule and how to get your family on board, as well.   Links Mentioned in this Show: Free Guide:  "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"   Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY   Episode #47: How Do Digital Distractions Impact Your Life?   Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode196 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com   Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com    Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"  Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE   Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson   Submit Questions: CarlaRa

For the past couple weeks we took an in-depth look into some of the psychology behind how to tackle huge overwhelming home organizing projects. We specifically focused on the mindsets and the self-limiting beliefs that tend to hold us back or stop us in our tracks when attempting to simplifying our lives. Since we dove in kinda deep during those episodes, I decided to keep this week's episode a little more on the lighter side and a little more relaxed. Instead of looking at mindsets, I give you some simple, practical, and detailed action plans. For today's episode I help you to simplify your digital distractions by giving you all the information you need on how to stop and prevent unwanted phone calls from telemarketers and other random businesses whom you don't want to hear from.   Links Mentioned in this Show: FTC's National Do Not Call Registry: www.DoNotCall.gov FCC (Federal Communications Commission): www.FCC.gov   Free Guide:  "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"   Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPL

When it comes to successfully finishing projects and accomplishing goals, it's not just in "how" you do it. You're mindsets are equally important, if not more important. On today's episode we look at how obstacles can sometimes stop us or push us back. But with a little change in mindset we can view them differently and rise above them.   Links Mentioned in this Show: Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode194 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com   Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com   Free Guide:  "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"   Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY   Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"  Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE   Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson   Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

On this show, I not only want to give you tips, techniques, and action plans on HOW to organize your home, but I also want to help equip you with the mindsets that you need in order to make it all happen... because, like I've mentioned many times before, when it comes to home organizing, there is so much psychology behind it all. For last week's episode I shared a question from a listener who is wanting to tackle a huge home organizing project. She wanted my thoughts on how she should tackle the enormous project while still keeping up with her daily to-dos. I loved this question! Because it's a dilemma we all face at some point in time. And not just with organizing projects. I'm sure there are other projects and goals that you've wanted to accomplish, yet they seem so daunting. They're time consuming. And it all feels so overwhelming. Like I explained last week. Time and feelings of overwhelm tend to be two of the most common setbacks that many of my clients face when trying to simplify. For last week's Part

If a big project is a priority to you, then you have to consistently schedule and plan adequate chunks of time to dive in and tackle it. There's really no way around it. It's a process. Try to trust the process. In our last episode I gave reason as to why you might want to schedule big chunks of time, but if that's not feasible for you, then maybe you need to start small, which is so much better than not starting at all. Have you ever heard that quote "A year from now you will wish you had started today"? Well, in this episode I give you a scenario to think about that might inspire you to start with small chunks of time rather than push the project off for tomorrow.   Links Mentioned in this Show: Episode #8: How to Make a "Perfect Day Itinerary" Episode #11: How Do I Make a "Perfect Week Itinerary"? (Ask CarlaRae)   Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode192 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com   Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com   Free Guide:  "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"   Or send a

A few weeks ago, a listener sent me a message with a really good question. I was going to send her a long detailed written response, but then realized that I had soooo many thoughts for her. So, I decided to feature the topic for an episode on the show. But then, after outlining some notes on what I wanted to cover I realized that the topic is so important and relevant that I decided to break it into two different episodes. In both episodes I cover two MAJOR hurdles that people commonly face when trying to tackle a huge home organizing projects. I will also give you some tips on how to find balance when committing time to the project while still keeping up with current daily to-dos.   Links Mentioned in this Show:   Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com   Episode #41: Your Must-Have New Year's Resolutions For A Simplified Life Episode #24: Do You Have An Ignore List? Episode #31: Urgent vs Important - Is It Important? Or Just Urgent? Episode #104: A Unique Technique To Tackle Any Task   Share this Episode: C

We've all done it before... we find the next miracle product that promises amazing results. We use it. We then discover that it's not as amazing as we thought it would be. But since we've already used part of it, we don't want to "waste" it. We feel guilty about spending money on it, so we keep it. We then stash it in the back of a drawer or in a cabinet. Or even worse, we leave it out somewhere to collect dust in hopes that it will strike our fancy again one day. But it never does. Or sometimes we just keep using the product, even if we don't like it, even if it doesn't do what we were hoping it would do. We all have those half-used products sitting around our home. We hang on to them because we feel guilty and we don't want to be wasteful. In this episode of Life Made Simple, I challenge you to let go of those products (and your good intentions of one day using them) once and for all.   Links Mentioned in this Show: Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode190 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast

For today's episode we take a close look at your daily dumping grounds.... as in those area where you dump and drop everything in your arms when you walk through the door.   I give you ideas to help you analyze, customize, and containerize a new clutter-free landing zone. I also give you tips on how to maintain it.   Links Mentioned in this Show: Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"  Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE   Episode #5: Top Organizing Strategies and Secrets Revealed! Episode #65: Do You Tend To Organize Backwards?   Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode189 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com   Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com   Free Guide:  "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"   Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY   Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson   Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

We are in the middle of the back to school season (and cold season, which is why today is another Encore Episode) and if you're a parent of a school aged child like me, your home is probably already getting flooded with drawings, paintings, handprints, coloring pages and worksheets. On our last episode of Life Made Simple I gave you a handful of organizing tips and routines to help the school year go more smoothly for you and your family. And for today's episode, we're going to take a look at how we can celebrate our children's artwork without drowning in it.   Links Mentioned in this Show: Episode #91: A Unique Strategy To Help You Let Go Of Keepsakes Episode #10: Can You Have Too Much Of A Good Thing?   Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode188 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com   Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com   Free Guide:  "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"   Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY   Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"  Or send a text to 44222

It's the back to school season again! And I know that there are many parents out there who are drowning in the back to school chaos and craziness On this special Encore Episode of Life Made Simple, I share with you some of the organizing tips and routines that we've implemented in our own family that can help get the school year off to a good start for you and your family. Keep in mind, while the tips and strategies I give you are mainly geared towards children in elementary school you can still get a lot from this episode even if you have older kids.   Links Mentioned in this Show: Episode #63: You Need More Margin Time (CarlaRae Confesses) Episode #102: The Art Of Downsizing Art   Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode187 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com   Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com   Free Guide:  "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"   Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY   Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"  Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE

In life, we often put a lot of focus on what we really want... qualities we want to embody, goals and accomplishments we want to achieve. But sometimes, instead of always seeking to add something to our life, we must discover what we need to let go of first. By doing so, we can uncover WHO we really are, and therefore, figure out what we really want. On today's episode we take a look at a unique perspective on how to do this. It's called the “Michelangelo Method.”   Links Mentioned in this Show: Free Guide:  "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"   Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY   Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode186 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com   Book by Kenneth Schuman: The Michelangelo Method   Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson   Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

For those of you out there who are trying to simplify, yet you live with someone who isn't exactly rallying behind your cleaning campaign, then today's encore episode is for you. I hope it helps!   Links Mentioned in this Show: Episode #55: (PART 1) How To Live With Someone Who Won't Change - "I Married A Pack Rat" Episode #57: (PART 1) How To Live With Someone Who Won't Change Episode #13: How To Simplify Any Messy Relationship In Your Life Episode #72: Try To Turn People Into Trees   Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode185 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com   Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com   Free Guide:  "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"   Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY   Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"  Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE   Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson   Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

I recently stumbled across a quote that I absolutely love: "The bad news is, time flies. The good news is, you're the pilot." Now isn't that sooo true?!? On this episode of Life Made Simple, I give you three strategies that can help you save time and be more productive.   Links Mentioned in this Show: Episode #24: Do You Have An Ignore List? Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode32 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com   Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com   Free Guide:  "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"   Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY   Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"  Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE   Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson   Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

When it comes to simplifying, one of the biggest hurdles that many of my clients have to face is how to let go of sentimental items they've inherited from their loved ones. For today's episode I share with you a wonderfully written article by Zoe Kim. It's called "A Guide To Letting Go Of Sentimental Things".   Links Mentioned in this Show: Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode183 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com   Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com   Free Guide:  "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"   Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY   Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"  Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE   Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson   Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

For this past Monday's episode on Life Made Simple, I gave you an easy and simple way to flavor your water and boost your health. It involved freezing pureed lemons into ice cube trays, which actually reminds me of when I used to make homemade baby food for my son, Levi, who just turned 8 this past Saturday. If you're a mother of an infant or toddler, or if you know someone who just had a baby, then this quick and brief 3 Minute Thursday episode is for you. Today I share with you a simple way to make homemade baby food.   Links Mentioned in this Show: Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode182 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com   Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com   Free Guide:  "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"   Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY   Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"  Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE   Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson   Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

I am here to help you to simplify your HOME. I want to inspire you to simplify how your manage your TIME and your TO-DO LISTS. Through this show I want to help motivate you to simplify your MINDSETS to help you reach your goals in life. I also want to give you tips on how to simply your messy and complicated RELATIONSHIPS. And not only that, but every once awhile on the show I want to inspire you to simplify your HEALTH, which is the topic of today's episode. We all know that it’s healthy to drink plenty of water every day. But, for me, the problem is that I don't enjoy drinking plain water. So, I found a solution. It's kinda different, but I wanted to share it with you. On today's episode I give you a unique way to not only stay hydrated every day, but to also boost your health. And it's super simple!   Links Mentioned in this Show: Episode #7: The Ultimate 3-Day Jumpstart to Good Health   Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode181 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com   Clean Food Crush Arti

When simplifying our homes, we need to evaluate our relationship with our things.  And sometimes that means we need to evaluate how we feel when we see that item. For example, if one of your old favorite blouses is hanging in a cluttered boring closet, overtime it probably won't give you that sense of joy that it used to. And that's ok, maybe it just means it's time to let it go. On today's episode I offer you a unique perspective to help you evaluate your relationship with your clothes, specifically old favorites.     Links Mentioned in this Show: Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode180 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com   Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com   Free Guide:  "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"   Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY   Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"  Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE   Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson   Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

As I'm sure you know, letting go of things that we once loved isn't always easy. But sometimes it's necessary in order to make room for new things that come into our lives. On today's episode, instead of looking at the psychology of letting go, I want to talk about the psychology behind acquiring things. Because if we limit what comes into our homes and into our lives, than we don't have to let go of so much, so often.   Links Mentioned in this Show: Tony Robin's Article: People By Feelings, Not Things   Episode #167: Retail Therapy vs. Mindful Shopping   Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode179 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com   Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com   Free Guide:  "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"   Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY   Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"  Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE   Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson   Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

Summer is in full swing! The sun is out and the temperatures are soaring all across the county. If it's a scoarcher where you are, then there is one way you can still be productive and de-clutter and simplify your home, all while keeping your cool. In the middle of a scorching hot day, why not deep clean your fridge and freezer. On today's episode I give you tips on how to do so.   Links Mentioned in this Show: Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode178 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com   Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com   Free Guide:  "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"   Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY   Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"  Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE   Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson   Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae