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

Right now we are nearing the end of summer. My son, Levi starts school in just over a week. We're done with all our summer trips and get-aways. Levi just finished his final summer camp. Summer break is almost over and for the first the first time in months, Levi has absolutely nothing to do. Now, I have to say, my husband and I are blessed with an only child who is very good at entertaining himself. Levi is very creative and imaginative. But, yesterday, he came up to me while I was working in my office and said something to me that he rarely says, "Momma, I'm bored." Later that night I was talking to a friend of mine with kids and when I told her about Levi's little dilemma earlier in the day she mentioned that her kids are always saying that their bored... she then asked what I did about it. I gave her my thoughts on the topic and decided I wanted to share them with you as well!   Links Mentioned in this Show: Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode97 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com   S

If you tuned in to our last episode you know that we just celebrated our son's 7th birthday. Now that he's getting older and about to start 1st grade, I've been a little over sentimental this past week. Today, for our quick and brief 3 Minute Thursday episode, I read to you a blog article I came across recently. It's written by a well-know blogger by the name of Rachel Marie Martin. Her blog is at FindingJoy.net. If you're a crazy busy mom like me, you should really check it out.   Links Mentioned in this Show: Rachel's Blog: FindingJoy.net   Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode96 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

Today I am a mother of a 6 year old. Tomorrow, I will be the mother of a 7 year old. Yes... tomorrow my son, Levi, turns 7 and I feel like my little baby boy is growing up way too fast! For last week's episode of Life Made Simple I shared with you how crazy busy my life has been this summer. And I have to be honest, my son's birthday tomorrow is becoming a real eye opener for me. I know it's a cliché, but life is short. And sometimes when life gets crazy busy it's easy to rush through it all forgetting about the little things in life that make it worth living. As you know, I'm on a quest to simplify my life. Like I always say, I want to focus on what really matters and somehow let go of the rest. And for my husband and I, our son is what really matters. I want to soak up every little moment of these few precious years of his childhood. Because one day they will be gone and he'll be an adult... I am so desperate to wrap up every special moment and hang on to them forever! On this episode of Life Made Simple, I

One year ago we released the first 3 episodes of this podcast show. So, I'm excited to say this episode, marks our one-year anniversary! Since then, we have managed to record, produce, and release 2 episodes every week. Well, almost every week. If you're a regular listener, you may have noticed that we did take a few days off a couple times throughout the year. For this quick and brief "3 Minute Thursday" episode of Life Made Simple, I wanted to take a little time to say a sincere thank you from the bottom of heart to everyone who has made this show possible. Thank you to all our listeners for continually tuning in, thank you for your ongoing support, your encouragement, your reviews, your topic ideas and feedback. You honestly have no idea how much I've appreciated all of it! It has been an amazing year... and I'm so excited to see what next year has in store for us!   Links Mentioned in this Show: Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode94 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com   Simplicity Un

During our last episode I told you about how crazy busy my summer has been. I told you that I work hard and play hard. But one thing I didn't go into detail about during that quick and brief 3 Minute Thursday episode is that throughout all the crazy business, my priorities and schedule over the past few weeks has become completely derailed.   Important things are falling through the cracks. And while I'm constantly getting stuff done, there's a lot that's not getting done. So, I confess: right now, when it comes to managing my time, I have somehow gotten completely off track. On today's episode I share with you exactly how I am going to regain control of my chaotic life. I tell you exactly how I'm going to refocus, reassess, and reset my schedule.   Links Mentioned in this Show: FREE DOWNLOAD: Perfect Day Itinerary Worksheet Or send a text to 44222 with the word PERFECTDAY   Episode #92: When You Work Hard And Play Hard Episode #61: A Sneak Peak At What's In The Works Episode #9: Why You Must Make Personal De

We are officially in the middle of summer and for the Arneson Family that means we work hard and play hard. Summers are crazy busy for us! The problem is, when life gets busy, it's so easy to feel overwhelmed. Everything feels like it's spinning out of control. And sometimes I lose confidence that I'm on the right track for getting everything done on time without something falling through the cracks. On today's episode I give you my thoughts own how to handle life when it feels crazy busy.   Links Mentioned in this Show: Episode #62: Is Your Life Crazy Busy? Episode #70: A Few Thoughts On "Paralysis By Analysis" Episode #89: How To Declutter Your Brain And Keep It Organized Episode #90: My Favorite To-Do List Tool Episode #63: You Need More Margin Time (CarlaRae Confesses) Episode #40: Always Moving Onward & Upward   Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode92 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com   Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com   Free Guide:  "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"   Or sen

On my quest to simplify my home and my life I am learning how to let go. On today's episode I share with you one unique strategy that I have developed that has helped me to successfully let go of so many things in my life. It's not something that I read in an article or a book. It's actually kind of a concept that came to me one day when I was trying to figure out why it's so hard to let go of certain special things in my home. I started to apply it to my life and realized over time it made a huge difference in how I view those special items I tend to keep. Over time, while embracing this strategy I've successfully changed my relationship with those items.   Links Mentioned in this Show: Episode #10: Can You Have Too Much Of A Good Thing?   Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode91 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

I've had many listeners ask me what my recommendations are for to-do list apps. Years ago I tried out a few... some were great, some not so much. Finally I stumbled across one that was exactly what I was looking for. Now keep in mind, I am not an affiliate for this company. They have not paid me to give this review. I just wanted to share with you the app that I use and love. For more info on to-do lists, check out our last episode when I talked about why to-do lists just don't work for some people. I explained why you should definitely consider having to-do lists, if you don't already. We looked at why it's important to properly maintain those lists and then I gave you some unique tips and techniques on how to do just that.      Links Mentioned in this Show: Google Keep: keep.google.com   Episode #89: How To Declutter Your Brain And Keep It Organized Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode90 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com   Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com   Free Guide:  "9 Ways

Whether or not you consider yourself to be a "list-maker" type of person, we all have - to some degree - a love/hate relationship with our to-do lists.  On today's episode, we take a look at why to-do lists just don't work for some people. I explain why you should consider having to-do lists, if you don't already. We look at why it's important to properly maintain those lists and then I give you some unique tips and techniques on how to do just that.    Links Mentioned in this Show: Episode #68: Get More Done With A Focus Frame   Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode89 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 you know, if you listen to the show often, I am on a quest to simplify my life. Because life can be crazy, chaotic and cluttered... and clutter in my home and schedule causes unnecessary stress and anxiety. Which is why I am on a mission to declutter and simplify my life. I want freedom from the anxiety and stress that comes from clutter. I want to find the freedom of simplicity. And I'm also on a mission to help inspire and motivate YOU to join me in the journey. On today's quick and brief episode I share with you one of my favorite mottos that I adopted a few years back to help me declutter and simplify my to-do list.   Links Mentioned in this Show: Episode #75: Treat Your Life Like A Rose Bush - "It's Time To Prune!" Episode #76: How & What To "Prune" Out Of Your Life   Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode88 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

When you clean out your closet, why is it so hard to let go of clothing that for some reason you love, but will never actually wear? What spurred this topic for me was my recent experience cleaning out my own closet. Every year just before summer, I take time to put away all my winter clothes and pull out all my summer wear. Since we live in the Pacific Northwest, half my fall and winter clothes stay in the closet year round, so that I can layer when needed. Usually I clean out my closet and my son's closet around April or May. But this year, I have to say, I didn't clean out my own closet until a last weekend (which is mid July). According the National Weather Service, Seattle had its coldest winter season since 1984! And for some reason Jack Frost did not want to let go of spring. The sunshine and warm air didn't begin to appear until late June and it's still a lot cooler than usual. So, when I finally made the time to clean out my closet, I was so ready. Now remember, if you've listened to the show before,

I'm going to share with you one ugly truth... it's the fact that looks do matter when it comes to home organizing. I know that a lot of people don't believe this, but it's true. When someone views the organization of their home as strictly utilitarian, they don't put much thought into the aesthetics of their system. And many times, this is their biggest problem. They figure, "Any old container will do," or "No one will see it but me, so who cares what it looks like." As a result, their organizing system is boring, uninspiring, and ugly to use.... so then they don't use it or maintain it. On today's episode I share with you a story about a client of mine who discovered that looks really do matter when it comes to your organized space.  Trust me: if you can add a sense of personal style to your space - even if it's behind closed doors - you will be more likely to honor it, use it, and maintain it.     Links Mentioned in this Show: Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode86 Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSim

Life Made Simple is a podcast show dedicated to helping you simplify all areas of your life: your home, your time and to-do's, your mindsets, your health, and even your messy relationships... which is what I talk about on today's episode. While I've been a professional home organizer for over 15 years now, I am not a neat freak. This weekend I was chatting with someone I had just met and after she asked what I did for a living she replied, "Your house must be perfectly clean and organized all the time." Yes, I get that a lot. But no... I have no shame in saying that my house is never perfectly clean and organized. Now technically if you looked in all our cupboards and closets they are definitely very organized... don't get me wrong, everything we own has logical home, which of course is one of the keys to staying organized.  But the fact is I have a husband, a six year old son, a dog, and a full time job. The struggle is real. My house is far from perfect. Now, many years ago before I was married I was defini

I recently ran across this amazing quote by Vironika Tugaleva, a life coach, speaker, and award-winning author of The Love Mindset. Here's what she says... “They say, 'Look before you leap.' So look. But do not look for too long. Do not look into the void of uncertainty trying to predict each and every possible outcome, to evaluate every possible mistake, to prevent each possible failure. Look for the opportunity to leap, and leap faster than your fear can grab you. Leap before you talk yourself out of it, before you convince yourself to set up a temporary camp that turns into a permanent delay on your journey into your own heart.” The phrase that really stands out to me is "leap faster than your fear can grab you". In life, it is so easy to let our fears, worries, and anxieties stop us from living the life that we've dreamed of. Most goals and dreams aren't easy to accomplish and sometimes the things that we need to do in order to accomplish what we want are uncomfortable and scary. I've seen it so often wit

I have been a Professional Home Organizer in the Seattle area for over 15 years now, and like I’ve said in previous episodes, I have seen it all! No organizing project is too big or crazy for me. My key to success is to always have in mind the fact that everyone is different. Everyone has different personalities, quirks, interests, tastes, hobbies, values, priorities, and so on. And when it comes to organizing someone’s home or helping them with time management I’ve learned that what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for another. More often than not, when I pull a strategy from my huge arsenal, I have to custom fit all the different tips and techniques for each individual client. But, there are a number of tried and true organizing tactics that consistently work with most people. One of those is what I call the Category Game. In general, when it comes to organizing your home, in a lot of ways you’re playing one big category game. Everything you own falls into a particular category and within each

What you focus on grows and what you what you don't focus on eventually fades away. Seems easy? Right? Well, in some ways it is, and in some ways it's not. After this past Monday's show aired I received a few comments and questions from some listeners who reached out to me asking for my thoughts on HOW to focus on the good when negative thoughts so easily creep up in our minds. One listener said, "There are a handful of things going on in my life right now that overwhelm me. I can't help but dwell on them. Whenever I tried to think about so-called happy thoughts, my brain just goes right back to the negative ones." Well, you are not alone. The fact is, negative thoughts turn into negative feelings. And it's easy to believe the idea that we don't have control over our thoughts. But in so many ways, we do. On today's episode I share with you one example on how you really do have control over your thoughts. Links Mentioned in this Show: Episode #81: How To Simplify Your Brain When It Gets Complicated Share this

As humans, our minds are complicated. Our brains and all the complex thoughts that come in and out of them are very complicated. As I try to simplify my home, my schedule and all other areas of my life, I want to also figure out how to simplify my crazy complicated mind. On this episode of Life Made Simple I share with you some fascinating information about our brains that I recently found in an amazing article.   Links Mentioned in this Show: Episode 67: Good Night, Sleep Tight! (Sleep Habits Series PART 1) Episode 69: Wake Up, Sleepy Head! (Sleep Habits Series PART 2)   Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode81 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

How many times have you heard the popular cliche, "The grass is always greener on the other side?" While I know this phrase is definitely over used, the Grass Is Greener Syndrome is a real struggle for many people. In today's episode we dive in deep to the psychology behind it all and I give you an alternative cliche to consider.   Links Mentioned in this Show: Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode80 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

It seems these days that our society has a 'busier is better' attitude. Most of us buy into the idea that if we're not stressed out with a crazy busy life, then somehow we're not doing enough. But the stress that comes with being crazy busy is not healthy. Somehow the madness needs to stop! Julie Morgenstern, who's the author of Time Management From the Inside Out  says that "one of our biggest stressors is the ticker tape of tasks that runs through our head." Can you relate to that? I love that description! A ticker tape of tasks. Sometimes that ticker tape doesn't stop, even in the middle of the night when I'm trying to get some much needed shut eye. So what's the solution to a crazy busy life? Well, we need to figure out a way to simplify our to-do lists. But you can't simplify your to-do list if you don't even have a to-do list. And that, my friend, is a subject that I can talk for hours about! In fact, we have it on the schedule to create an entire course for Simplicity University dedicated to creating a

Last month my 6 year-old son, Levi and I were glancing through a special keepsake box from my childhood (which is kinda fun to do every once in awhile). In the box he discovered an old VHS tape. Remember those? Levi immediately asked, "What is that Mommy?!?" I explained that a VHS tape is how we used to watch movies before DVDs came out. And I remember very clearly when DVDS began to replace those huge clunky VHS tapes... it was amazing! We all couldn't believe that a movie could be somehow squeezed onto a thin little disk. Well, now-a-days, we have access to movies through the internet and through services like Netflix and Hulu. VHS tapes are now pretty much extinct, and from the looks of it, DVDs are one day soon going to be considered an endangered species. With everything being so digital, most people don't even buy DVDs anymore. And in fact, many people I know are actually downloading and transferring all their DVDs onto portable hard drives on their computers that they can stream to their tvs, and then