Home Posts tagged 'Inspiration'

Inspiration

  • Home, Tips, Travel organisation

    Hello holidays: the ultimate home and packing prep guide

    There are few things more stressful than the last weeks before the long awaited summer holidays, especially if you’re travelling for most of the holidays. We’re not even used to travelling anymore, so in these pandemic times at least some of our expectations might be astronomically high. So what makes up our pre holiday stress? It can be work to finish, kids’ end of year school events, teacher gifts, a household to prepare for going away as well as returning, laundry, packing, gardening, home admin, covid tests…the list is endless.

    With this guide I hope you can get yourself and your home organised enough to tick off some of the chores already before leaving. You will enjoy your time away even more as well as knowing that you’re not returning to an endless to do list and a chaotic home.

    1. Work: Clear the mental clutter and put on your ‘Out of office’ a few days early

    This trick helps colleagues getting used to the fact that an instant response is not required at all times. By reminding them that you will respond but that it might take a bit longer due to the holiday period, you will help yourself reducing the amount of requests and emails coming in before your actual holidays and support reducing also the mental clutter.

    2. Home: prepare your home to allow for rest and more mental space

    Running a household and a family involves a million chores and things to do during a year. Just for these summer holidays, try prepping yourself with the help of this list and see if it makes you feel lighter and less mentally burdened. Are you able to focus more on being present in the now? Are you able to give your family your fullest attention? Give yourself a well deserved break from all the to do’s in your mind and focus on recharging your batteries. If you have small kids, I know you get very little done , but consider getting help for a few hours so you can help yourself in the long run!

    If you’re ready to give it a go, these simple ‘before leaving chores’ might be a total game changer. And make sure to involve any older kids to be responsible for their own rooms. By teaching them to start young we offer them a gift for life:

    a) Change bed linen in advance

    Do this 1-2 days before leaving so there’s no stress on the actual travelling day and it will feel great to return home to clean sheets.

    b) Wash all laundry and return everything to their homes

    Wash all your laundry up until a couple of days before departure so you have time to dry and fold and return it all to their home address.

    c) Pause your mail, newspapers, gym subscriptions etc.

    You might need to give notice a few weeks earlier for pausing any mail or subscriptions, so make sure to check all terms and conditions as early as possible.

    d) Pre-program any outstanding bills to be paid on the due date

    E-banking is made for this. Pre-program any bills that need attention during the time you’re away and it’s instantly out of your mind.

    pexels-photo-5854034

    e) Go through the fridge and toss anything that already has or will expire during your holiday

    This doesn’t need to take more than 15 mins and can be done a few days before travelling. Look through the food, keep what you can, donate the good stuff to your neighbour, toss the rest and wipe off the shelves.

    f) Make sure you have food for the first day back

    Leave some essentials in the freezer as well as some dry foods in a cupboard so you don’t need to go grocery shopping the same day you return or if returning late at night.

    g) Clean the house to your liking so you know it will feel great to return

    I’ve said this before and I will say it again: a tidy home equals a tidy mind. Give yourself the gift of coming home to a clean, inviting and orderly space where you can give yourself a moment to ground yourself and your family before getting back into the routines.

    h) Give an extra key to a friend or neighbour who can water any plants and check on your house when you’re away

    Weather conditions are currently extreme in many parts of the world. We just had a water damage in our house due to extreme rain, luckily noticed before going away, so make sure you have agreed with someone to check regularly on your home. Or simply to keep your plants alive too.

    i) Empty the balcony/garden of any unnecessary items that might get destroyed by turbulent weather

    In the past month we’ve had the strongest gales and hail storms in years, which might destroy outdoor furniture and plants if not protected properly. Remove everything that might fly away or can be moved indoors so you can sleep in peace.

    j) Refuel the car and give it a quick wash if needed

    A refuelled and clean car sets you up for an even nicer return.

    3. Packing: Plan and prepare your capsule holiday wardrobe

    Start planning early to avoid any last-minute stress and potential wrong decisions. Try to plan outfits in advance if possible – take with you only what you need. If you know what kind of events you will be attending, plan the outfit and check if it can be mixed and matched with other outfits too. Be honest, if you’re not sure if you’ll really wear it, leave it at home. Avoid overpacking!

    I have a thing for number 3. When styling an interior you also look for grouping items in threes. Most of the time you won’t be needing more than 3 different items within the same category, especially if you’re able to wash your clothes at your destination. Try this time saving and sanity saving packing list (for a min. week long trip):

    3 pairs of trousers/jeans

    3 dresses for different occasions

    3 pairs of shorts/skirts

    3 pairs of shoes

    3 t-shirts

    3 tops

    3 sweaters/hoodies/cardigans for chilly evenings (depending on destination)

    3 bras

    underwear/socks for each day (at least 3, double it up to be safe)

    2 pyjamas (yes, I know, destroys the number 3…but no need for 3 sets)

    3 sports outfits

    3 pieces of swimwear (a mix of swim suits/bikinis and a cover up)

    3 bags (suitcase and 2 other bags for day/evening use)

    3 pairs of ear rings/jewellery to mix and match

    Potential jacket(s) depending on destination

    4. The ultimate packing guide: love the KonMari fold

    Vertical folding saves a lot of space, also in a suitcase! Roll thinner fabrics, for example, summer dresses, to prevent wrinkles. Delicate items and potential suits might be better off laid flat on top of everything else or carefully folded in the special hanging/folding compartment included in many suitcases. If you need any help with folding, please reach out!

    When I found Organista packing cubes a few years ago, it changed my family’s whole packing business for good. Packing cubes come in different sizes and are usually ca 10 cm high which means you can simply transfer your readily file folded items from your closet directly into a packing cube and the clothes stay neat for the whole duration of your trip. They protect the clothes and are see-through so you will easily be able to see what’s in them too. If you don’t want to use packing cubes you can of course also place your folded items directly in the suitcase.

    5. How to keep your packing organised while away

    Unpack everything as soon as you arrive at your destination. It makes you feel welcome and ready to start enjoying your new environment when everything has a home again. As a family of four we usually need quite a bit of storage space. But since my beloved packing cubes are see-through, I tend to keep storing our clothes in the cubes during the whole holiday, unless you have a lot of extra space where you can unpack the contents of yours and your family members’ suitcases. If you have shelves or drawers just gently move your file folded packages directly to the assigned storage space and hang any dresses that look happier when they’re hung.

    6. Returning home: stress free unpacking

    With the risk of sounding like a stuck cd player as well as a nagging mom, I will re-emphasize the importance of unpacking all suitcases immediately. Laundry can simply be dropped directly from the suitcase into the correct laundry basket and a first load put on within half an hour of returning home. The clean and still folded items may be put back into the respective closets and re-used. When all luggage has been unpacked within hours of returning you’re done with the largest part and you can start tackling the other household chores after a good night’s sleep in clean sheets.

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  • Family, Home, Lifestyle

    KonMari your relationship

    The moment you choose to discover and accept your most authentic self, magic happens. You will liberate yourself, peel off the inessential, and become free to fully own your life. So what does it have to do with your relationship? Well, it all starts with loving yourself. Without self love, there is no capacity to genuinely love another.

    Remember, when we were still able to travel by plane….? Put on the oxygen mask on yourself before helping others. Or, putting it in KonMari and decluttering terms: you can’t KonMari anyone else before you’ve KonMari’d yourself.

    When it comes to intimate relationships, knowing what does and does not spark joy isn’t as simple as it is for objects, but the KonMari philosophy is the same.

    MARIE KONDO

    Introspection – happiness comes from within

    Taking care of your inner world is crucial for achieving happiness. According to positive psychology researcher Sonya Lybomirsky, “happiness is the experience of joy, contentment, or positive well-being, combined with a sense that one’s life is good, meaningful, and worthwhile”. External factors also shape the way we think and feel about life, ourselves, and our partner, especially now, having lived with a global pandemic for a year.

    So what is the reason we should look deep within ourselves first before looking after our partner? It’s not uncommon that we project our feelings and see our own flaws in others, resulting in unfair criticism. Yeah, most of us have done it at some point in time. So go back, look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself if there are areas within you needing some (more) decluttering, love and care. Here’s how:

    Take care of yourself

    Spend time in nature. Exercise regularly. Eat healthy and nutritious food. Make time for yourself and spend time doing what you love, also alone. Be grateful for what you have and exercise mindfulness in a way that resonates with you. Rest and sleep enough, it makes all the difference for your mood and mindset (especially if you have kids!). A healthy body leads to a healthy mind which also reflects in your relationship.

    Detox your life from anything that doesn’t serve you

    Just like you would KonMari your clothes and any other belongings, take a look at all areas in your life with the same spark joy mentality in mind. Surround yourself and your partner only with people that support, uplift, and nourish you. Assess your home, health, relationships, purpose and work life, finances, commitments, lifestyle, consumption, fun, and values. Letting go of anything that drains you of energy, toxic even, will create more space for you and your partner to live with less stress and enjoy more tranquility and quality of life.

     

     

     

     

     

     


    Invite fresh joy into your relationship with these 4 tips

    Whether you feel like embarking on a joint decluttering journey or just wish to communicate better make sure to discuss your vision, ideal lifestyle, and common goals. Listen, learn and care about your partner’s dreams, hopes and wishes – you might be surprised at what you hear and it might just be the motivator you need to start that long due project.

    1# Prioritise by creating uninterrupted date space in your diary

    No more excuses. In other words, ruthlessly declutter your calendar from insignificant commitments that you simply don’t enjoy but feel you need to attend for various reasons. You actually need to invest time in your relationship and prioritise your partner if you want your relationship to work! Schedule a regular weekly date, whether you stay home for take away dinner or take a walk around the block. Take turns in organising something fun for each other, be creative. Try a new hobby together. Make it simple, especially now when options are limited anyway, it doesn’t need to be complicated to spend quality time together, as long as it’s without any distractions.

    #2 Declutter your bedroom

    Maybe you would be keen on more romance but your partner’s clothes are piled up all over the bedroom? The bedside tables full of visual clutter? You may not even realise how much this affects you subconsciously by increasing your stress levels. If you want your bedroom to feel calm and be an inviting place where you can rest and recharge the most powerful thing you can do for yourselves is to tidy up. Fold that laundry, clear those surfaces and wash those sheets and bedding on a regular basis. Make your bedroom your own, fresh haven of harmony and happiness.


    #3 Unplug from your tech devices

    The wasted time scrolling on social media is never coming back to you. Maybe those messages and emails can wait until tomorrow? One of the most appreciative and caring things you can do for your partner is to turn off your devices at a certain time each day (unless you’re expecting an important call/message) and be available and present in the moment.

    #4 Surprise your partner

    Do you know what your partner likes? What makes him/her tick? Surprise your partner from time to time by doing just that. Whether it’s cooking an amazing meal, hugging, kissing, wearing sexy underwear, or leaving hidden love notes for your partner to find. Whatever you do, never take your partner for granted, stay positive and grateful, always. That is truly attractive.

     This article was first published on the expat blog My Swiss Story, where I am part of the expert editorial panel as the Home Expert. Would you like to contribute as a guest writer? Please contact me.

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  • Home, Lifestyle, Organising

    8 steps to curating a wardrobe you love. Top tips from stylist Monika Mueller.

    Covid, lockdowns and many of us mainly working from home has immensely changed the way we dress and show up every day. However, we can and should get up every day, get out of our pyjamas and choose to show up, as if we weren’t staying home all day. In addition, it has a massive impact on our mental wellbeing if we choose to dress with joyful pieces of clothing from a curated, well organised wardrobe, and act as if every day is a fantastic opportunity to shine (which it is)!

    Top tips for an organised, joyful and curated closet

    If you’ve followed my blog posts and KonMari tips over the past year your wardrobe must be decluttered and perfectly organised by now! And if it’s not, don’t worry, here are some simple tips to bring joy and more order to it!

    • RUTHLESSLY EDIT
      I hate to tell you this, but your wardrobe will never be perfect, ever. We are all human, and we will continue to make mistakes and shopping errors and our bodies will change. And that’s OK! Just make sure to continuously declutter and edit what you own. The perfect timing is always right before a season change.
    • LET GO OF EVERYTHING THAT DOESN’T FIT
      It’s finally time to let go of those unfitting items that are at the back of the closet waiting for a different body shape. The truth is, you will feel so much better when all you have in your closet sparks joy, has a perfect fit and is comfortable to wear!
    • DONATE, SELL AND GIVE AWAY ITEMS OFTEN
      It will make you feel so good to give things away to a new home, where they can be reused and appreciated.
    • USE MATCHING HANGERS
      This tip will make your closet smile back at you every time you open it. My favourites are the thin velvet ones, which keep slippery items in place, as well as look gorgeous and tidy.
    • FILE FOLD
      Folding makes such a big difference when it comes to smaller items. Try file folding at least with your jeans, sweaters, t-shirts and underwear. You will notice how much calmer your drawers/shelves will look and you will easily be able to see all your favourites at a glance! And you don’t need to go out and buy specific boxes or containers for your folded items. Use what you’ve got in your home (shoe boxes are great!) or let the items stand alone on a shelf, supported by other clothing items.
    • ADD A LITTLE SOMETHING YOU LOVE
      Whether it’s a picture of a loved one, a drawing your child gave you or your wedding shoes – display them so that you get a smile on your lips every time you open your closet.

    Opening up your closet should be like arriving at a really good party where everyone you see is someone you like.

    AMY FINE COLLINS

    8 Top stylist tips from Monika Mueller on how to refresh your wardrobe

     

    I teamed up with the lovely Monika Mueller, founder of Signature Five, a personal stylist service in Zurich and asked her all about how we can style our current wardrobe with a little more happiness and sparkle in these challenging times. Enjoy her tips!

     

    Tip 1: How do I know which colours suit me best?

    MM: I’m sure you’ve experienced walking into a store, loving a certain colour and when you try it on it either makes your skin glow and radiate or it does the opposite, makes your skin look dull and causes shadows.  Colour reflects differently on different skin tones and characteristics.  Having been trained by Colour Me Beautiful for every skin tone there is a spectrum of colours that work best.  What I mean by that is colours that create balance and harmony and compliment your skin tone.

    So, for example, if you have a warm skin tone, colours that would work best for you are shades which have a yellow base.  If you have a cooler skin tone, colours with a blue base would work better for you.

    Tip 2: What is the best way to determine my own unique style?

    MM: I always like to think how do you want to turn up in the world? How do you envision yourself? That is the starting point. Because our style should encapsulate the best version of ourselves and tell everyone what we’re about.

    We all have a certain style we gravitate towards, even if people say they don’t have style, they do but maybe it’s not the style they would like. As there is so much choice now a days and also lots of information on what we should be wearing, we can get lost in having a style that truly represents US.

    With my clients, I do a style personality test which identifies what overall style appeals to them. And another important aspect I look at is my client’s lifestyle.

    If for example you love Meghan Markle and Victoria Beckham’s style but you are a stay-at-home mom with little kids, this look wouldn’t fit into your daily life but you can take inspiration from this.  You probably want to feel more put together, have clothes that are flattering and good quality and look chic during the day. So, I would incorporate elements of this to make you feel good but also have clothes that are practical for your lifestyle. As mentioned before I also look at what are my clients overall goals and I make sure their outer appearance represents this.

    Tip 3: How would you advise people working from home to dress in both a comfy way but also appropriate for online meetings?

    MM: Well, I have two free handy guides; one giving suggestions on what to wear for video conferencing and the other one is Work From Home outfit formulas.  I also share tips on setting the stage for your video conferencing as you always want to make sure you are giving off a professional image even if you are working from home.

    Tip 4: I have a closet full of clothes but nothing inspires me. Is there a way to combine the items differently or should I just discard what doesn’t speak to me?

    MM: If your closet is full and you’re not utilizing more than 80% of it then I would definitely do a wardrobe detox and get rid of any clothes that aren’t serving you. However, prior to doing that, think of it as a project. When you have a project, you start with a plan and what you want the end result to be. The same thing applies to your style. Think about what kind of style do you want? How do you want your mornings to be when getting ready? And how do you want to turn up?

    The second step, get your style juices going. Getting some inspiration of style and clothes helps with ultimately seeing what type of garments we want to see hanging in our wardrobe. I’m a big fan of Pinterest.

    I would also experiment with your clothes. We tend to wear our clothes the same way, again you can use Pinterest for outfit inspiration.  Try combining your clothes differently and play around with accessories.  Just adding a belt can make the world of difference.

    Tip 5: How can I make smarter and more mindful choices when shopping?

    MM: Buy with purpose and intention. Basically, before you hit the shops think about what you need.  I always recommend keeping a list in your wallet of items you would like. So next time you hit the shops, you just whip out the list stopping you from making any impulse purchases.

    Another handy tip when buying something ask yourself ‘can I style this two different ways with items in my wardrobe?’  If the answer is no, then the chances of you getting the most wears out of this item is slim.

    And for staple pieces or pieces that you know will live in your wardrobe for a while I would say buy the best quality you can afford. To be mindful and to shop smarter always think less is more, and quality over quantity.

    Tip 6: Would you recommend having a capsule wardrobe, i.e. having a few selected items that all work together?

    MM: For many when using the word ‘capsule’ they automatically think omg this means I can only have a few clothes in my wardrobe on rotation.

    For me what’s important is that you utilize your wardrobe to the fullest. You could have lots of clothes or you could just have a few clothes, but what’s important is that you get the most wear out of your clothes and have a wardrobe that you can easily mix and match.  I recommend having a functional cohesive wardrobe whatever the size. When you have this, getting ready every morning becomes easy & effortless.

    Tip 7: How can I spice up my current wardrobe with little investment?

    MM: Accessories – just adding accessories can make the world of difference and also add versatility into your wardrobe. Another thing that can spice up your wardrobe but depending on your style personality and lifestyle is a statement blazer or jacket. Just having a well-fitted blazer or a beautiful jacket can instantly up-level your style. Also having variation in shoes can dress up and dress down any outfit.

    Tip 8: If I want to get myself a new spring wardrobe – how shall I choose what staple items to buy?

    MM: I would firstly look at what you already have in your wardrobe and what you feel is missing. I would also look for inspiration, again Pinterest is great for this.  Even magazines or influencers etc.

    I personally don’t like to give a generic list of staple pieces, because it should be dependent on your style personality, and lifestyle, and clothes that flatter your body. By getting some inspiration and seeing what you would get the most wear out of, these are the items I would say buy.

    Try not to go for what’s on-trend unless it’s something that you really like and know you can pull it off. Otherwise, I would invest in pieces that you know you will wear for many springs.

    This article was first published on the expat blog My Swiss Story, where I am part of the expert editorial panel as the Home Expert. Would you like to contribute as a guest writer? Please contact me.

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  • Home, Lifestyle, Organising

    Tidy goals 2021: 6 tips to start small and grow big

    I’ve never been a fan of new year’s resolutions. Two weeks into the new year I had usually already failed them all and the mountain of guilt grew higher. It’s a little bit like being a cat or a dog person. You either have a preference or you don’t. And it’s also totally OK not to like either! Right now social media is bursting with classes and webinars and challenges to make your life great again, and all is to start now! Covid or no Covid, I find that all this January fuzz has way too much pressure, which nobody needs more of. However, I LOVE long term intentional goal setting and making mindful plans for the new year. Allowing it to take time and implementing tiny changes at a pace to suit yourself and your family is key to sustainable success.

    Join us on the journey to tiny lifestyle changes – HAPPY & TIDIER NEW YEAR! 

    Up your home game, one tiny step at a time

    It looks like we’ll be spending a lot more time at home until we have this pandemic under control. Let’s focus on what we are able to control – OUR OWN HOME. You can choose to make small intentional changes with a big impact: Up your game (but do not try to up it to perfectionism!)

     

    #Tip 1: Start your day with an accomplishment: air the bedroom and make the bed

    This may sound too easy and self-evident, but believe me, it’s not. It has a big impact on you if you start the day with accomplishment, positivity, and intention. 

    Opening the windows, letting the day with fresh air in, thinking of (or write down) a few things you’re grateful for and eventually making the bed is the first set of activities for your morning. Your first accomplishment. Make these activities into your 5-10 min meditation in the fresh air and think mindfully about your day and what you wish to get done. Remember to be kind and talk kindly to yourself without adding pressure. And leave the phone out of sight until you’re ready for the day, physically and mentally. A tidy space leads to a tidy and calm mind.

     

    #Tip 2: Make time for true focus as well as empty time

    Multitasking is a thing of the past. I cannot emphasise this enough – it is absolutely crucial to focus on as little as possible! Being busy as parents, entrepreneurs, and/or employees and only having a limited amount of hours in the day to focus on your work, I have only one tip for you: focus on a few carefully chosen topics for each day. Your to-do list should be manageable and realistic. Depending on the day I have around 3-5 topics on my daily to-do list. Yes, only. It makes me so happy when I have managed to tick them all off. And if not, they will get on top of the list for the next day. Remember: less is more! Lastly, don’t forget to actually schedule empty time into your day. You need it to refresh your mind, getting creative, going outside, or simply for being present, for yourself or for your loved ones.

     

    #Tip 3: Empty counters and clear surfaces

    Trying to keep countertops in the kitchen and other surfaces free from stuff and clutter has made a massive difference to my family’s daily life. In the kitchen it means that you have a lot of space to spread out when you cook or bake. No large amounts of utensils or spices and oil bottles to move around. Keeping on display only the bare essentials makes the kitchen a joy to cook in as well as a breeze to clean afterwards. 
    The dining table is equally important to keep clear so there is space for the kids to do their homework or arts and craft projects. The entrance is your welcome area, try to keep it tidy at all times to welcome both yourself and visitors to your haven of harmony.
     

     

    #Tip 4: Returning things to their homes after use as quickly as possible

    Make it into a habit when coming home to return bikes, kick-boards, jackets, shoes, backpacks, hats and mittens to their homes. It is also a means of respect towards your belongings, to put them to rest after serving you well. And it also means you will always know where to find them when you need them again. Win-win.

     

    #Tip 5: Take 10 mins to tidy your home daily

    Involve each family member, put on some happy music and get going! Do this each day approximately at the same time, before or after dinner for example. At the end of the day put away recently used toys, games, work papers and school stuff where they belong. It doesn’t need to take long to maintain a certain basic tidiness of your home when you make it fun and do it together!

     

    #Tip 6: Take 5 mins at the end of the day to clear your inbox

    Less to do’s = less overwhelm. Process your emails into folders (ideally max 7) on a daily basis. The goal should be to have an empty inbox every week or even every day, if at all possible. If you’re interested to know more about digital decluttering, I’m now offering virtual coaching to free you from digital overwhelm!

    Life is all about balance. You don’t always need to be getting stuff done. Sometimes it’s perfectly okay, and absolutely necessary, to shut down, kick back, and do nothing.
    LORI DESCHENE

    This article was first published on the expat blog My Swiss Story, where I am part of the expert editorial panel as the Home Expert. Would you like to contribute as a guest writer? Please contact me. 

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  • Family, General, Home, Lifestyle

    2020 – A LEGO kind of year

    Dear 2020,

    THANK YOU for showing us so many new ways to grow, to do things differently and to be there for each other.
    I’M SORRY you brought with you so much pain and suffering.
    GOODBYE. We’re done with you now and wish to move forward towards new beginnings.

    2020 was very LEGO like. You stepped hard on it and it hurt your feet so badly you wanted to SCREAM. If you’ve ever stepped on a LEGO brick (is there anyone who hasn’t?) you will know exactly what I mean. On the other hand, what seemed impossible before quickly became possible. We had no choice but to start building amazing things from those broken LEGO bricks. Impossible for many turned into I’M POSSIBLE. And that’s something we should cherish and be immensely grateful for.

    What are you grateful for looking back at 2020? Let’s look back at some of my 2020 reflection highlights and take a sneak peek into 2021…!

    #1 Creativity, blogging and My Swiss Story

    I had always dreamed of blogging but never dared to start. During the lockdown in spring I stumbled upon a few online courses, one about writing and one about photography. I got an urge to start writing and boy, that felt amazing.

    As if all the stars in the Universe were aligning, later in spring I was asked to start blogging for My Swiss Story and become part of the new editorial board as Home and Lifestyle Editor. What a privilege it’s been and an absolute honour to meet and work with these talented ladies! I’ve found my creative vein again (which had been buried somewhere deep under the other LEGOs for too long) and started to truly enjoy myself writing, photographing and creating meaningful and valuable content.

    #2 Family, time, calm and nature

    How precious wasn’t this spring to our family! We will never forget how calm and relaxed our empty diaries made us feel. We suddenly had time for all those long hikes both near and far in the mountains, the bike tours, the board games and movie nights, all spent together as a family.

    But there was of course also a downside to this amazing LEGO brick called family: being an entrepreneur, having 2 small kids at home 24/7, homeschooling them, and a previously frequent traveller husband who suddenly works from home 100% and spends 90% of his days on the phone. We cried, we laughed, we argued, we hugged, we kissed and made up, we danced, we worked out together and we were frustrated, worried and angry. The whole spectrum was there.

    And lastly there was the additional constant worry about our family members’ and friends’ health back home in Finland. We just had to make space within us for all these feelings, whether we wanted or not. And we all just had to learn to let them be there, observe them and let them go again when ready. Thank you technology for making social distancing bearable. Frequent video calls with friends and family were and still are a lifesaver. Going back home over Christmas is sadly not an option this year.


    #3 Keep sane and exercise!

    It is no secret that exercise keeps you fit and healthy both physically and mentally. This year has shown me more than ever that exercise is a total MUST in order for me to keep my sanity! Even a short walk or burst of activity makes all the difference, especially in the morning. This. Is. The. Ultimate. Self. Care. LEGO. Starting the day right.

    Some days you just want to stay in bed but the days you go out for that run, or do that short but sweet morning yoga practice or meet likeminded friends at your favourite Mom in Balance outdoor class (even in the pouring rain and with Covid-restrictions obviously!), is when you feel most alive and energised! Not sure many of you even know this, but besides being an entrepreneur I work since several years for this amazing women-only fitness concept to support and keep women and mothers of all levels fit and healthy. And it sure feels good and right to do that. Balance is key.

    #4 My Happy Home – celebrate the sanctuary you have created

    My Happy Home, my entrepreneurial baby, came to a crossroads this year. Covid interrupted all home visits in one go and forced me to look into new ways of working with clients. At first I was so upset, but looking back now it was actually a very productive, hugely positive business LEGO building break I had. Many creative parts of my business were born or refreshed: my blogs, my Newsletter and my IG, as well as introducing online coaching and workshops. New beautiful collaborations and connections have started to form. My coach told me to celebrate, all of it – and she’s so right! We are not always good at celebrating ourselves as women, too often we put others before ourselves..!

    CHRYSALISM
    It is that relaxed, calm feeling you have when you’re inside and it’s storming outside.

    What I have learned to appreciate more than ever is our curated home and our simplified lifestyle that brings us calm, balance and comfort, especially in times of uncertainty. My sanctuary is my KonMari world of joy and harmony, where less really is more, in all life areas. And no, my home is not picture perfect at all times, far from it, we just have an easily tidied mess.. ;)

    Hello 2021 – you are my year of mindful and intentional visibility

    It is not with a heavy heart I’m saying goodbye to 2020. It’s with a heart full of hope, light and excitement! I challenge and promise myself that

    • I will be kinder to myself
    • I will be enough no matter what I do
    • I will celebrate more, even tiny wins
    • I will be more present in the now
    • I will show up more in life, every day
    • I will continue to inspire and support
    • I will continue to love, do and simply be me

    Will you join me in the challenge to becoming mindfully and intentionally visible?

    “There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do, and mostly live.”
    DALAI LAMA

    Happy Holidays!

    Stay Healthy And Safe.
    2021 – We Are Ready For You!

    This article was first published on the expat blog My Swiss Story, where I am part of the expert editorial panel as the Home Expert. Would you like to contribute as a guest writer? Please contact me.

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  • General, Lifestyle, Organising

    Decluttering your finances is decluttering your life too. An interview with Money Coach Ilana Jankowitz.

    Did you know love and respect for your money go hand in hand with love and respect for yourself and your belongings? In your daily life you might even unconsciously allow your belongings and finances to control you. Your possessions (as well as your money!) end up in all the wrong places, you do not care for them and they might get lost. You search for them for hours and then give up and go online to buy more. Sounds familiar? And potentially even get into debt for it using credit cards. It’s time to take back control of your finances and your life and start to respect and love your money and yourself more!

    There are two things you can start out with right away, and neither of these require a huge amount of time. In addition to my KonMari inspired tips below, I asked Certified Money Coach, Ilana Jankowitz, a few questions on how we can best declutter our finances and prepare for the new year. Enjoy the read!

    #Tip 1: Declutter your wallet and appreciate your money more

    Let’s start with your wallet.

    1. Is it clean, tidy and inviting, happy and inspirational? Or is it falling apart filled with old receipts, notes, a lot of small coins and business cards?

    2. Make sure you first of all choose a wallet and a material you really like!

    3. Put aside a few mins on a regular basis to declutter your wallet from unnecessary papers. If at all possible, please deny taking the receipt and ask to have it e-mailed to you if needed for the future.

    The wallet is like a king to whom you can never show too much respect.

    MARIE KONDO

    Your wallet is usually on the receiving end of any past emotional baggage intertwined in the money you keep in there. Your wallet and your money, should be treated with utmost respect and gratitude for providing you with what you need. If you care for it well, keep it tidy and respect it, you might notice that the way you use your money changes. You will feel grateful every time you reach for your wallet to remove money. And make sure to never walk around with a wallet with no money in it – when money is in use it flows like energy and flowing money attracts more money.

    #Tip 2: Using the KonMari Method to find JOY also in your finances

    Decluttering your physical belongings according to the KonMari Method categories ultimately creates space for life and increases clarity about what matters most to you. But can you do the same process with your finances? Absolutely!

    * Be very clear about your financial goals. Remember, you start with your vision also when decluttering your belongings!

    * Check your status quo, ie. bank statements and make categories within budgeting. This will help you see exactly where your money goes (living costs, medical expenses, food, education, travel, clothing, savings etc.) This step equals the “power of the pile” and is designed to shake you up a little.

    * Tidy up your do’s and get rid of the don’ts. Any small daily/weekly expense can make a big difference (a daily take away coffee for 6+ CHF equals almost 2000 CHF/year!)

    * Ask why before buying. Ask yourself whether a purchase is necessary and truly sparks joy! If you already started decluttering your belongings chances are your consumption habits have changed / will change forever.

    * If you know you have enough, you’re actually rich already

    Q: Ilana Jankowitz, you are a certified Money Coach. Would you please tell us what it is that you do?

    “I work with women to change their Money Story by understanding how our subconscious beliefs, behaviours and patterns are formed and limit us. I help them to open the flow of money into their lives and business by doing deep work. “

    Ilana Jankowitz

     

    Q: How can you declutter and change your money (hi)story, if there is emotional baggage tied to it?

    IJ: We hold onto baggage that we tolerate in our lives. Ie, old relationships, emotions, lifestyle etc. We make space in our energy by decluttering for the flow of money to come into our lives. Sometimes letting go of the past is necessary to see a different future and possibilities.

    Q: What’s the best way to get rid of debt and declutter your credit card bills, once and for all?

    IJ: Keep a money journal and write down your emotions when you are spending.  95% of our actions are driven by emotions.  Keep a budget, a budget is telling your money where to go and not wondering where it went and lastly if you have not saved money, start today.

    Q: How can you become more mindful & better at saving?

    IJ: When you receive your money, take a percentage off the top and put it into savings immediately, then pay the bills. Savings is a habit and needs to be practised.

    Q: What would you tell our readers who struggle with never having enough?

    IJ: There is more than enough, and there is a connection between Life and money. Our money beliefs are connected to our self worth. This is where I do most of the work.

    Q: What are your best tips to start 2021 and become financially independent?

    IJ: Start by keeping track of where you are spending, where you can save and declutter to get the flow of money into your life. Sell the things you don’t need and that can bring joy to someone else. Get your bank account on your phone and check it regularly.

    Interested in knowing more about Ilana’s work?
    Go check out her Money Quiz and jump on a free 30 min discovery call with her, exclusive to our readers!


    This article was first published on the expat blog My Swiss Story, where I am part of the expert editorial panel as the Home Expert. Would you like to contribute as a guest writer? Please contact me.

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  • Family, Lifestyle, Organising

    Photo books. Organise your photos and create a gift of love.

    This year many of us might not be able to travel to see family and friends over the end of year holidays. Maybe you think this strange year’s photos are not worth showcasing? Well, they are! If you ask me I think everybody should make a photo book from time to time. Wouldn’t it be amazing to make something with your own hands and see a huge smile or tears of happiness on loved ones faces? Not only as a quick fix holiday spirit boost but for long lasting enjoyment! And no, you don’t need to be a professional photographer to do this, your own smart phone pictures are more than enough! They show authentically and genuinely you and your (family’s) journey.

    Why should you make a photo book?

    It’s one of the most thoughtful, unique and personal gift ideas you can have. And it’s made with love. I have only made a few photo books myself over the years. Then life and 2 kids happened and my photo book inspiration ended with my daughter’s first year photo book. This was almost 8 years ago. We all LOVE looking at her photo book, especially the lady herself. The feeling of holding a physical book with magical and precious moments is something completely different than just looking at pictures on a smart phone or on a computer display. This year I’ve promised myself to make a family year book. Are you ready to try it together with me? And yes, let’s break it all down into smaller parts. One task per day or per week. The choice is yours – depending on when you want the gift to be ready.


    #1 Organise and sort your digital photos into a single place

    If you’re anything like me you probably have tens of thousands of pictures in your photo archive. Don’t despair, you’re not alone and we’ll get through this together! If some of them are currently stored on different devices, the first step is to bring all your photos into one place. Smart phone pictures, camera pictures on memory cards, pictures received on email or WhatsApp…the list is endless. Move them to one single place you feel most comfortable with. This can be an external hard drive, a folder on your computer or an online cloud service. The first time you do it, it will require some time and effort but once the system is in place you will only have one place you need to back up and it will stay organised when you commit to it.

    By sorting and organising your pictures into one place you will eventually save time, energy and ultimately, receive joy.

     

     

    #2 Develop a filing system and folder structure

    The truth is, there is no ‘one size fits all’ system and structure. The filing system will reflect you as a person and photographer. Your needs are as unique as you are. Here below I’ve made a list of some easy guidelines to get you started on your filing system:

    1. Create folders by year

    2. Within the year folder, create chronological sub folders:
    months, occasions, seasons, holidays, whatever feels as a logical timeline to you.

    3. If you take pictures of different themes, make sure you have corresponding sub folders for them. Think family, food, nature, sports etc.

    4. Organise your favourites in folders also by person (ie. grandparents, siblings, friends etc.) if you know that you wish to make personalised gifts during the year.

    5. Create a separate project folder, ie. Photo Book Christmas 2020. Within this folder you can break it down into further sub folders, as needed.

    How do you NOT get overwhelmed with all the pictures being taken every month?

    As a rule of thumb to always stay organised, happy with and in control of your pictures is to make use of this action list:

    * Think twice before shooting yet another picture, it will save you lots of time later on

    * At the end of each month: go through the past month, delete duplicates , blurry ones and all others that don’t pass your joy check

    * Optional: edit pictures to be kept

    * Add all the chosen photos into the right folders at the end of each month

    Speaking with my professional organiser hat on and from experience: the key is commitment and sticking to your system, once it’s up and running.

    #3 Curate your photo collection ruthlessly and realistically

    Once you’ve started decluttering your photos every month you will soon be a total decluttering photo guru! Be ruthless as well as realistic. You cannot fit all your favourite photos into one book. Unless you’re making a book series of them! Make joy based decisions and only choose the Best of the Best, the ones you truly love the most. Here too, less is more and around 150 photos is ideal for a photo book. It will be tough to get down to this number, but it will be worth it and you will feel like a champion!

    Start copying your chosen photos into the project folder and sub folders. Make sure you only COPY the pictures into your Photo Book folder, if you make a mistake and delete something you’ll still have the originals safely in store in the original folders. Once your project is done you can delete the project folder.

    Remember to check that the resolution for your chosen pictures is good enough for printing. The recommended resolution for most photo book developers is 300 dpi (dots per inch). Even if you have photos with a lower resolution they might be ok too, but maybe just in a smaller size. Usually the photo book editing software will also tell you if your picture is of a high enough quality.

    #4 Why are you making this book? Tell Your story

    When you’re creating your photo book, think of it as telling a story, Your Story. Some of these questions might be worth considering so you know what kind of story you want to tell, to whom and in what context.

    Who is it for? Grandparents? Children? Potential clients?

    What is it about? Is it about your family, important events or about a passionate hobby?

    Where will it be seen? Does the text/images need to be larger for older eyes to see? Or is it to showcase your art pictures on a coffee table?

    Why are you making this book? Is it a personalised gift? A memory book for your kids? A book to keep on display in a public space?

    Once you’re clear on the purpose of the book, you’re ready to write your texts. If you prefer texts. Some books work perfectly well without any added clarifications. Always keep your audience in mind and think about what kind of story they’re interested in hearing.

    #5 Create your photo book

    Now when your photos are in order it’s time to get creative! Choose a photo book provider based on location, quality, personal preference, budget.. Before I have also chosen a provider in my home country when making books or calendars for relatives, it’s much more cost efficient, quicker and it’s being mailed locally. Win-win. Ifolor may not be the top of them all quality wise, but a really good and affordable option if you want a provider with many different country options to send out locally from. If you’re based in Switzerland you may want to look into this family owned local Swiss company called Bookfactory. I teamed up with them because they are offering amazing quality products (their yearbook featured below) and Bookfactory have been so kind to offer our readers, that’s YOU, a 20% discount for any photo book product with the code BFXMYHAPPYHOME (valid until 31.01.2021)!

    And finally, if you get really into creation mode, I recently stumbled upon Neveo, a service where you can create and send out a monthly photo journal to grandparents or other relatives. But that’s for the next level book makers..

    Have fun creating and gifting love!

    This article was first published on the expat blog My Swiss Story, where I am part of the expert editorial panel as the Home Expert. Would you like to contribute as a guest writer? Please contact me.

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  • Home, Lifestyle, Organising

    Create an inspiration station. Transform your home office and boost your productivity.

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    It is a fact. Working from home is here to stay for many of us. Whether we like it or not. Did you know the average person spends 2.5 days per year searching for lost items? That’s a lot of time wasted. Are you up for a challenge to change that? And transform your current home office into a space of joy, creativity and inspiration? Chances are your organisational skills will improve, your productivity will increase and you will feel inspired and energised each day you sit down to work. And that’s not so bad, is it?

    1. Declutter and tidy your desk in one go

    I’ve put together the guide below so you can create your own ideal inspiration station. There’s absolutely no need to go shopping for any additional items, just use and repurpose what you already have at home. Win-win.

    ✦ Commit and make time for you. You will thank yourself later. Depending on how many things you have on your desk and/or in your home office the amount of hours needed varies. Start fresh in the morning.

    ✦ Take a ‘before’ picture of your desk and the environment where you’re currently working.

    ✦ Remove every single item from your desk so you have a totally clean desk. Nothing on it. Clean slate.

    ✦ Vacuum it. Wipe it with a damp cloth. Give it some love.

    ✦ Joy check all your belongings before putting anything back. Remember the KonMari joy check process? Take each item in your hands, feel it, and decide if you need it for work and/or if you love (looking at) it. Make the threshold high for what you allow to be on your desk.

    ✦ Put back the essentials only. These could be your laptop, mobile phone, water bottle, notebook and pen, pending work papers etc.

    ✦ Notice how it feels when you look at your essentials. Does the sight make you feel calm? Ready to tackle the tasks for today? Happy? Inspired? Sad? Overwhelmed? Stressed? Your desk should make you feel calm, inspired, creative and happy to get to work.

    ✦ If your new desk layout doesn’t make you tick, go ahead and add/remove what you don’t like or enjoy. There is no right or wrong. Remember: this is YOUR desk. Take a ‘after’ picture and admire the work you’ve done.

    ✦ Organise, categorise and store all the rest that doesn’t make the cut to stay on your desk. Make sure to store likes with likes, preferably in containers, boxes, magazine holders, folders or baskets so you can easily find what you’re looking for. If you love labels as much as I do, go ahead and label each box and folder. You will be so happy you did – it’s a huge time saver.

    ✦ At the end of each day make sure to take 5 mins to tidy your desk and put everything back where it belongs so you can start fresh the next day again. And you need your well deserved break in the evening.

    ✦ If you don’t have a permanent work desk at home you can create a mobile office basket. Make sure you like the basket! It should contain only your essentials: your laptop and essential work papers to move around as needed. A basket can easily be stored away for the evening if the dining table is your office during the day.

    2. Create your own energy tank with items you truly love

    This step is one of the most important. You should choose a few selected, dearly important and loved items that you wish to keep on display on your desk. Items that might be sentimental, like family pictures. Items that might spark a creative flush in you, maybe a powerful quote. Items that kick your adrenalin. Or something deeply inspirational for you. Or a simple beautiful flower to calm down your senses. YOU are the master creator. Be bold, be uniquely YOU. Make sure not to overcrowd your desk – only a very few selected items are enough.

    The value of these items should not be underestimated. They are deeply powerful and will work as a source of energy for you, if you allow them to. When taking breaks during your day, make sure to look at your selected items, hold them if you wish, and just breathe a few minutes. This is an instant recharging of your batteries in no time. 

    3. What you eat and drink at your desk affect how you feel

    Choose only the good stuff. Your favourite coffee or tea, of course served in your favourite cup, and that favourite water bottle. Hydration is super important! If you need a snack, get up and take a 5 min break to get that snack and get your energies moving again. Think about if you really need to bring food to your desk? Multitasking is not particularly helpful for the brain, and those bread crumbles and sticky keyboards do not really spark joy, do they? Make your break a real break and then get back to work.

    4. Air your office as often as possible for better focus

    Do you know how much fresh air can help you focus? A lot. The more fresh air you inhale the higher the oxygen levels in your blood. The more fresh air, the more your brain can help you remember things and concentrate better. Not to mention how much more energised you will feel! Did you know that the ideal indoor temperature is around 18 degrees?! You think that’s cold? Put on your favourite comfy sweater! It’s much healthier to spend time in a fresher environment than in high artificial heat.

    What’s even better? Take a walk in nature. Even a few minutes can be helpful. And while you’re out – leave the windows open in your office!

    And speaking of windows, have you tried sleeping with your window open? I’ve slept with the window open all my life and I couldn’t have it any other way. And I come from Finland where winter nights can be pretty cold.. :)

    5. Add green plants to your space

    Human beings have a natural desire to be connected to nature. Something scientists call ‘biophilia’. It’s a fascinating science, and these are some of the top health benefits:

    1. 1. Plants can help reducing stress
    2. 2. Plants can help increasing your productivity and creativity
    3. 3. Plants can clean the air and increase the humidity level
    4. 4. Plants can help reducing sickness
    5. 5. Plants can help people feel calmer and happier

     

    Check out a list of beneficial indoor plants here. My favourite indoor plant is the Monstera Deliciosa. Which is yours?


    6. Work in short sequences

    Ever heard of working the Pomodoro way? It’s a technique that uses a timer to break down work into shorter intervals, usually 25 minutes in length, separated by short 5 min breaks. It helps your brain to focus on one thing at a time with no interruptions. If you haven’t tried it, please do. I only discovered it recently and it’s been a game changer for me. No more multitasking, that just makes you feel overwhelmed.

    7. Choose to become intentional about what you spend time on

    This is the ultimate question we as a society should ask ourselves, whether it’s work related or private. We have gone to a place where it’s ever so hard to please ourselves. We can have everything we want by pushing a few buttons on a computer, travel wherever, do whatever. We are no longer happy with the little joys in life. It has to be more, bigger, better each year. Is it even possible to go back to a state of less? I truly hope so. It all starts within ourselves and our mindset.

    What do you choose to do to live more with less?

     

    My goal is no longer to get more done, but rather to have less to do.

    Francine Jay

    This article was first published on the expat blog My Swiss Story, where I am part of the expert editorial panel as the Home and Lifestyle Expert. Would you like to contribute as a guest writer? Please contact me.

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  • Family, Home, Lifestyle, Organising

    The art of letting go – 4 ways to live a lighter life

    Have you noticed the gloominess in the air yet? If not straight in your own feelings and body, most certainly outside of it. Covid numbers are skyrocketing here in Switzerland. Everyone you speak to is dead tired of the virus and seems they’ve started living in some sort of limbo, like a waiting mode. A few weeks ago my body started reacting to all of this external insecurity, literally making me feel super uncomfortable in my body. I have a stress belly, and when I get stressed, I react with getting stomach issues. Pain, swelling and just pure discomfort. So what did I do to help myself? I was lucky enough to be able to take a break from it all. Since my kids were also on school holidays, it coincided with us going away for a few days to visit the beautiful southern Switzerland. I didn’t open my laptop once. I deeply reconnected with nature and started observing and copying nature’s behaviour. So what did and does nature do?

     

    Simply dropping the extra weight. Because it’s time, time to change. The gorgeous poet Rumi says it perfectly, and this simple truth is so incredibly powerful:

    BE LIKE A TREE AND LET THE DEAD LEAVES DROP.

    Rumi

    Letting the dead leaves simply fall off of you will make a massive change in how you feel overall. If you start letting go of things that no longer serve you, you will notice how much lighter you suddenly feel. Carrying all that extra weight on your shoulders and in your heart is a heavy burden. Let’s look at some helpful tools to drop that extra heaviness.


    1. Let go of any physical possessions that don’t spark joy

    If you’ve read any of my previous blogposts, you know by now that I’m a certified KonMari Consultant to my heart and soul, and I just love helping others achieving a simpler and more enjoyable life with the help of the KonMari Method. Start with your clothes, move on to books, papers, komono (miscellaneous) and finally sentimental items. Hold each item and ask yourself if it speaks to you and your heart and if it helps you achieving living your ideal life? If it does, keep it with confidence! If it doesn’t make the cut, thank it for serving you and let it go gracefully (without forgetting the environmental side: reuse, recycle, resell, donate).

    Always focus on what you want to keep, not on what you want to let go of. At the end of the journey you will be surrounded only with items you truly love and cherish, to serve the person you are (becoming) now.

    2. Live in the now – gently let go of your past

    I know, I know, it’s easier said than done to live exclusively in the now. But you can work on it! When you start letting go of your physical clutter, as described above, you will almost automatically start processing your past. This in turn helps you let go of past events, relationships and eventually lets you live and enjoy the now far more without all that luggage to carry around. You are not the person you used to be, and things or people that used to be important in your life might no longer have that position. Embrace your past for all it was. Accept your past with all its faults and mistakes. Forgive yourself for any wrongdoings and forgive who and what needs to be forgiven. Finally, let it all go. You are working on the person you want to be(come). Right here and now.

    Try my top 5 daily tools to keep yourself grounded and enjoying the now :

    1. NATURE. Just go out for as long as you can, every day, to get some fresh air and feel the sun, the wind or the rain on your cheeks.

    2. EXERCISE. Walk, run, bike, do a fitness program. Whatever it is you enjoy, keep doing it, even if it’s only 10 mins you are able to spare. A healthy habit needs repetition in order to stick.

    3. KEEPING A GRATITUDE JOURNAL OR MEDITATE. A few mins every morning or evening will do. It sets the intention and your mindset for the day to come.

    4. LAUGH. No holding back!

    5. CHOOSE TO SEE THE GOOD in (almost) everything. Actively look for the bright side with no judgment. What can you learn, what can you gain?

    3. The key to change is letting go of fear

    In order for us to reach our dreams or goals, no matter how big or small these are, we must teach our minds and hearts to not be afraid of change. Fear is the biggest force holding us back from achieving what we want. How can we do this? There are many tools out there but let’s try a few tiny, easy steps we all can do in our own way, in our own pace which may possibly result in huge leaps. Make the unthinkable thinkable and the impossible possible. Like having tea instead of coffee or vice versa

    •  * Just for today – choose to LET GO of fear.
    •  * Just for today – choose to try something NEW.
    •  * Just for today – choose to try something DIFFERENT.
    •  * Just for today – choose to SEE the world around you with different eyes.
    •  * Just for today – choose to SEE, FEEL and ACKNOWLEDGE your life differently.
    •  * Just for today – choose to be KIND in all you do. Towards yourself and others.
    • *  Today, I AM different. I have changed to be a better version of myself.

    How does change make you feel? Just by trying these out you are a WINNER.

    4. Make YOUR life your best life, letting go of all that’s no longer serving you

    We only have one life. There’s no need to fake it until you make it, you are already living it! We all get mental blocks, and sometimes they turn into physical issues, and we need these too. They’re like small lessons in life. Otherwise there is no development! And as already mentioned above oftentimes the solution is to totally let go. Let go of any possessions or relationships, self-limiting beliefs, ill working old habits, fear and old ways of doing and thinking that just no longer serve you.

    There is nothing that is a more certain sign of insanity than to do the same thing over and over and expect the results to be different.

    EINSTEIN

    You don’t need to do things the “right way”, you need to do them YOUR WAY! Isn’t that what Covid also has taught us? There are other ways of doing things, not necessarily new, but different ways. And often we sabotage ourselves by comparing us to others. There is nothing worse than comparison. Make sure you welcome only good, positive vibes and people into your life. The rest you can let go of confidently and quickly. And the truth is, YOU are uniquely YOU, nobody else can offer the world what YOU are able to.

    This article was first published on the expat blog My Swiss Story, where I am part of the expert editorial panel as the Home Expert. Would you like to contribute as a guest writer? Please contact me. 

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  • Home, Lifestyle, Organising

    Wardrobe makeover: Living joyfully in your favourite clothes every day

    Did you know that we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time? That’s not a lot, right? And in these strange stay-at-home and work-from-home times it’s probably even less than 20%..It’s time for a change! Are you in?

    Autumn is for me personally a time of new beginnings and rebirth. I feel it in my whole being as the weather starts to change and the leaves start to fall. Autumn is the perfect time to start something new. Challenge yourself and make way for new opportunities and change your life for the better.

    Nobody says it better than one of my favourite poets:

    Be like a tree and let the dead leaves drop.

    RUMI

    Your wardrobe might need to let its dead leaves drop too and make room for your favourites to shine. With the guide below you will be on your way towards a KonMarie‘d, simplified, curated and decluttered wardrobe that makes you joyful and smile every time you open the doors.

    1. What is your ideal lifestyle?

    Deep within I believe we all already know what brings us joy and what kind of life we want to live. We might have just buried it all under work, commitments, stress and random piles of physical clutter. Usually when we start tidying there is initially more chaos. That alone might become a shock and turn us numb. Maybe we’re having a hard time letting go, or finishing a task at hand? For all of these circumstances we need a WHY and focus on the goal!

    What should have space and presence in your home and life going forward?

    It’s crucial not to skip this step. It will help you reconnect to yourself, your values and what matters most in your life. As a consequence, when you tidy your clothes you will use these self reflection goals to help make decisions. This way you will know more clearly what kind of belongings will support you in achieving your ideal way of living. Ask yourself:

    1. Where do you currently stand?
    2. What would you like to have more of and what less of in life?
    3. What should have space and presence in your home and life going forward?

    Make a list, a visual mood board, a drawing, a mindmap…anything that helps you find YOUR unique ideal lifestyle.

    2. Gather all your clothing and make a pile


    Let’s go! Gather all your clothing in one place. All of it. Also from the entrance and the basement and wherever you keep pieces of clothing. Usually what you have currently in the laundry is stuff you wish to keep. If not, let it go with gratitude. Make a pile on the bed or somewhere where you have enough space to make a mess.

     

     

    3. If you are short on time, make sub categories

    If you can’t find the time to do the full makeover in one go you can easily break it down into smaller chunks and do a few sub categories. Examples of sub categories could be tops, bottoms, underwear and socks, sportswear, shoes etc. I would, however, recommend that you do not leave too many days in between the sub categories, as you might lose momentum and the light in the tunnel.

    4. Joy check – what does spark joy even mean?

    When going through each piece of clothing, focus on what you want to keep. Always. Your intuition and your previously assessed lifestyle goals will help you determine what sparks joy for you. Make sure to find a few absolute favourites to start with and compare other items against these. Remember, if it’s not a clear yes it’s usually a clear no.

    We should always care for and handle our belongings with respect throughout their life cycle. If they have outlived their purpose, we can respectfully let them go with a “thank you” . This might feel strange to start with but give it a try! It will feel so natural after a while. After all, this item has served you and its purpose well and is for sure worthy of some gratitude. Make sure to think sustainably and categorise discarded items for selling, donating, recycling etc. and make an effort to part with the discarded items as soon as possible.

    By involving our hearts when we tidy clothing, we can thank our items for all they do to protect our bodies and express our identity.

    MARIE KONDO

     

    5. Fold and hang, give everything a home

    By now you should have chosen all your favourites to keep. If you haven’t tried file folding yet, this is your moment to try. Not necessarily with materials that love to be hung, like thinner blouses, shirts and some nice dresses or business suits, but with most other things. Depending on your wardrobe structure, fold what can be folded and hang the rest. If you have lots of drawers, they are simply made for neat folding. The ultimate goal is to see everything you have with one glance. It saves you a lot of time and energy in the morning when you have a full overview and you’re able to choose only from belongings you simply love.

    6. Storage & final touches

    Indeed, organisational supplies are pretty – but they are never the solution! So before moving on to storing your favourite clothes, please check that you’ve ticked all the below boxes first:

    • * Finish discarding first before starting to fold
    • * Hang all sensitive items rising to the right. For a visually optimised finish they should hang from long to short, from dark to light.
    • * Find a permanent home for everything
      * Finally, add a final touch to your closet with something you love! A precious item could for example be a favourite photo, a pair of special shoes or a favourite piece of jewellery. This item will make you smile and remind you of a special event or memory each and every time you open your closet!


    7. Capsule wardrobe, minimalism or maximalism – what is the “right” way?

    First and foremost. Stop counting how many t-shirts and pairs of jeans you own and feel bad about it! That is NOT what KonMari, minimalism or a capsule wardrobe is about. What matters is what works for YOU. Maybe you need one pair of jeans for each and every day of the week due to your profession – so be it. Your wardrobe should mirror who YOU are and meet YOUR needs only. Any wardrobe styling method out there is actually there to serve you, not to make you feel guilty. However, these tools might be helpful for you to perfect your own style matching your personality.

    8. Have fun and enjoy the ride

    Life can be so serious sometimes, please make sure your tidying day is something completely different. Try things on in front of the mirror, make funny faces and take crazy pictures if you feel like it! Get a friend or partner to help you (but certainly not to judge!). You might be in for the most fun filled day in a long time. And finally – ENJOY your makeover! What you wear impacts your self-image as well as your self-esteem — make sure you choose clothes that make you feel amazing and confident!

    You are doing it for YOU!

    This article was first published on the expat blog My Swiss Story, where I am part of the expert editorial panel as the Home Expert. Would you like to contribute as a guest writer? Please contact me. 

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