Home Posts tagged 'joy'

joy

  • 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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