I’m Ready for 2019!

In 2017, I resolved to be open and welcoming to anything that came to me. I continued my air of expectancy into 2018 and I began to thrive! On September, 2018:

• I stopped drinking alcoholic beverages
• I added a sensible workout plan to my daily routine
• I quit restricting and making rules about food and instead became mindful about my eating and I added more protein to my diet!
• I began to meditate

Yes, I said “Hello!” to many positive ways to live. I’m practically perfect! End of post!

Ha! For 2019, I am going to keep on thriving and saying hello to positive ways to live. And sometimes I also have to be ready to say goodbye. This year I’m also sharing a joint goal with my husband- “Swedish Death Cleaning.” (And before we launch in to this, my apologies for this untidy post- I’m bubbling over with ideas!)

If  it’s Monday, it must  be Swedish Death Cleaning Day!

And yes, we try to do it each Monday, because Tuesday is trash day. Ok, let me explain.

Unloading, decluttering, organizing- there’s a word for that: dostadning. 

I don’t know how to pronounce dostadning, but it’s a hybrid of the words for death and cleaning, the process of cleaning house before you die, rather then leaving it up to your loved ones to do after you’re gone. If you have ever had to do this sad task, and if you are around my age you probably have, you know that it’s hard and painful to go through the family home and do a final clearing of fifty years worth of living. So, this is why my husband and I have a new goal: Swedish Death Cleaning.

We don’t think “Swedish death cleaning” sounds sad- it actually makes us chuckle when we announce- “time to head to the basement for our Swedish Death Cleaning. It’s our special club.

I like this tip: as you declutter, you can keep sentimental objects like old letters and photographs. Author Magnusson keeps a “throw-away box,” which she describes as things that are “just for me.” When she dies, her children know they can simply throw that box away, without even looking through its contents.

Need a Bit More Swedish Inspiration?

Even though I’ve never been a fan of IKEA, which is mentioned in this book as a good example of Swedish life, I accept that many of you are fans of the furniture as well as the Swedish way of life. Cue, “Lagom!” Learn more about this “Just Enough” approach to life.

Lagom: Not Too Little, Not Too Much: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life by Niki Brantmark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve been following many bloggers and posts on social media that encourage us to believe, “You are enough.” At first I didn’t understand what that meant. To me, being “enough” meant that I’d done ok, the minimum, my version of the “Gentleman’s C”. I have always wanted to be better than “good enough.” After reading the book, I can see that there is a time, place and a lifestyle for living with “Not too Little, Not Too Much, Just Right.” Which sounds like Goldilocks and her three bear friends, doesn’t it?

The concept of “Lagom” is a popular one now. In this book, the author presents an upbeat introduction to incorporating Lagom into all aspects of your life, the Swedish way. By making “subtle changes to your routine you will not only bring a sense of equilibrium to your life; it will also bring you a greater feeling of calm and contentment. Chapters on Lagom in your personal life, family and relations, your house and belongings give clear examples and are accompanied by lovely photos, and some recipes. A “fika” coffee break sounds lovely!

I enjoyed the Swedish Proverbs that were included. “The right amount is best.” “Those who wish to sing always find a song.” The author also posts on Instagram and has a blog and the book reads as if it were a compilation of these posts. Still, she writes with earnest enthusiasm and gives us a solid introduction to Lagom.

View all my reviews

Calling all Anglophiles- What Do the Brits have to say about Organization?

My friend Pauline Wiles hails from the UK, but you can find her now in California. She has crafted the book that I need in my creative life right now. I will let her tell you about Indie at Ease and then I’ll share some more about what I’ve learned from her calming and informative pages. Although Indie with Ease focuses on writing, she also has a lovely website that focuses on “Gliding more, flapping less!”

Pauline emailed me and told me about Indie with Ease and she asked if I wanted a copy. YES! As soon as it zoomed into my kindle, I began to read it. And I’ve been highlighting so many nuggets and gems. Here are some of the treasures I found.

“In my six years in the publishing business, I’ve learned to set realistic expectations, focus doggedly on only the important tasks, and take care of my energy, creativity, and morale.”  (See- that works for all of us!)

“The Swedish Concept of Lagom- Pauline encourages us think about what ‘not to little, but not too much’ means to us in deciding our writing goals. Lagom represents moderation and balance, not excess or extreme.” (Aha!)

You will learn about “repeater” and “completer” tasks. (This was a Wow! idea for me.) “Get realistic about the spectrum of could-dos which float around in your mind.”

Pauline tells us the benefits of meditation, or as she describes it- “paying attention.” 💯

Pauline has a calm and encouraging style and gently shares what she has learned in a positive way. And she wants to connect.”Please get in touch, I would be delighted to hear from you by email with questions or reactions you’s like to share.”

More about Pauline Wiles: British by birth, Pauline is now a contented resident of California, although she admits to occasional yearnings for afternoon tea and historic homes.

Her debut novel, Saving Saffron Sweeting, reached the quarter final of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award and was a number one Kindle Best Seller. The stand-alone prequel, Secrets in the Sky, was reviewed by Publishers Weekly as ‘an enticing read’. Sweet Pursuits is the third book in the series.

Pauline has also released a free book of short stories, along with Indie With Ease, aimed at helping other self-published authors reduce stress and boost productivity.

When not writing, Pauline can be found getting the steps wrong in a Zumba class or calculating how many miles she has to run to justify an extra piece of cake. She is also fond of daydreaming about flying herself and a reader to London for tea.

Time for Life Advice from OHIO!

“O-H”

“I-O”