Source: http://greatist.com/live/declutter-tips-professional-organizers?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

You think you’re a clean person. You don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink—well, at least not often. You sweep occasionally. Heck, sometimes you even make your bed. But still the clutter piles up—whether it’s mail, books, or clothes. And it quickly becomes so overwhelming that it’s hard to know where to start.

Which is why we asked professional organizers for their top tips to get rid of clutter (for good!). They’re all super simple and won’t leave you picking up for hours on end.

1. Nip procrastination in the bud.

“Procrastination is what causes clutter. Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions. Set a modest goal to deal with the clutter in your life, and congratulate yourself on your success. Success will breed success. And if you keep making decisions, this time next year, getting organized won’t be one of your resolutions.” — Laurie Martin, Simplicity Organizers

2. Start small.

“Many people get discouraged because the job…

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tinybuddha/~3/SwWQ2hPionw/

When I was a little girl, I could watch movies for hours on end.

I would lie underneath my blanket fort and get lost in The Neverending Story, The Princess Bride, and The Goonies—movies that brought the hero on a fantastic adventure far beyond the restrictive world they knew.

My life felt small and limited, and not always bright or easy. Movies gave me an escape from that, and a sense of freedom within the expansiveness of my imagination.

As I got older, I gravitated toward mysteries and psychological thrillers—such as Identity, Memento, and Black Swan—movies that bring you deep into the psyche of complex minds, tempting you to try to understand what compels some people to do what they do.

I consumed these movies voraciously, addicted to the heart-pumping, adrenaline-racing journey into madness. I was always looking to pierce the sheen of formality that prevents most of us from disclosing the darkest parts of ourselves. Shining a light on the darkness somehow gave me peace.

And I’ve always been a sucker for inspirational films. Watching George Bailey grapple with his fears and finally grasp his worth, seeing Andy Dufresne hold onto hope against seemingly insurmountable odds and fight his way to freedom, following Will Hunting as he h…

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tinybuddha/~3/2v7SxXkgrck/

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” ~Viktor Frankl

These days we can’t seem to get away from stress. Well all feel it, and we all hate it. Even my sister’s two dogs are on a special diet for their stress-induced digestive issues, and I’m pretty sure they hate stress too.

Recently it hit me: Our relationship with stress is dysfunctional. No wonder we’re stuck in an anxiety-ridden existence!

Stress is Love

Stress has gotten a bad rep, but it serves an important function—it keeps us safe from danger. Closely linked to our ability to feel fear, stress enables us to be alert and respond to perceived threats in our environment.

When we perceive a threat, the amygdala in our brain sends a distress signal to our hypothalamus, which activates our sympathetic nervous system. This switches our body into “fight or flight” mode, triggering a series of physiological responses to help us get away from whatever is threatening us.

Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline are released, and our heart rate and blood pressure increase. Our blood sugar levels rise to give us more energy, and our breath quickens. This sharpens our senses and gives us a temporary b…

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tinybuddha/~3/C6CLc1I-APs/

“Often those that criticize others reveal what he himself lacks.” ~Shannon L. Adler

 I answer the phone.

And then the yelling starts. The woman on the other end lets fly a barrage of abuse.

She’s angry and upset and she’s taking it out on me. Because I haven’t sent her a text message for two days.

She wants to know why I haven’t responded and what is wrong with me. She wants to know how I can be so mean.

I don’t understand. I thought I was giving her space during a difficult time. I was also dealing with events in my own life.

I’ve known her for five years, during which time she’s shown herself to be a powerful ally, a fierce supporter, and a generous friend.

But her power has a flip side, as she’s also difficult and draining.

Forceful and forthright, she’s an expert in getting people to do her bidding.

This power had caused cracks in our friendship some time ago, and recently those cracks had become chasms.

I knew she had a string of broken friendships that had erupted dramatically when she perceived a slight.

And now it was my turn because I didn’t respond to her SMS.

Normally I hate conflict. I turn to jelly, stutter and stumble over my words, and feel guilty as all hell. I take on mo…

Source: http://www.theminimalists.com/002/

By Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus · Follow: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus attempt to answer the following questions:

How do you minimize social media feeds and not miss important info?
How do you minimize your online browsing habits?
How do you apply minimalism to technology?
How do you embrace minimalism when your partner has no interest?
What advice do you have for artists overwhelmed by art supplies?
What was the most difficult thing for you to get rid of?
How do you expand your vocabulary?
How do you explain you don’t want things for gifts, but experiences?
Is it better to donate items or to sell them?
What does value mean to you?
The Five Values in your book Minimalism are health, relationships, passion, growth, and contribution. If there was a sixth value, what would it be?

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Mentioned in This Episode

Essay: The 39th Lesson
Essay: Most Emergencies Aren’t
Book: Essential
Book: Minimalism
Course: How to Write Better
Event: Tuesdays with The Minimalists
Essay: Financial Freedom
Correspondence: Contact The Minimalists
Recommendation: The Sound of Life
Recommendation: She Makes Hats
Event: 3 Caffeinated …

Source: http://www.thefitbits.com/2016/01/finding-my-fit-after-christmas.html

I’m on a roll this week. 
After a shaky start going back to work, with tired, watery eyes and relentless caffeine and sugar withdrawal headaches for two days, my body and mind settled back into routine and I’m pleased to say we’re both out the other side.

I wanted to go back to work alert, productive and full of energy, and the only way to do that was to get off the coffee and pull the plug on the Fererro Rocher breakfasts and red wine afternoons I’d gotten so used to. (Tell me not to indulge at Christmas at your peril).

It wasn’t just the caffeine and chocolate dependency that had to go this week. Chez Agnew is hereby an alcohol free zone, and has been since New Year’s Day. We went out for dinner last night without wine and survived to tell the tale. Who knew.  

It’s been a week of cleansing, healthy meals (i.e. real food, none of that juice detox BS), and full on fun and escapades getting back on the exercise wagon, ticking off multiple To Do lists along the way.

<img alt="FitBits | Ladies Ultra White Collar Boxing Brighton" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54mtWA5vTBM/VpGmfx2r3BI/AAAAAAAADm4/bKHiUjaOY-U/s64…

Source: http://greatist.com/live/coloring-challenge-2016?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

A few weeks ago we grabbed a fistful of colored pencils, turned on a podcast, started coloring, and totally zoned (and zenned) out. We weren’t sitting cross-legged or focusing on our breathing, but it sure felt a lot like meditating.

Adult coloring books are a big trend right now, and we get it: It’s soothing, relaxing, and mindful (or mindless). Coloring helps spark your inner creativity and the end result is art. Even if you’re totally type A, don’t worry about sticking inside the lines. There are no grades or judgment here.

For our five-day coloring challenge, the goal is to finish one page per day to help you find zen (check out a couple samples below). Click the button to download the full book, and then print out the pages and let the coloring begin! Share your artwork using #colormegreatist, and don’t forget to check back next month for a brand new challenge.

Download My Coloring Book!

Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect:

…

Source: http://greatist.com/live/health-benefits-of-being-single?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

With all the “We’re engaged!” pics popping up on social media, it may seem like everyone you know is one half of a happy couple. But if you’re riding solo these days, you’re far from alone: A whopping 64 percent of Americans ages 18 to 29 reported being single in 2014, up from 52 percent in 2004, according to a Gallup poll. And for the first time in U.S. history, single people now outnumber married folks at any age. Translation: There’s no time like the present to be swiping right.

First, let’s get this out of the way: Coupling up does have its benefits. Research suggests that happily married people are healthier than singles and less likely to have chronic diseases than their single peers.1 However recent research points to the fact that we’re not all meant for relationships—and the many benefits of staying single. A massive 2015 study from New Zealand found that men and women who tend to avoid conflict and confrontation were happier alone than paired up.

These people belong to a bigger group of folks that psychologist Bella DePaulo, Ph.D., social scientist and author of Singled Out: How Singles Are Stereotyped, Stigmatized, and Ignored, and Still Live Happily Ever After, likes to call “single at heart.” These are people for whom single life is their best, most authentic, most meaningful life, DePaulo says.

Whether you’re consciously uncoupled, living it up as a single guy or girl, or trying to find solace until you meet the right per…

Source: http://greatist.com/eat/healthy-weeknight-recipes?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

There are few kitchen nightmares worse than finding a recipe that sounds ah-mazing and then seeing an ingredient section longer than your phone’s contact list—or filled with foods you’ve never heard of. We share your pain. That’s why this list of recipes will become your new dinnertime go-to: Each includes just five ingredients, all of which can be found at your local supermarket. Happy cooking!

Meat and Poultry

Photo: Fuss Free Cooking

1. Grilled Chicken with Tomato, Soy & Sesame Seeds

This chicken recipe can’t get any easier. Combine four marinade ingredients. Pour marinade over chicken. Bake. Serve. Done! This sweet chicken is terrific served with brown rice, salad, or lettuce wraps.

2. Chicken Enchiladas

This enchilada recipe uses shortcuts like leftover chicken and canned enchilada sauce to create a no-stre…

Source: http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/01/08/462289710/uncle-sam-just-told-us-to-drink-water-not-soda-you-mightve-missed-it?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=thesalt

The MyPlate icon is the visual centerpiece of the USDA’s advice for healthy eating aimed at the general public. Scientists and other public health advocates had called for adding a water symbol to the icon, but that didn’t happen.

USDA

Tucked inside the U.S. government’s latest update to its official eating advice is this recommendation: “Drink water instead of sugary drinks” — aka soda.

The bluntness of this statement is remarkable, in part, because the Dietary Guidelines released Thursday are, in other ways, anything but direct. For instance, as we’ve reported, instead of explicitly telling Americans to cut their intake of red and processed meats, as an advisory panel of nutrition experts had recommended, the final guidelines hint at …