🎁 We are heading into the last two months of the year and I don’t know about you, but for me this time can be a little hectic.

It’s this mix of trying to finish end-of-year projects, the increase in social events (or feeling like you should plan something social), and for a lot of people: needing to figure out gifts.

As someone who aims to have less “stuff,” I often get questions about gift giving. Gift giving is a huge part of the human experience (and actually, many animals give gifts too). It’s a way to improve relationships. It’s part of being social.

Companies have taken note and, with ever increasing intensity, are pushing their “stuff” on us. Just go to any website’s front page and you’ll already see gift ideas, stocking stuffers, and early bird deals “perfect for your parent/spouse/child/friend/colleague/pet.”

This month I’m hoping to take a little bit of pressure off for you. We’ll be talking about:

• Minimalist gift ideas and how to navigate gift giving (all year round)
• The power of balance
• Taking some time to come up with your own minimalist wishlist

Something by me

Gift giving season is upon us (and for some people, it’s always gift giving season.) For people who aspire to live with less, or those with loved ones who aspire to live with less, this can be a complicated topic. What do you give someone who doesn’t want anything? How do you approach gift giving if you don’t want anything, and don’t want to contribute to other people’s clutter? 

If you can come to a mutual understanding and agreement about whether or not to buy gifts, or what type of gifts you’ll be buying, you can prevent a lot of stress during this end of year period (and any other gift-giving occasions). Having conversations about this topic might not always be possible, or even culturally acceptable however. So, in this post I’ll be covering three gift giving situations: before gift giving, gift ideas for minimalists, and what to do with gifts you don’t like.

READ MORE

Something by someone else

Title: Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching: A Book About the Way and the Power of the Way - Ursula K. Le Guin

Description: “No other English translation of this greatest of the Chinese classics can match Ursula K. Le Guin's striking new version. Le Guin, best known for thought-provoking science fiction novels that have helped to transform the genre, has studied the Tao Te Ching for more than forty years. She has consulted the literal translations and worked with Chinese scholars to develop a version that lets the ancient text speak in a fresh way to modern people, while remaining faithful to the poetic beauty of the work. Avoiding scholarly interpretations and esoteric Taoist insights, she has revealed the Tao Te Ching 's immediate relevance and power, its depth and refreshing humor, in a way that shows better than ever before why it has been so much loved for more than 2,500 years. Included are Le Guin's own personal commentary and notes on the text. This new version is sure to be welcomed by the many readers of the Tao Te Ching as well as those coming to the text for the first time.”

Why I like it: This modern version of an ancient text (with notes!) digs into how life is a balancing act, full of contradictions. I’ve had way too much stuff and way too little—both times, I was miserable. I’ve said things that caused issues, then overthought my words so much to prevent offense, I ended up losing my voice. To me, these texts feel like a guide against too much and too little. They’re all about avoiding excess, finding strength in softness, focusing on quality and authenticity, and again, balance.

One of my favorite chapters reminds me of the concept of MA:

“THE USES OF NOT

Thirty spokes meet in the hub.
Where the wheel isn't is where it's useful.
Hollowed out, clay makes a pot.
Where the pot's not is where it's useful.
Cut doors and windows to make a room.
Where the room isn't, there's room for you.
So the profit in what is, is in the use of what isn't.”

CHECK IT OUT HERE

Something by you

This month, after reading the blog, I invite you to sit back, and come up with a list of minimalist gifts that work for you. Both to give and to receive.

• Are there experiences you’d love to try out?

• Are there people you’d like to do them with?

• Are there regional delicacies that you could share with  hose around you?

• Are there consumables you can make/bake yourself?

Get creative! Last year I shared how my friend took me to see a candlelight string concert. It was unlike anything I’d ever think to get for myself, but it inspired me to think outside of the box and now my google searches for fun stuff to do in my area are much more diverse.

Refine updates: Behind the scenes

Last month I shared that, in order to keep the content I share as “not sales-y” as possible, I am creating a separate email funnel to drive traffic to my course Refine your Devices. Well, the funnel is up and running and I’d love to get some feedback on it.

If you’re interested, you can sign up HERE. When you sign up you’ll get an email containing my Weekly Digital Decluttering Routine as well as a series of emails that dive a little deeper into each of the modules from the course. Just so you know, there’s no pressure to purchase, I’d just love your feedback. See you there!

 🍁 A while back I got the question/comment: “I'm not a big seasonal decorator, but I have some things for Christmas, Easter, Halloween.. what about changing out for the season or celebrating holidays with/without decor?” I love this question because I love decorating!

Since it’s October, and most of the holidays I personally celebrate will be happening in the coming four months, I felt inspired to go into a little more depth on that question. I believe making our spaces look and feel great is part of an all-round approach to taking care of ourselves, so this month’s blog is about all things “decorating with less,” not just seasonal (though I will of course cover seasonal).

I’m going to keep this intro short because I’m really excited for you to get to the rest of the content! 

This month's newsletter is centered around being intentional with our stuff: 

• Decorating with less
• The Circular Economy
• Decorating in practice

Something by me

Creating a space that aligns with your taste and personality is, in my opinion, really important to happiness. Coming home to a place where you can relax and feel safe to be yourself has such positive downstream effects on everything you do in life that it should not be ignored or underestimated.

I mean, why would you not spend a bit of effort on turning the place you spend most of your non-working hours into a place you enjoy being in? In this post I talk about decorating, specifically “decorating with less.” Making your space cozy and personal doesn’t mean filling it up with stuff or maxing out your credit cards, there’s a balance between overconsumption and spartanism.

READ MORE

Something by someone else

Title: Ellen MacArthur Foundation - Instagram Account and Podcast (but anything they do really..)

Description: “We’re a charity committed to creating a circular economy, which is designed to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. It’s an economic system that delivers better outcomes for people, and the environment.”

Why I like it: I talk about (and show) ways of consuming less while not completely rejecting what it means to be part of the society we live in, because I believe balance and realism are the only ways to achieve our collective goals when it comes to sustainability. 

What I love about the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Instagram account—and, if you want to go a little deeper, their podcast—is that they showcase different ways in which institutions, companies, and individuals are exploring more attractive and sustainable alternatives to how we consume today, from all perspectives (economic, social, environmental, etc.).

The things they share make me think and inspire me, but most importantly, they show that there are desirable ways forward when it comes to a better future: progress, not perfection. 

CHECK IT OUT HERE

Something by you

This month, after reading the blog, I invite you to pick a space and intentionally play/experiment with functional, consumable, and intangible decor.  

• Have you ever considered these categories?
• Do you have things you can use as functional decor that you didn’t realize you could?
• Or do you still prefer to keep things out of sight?

Refine updates: Behind the scenes

I consider anyone signed up for this newsletter part of a cool, smart, down-to-earth community. We like nice things, but we don’t believe in overconsumption. We want to do well in life while also retaining our peace. We are curious about how the world works and open to learning new things. That’s why I feel safe sharing these honest, behind-the-scenes snippets with you. I feel like you get me and appreciate the transparency.

Refine is part hobby, part side gig. Lately, I’ve been enjoying letting myself geek out about all things Luxury Minimalism and Slow Success, without putting too much extra effort into selling my course, Refine your Devices.

While this may not be the best business practice, I intend to keep doing it because it keeps things enjoyable for me. When I enjoy what I’m doing, I feel more creative, you get better content, and it’s more sustainable in the long run.

Here’s my side-gig/business solution: to prevent “sales” from interfering with my content, I’m creating a separate sales funnel for my course. It’s an experiment to see how I can market the course without squeezing digital organization content into every post (there’s too much else I want to talk about!).

The funnel isn’t ready yet, but it will consist of a free resource and some follow-up emails (if you’ve spent time online, you’ve probably been in a sales funnel before, hah!). I’ll let you know when it’s ready, and you can sign up for it if you’re interested. Just so you know, I will not be signing anyone up automatically—I hate when people do that. If you’re only here for the newsletter, then you’ll only get the newsletter!

🧹 I think I say this every September: there’s something about September that makes it feel like a fresh start, like it’s more of a “new year” than January 1st.

One of my favorite things to do around this time of year, is a big decluttering session (or a couple). I’ll go through my kitchen and clean out the pantry and fridge. I’ll review my bookshelf, and any other storage solutions I have in the living room (one drawer and two boxes). I’ll go through my toiletries, my utility closet, my laptop, and finally my wardrobe to reconsider anything I haven’t used in the past year and get ready to sell, donate, or discard it. 

This process doesn’t take me more than a day because there’s not much stuff there to begin with, but it’s funny how I always manage to find something that actually isn’t adding much to my life.

I love how the very actionable work of getting rid of the stuff around us has such downstream effects on how cluttered our psyche feels. Decluttering our space, helps us declutter our brains, which in turn, helps us declutter our souls. 

When you’re no longer overstimulated and overwhelmed by your surroundings, it’s easier to get your thoughts in order and sort them out. Once you have the space to think in a more structured way, you get the space to go deeper and create lightness within.

One of the toughest parts when decluttering is when our stuff holds sentimental value. It’s so tough because these items are connected to all three of the layers: Our surroundings (the physical item cluttering up the space), our brains (overthinking what this item means to us), and our souls (the feelings this item provokes).

This month's newsletter is centered around letting go of difficult things: 

• Sentimental items
• Internal clutter
• Noticing what you’ve been holding on to 

Something by me

Sentimental items often hold significant emotional value because they are connected to important people, events, or periods in your life; they serve as tangible links to the past. These items can evoke feelings of nostalgia, love, happiness, and even sadness, in different quantities—and sometimes even at the same time.

Decluttering, especially when it involves letting go of sentimental items, is not just a physical task but an emotional one. It's about more than just clearing out space; it's a conscious decision to curate our belongings and, by extension, our what feels like our memories and sense of self. Many people find this process daunting because it challenges them to confront their attachments and the emotions tied to these objects.

READ MORE

Something by someone else

Title: The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself - Michael A. Singer

Description: “By tapping into traditions of meditation and mindfulness, author and spiritual teacher Michael A. Singer shows how the development of consciousness can enable us all to dwell in the present moment and let go of painful thoughts and memories that keep us from achieving happiness and self-realization. 

The Untethered Soul begins by walking you through your relationship with your thoughts and emotions, helping you uncover the source and fluctuations of your inner energy. It then delves into what you can do to free yourself from the habitual thoughts, emotions, and energy patterns that limit your consciousness. Finally, with perfect clarity, this book opens the door to a life lived in the freedom of your innermost being.”

Why I like it: If there was ever a masterclass in letting go, it’s this book. My post on decluttering sentimental items is very practical, but if you ever want to go deeper I recommend checking out Michael Singer’s body of work. This is his first book but I have devoured all of them and they have changed the way I live. 

Letting go of physical and digital stuff is just the tip of the iceberg, it's when we let go of our thoughts, expectations, fears, desires, and all that other internal stuff, that our life truly becomes lighter.

This is the book I recommend to anyone struggling with a heavy heart or with a brain that just won't stop coming up with reasons for them to suffer.

CHECK IT OUT HERE

Something by you

This month, I invite you to notice something you’ve been holding on to for too long.

Notice how I used the words “for too long.” It’s not just something you’re holding on to, it’s something you’re slowly starting to realize might not be letting you live your best life. Don’t worry, you don’t have to let it go. All I want you to do is notice it. It can be a physical object, a person, a belief, a thought, an identity. Once you’ve found it, consider the following questions:

• How did this come into my life?
• What is making me hold onto it?
• How would my life be different without it?

Noticing and questioning what you’ve been holding on to might be enough to get the ball rolling for change. No need to force or judge anything, just observe and see what happens.

Refine updates: Behind the scenes

This month, I’ve taken a break from doing any extra projects. Creating the course was a blast, and creating the bonus module was also something I had been excited to add for a while. But as Refine is just a small part of my life, it has also felt good to take a breather.

🔲 When you want less– less stuff, less to do, less to think about– you end up with a greater appreciation for what is left. Both in terms of what is there, and what is not.

“What is there” are mainly things you choose to celebrate, like clothes you enjoy wearing, a space that looks and works beautifully, and tasks that will really make a difference in your life.

“What is not there” turns into pockets of calm in your home, calendar, and most importantly, brain. It’s only when we remove what isn’t serving us that we can fully appreciate the space and lightness of “nothing.”

Imagine carrying a heavy box, the moment you put it down, you become acutely aware of its absence, in a good way. This is what I mean by appreciating what is not there. This feeling is often fleeting but when you practice this appreciation for the lightness that comes from leaving space, it can change your life.

There’s something so joyous and luxurious about noticing and being intentional about leaving space. I don’t know about you, but a cabinet that was once a cabinet I ignored becomes a source of happiness once I’ve removed all excess from it. I guess this is why minimalism appeals so much to me, it allows me to enjoy the beauty of space.

This month’s newsletter is centered around beauty and space:

• Ma: the Japanese concept of negative space
• The importance of beauty
• Celebrating negative space  

Something by me

In Japanese culture, "Ma'' is the space between elements. It illustrates how negative space creates balance within the whole. Without it, there is no rhythm or harmony. It's about appreciating the silence between sounds, the empty space in a room, or the pause in a conversation.

This idea invites us to find beauty and purpose in emptiness, understanding that space allows for growth, reflection, and peace. "Ma" is deeply rooted in various aspects of Japanese culture, from architecture and interior design to music and traditional arts like tea ceremonies and flower arranging.

READ MORE

Something by someone else

Title: Do Design | Why beauty is key to everything - Alan Moore 

Description: “So much passes us by, unnoticed. We multi-task, switch between screens, work faster. When was the last time you paused to consider a beautifully-made object or stunning natural landscape? Yet this is when our spirits lift and our soul is restored.

Designer Alan Moore invites us to rethink not only what we produce – whether it’s a website, a handmade chair, or a business – but how and why. With examples from Apple, Yeo Valley and Blitz Motorcycles, we are encouraged to ask: is it useful and considered. Is it a thing of beauty?”

Why I like it: You’ve probably seen these “Do” books in gift shops, they are small books, each centered around a single topic, meant to motivate or inspire. This one caught my eye because I’m a designer but as I leafed through it, I realized it eloquently describes something I’ve been trying to put into words for a long time: the importance of beauty. 

I love it when things work well and “do the job,” but things have to look good too. To me, form and function matter equally, which might be a divisive thing to say in a world where caring about aesthetics is considered superficial. This little book backs me up though, that’s why I like it. If you ever see it in a gift shop, take a moment to leaf through it and you’ll re-appreciate the beauty of both the natural and designed world. 

CHECK IT OUT HERE

Something by you

This month, I invite you to intentionally enjoy beauty through space. 

It can be anything from making music and focusing on the silence between sounds, to cooking a meal and pausing between bites to notice the tapering off of flavors and the growing anticipation for the next bite, to leaving equal amounts of space between each hanger in your wardrobe, or even decluttering a storage bin and celebrating the lightness that radiates from the space available inside. 

It doesn’t have to make sense to anyone but you, just enjoy what is not there.

Refine updates: Behind the scenes

Remember how last month I was playing with the idea of adding a module on “unplugging” to the course on digital organization? Well, it’s up! If you’ve already bought the course you might have noticed that it’s been added to the end of the course as a bonus module.

This new module teaches you my 5 step process for creating a healthier balance between you and social media. You can use it to quit social media completely, but it’s primarily meant to help you control how much time you spend online and how to control what you see if you do want to spend time online. 

LEARN MORE HERE

📱I have such a love-hate relationship with social media.

On the one hand, and I think you know where this is going, social media is toxic and addictive.

Addictive because there appears to be a payoff, which I’ll get into in a second. Toxic because anyone can say anything, whether it’s in a comment or as a video. The loudest opinions might not always be the truth or most commonly held, but it sure looks like it sometimes.

Social media has gotten us anxious and overstimulated. We waste so much time and money, glued to our phones, constantly being sold/told stuff that doesn’t do us any good.

On the other hand, I love how it has created opportunities for so many people to share their unique experiences and interests and find other people who relate (the payoff). 

Never in my wildest dreams could I have thought that there were other people out there who'd laugh at F1/Romantasy crossover memes. Or other people who love organizing and decluttering as much as I do.

I would have never expected that I’d find women 20-40 years older than me celebrating themselves and everything that has to do with aging in a way that made it something for me to look forward to, instead of fear.

Whenever I browse my socials, I find another reason to become a little more confident about my insecurities and fall deeper in love with my interests. This is why, until there’s some sort of alternative, I won’t completely cut social media out of my life.

This month’s content is centered around social media:

- Dealing with “Acute Social Media Overwhelm”

- Tech mindfulness

- Observing “pre-social media movies” through the lens of “this is life with social media”

Something by me

I had my first experience with doom scrolling during the pandemic –I think many of us did– and while I knew I wanted to be more intentional with social media, I also needed tools to handle that overwhelmed feeling I’d get immediately after scrolling just a little too long.

In this post, I talk about acute social media overwhelm and its impact. From clickbait headlines to constant fear-mongering, the content we consume can leave us feeling like the world is in constant crisis, we aren’t good enough, or all of the above. Let me share how I recognize the signs of acute social media overwhelm and what I do in those moments to re-center myself.

READ IT HERE

Something by someone else

Title: Forest Bathing - Spotify Playlist

Description: “Bathe in Ambient and nature sounds and reconnect to nature, with the Japanese practice of shinrin yoku.”

Why I like it: I love highly specific playlists. This one only features really calm ambient music overlaid with sounds you might hear in peaceful woodlands (think birds, creeks, rustling leaves). It’s said that bird song is really calming to humans because birds stop singing when there is danger, which means that when we do hear bird song we get this subconscious message that “all is well.” I’m pretty sure that people are still researching this, but I like the thought a lot. If you’re ever in a situation where you can’t go outside, this is a great alternative to get some of the benefits of nature.

CHECK IT OUT ON SPOTIFY

Something by you

In my blog post, one of my tips for dealing with acute social media overwhelm is to imagine a world in which social media doesn’t exist. For inspiration I’ve been loving movies that are set in high school before 2006-ish (the nostalgia!). 

I love watching things like Mean Girls, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Clueless, and noticing how time and presence are portrayed. My invitation for you this month is:

Watch a movie that portrays a relatively modern time (right before social media became widely adopted) and notice what feels different.

What do you think the people in the background are doing?

What are the side characters filling their time in with?

What “time-wasters” have been replaced by social media?

Refine updates: Behind the scenes

I’m playing with the idea of creating a bonus module around “unplugging” (finding a balanced way to be on social media) for the course on digital decluttering. What do you think?

Also, as a reminder: the introductory pricing for the course on digital decluttering and organization will expire on the 5th of this month (July), so don’t miss out on it if you’re planning on buying the course!

CHECK OUT THE COURSE HERE

Code: INTRO25

🎉 This newsletter is a little different from the usual format because I have three exciting things to share:

1: This email is the official launch of my course on digital organization!

It’s been a labor of love and I am so excited for you to get your hands on it! I think I speak for many of us when I say that digital organization and decluttering can be quite intimidating, and so I wanted to make something that helps you get your digital space under control without the overwhelm.

Introducing: Refine your Devices. In this course I take you through my steps to declutter, the strategies I use to organize, and the habits I have in place to manage the never ending flow of digital stuff. It’s comprehensive and designed to make this process as easy as possible. 

The course will retail for $179 but from now until July 5th you get 25% off using code INTRO25

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COURSE 

Reply to this email with any questions whatsoever, I want to make sure you make a well–informed purchase.

2: Luxury Minimalism + Slow Success 

This is a personal win: I’ve put into words my philosophy (or manifesto) for life. Externally and internally. Luxury Minimalism + Slow Success.

I’ve touched on these themes before, but putting them in writing has given me a new sense of motivation and a clear sense of direction for the future of Refine.

Read the two-part manifesto below:

WHAT IS LUXURY MINIMALISM? 

WHAT IS SLOW SUCCESS? 

3: Private 1:1 work 

I’ve learned that some of you might want to go deeper and so, I’m opening up a private coaching container in which I can support you one-on-one in crafting your calm, confident, and abundant dream life.

Together we’ll work through areas of overwhelm and find out what we can streamline (externally and/or internally) to get you unstuck and living your best life. 

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT 1:1 WORK

🫧 I had an interesting moment this week. 

I have so many ideas for things I want to talk about here on Refine. Things like decluttering, slow productivity, self-care, healing, luxury, and organization to name a few, all through the lens of simplification. 

The thing is, there’s so much I want to say, that for a moment, I didn’t know where to start. The irony of being someone whose passion is simplification, having so much stuff to share about it, and not knowing where to start, is not lost on me. It actually gave me a little impostor syndrome. 

It took me a moment, but then I remembered how to get past a block like this. Whenever I get to a point where there is some sort of overwhelm, whether that’s information, choices, stuff, you name it, my first step is always to hit pause and get to the root. What is really important here?

I want what I share with you, and anyone who joins our adventure in the future, to really be valuable. I really want to help you build your best, most abundant life, through simplification. 

I realized that my current content is missing those more foundational pieces. In the time I’ve focussed on simplification, certain questions have come up over and over again. Questions like: 

• How do I get rid of sentimental items?
• How do I get my household on board?
• What do I do with collections?
• How many items should I have?

Most of these questions are from people only just dipping their toes into the world of practical simplification and I’m also very aware that these questions have been answered by many other “simplification experts.” As I build out my brand though, I think it’s important for me not to ignore these fundamental pieces of knowledge. 

So, I’ve been having a great time gathering my learnings for, what I am currently calling, “Simplification Foundations” posts. A series of posts covering those most frequently asked questions. My hope is that they are not only helpful to people just starting their journey into simplifying and curating their dream life, but also remind those who’ve been at it for a little longer, how far they’ve come! 

So to get us all started:

Something by me

One of the most asked questions when it comes to simplifying our belongings is:

How do I get my household or family on board with decluttering?

When you’re motivated and inspired to declutter and simplify your life, it can be incredibly frustrating when you live with people who aren’t on board with the concept. Decluttering your home can feel like a huge task, especially if you're the only one in your household with the drive to do so. You’re already convinced of the benefits of decluttering—from a cleaner living space to reduced stress—but how can you achieve this when your family or roommates resist the change? Let me share how to proceed. 

READ THE REST HERE

Something by someone else

Speaking of other people’s stuff:

Title: ‘The Comfort of Things’ by Daniel Miller

What it’s about: “An ethnographic study of an ordinary street in London and looks into thirty households. It reveals the aspirations and frustrations, the tragedies and accomplishments that are played out behind the doors. It focuses on the things that matter to these people, which quite often turn out to be material things – their house, the dog, their music, the Christmas decorations. It reveals the forms by which ordinary people make sense of their lives, and the ways in which objects become our companions in the daily struggle to make life meaningful.”

Why I like it: In academia Daniel Miller is the material culture guy (material culture is a fancy way of saying "stuff"). His life's work is studying people and their stuff and it is fascinating. If you’re ever in the mood for getting real academic about humans’ shopping, browsing, and owning habits, his work is the number one place to start. I never thought I would fangirl over an anthropologist/ethnographer but here we are. Back to the book. When I was doing my dissertation I read a bunch of his work, but the Comfort of Things has left a lasting impression. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been interested to see how other people live, not to judge, but to learn about my own blind spots. To learn what I don’t know. This book has given me that opportunity. To look behind closed doors. And even though it's a study, which can be quite dry, there's something really raw and emotional to it. While it’s not exactly a page turner, it's made me appreciate the complexity of being alive in modern day society and how our stuff fits into that picture.

Check it out here: https://www.wiley.com/en-us/The+Comfort+of+Things-p-9780745655369

Something by you

Going back to the introduction of this email, I’m really curious to hear: 

What are the questions about simplification you’d like to see me answer? 

I’d love to hear any questions you come across often on the internet, but I’m open to all questions of course! You can directly reply to this email.

Refine updates: Behind the scenes

I’ve already shared that I’ve been thinking a lot about the type of content I want to share. On top of that, I’ve hit some big milestones while creating the course on digital organization. It’s really almost ready to officially launch! 

In the meantime, if you’re planning on joining, I’d love to invite you to start preparing by choosing where you’d like to create your backups if you haven’t already (I recommend either Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive). 

Just like always I will be announcing any and all launches in this newsletter, so no further action is required on your end!

✨ It’s April 1st! Don’t worry, I’m not going to spring some cruel joke on you. My brand is about reducing overwhelm and helping you elevate your life, so that’s what we are going to focus on!

Last month, I wrote about the changing of the seasons being my favorite time to clean and declutter to get my space feeling energetically supportive of what I want out of life.

But cleaning and decluttering are not the only things I do to make my space (and wardrobe, for that matter) support my life’s vision. Intentionally creating an experience you do want is just as important as removing the things that are blocking you from it.

This is why, when the seasons change, I reassess my experience within a space and figure out what might need to be added or changed.

In order to live the life you envisioned for yourself, it’s important to create an environment in which you thrive. My favorite way to create that environment (besides decluttering) is by engaging the senses for a more embodied experience.

At the beginning of each season, I review the sight, touch, sound, scent, and taste experiences within my space (I’ll go into more depth about this concept in this month’s blog).

This season, I did the following:

• Sight: Added fresh daffodils for life and color
• Touch: Finally fixed a loose door handle
• Sound: Created my spring playlist
• Scent: Switched up my incense (Aesop’s Kagerou Incense)
• Taste: Settled on a new herbal tea for winding down in the evening (Bird and Blend’s Deckchair Dreaming)

For this month’s newsletter, let’s get even more into the senses!

Something by me

I already hinted at this in the intro but designing for the senses is so important when creating your space. In the age of Instagram and Pinterest it is so easy to get swept away by pretty visuals that we unwittingly end up creating spaces that could be deeply uncomfortable to live in. 

I’ve talked about organization and decluttering, but that’s really the foundation for creating a space that’s aligned with how you want to experience it. Our spaces aren’t just about what can be seen or photographed; it’s about how we are in them. I love reflecting on what makes luxury spaces so, well, luxurious. This post walks you through one of my observations: luxury engages all the senses.  

READ IT HERE

Something by someone else

If you've spent any time on Instagram you might have already come across her, but I had to share because a lot of her philosophy seems so in line with my own.

Title: Madame Sweat

What it’s about: Madam Sweat covers tips and tactics for body hygiene and more. She answers questions people are too afraid to ask and gives practical tips.

Why I like it: Most of her advice focuses on simple routines and simple products, things you already have at home. While she will promote Kaia Naturals products in her posts (she’s their product developer so that makes sense). I love how she explains why a lot of our most common hygiene problems happen. This is totally up my alley because I am a firm believer in tackling the root cause of problems rather than buying things to cover up symptoms (not just for hygiene and grooming, but also in terms of mindset and achieving goals).

Check it out here: https://www.instagram.com/madamesweat

Something by you

Now it’s time for action.

Your challenge this month: Curate for the senses

Intentionally design the experience you have in your space using sight, touch, sound, scent, and taste.

Think about how that experience can support your vision for your life. Do you want to feel relaxed? Do you want to feel successful? How about confident?

Lean into how that version of you would curate their space according to the senses. Have fun with it. Window shop if necessary. Let me know what exciting immersive experiences you come up with! 

Refine updates: Behind the scenes

It’s been full steam ahead in course creation mode. The end is in sight, but once again, it’s really been heads down these past couple of weeks. Just like always I will be announcing any and all launches in this newsletter, so no further action is required on your end!

🌸 March 20th is the official start of spring in the northern hemisphere!

Okay, I admit I’m a little early, and maybe talking about the change of seasons could have waited until the April edition, but nothing excites me more than refreshing my space in alignment with the seasons. 

So whether you’re going into autumn or spring, or the rainy/dry season, let’s talk about the seasonal refresh!

Like I said, I love refreshing my space in alignment with the seasons. Especially over the past decade or so, my use of technology has made me feel an increased need to look to nature and my intuition to live more fully. 

When I do my seasonal refresh I feel this “unblocking” of stagnant energy in my home and mind. I believe everything carries energy that affects us in ways we don’t even realize. Physical objects, spaces, people, thoughts, sounds, and so much more all have energy to them. 

The most obvious way we can tell the energy of something is by how it makes us feel. Have you ever walked into a room and instantly felt at peace? Maybe you met someone and instantly felt a connection. This works the other way around too, with places, people, or things, making you feel stressed or on edge.

I think that’s another reason minimalism appeals to me: it has given me the tools to be more intentional about what I let into my life, and so, more control over the energy around me. 

The energy that comes with the changing of the seasons motivates me to step back and reassess how I want my space to be. My spring clean has me going through my space cleaning and decluttering, room by room, storage solution by storage solution.

This is where I get a little esoteric, in a very KonMari way: I hold everything in my hands, not so much to see whether it “sparks joy” but to remove that stagnant energy. I don’t really know how to describe this, but it’s like how you have to drive a car every so often to make sure the battery doesn’t die. In a weird way, it’s like you’re acknowledging that the object exists. 

To feel what I’m talking about, find something in your space that you haven’t moved in a long time, pick it up, maybe even wipe the surface underneath it, and put it back. How does the energy of the object feel now?  

Okay, that was a little detour, let’s get back to the seasonal refresh and the things I’ll be sharing in this month’s newsletter:

• The difference between hidden and displayed storage, and how to use it to your advantage. 

• How to really tap into the energy of your space using feng shui

• Get your own seasonal refresh going

Let’s get into it!

Something by me 

How we store our stuff has an effect on how we experience our space. It might be obvious once I point it out, but that doesn’t mean people don’t struggle with it. All of the places we store things fall into two categories:

1. Hidden (or closed)

2. Displayed (or open) 

Once you start intentionally working with the powers and weaknesses of both these types of storage, you instantly change the feeling of your space. This post goes hand in hand with an earlier post on Active, Passive, and Archive storage, which dives into accessibility of our stuff. 

I hope you have as much fun identifying how you are using hidden and displayed storage as I had writing about it!

READ IT HERE

Something by someone else

You know how I was just talking about the energy of a space? Feng shui is the ancient traditional Chinese practice that “uses energy forces to harmonize individuals with their surrounding environment.” I use feng shui wisdoms in all of my interior and exterior design work, and I want you to learn about its magic too:

Title: Feng Shui Modern by Cliff Tan 

What it’s about: In Feng Shui Modern, Cliff explains the concepts of feng shui and then uses expert tips and practical diagrams to show - room by room - how our own styles, color palettes and furniture can be used to maximize any environment.

Why I like it: I love how Cliff makes feng shui accessible and understandable. I’ve been interested in feng shui since I first came across the concept when I was 16 or so, and the one thing I always found funny was that people made it sound so mysterious, when in reality, it’s really logical.

For example: in “mysterious feng shui” putting your stove and sink directly across from each other causes the fire and water elements to clash resulting in marital problems. In reality, these are two workspaces in a kitchen, so if both are being used at the same time chances are you bump into each other (especially in narrow kitchens), which leads to agitation. It comes down to the same thing, but the second one is easier to understand.

Cliff lifts the veil on this mystery and shows how practical feng shui really is.

My favorite quote: “Creating beautiful space is about methodical awareness of the environment and establishing balance so that the space not only looks nice, but feels right, too.”

Buy it here: https://www.dearmodern.com/the-book

Something by you

Now it’s time for action.

Your challenge this month is to join me in a seasonal refresher:

1. Find someplace in your space where the energy feels off-balance. This can either be an entire room or simply a corner or zone.

2. Identify whether the energy is stagnant or chaotic. Usually stagnant areas are dusty, and chaotic areas are cluttered. This is more to help you become aware of the energy in your space because:

3. Both stagnant and chaotic energy have the same solution: clean and declutter. 

4. Remove everything from the area and do a good deep clean first.

5. Take a moment to declutter what was in the area.

6. Using the guidelines on hidden and displayed storage, put the stuff back with intention.

7. Sit back and enjoy your refreshed space.

I’m so excited because once I’m done removing what no longer serves me in my space, I can intentionally start adding in what does. Spoiler alert: I do so by using the senses to elevate the experience of my space, but that’s for next month because it’s an email just as long as this one!

Refine updates: Behind the scenes

This course on digital decluttering is really starting to take shape! I’ve finished the scripts for the complete course and I’m now filming and editing.

I sent the module on decluttering and managing email to a friend to test it out and they were able to get their inbox from 32k emails to 0 in a couple of sessions over three days! I have to say, that felt pretty validating.

That’s all I’ve got, it’s really been heads down these past couple of weeks. Just like always I will be announcing any and all launches in this newsletter, so no further action is required on your end!

💎 I love luxury 

I struggled to write that. Luxury can be such a contentious topic in a world so filled with inequality and oppression. I want to be real though, and that means talking about one of the primary drivers in my quest for simplicity: luxury.

Merriam-Webster defines luxury as: “a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort.” And Google: “a state of great comfort or elegance, especially when involving great expense.” I could do without the “great expense” part, but to be honest, these two definitions are pretty aligned with what I want out of life.

Simplifying my life has always been in pursuit of great ease and comfort and that feeling of abundance.

When my home isn’t cluttered, it feels at its most abundant. When my wardrobe is filled with fewer but better items: abundance. When my calendar is clear and I can call up a friend for a coffee: a-bun-dance! 

I’m not going to pretend I only care for "little luxuries." My quest for great ease and comfort has also been at cost. The key to simplification is knowing where to invest your money so you get the most out of it.

Hiring someone to clean my home for me has added great ease to my life. Getting lounge access at the airport has been a way to add comfort in a situation that wrecks my nerves. Going in for monthly laser treatments for my rosacea has boosted my confidence and simplified my morning routine.

Simplifying my life has included spending money on things that make my life easier and more comfortable. So, in this month’s newsletter I want to share some slightly more money oriented topics:

• Investing in timeless pieces for a forever capsule wardrobe
• Healing how you feel about money
• Brainstorming luxury in your own life  

If you struggle with the term luxury, if you feel like you somehow have to reject it because of your quest for simplification, I hope what I share this month helps you accept the comfort, ease, and abundance I truly believe you deserve.

Something by me 

Ever since I started my simplification journey in my early twenties I’ve had this dream of having a wardrobe that completely fits into one or two suitcases but consists of only the highest quality pieces. I’m slowly curating pieces that I intend to keep, love, and use for a long time. This means quality over quantity. 

My ultimate goal is to open my closet and think: done. I’ve written a post in which I share my process for deciding what timeless pieces to invest in as I build my “forever capsule wardrobe.” You’ll read about what I’ve learned when it comes to:

• Knowing you’re ready for a “forever capsule wardrobe”

• What people get wrong about the term “timeless”

• Knowing what you should invest in

• What to avoid and keep in mind when buying things to keep for a long time

READ IT HERE

Something by someone else

To invest in quality things, it’s useful to have money. It’s also useful to heal how you feel about money, so you can earn, and subsequently wield your money in ways that go beyond making your own life better. This is where this month’s book recommendation comes in:

Title: We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power by Rachel Rodgers 

What it’s about: We Should All Be Millionaires details a realistic, achievable, step-by-step path to creating the support, confidence, and plan you need to own your success and become the millionaire the world needs you to be.

Why I like it: Part personal finances, part personal development, and part activism: this book has helped me understand that sharing my skills with the world and being paid fairly for it is allowed. Not only that, it’s a winning outcome for everyone. I now know that when I am fairly compensated, my generosity and desire to make the world a better place grows. This book has empowered me to look at money not as something sinful, but as a tool for creating the world I want to see.

My favorite quote: “Bottom line: When women earn more, all society benefits immensely. The research proves it. I’ve seen it and felt it. I’m sure you have, too. Instead of just admiring women who earn millions and change the world, become one.”

Find it here: https://helloseven.co/the-book/

Something by you

Let’s go back to luxury. Luxury is very personal. What feels luxurious to one person might be completely uncomfortable to someone else. In this month’s prompt I invite you to join me in exploring what luxury looks like for you and how, regardless of your current financial situation, you can already invite more luxury into your life. 

Find somewhere with no distractions, and reflect on the following, write them down if you can:

1. If money were no object: What would you do with your time? What kind of things would you want? What would you pay other people to do for you? What would you give to the people around you? List as many answers as you want.

2. Go through your answers and find out what’s really behind each one. Ask yourself “why did I give this answer? What does this say about my and my desires/needs?”

3. Based on this reflection: Did any patterns emerge? Luxury often speaks to basic human needs: comfort, safety, acceptance, peace, and much more.

4. Going back to your current reality, look at the patterns from the previous question: are there any small changes or shifts you can make to your life now to give you that feeling of luxury?
   (perhaps decluttering an area of your home, making some time for yourself, replacing/fixing something that’s broken, or spending time with someone important to you)

I’m always reviewing my (day)dreams. They teach me about what I truly need from life, and make it easier for me to know where to invest my money and time, so I can live simply and luxuriously. With great ease, comfort, and a feeling of abundance.

Refine updates: Behind the scenes

Last month I was still on the fence about whether I should continue making standalone digital organization workshops, or whether I should make one more complete offer. I’m excited to announce that I am in full script writing mode for the complete course. 

I’ve got the complete framework for how to best tackle all your digital clutter, and in what order, ready to go. It’s been so much fun writing these scripts but I want to make sure I don’t miss anything important: I’d love to hear what kind of things you struggle with when it comes to digital decluttering and organization. Topics I’m including in the first version: files and folders, passwords, email, bookmarks, notes, calendars, general device decluttering. 

I’m curious to hear your questions about digital decluttering or even the course itself. You can reply to this email and I’ll do my best to answer any and all your questions. I will be announcing any and all launches in this newsletter, so no further action is required on your end!

💫 Happy New Year! 

You are reading the first official monthly Refine newsletter.

I’m still playing around with the format, but as it stands, each month’s email will be made up of the following things to help you simplify, organize, be inspired and/or level up in life:

Something by me: This is where I share something I’ve written or made. I’m slowly getting back into blogging because sharing my thoughts and systems for simplifying and organizing life is something that brings me a lot of joy, and I’ve found that the Instagram/Facebook format isn’t the ideal way to get my point across.

Something by someone else: This is where I share something I’ve seen or read that has helped me change my perspective, thoughts, or actions in life. These can be topics related to money, health, minimalism, fashion, travel, or anything else I’m interested in. What I share should leave you inspired with a clear path forward.

Something by you: This is where I share something for you to do. Something like a prompt or a challenge. See it as something we do together as we curate our simple but luxurious lives.

In addition to those three major parts of this newsletter, I’ll also let you know about any new stuff I’m working on so you never miss out on updates.

With that out of the way, let’s get into the stuff I’d like to share! 

1. Something by me 

I love being organized. Along with having less stuff, being organized helps me reduce overwhelm in my life. I don’t want to constantly be organizing though, so I love thinking about how to stay organized with as little effort as possible.

To me, one of the most foundational parts of organizing (digitally and physically) is understanding how, when, and where people use their stuff. Organization is about how the people in a space use the things in it, rather than where things are “supposed to be.” When you put stuff in places based on how often it needs to be accessed, you change your organization game.

I think a lot of professional organizers know this instinctively and they sort of allude to it when they talk about organization, but I wanted to take some time to delve deeper into this concept. Hopefully walking you through these thoughts can help you get organized more long-term. 

I’ve written the first in a series of blog posts about how to store things in a way that you can: 

a) enjoy and use your what you have to its full extent, and

b) keep your spaces as clutter free as possible.

This first post is about “active, passive, and archive storage” or “storing things based on frequency of use.”

READ IT HERE

2. Something by someone else

It’s the beginning of January, and whether you make New Year’s resolutions or not, thoughts around the food you consume or have consumed, have probably come up. So my first recommendation of the year is a book about what we eat:

Title: Ultra-Processed People: Why Do We All Eat Stuff That Isn’t Food … and Why Can’t We Stop? by Chris van Tulleken

What it’s about: This book walks you through the history and science behind a lot of the ultra-processed food we eat today and what it does to our bodies and the world.

Why I like it: Food and our bodies are incredibly sensitive subjects. Van Tulleken is able to navigate these subjects without body shaming or finger wagging. It’s scientific but not dry or difficult. While I consider myself reasonably well-educated when it comes to ultra-processed foods, this was still extremely eye-opening. It’s helped me simplify how I think about food and shop for food. 

BUY IT HERE

3. Something by you

The start of the new year always has a whiplash effect on me.Suddenly, after a period of intensity, rushing, planning, gathering, and busy-ness, there’s this stillness paradoxically paired with this “let’s get started” energy, which is very disorienting. 

Many of us experience a holiday break that doesn’t really end up being a break. I, for one, have historically needed a break after December, rather than “starting afresh with full motivation!”  

So I’d like to invite you to join me, in these first one or two weeks of the new year, and take a moment to check in with yourself, gather your thoughts, catch your breath, and look inside to see what you need right now.

Find some time alone, somewhere quiet, and reflect on the following two questions:

1. What is most important to me right now?

2. What can I let go of to make space for that? 

I want you to know that you don’t need to come to any big revelations, this is simply an exercise in reclaiming your focus. The world has so much noise and distractions that, in my opinion, the most powerful thing we can do is take a step back to get some clarity. 

Refine updates: Behind the scenes

I am currently deciding whether to continue making and releasing standalone workshops for all facets of digital organization or whether I should dig down and make a full course on the subject in one go. At the moment I’m leaning towards developing the full course, more clarity to come in next month’s newsletter.