There is an assumption that if you experience the feeling of missing, something went wrong, that a mistake was made, or that things should be different.

Ever since I saw the first cha-ching! of interest accrue in my savings account, I've loved investments. I've continued to learn the benefits of delayed gratification as I've focused on project planning, creating day-to-day systems, and squirreling away money

With the growing popularity of gratitude practices and gratitude journals, people are stepping outside of their hectic mindsets and daily challenges to recognize just how fortunate they are.

“Just let go.” A simple phrase that belies it’s complexity. We hear it from others, and ourselves, when getting caught up in an interpersonal drama or when we feel resentful. “You just have to let it go,” is a plea with the intention of solving everything in one fell swoop.

The start and stop. The optimism quickly met with reality. The ease of purchasing versus following through. A mess of “I’ll get to it later.” These are the projects we begin, or think we’ll begin, that result in more stuff, weight of disappointment, mental clutter, untidyness, and a general feeling of overwhelm.

I’ve been working with a septuagenarian client who’s focused on some serious downsizing. To create ease for her children and grandchildren, she solidified her will and let go of countless bags of stuff, keeping only what she needs and enriches her life.

Nobody wants to be thought of as superficial; a person more about appearance and less about substance. But when it comes to our stuff and our homes, superficial-related issues often arise unknowingly.

I’m going to talk to you about a very unsexy topic: continuous care (aka prevention and maintenance). Wait, don’t go! The thing is, most people run around “putting out fires” and buying new things to solve their problems (or the symptoms of their problems).

One of my bikes was stolen. I am truly disheartened. But as I deal with the logistics and emotions of the situation, I want to offer something constructive.

Do you ever feel lonely? When you feel lonely, are you isolated, around a thin stream of strangers, or immersed deeply in a group of loved ones?

It all begins with a yes. Or it might be a “not no.” It’s when we accept a circumstance or an item without considering it’s consequences.

It’s fun show up to a car dealership and take a test drive. While an obvious ploy to get you to fall in love with the car and purchase it on the spot, there’s a practical side to it.

There’s an important lesson prominent in many eastern philosophies like Buddhism: you are not your thoughts. Easy to say and, well, think, but hard to put into practice.

I passed by a sign that said, “JOMO” (aka Joy of Missing Out). It was a play off the FOMO (aka Fear of Missing Out) phenomenon that has permeated our culture.

Fear of regret is a barrier to entry when trying to live a mindful and intentional life. During downsizing and organizing projects, hypothetical what-if scenarios create an obstacle between practical reflection and movement forward.

After almost five years writing this blog, my seemingly most popular post … included my suggestion to not own couches and nightstands. Most people haven’t questioned these items and were baffled by the idea of rejecting them from their homes.

Have you heard of planned obsolescence? It’s when a product is planned or designed with an artificially useful life. In this way, it becomes obsolete either from a purely superficial standpoint or from a functional one.

It feels exhilarating to organize your closet and donate six bags of clothing, shoes, and accessories. After that big moment, your day-to-day will be improved: you’ll find items more easily with less stuff to rummage through, deciding what to wear will take less time, you’ll feel more peaceful each moment you peer into your closet, and you’ll get that tax deduction.

The last time I wrote about my brother, I reflected upon a handmade gift he gave me decades ago, and many of his most special qualities. Though close, we certainly have different lifestyles and different relationships to purchasing and keeping stuff.

Possible post-breakup thoughts: Where did I go wrong? I know it’s the right thing to do, but I miss them! or I can’t believe we stayed together this long! After a bit of time passes, you may think: Was it really that bad?