I remember searching for downsizing tips before we moved to a small home. I was completely overwhelmed with decluttering and the idea that I was somehow demeaning myself because I was moving to a smaller space - crazy, right? Well, maybe not. If you have considered downsizing your home the idea of getting rid of most of your clutter and prioritising what is important to you can be overwhelming. In fact, it can put you off the idea completely. But it doesn’t have to be so hard. 8 Continue Reading...

Four years ago, my husband and I were living in a large home with loads of stuff all around us. We had a toddler, a low income and a large mortgage payment (relative to the income, anyways). Our house was damaged in an earthquake and we were unable to renovate it until we had a clear idea of what our insurance company intended to do with our home. There was a high chance they would demolish it, in which case any money spent on renovations or improvements would be money down the drain. So Continue Reading...

If you're stuck in a decluttering rut, it can sometimes feel like the easiest option is to just do nothing. Live with your clutter. Shuffle it into a semblance of organization and call it a day.  Which is fine if that gives you peace. But what do you do if your clutter is making you miserable? How do you take action when it all seems too hard? In early 2017, my husband and I packed up our kids and took off on a round-the-world trip. For four months we lived out of a large suitcase which Continue Reading...

Do you struggle with decluttering? If so, you’re in good company (). I hated decluttering. I love my stuff! But I realized that my stuff was literally costing me money after paying nearly $4000 to store it while I travelled around the world with my family. My husband and I decided to downsize to an 860 sq ft duplex after we returned from our travels. We reasoned that we’d lived well in cruise ship cabins, hotel rooms and small European apartments, so we didn’t need a whole lot of space Continue Reading...

Decluttering tips are everywhere! I'm obsessed with reading about decluttering and ideas for clearing the clutter once and for all. But you know what? Sometimes I'm guilty of reading about decluttering instead of actually doing the decluttering. Although I wish I could just sit down one day and declutter my house in one go, the reality of living in a small home with kids is that I work in fits and bursts. I'm also a big fan of quick wins, so finding things to get rid of as I'm doing my Continue Reading...

When it comes to clutter, paper can throw even the most organized person into a tailspin. All it takes is a few unopened bills and three days worth of kids art projects found stuffed in the bottom of a backpack and you're in paper hell. Now don't get me wrong. I actually love paper. I love writing lists, I still have an actual paper diary and my notebook is my happy place. I’m totally against digitising everything. But some paper, I really don’t enjoy. Hello, bills. Since we’ve downsized Continue Reading...

If you have kids you know that in a short time your child's toy box can be overflowing with toys. Some toys get played with once or twice and just sit and collect dust on the shelf. Giving non-toy gifts is a great way to minimize the toys and perhaps inspire a new hobby or interest in your child.  Non-toy gift ideas don't have to be boring. Many of the options below will be highly enjoyable for your child! Perhaps even more so than a single-purpose toy. Just skim through the list and see what Continue Reading...

The zero waste movement is gaining momentum. And rightfully, so. Our planet is in trouble, and with major world leaders pulling out of climate accords, it's easy to feel helpless. Fear not, you can make a difference. After reading , I was inspired to reduce waste in my home. I would love to be completely zero waste, but I realize that will take time to get there, so for now, I'm reducing what I can. It starts with becoming more intentional. By thinking consciously about what you need to Continue Reading...