Does the sight of a handwritten envelope in your mailbox make you smile? One of my 2025 goals is to deliver more smiles! Along with handwritten notes, this week’s edition of The Sunday Spark looks at sustainable universities, the strange practice of Christmas tree flocking, and the final week of the 52-week decluttering challenge.
Looking back on a year of decluttering
Last weekend, I finished a marathon year of decluttering as I completed the final task in the 52-Week Decluttering Challenge. And what a year it was! Today, I look back on what I learned and accomplished during the year—including my final decluttering tally. And if you’re ready for your own decluttering challenge, my five easy steps will help you get started.
Christmas memories – A poem about what matters
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones! With the preparations out of the way, it’s time to make some new Christmas memories. Today’s post features a Christmas poem about a mismatched Christmas tree. It’s a reminder that we can find joy even when things aren’t perfect.
Thinking about retiring? Join my free webinar!
As I shared previously, I recently launched a retirement coaching business to help people plan for the non-financial side of retirement. Retirement ranks in the top 10 of most stressful life events, yet many people give very little thought to the emotional and practical side of this phase of life. If you’re newly retired, or […]
The Sunday Spark – An extra helping of holiday joy
With just three days to go until Christmas, family gatherings and last-minute preparations are in full swing. In between the hustle and bustle, take some time to pause and savour the simple pleasures of the season. Today, I’m serving up an extra helping of holiday joy.
Decluttering challenge – Week 49 – Christmas decorations
This is it! We’ve reached the final week of the 52-Week Decluttering Challenge. This week, we’re wrapping up the last item on our checklist by decluttering Christmas decorations and other holiday items.
Decluttering challenge – Week 48 – Toys & games
Christmas is coming and children are counting the sleeps until Santa’s arrival. This is the best time of year for decluttering toys and games. You will free up some space for any new items you receive at Christmas. And it’s an excellent time to donate toys to charity shops, or try to sell them, as parents may be looking for bargains.
25 years after Y2K – How are we doing?
In recent weeks, I’ve been thinking back to December 1999 a lot. A quarter of a century after we welcomed the 2000s, I thought it would be interesting to look back at how my world, and the world in general, has changed in the 25 years since Y2K threatened to rain on our new year’s parade.
The Sunday Spark – More simple holiday joys
Earlier this month, I promised to fill my Sunday posts with joy! I’m delivering on that promise again in The Sunday Spark with more simple holiday joys. Plus: balance as an indicator of healthy aging, solar chimneys, extra senses beyond the five you already know, and doubling down on decluttering.
Decluttering challenge – Week 47 – Collectibles
Are you a collector? Do you have a prized collection of Barbie dolls, music memorabilia, coins, or baseball cards?
As we reach the final weeks of the 52-Week Decluttering Challenge, we still have a few tasks to wrap up. This week, we tackle a particularly challenging area for some. It’s time to think about decluttering collectibles and consider if we need to let go.