But wait... there's less!

This week I'm starting a short-course from Yale University. The topic is The Science of Well-being . A big reason this blog started is for my own discovery about what does (and doesn't) bring meaning and joy to our lives. So I'm joining 338,000 other students to learn more from Yale's Professor Laurie Santos. The professor will reveal "misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change". The course also promises we will "engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits". Does it cost? I'll be doing the free version of the course. I'm not interested in the certificate, just in learning. It's 100% online with videos and readings each week for 10 weeks. The course includes misconceptions about happiness, what really makes us happy, and strategies we can use to improve our actions and happi...

Selling this couch reminded me of another benefit of selling. My ebook is called Less Clutter More Cash , but sometimes there's also a more heart-warming aspect. This couch was given to my friend. He no longer needs it and was thinking of dumping it. As you might imagine I stepped in, suggesting he sell it online. Apart from making some cash and avoiding landfill, the buyer will does the transporting. (That's reason 4 of my 4 Reasons to Sell Unwanted Items .) As it turned out, I listed it for him. After all, I've got a bit of experience at it now, having sold 370+ items of ours. How did it go? Within hours we had a number of people asking about it - and someone picked it up the next day. I met my friend shortly after and he was very happy about the experience. The pick-up was quick and easy but mostly he was pleased about the family it went to. He reckons they were not very well off at all. They also had at least five kids - so lots of need for seating. And they ...

Have you seen these shows? People are shown three tiny houses and they choose one to buy. Here in Australia, double episodes of Tiny House Hunters currently screen on 9Life; Tuesday at 8.30pm, Saturday at 5.30pm or streamed online . Some things happen so often on these shows that we've made a Tiny House Hunting bingo game. ( Download the pdf version ) Here's the bingo sheet, with explanations below. Play along next time you're watching. See if you can get three in a row. Composting Toilet These are a common feature in tiny houses, particularly houses on wheels that are going to be moving a lot. Some people love them; some are freaked out. Mark this square if someone is passionate about the matter. Accommodating Pets Even in tiny homes, it feels like having pets is as common as having kids. I've seen an under-couch run area for guinea pigs, a cat walk for kittens to traverse from one loft to the other, and special built-in areas for dogs to sleep and eat. M...

Going through all your books can be a daunting task. My system helps me get the situation under control, prevent overwhelm and get on with what I love. Reading. Fake decluttering A bookcase can be a magnet for clutter. I know mine was. After relocating knick-knacks, it's time to organise the books. I arrange mine in height order so they form a gentle slope. Clearly this doesn't clear out any books, but it's fairly quick and already it's looking and feeling a lot less cluttered. That's a psychological win - a feeling of momentum. Like I'm half way there in not much time at all. A good way to defeat the feeling of overwhelm. Even at this stage a visiting relative complimented me on how organised we were. If only she knew how easy that step was. :) Pick out the definites Generally there'll be a few "keepers"; precious gems that you have to hang on to. Separate them. Some books you can already say goodbye to. Separate them too. I put eac...