Listbean? What the heck is that?

Listbean is a site that is completely free and packed with value adding pre-populated checklists.

Now, before you roll your eyes and say “oh great another checklist site” let me share with you how Listbean is different and how it will be *the* checklist source online.

Benefits of Listbean:

• Checklists are great but it’s sometimes tough to know where to start. Well, we’ve done the hard part of pulling the lists together. You can use the lists as is or as inspiration to create your own personalized checklists.
• It’s annoying to have to rewrite checklists you use frequently. With Listbean you don’t have to do that. When you create an account,  you can customize any of the lists you see on the site, save them and come back time and time again. Awesome.
• Be more efficient, effective and deliberate in everything you do. With checklists addressing a lot of what you need right at your finger tips you can just get on with what needs to get done. A little work up front can save you several minutes several times a month or year.
• Don’t find what you’re looking for? Create your own. There are two ways to create your lists from scratch and have them appear on Listbean. 1) Submit a suggestion via the Feedback form using the Feedback tab at the top left of each page. 2) Add it yourself. Once you’ve customized a list on Listbean you are given the option to add your own list from scratch to save in your lists. Easy right?
• Listbean has a very simple design. It was custom designed to be simple, sleek and easy to use. Give it a try and if you have any suggestions or feedback please submit it using the feedback form via the feedback tab at the top left of each page.

That’s it really, it’s pretty simple and straight forward. I invite you all to check it out and I hope it becomes a valuable resource for you.

Decluttering – How To Get Started

There was one question I received last week that fits in perfectly with the launch of Listbean today. Julie asked:

“Any advice on decluttering? I really want to declutter and then I look at the all the stuff and become overwhelmed and frozen.”

First of all let me reassure you Julie that you are not alone! I’ve been there, I still get there from time to time. Here are some things that help to thaw me out and just get started.

1. Begin with the end in mind. Before you jump right in have a clear picture in your mind as to what you want the space to look like, what you will use it for and how it will make you feel. By doing this you’re already making a mental picture of what belongs in a room, closet, desk etc … and it makes starting a little bit easier.

2. Start small. My advice wouldn’t be to tackle the whole house at once, not even an entire room at once. I would suggest starting in one corner, a desk, or a shelf. Get it to a state that you are truly happy with and only then should you move onto another area. It’s been my experience that doing a little bit over a large area leaves me feeling dissatisfied and extremely overwhelmed. I don’t feel as though I’ve made much progress as there’s nothing finished, nothing to stare longingly at and think “aaaah that’s better”. So start small but the key is to start!

3. What goes out should stay out. Typically you create three piles when you embark on any decluttering mission.

• To keep
• To donate
• To toss

When you’ve decided on what to toss or what to donate put the items in a box or a bag and immediately move them out of your house. Store them in the garage, trunk of your car or anywhere else so you won’t be tempted to rummage through the boxes and save items. Once you’ve decided they are no longer welcome in your home, keep them out!

This is how we have approached decluttering at our place. There are a number of different strategies I’m sure so if you’ve found something else that works for you please share it in the comments to help Julie out. For some ideas on what can be purged room by room check out the declutter room by room checklist on Listbean. (Remember to sign in to customize it or add other ideas as they come to mind.)

I hope this helps, Julie.

If you like Listbean please share it on your favorite social networking sites, or email the link to a couple of your list loving friends so we can all be awesome.

Listbean Revealed and Decluttering – How To Get Started is a post from: Serene Journey

What happened to the good old days of only having to choose between a handful of products at most? Back then the biggest discerning features were things like color or size but the underlying technology was by and large the same.

Walking through a store today can be incredibly overwhelming. I find shopping for electronics is the worst. Take TVs for example, there are not only a huge number of brand names to choose from, there are a ton of choices within each brand as well. Size, shape, color, resolution, plug-ins available, technology and whole bunch of additional “features” the advertisers try to convince us that we need.

When I’m presented with many choices I freeze. I don’t know what to do so I do nothing. Looking at this a little more I realize that this just isn’t rational. What happens if I do make the wrong choice? Nothing really, worst case I have to start again from the beginning and it may take a bit more time and be a little more costly than I would have liked. Usually, the outcome from making the wrong choice isn’t the end of the world.

Why choice is bad

Initially having a myriad of options sounds like a wonderful thing. You can choose the exact thing you want and happiness is all but guaranteed, right?

Wrong. Well for me anyway and a lot of other people I know.

Having a ton of things to choose from only ensures your disappointment and unhappiness when you eventually realize that what you chose was suboptimal. In reality no one will fault you for this, you truly are your own worst enemy. You’ll kick yourself repeatedly when you look back and see that the one right next to the one you bought was better. Ain’t hindsight grand?

But your unhappiness doesn’t just start after you bought the product. Your unhappiness actually begins with the decision making process itself. This is because you’re anticipating the disappointment with your suboptimal choice even before you make it. Gotta love those catch 22’s.

It’s like going to the movie theater and having to decide which movie to watch. From the 10 on the board and after much humming and hawing you choose one and head in. The previews start rolling for all the other movies you could have gone to see and you find yourself saying “That one looks really good, I knew we should have gone to that one.”

Thing is with fewer choices we’re likely to be a happier overall. This is completely counter-intuitive to the society we currently live in. If we were to cut down the number of choices available to us, initially we may not find it all that appealing. But in the long run I’m sure we would be happier since what we would be fairly confident that what we chose was better than the other one that was available.

I am getting better at accepting the decisions I make even if they are suboptimal or not the absolute best in hindsight. I try to be more accepting of the choices I do make (good or bad) and take each one as a learning opportunity. No decision will ever be perfect. Our knowledge changes, our circumstances change and  our situation changes.

Be grateful for what you have, the choices you about to make and learn from your mistakes when you can. Getting caught up in the would-a, could-a, should-a’s of life will certainly lead to disappointment and unhappiness.

So those are some of my thoughts on the downside of choice. What do you think?

See also:

Keeping It Short And Sweet: Making Temporary Decisions

Who Me? Worry? You Bet!

Who Me? Worry? You Bet! – Part 2

The Grass Is Always Green Right Under Your Feet

Photo courtesy of: Evil Erin

Happiness Lies In The Lack Of Choice is a post from: Serene Journey

A welcome basket can easily be put together and the small gesture can will leave a lasting impression.

Create a fabulous welcome basket

1. Basket. You can use a basket you have around your home already. It can be a nice decorative wicker basket or a plastic laundry basket lined with fresh towels.

2. Toiletries. Yes people generally travel with their own but there are some items we always seem to forget. Include a new toothbrush, travel size shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion. You may also want to include a razor, shaving cream, a small bar of soap, and deodorant. If you have a large enough basket (or are using one for laundry) include fresh towels and face cloths so guests have just what they need when they need it.

3. Reading material. Include the latest edition of the local paper, magazines that might be of interest or your local “What’s Up?” publication. Something that gets your guests familiar with the local attractions, culture and places of interest.

4. Public transport schedules. If your guests will be using public transportation during their stay it will be very helpful if you can round up route schedules for some of the more popular destinations in your city or town. Include a fare schedule and even consider supplying a few tickets to get them started.

5. Map. Include a walking map of downtown and a road map of your city or town. If your guests will be travelling by car they will certainly appreciate knowing where to go and the opportunity to plan.

6. House keys. Allow your guest to come and go as they please by providing them a set of keys to your home. Keep a spare set of keys on a special key ring that is just for guests. At the end of their stay ask for the keys back so you can use them the next time someone comes to stay.

7. Refreshments. A bottle of water, iced tea or juice is a thoughtful extra for your house guests. You could also include some fresh fruit, chewing gum, mints, chips or pretzels.

8. Phone list. Provide some peace of mind by including a phone list of all important numbers. Include fire, police and ambulance as well as your work, cell and home phone numbers. You can go one step further and include phone numbers for popular tourist destinations or restaurants your guests might try. It could save them a bit of time and hassle in finding the numbers for themselves.

9. Notebook and pen. I love the pads of paper and pens supplied by hotels. I don’t collect them or bring them home as souvenirs but they always seem to come in so handy. A notebook and a pen provides your guests with a place to make plans, jot down dinner reservations and journal about their stay.

10. Computer. This is the digital age and odds are your guests will want to stay connected. If you have a second computer set it up in their room. If you have one show them where it is and provide them with the passwords they’ll need to get online. If you don’t have a computer at home do a bit of research and find out where the closest Internet cafe is and what the rates are. Your guests will thank you!

So you see it doesn’t have to be extravagant, expensive or really over the top. Just include a few comforts of home and make them feel as welcome as possible.

Bonus: This will likely land you in the Host(ess) Hall Of Fame: Frame a picture of you and your guests taken the last time you spent time together. It’s a great personal touch for their room and really shows you were thinking of them.

See also:

Create Experiences: Gifts That Can Last A Lifetime

Create A Great Outdoor Space

8 Steps to Hosting a Party Everyone Enjoys – Including Yourself

7 Little Things That Make Me Disproportionately Happy

Picture courtesy of: La Villa Bonita Mexican Culinary Vacation

How To Be A Fabulous Host(ess) is a post from: Serene Journey

I thought it would be fun for him to squish it, pound it, roll it and pat it while I made dinner. I was right, he was completely enthralled.

I remember when I was young, my mom would always make this for my sisters and me. We loved it as well. We could spend hours making snails, faces, worms, turtles and anything else our imaginations would take us to. It’s been years since I’ve played with play-dough.

After dinner I sat down and had a go. And in the words of my son … “WOW!”

I had forgotten how truly awesome it is. It’s almost therapeutic. I was totally relaxed, calm and completely lost in what I was doing. It was amazing and totally unexpected. I also felt a real connection with my son and my husband while we sat there sculpting our masterpieces and just being silly.

Whether you have kids or not I urge you to whip up a batch of play-dough and play with it for even 10 minutes. It’ll be hard to put it down I’m sure of it!

My Mom’s Play-Dough Recipe

• 1/2 Cup Salt
• 1 TBSP Oil
• 1 Cup Flour
• 1/2 Cup Water
• Food Coloring

Mix all ingredients, knead and play. Store in the fridge in a plastic resealable bag.

This is just another example of money not buying happiness and how the simplest things can bring such joy.

See also:

7 Little Indulgences – Very Little Guilt

Go Ahead Make Your Day: 50 Ways To Make Today Shine

Get Rich, Stay Rich – Emotional Bank Accounts

7 Little Things That Make Me Disproportionately Happy

Photo courtesy of: Gabriela Camerotti

An Easy, Cheap, and Fun Way To Chill Out is a post from: Serene Journey

For the past couple of years I’ve been working towards simplifying my life, which includes my home. I want to make my life as simple as possible and that includes not holding on to things I might need “someday”, things I spent “good money on”, and things that are still good but I don’t use.

My initial thought on simplicity was that I’d get rid of what I didn’t need and presto life would be simpler. Which is true. The catch: There is actually a lot of stuff you don’t need.

Cut, cut and then cut some more

1. Visualise. Take a minute to picture what you want your home or work space to look like. Are all horizontal surfaces free from “stuff”? Do you have your bookshelf organized alphabetically? Whatever it is take a moment and picture it in your head.

2. Take a good look. See your space for what it currently is. Are there receipts crammed in baskets or between books? Do you have electronics intermingled with your books? Do you have too many items in your kitchen cupboards that they fall on you every time you open the door?

It’s important to really see what you have as a starting point and to think about how you’re going to get it to the state you pictured initially. Don’t feel bad about what you are starting off with, accept things for what they are. Sure the best time to have de-cluttered and gotten organized may have been years ago, but the second best time is now.

3. Take your time. You shouldn’t feel that this all needs to be done right now today. In fact, it shouldn’t be done all at once as it can be extremely overwhelming and cause a fair bit of stress. Start small and simply make progress.

4. What to do when you don’t know what to do. This is something I run into a lot. When I de-clutter I get rid of most things that I don’t need but there is always something I struggle to get rid of. When this happens I now put it in a closet or a box so that it’s out of sight. I’ll revisit that closet or go through the box in 6 months time and see if I still want to hang on to the contents. Most of the times this works really well.  After some time apart I can see these things for what they really are, things. If they don’t offer value or add to the simplicity I’m after out they go.

5.Cut and then cut some more. When we downsized our home last year we took the opportunity to get rid of quite a bit of stuff we had been hanging on to. It was great, we thought we had made decent progress and we had, relative to what we started out with. After a couple of months in our new home we took another look around and found more items that weren’t working for us and that were taking up a lot of precious space in our much smaller home. So we cut again.

We’ve done about 4 or 5 rounds of cuts in the past year. With each round we look at our stuff much more critically. We no longer hold on to things that we might need someday, as someday rarely ever comes. We no longer hold on to things out of a sense of obligation or sentiment. We have a pretty simple rule now if it doesn’t work for or with us it’s out.

Quick tips to get you going

• Do one drawer or shelf a day and be ruthless. Before you know it you’ll have your whole home done and you can start over again
• For sentimental items and nick-knacks take a digital photograph and donate or sell the physical item. A lot of time with sentimental items it’s not the physical item that has the meaning it’s the memories and feelings it invokes when you see it. You’ll get all of those same feelings when you look at the picture.
• If you can’t decide on what to do with something put it in time out. Find a closet or a cupboard or a cardboard box and store the item you can’t make a decision on. After a set amount of time (3-6 months works well for me) revisit the items and see if you prefer the space you’ve gained by removing this item or if you’d rather have the item. There’s nothing wrong with bringing it out of storage if it makes you happy.
• Keep a box handy to coral all unwanted items. Keep it in an accessible area and when it’s full take it out to the car or garage immediately so you’re not tempted to go through it again. I like diaper boxes and liquor boxes because they’re not huge and so they’re easy to carry when they’re full.
• Set a timer for 10 minutes and work on one corner of the room you’re in. If you get on a roll keep going but if after 10 minutes you’ve had enough, stop at least you’ve made some progress.
• Ask for help. If you find you are too attached to everything you have ask a family member or close friend to help you. They are completely unattached to most of what you have so can help you see things for what they really are. Things.

I’ve learned over the past couple of years that de-cluttering is definitely an ongoing process. Just when you think you’re done “oh look there’s a vase I NEVER use” so…get rid of it. This won’t work for some of you and that’s okay. If you truly enjoy being surrounded by things that bring back memories and invoke positive feelings then that’s truly great. If you’re like me however, and clutter is a source of unhappiness for you, then start today and take one step towards simplifying your space. You’ll be happier for it.

See also:

Eliminate Clutter Part 1: The Cost of Clutter and Where Does it Come From?

Disorganized? Blame It On The Universe!

On The Concept Of Friction

Purge Just 7 Things – A Weekend Challenge

Got Books? Tips To Decluttering and Organizing Your Personal Library

Photo courtesy of: Sherri

Decluttering Tips For Living The Simple Life is a post from: Serene Journey

Yesterday was a good day.

Just before turning in for the night I read some recent tweets on twitter. I found a tweet from the local weather girl saying something about a meteor shower. Tonight! I’m a wannabe astronomer so how I missed this I don’t know. I love star gazing, watching for satellites, “shooting stars” and sorting out the constellations.

It was a beautiful night. After a scorcher of a day the evening cooled off rather nicely. There was a gentle breeze and no mosquitoes (pretty amazing since they are close to becoming our provincial bird I’m sure of it!).

We grabbed the cushions off the patio chairs, laid out on the deck and waited.  And waited. And waited. Then finally there was meteor it was pretty faint and didn’t last very long but it was a great intro for what we were to see next.

We saw a meteor unlike any we’ve ever seen before. It was big, bright and relatively sluggish (and no it wasn’t a plane…it was faster than that ). It zipped from the North sky Southward leaving a trail etched in the night sky high above us. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. We laid there in awe of what we just witnessed. It was really cool.

We laid there a while longer wondering if that was a sign of things to come. And we laid there. And we laid there. And we laid there. Nothing. After about 20 minutes of not seeing anything we decided to head back inside and call it a night. I remember thinking as I laid down in bed “wow! when I woke up this morning I didn’t think I’d see that.”

Stargazing is a wonderful way to spend a few minutes or a few hours. It sparks a sense of wonder, insignificance and amazement. It’s completely free and you can really do it anywhere.

Stargazing tips for wannabe astronomers

1. Check the forecast. If it’s cloudy, it doesn’t matter how long you sit out there allowing your eyes to adjust to the darkness you won’t see much if it’s overcast. Also, it won’t be as enjoyable if you’re freezing your butt off as well so definitely bundle up if you need to.

2. The darker the better. If you don’t live out of town away from the bright city lights consider taking a road trip. Even if you can see stars from your spot in the city you’d be amazed by what you see if you get out of town for a bit.

3. Get a map. If you are curious as to what you’re looking at take a map of the constellations with you. You can download a map of the night sky for the hemisphere in which you live from Skymaps.com. Study it, take it with you or refer to it when you get home again. If you want to refer to the map while gazing use a flashlight covered with red material. The red light lessens the effect of burn in on your eyes and you won’t need to wait for them to readjust once you turn the light off. It’s really neat to be able to make a bit of sense of the billions of tiny specs that litter the night sky.

4. Get comfy. This is so important if you plan to spend any amount of time outside gazing at the stars. I find it’s easier on the neck, back and legs if I lay down flat on the ground. This means I need to bring a sleeping bag to lay on for a bit of extra padding and a cushion for my head. You may be just as comfortable on a lawn chair or lounger. Just remember that the more comfortable you are the more enjoyable this experience will be for you.

So there you have it a quick guide to stargazing. I hope you’ll awaken your inner child full of wonder and amazement and head out to see the stars tonight. For the northern hemisphere, the Perseids meteor shower continues tonight (August 12) and there is expected to be around 100 meteors per hour. I know what I’ll be doing.

See also:

Create Experiences: Gifts That Can Last A Lifetime

7 Little Indulgences – Very Little Guilt

Go Ahead Make Your Day: 50 Ways To Make Today Shine

Gratitude Journal: 30 Days To Happiness

Photo courtesy of: El Photopakismo

Looking Starward is a post from: Serene Journey

If you’re here from Quest For Balance welcome! I hope you have a good look around and consider subscribing to our RSS feed or via email. Thanks so much for visiting!

Photo courtesy of: vitaeer

How To Make Your Money Go Further is a post from: Serene Journey

If you’re here from Organize IT welcome! Here are a few of our “best of” posts to get you started.  I hope you have a good look around and consider subscribing to our RSS feed or via email. Thanks so much for visiting!

Best of Serene Journey

Best Of Serene Journey: May 2009
Best Of Serene Journey: April 2009
Best Of Serene Journey: March 2009

Guest Post At Organize IT is a post from: Serene Journey

If you’re anything like me you get asked this question about a dozen times a year. As I get older and work towards simplifying my life, it’s getting tougher and tougher to answer this question. I really and truly want for nothing these days. I have my family and good friends, a modest home and everything I need to maintain it. Sure the oven mitts are a bit tattered but they’re still good.

In light of our abundance and desire to reduce clutter, my husband and I have chosen to create experiences as gifts for each other as opposed to exchanging material things. When thoughtful and close to your heart these gifts can truly last a lifetime.Why do experiences tend to make most people happier than material possessions do?

• For starters material things lose their luster. The initial feelings of pride and joy quickly disappear when you see the item everyday.
• The feelings from experiences on the other hand don’t usually disappear all together. You’re able to relive the moments through memories and can quickly be transported back in time to relive the positive experience. 
• Experiences allow us to spend time with people and connect with loved ones in meaningful ways.

Granted not everyone will like this idea, but if you find this idea intriguing and would like to give it a try here are some thoughts on how to create experiences that become gifts that last a lifetime. 

How to create experiences

1. Know what makes them tick. Remember that this is a gift for them and should be something you know they will enjoy. Consider their hobbies, goals, aspirations and see what you can do. If they often talk about taking a pottery class but have never done it, book a beginners class for them or a one day pottery painting session. If it’s hiking that they enjoy plan a day trip to somewhere they’ve never been. Pack a lunch, plenty of water and a camera. It should be something they are interested in or would enjoy. Pay attention throughout the year and be on the lookout for clues as to what you could do for them.

2. Make it for two…or more. An experience is more memorable when you are able to share it. When deciding on what to do for someone consider going along yourself or buying an extra ticket for them to take whoever they want. It’s nice to be able to talk about the activity with someone afterwards and to be able to reminisce weeks, months or even years later. This is what makes experiences the gifts that keep on giving.

3. Push the boundaries. Another reason people prefer experiences to material gifts is the experiences make them feel invigorated, charged, alive. Consider pushing the boundaries a bit. If your loved one has always wanted to try skydiving but has made every excuse in the book for not getting around to it, book it. If they took a dance class years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it make an evening of it and go out dancing. Let them feel alive or rekindle an old passion…live a little.

Some inspiration to get you going

• Deep sea fishing
• Camping weekend
• Photography treasure hunt
• Laser tag/paintball
• Miniature golf
• Skydiving/parachuting
• Hot air ballooning
• Weekend at a bed and breakfast
• Picnic in the park
• Pool party
• Lunch at a country tea house
• Go-karts
• Gliding
• Rent a sports car/luxury car for an afternoon (convertible if it’s nice and feel the wind on your face)
• Make a 5 star restaurant dinner at home

You are really only limited to your imagination and to the likes loves of your loved one. Get creative, have fun and give a gift that will last a lifetime and deepen a relationship.

What are your thoughts? What experiences have you created? What’s been your favorite life experience that’s made you feel alive? Please share your inspirations in the comments.

See also:

Simple Mother’s Day Non-Gift Ideas

Form Meaningful Relationships

Enrich Your Life By Facing Your Fears Head On.

Photo courtesy of: dave.scriven

Create Experiences: Gifts That Can Last A Lifetime is a post from: Serene Journey

There is no place quite like the old backyard to spend lazy days kicking back getting lost in a great book or sharing a great barbecued meal with family and friends. It can be relatively easy and inexpensive to create a warm, relaxing and inviting atmosphere that may make you wish you could live outside year round.

Creating a great outdoor space

1. Greenery. Use plants and flowers to breathe life into your outdoor space. Use hanging baskets where possible, fill them with colorful flowering plants that will spill over the edges. In the corners of your deck or patio and on the edge of steps add a few planters filled with aromatic flowering plants or herbs. A planter with herbs is not only beautiful and aromatic but it’s also yummy!

2. Seating. Comfortable seating is a must if you are going to be spending any amount of time outside. There is a huge variety in patio furniture available now and most of it is pretty affordable. You can get the traditional patio set with table and 4-6 chairs or opt for a living room like set, which is becoming a lot more popular. You could even choose big comfy cushions on the deck or grass or a pad to stretch out on,keep in mind that comfort is key.

3. Lighting. There are so many yard lighting options available from lanterns and torches to strings of patio lights and LEDs. My favorite is still the old fashioned candles. An easy and informal lighting option with candles is to half fill a glass jar with sand or pebbles and place a tea light or small candle on top. You can also use citronella candles to create the same relaxed effect AND keep mosquitoes away at the same time (something we really need here). Just give a bit of thought ahead of time as to how you’re primarily going to use this area. Reading by candle light isn’t always the nicest but having a quiet dinner by floodlight doesn’t work either.

4. Wildlife. Attract birds and butterflies to your yard by choosing flowers that are appropriate for your area. Set up a birdbath, bird feeder and a birdhouse near the back of your yard in a spot that you can still see them but won’t scare them away. Hang a bright red hummingbird feeder in a tree. It’s amazing how your yard can suddenly come alive.

5. Warmth. You can extend your outdoor season by adding a bit of warmth. Propane heaters are becoming more popular, there are tabletop and floor models available. A slightly cheaper alternative, and one that creates a nicer atmosphere, is a fire pit. Depending on where you live and your personal preference you can create a rustic, open fire pit by insetting bricks or stones into your lawn or garden, or choose a less permanent option such as a fire bowl that you can easily move around the yard.

These are just a few examples of how you can create an outdoor atmosphere that is warm and inviting. Integrate as many natural items as you can into your space and use splashes of color to add interest. Make it as comfortable and as relaxing as you can and you’ll enjoy spending your days outside in the fresh air, after all the summer is over before we know it.

What have you done in your backyard to make it an inviting area to hang out in? I’m always looking for great new ideas, so please share in the comments!

See also:

8 Steps to Hosting a Party Everyone Enjoys – Including Yourself

House Maintenance: Summer

7 Ways To Decorate Your Home With Stuff You Already Have.

Photo courtesy of: domibrez

Create A Great Outdoor Space is a post from: Serene Journey