The method I use to simplify my life

Declutter Discontent™ is a 4-step Gospel-centered approach to declutter the home, heart, and habits. The four steps include: take inventory, refresh space, create system, and implement system and boundaries. Clutter isn’t just a home problem but a heart one too. This method helps you clear physical clutter, while also addressing the deeper issue: discontentment. Because peace and joy don’t come from a perfectly organized house or a seemingly tidy life (trust me, I tried!). True lasting peace, not just relief, can only be produced by the God of peace. I’ve got a beginner’s digital guide and a signature online course on my website to help you declutter discontentment and finally enjoy the life God gave you.

Step 1: Take inventory

An honest conversation on routines
We’re all overwhelmed or stressed and I’m pretty sure it’s because we’re overcomplicating our routines. The internet has lied and convinced us that we need certain products for our mornings or days to go ‘perfectly.’ If you’ve ever searched the phrase “clean girl skincare routine,” you’ll discover hundreds of thousands of tips in a matter of seconds. And these routines usually consist of 20 steps that could easily take 2 hours or more. I’m done with that!

To be honest, I’ve had a hard time having consistent routines for months now. From losing my dad unexpectedly eight months ago to moving across the country (again) to my second pregnancy (yay but currently in the first trimester with nausea and fatigue), life lately has felt like survival mode. But once I paused to take a quick inventory with these questions, I realized this: routines are meant to be simple and to help us exit survival mode into more stability and rest.

Inventory questions to ask yourself: Which current routines are working? Which ones aren’t? Which are life-giving? Which are draining? What needs to be decluttered? What would help me go from overwhelmed to organized? What would help me go from chaos to calm?

Step 2: Refresh routines

Time for a change
You wouldn’t wear snow boots in the summer so why we do try to create so hard to create and maintain the ‘perfect or ideal morning/evening routine’ and expect it to work all year? But the point is we all need routines to thrive, especially during summer. Seasons aren’t just literal; they’re Biblical. There’s a time for everything under the sun, including a time to keep and throw away (see Ecclesiastes 3).

Ideas to refresh your routine:

• Switch up your Bible reading plan (maybe pick a specific book of the Bible or topic to study during these summer months)

• Drink your morning coffee outside if weather permits instead of staying indoors

• Try an evening walk after dinner instead of morning since the sun sets later

• Enjoy one meal outside like a picnic (whether you work from home or not)

Simplify Your Routines (June’s Workshop)

Subscribe to keep reading this post and access this month’s decluttering workshop and printable digital guide below this paywall (only $10/mo if you subscribe here). Consider it a reset for your soul and summer. This workshop includes Biblical principles and practical steps on why and how to simplify your routines so that your summer is refreshing rather than stressful. We’re talking about how you spend your time is how you spend your soul and sometimes our chaotic souls needs some decluttering.

What’s Included:

• A 3-page printable guide

• A pre-recorded workshop

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The UCLA Research Study found a connection between clutter and stress levels. Basically, more clutter means stress. Women experience higher cortisol levels because of clutter in their homes and lives (whether you’re type A, B, or C). Essentially, a cluttered home is a symptom of a cluttered soul. Women, especially mothers, are basically working multiple jobs as they have various roles and responsibilities. When I look back and reflect on my postpartum experience, the word that describes it best is: overwhelm.

Everything was overwhelming— from nursing my son and sleep deprivation to keeping up with my home and still trying my best to have somewhat of a social life. I remember many moments of looking at the dishes and sobbing. The clutter was adding to the mental load of being a new mom. I needed help! Eventually, I asked my sweet neighbor (a mom of 5) if she could clean my bathroom weekly. She was looking for some side gigs and offered to clean it for $10 weekly. I was shocked by her kindness and generosity! Only $10?! Eventually, life wasn’t so overwhelming and I was able to resume my chores. I realized a cluttered home didn’t mean I was a bad mom; I was just a stressed one. There is no shame in asking for help!

No more mental lists

I know personalities and preferences can differ but I think we can all agree that trying to remembering all the things in our brains won’t cut it. We need a system! For instance, I love using both a digital calendar (Google) AND a paper planner (Motherboard Press) for task and event management. Make a list of your tasks and chores (or you can download my weekly chore checklist when you become a paid subscriber)! Then categorize them and designate them as regular routines throughout your day and week. Repeating a task becomes a habit. A series of repetitive habits becomes a routine. Another word for a routine is a system to help keep your home, work, and life mostly manageable and less overwhelming! A schedule will help to minimize the feeling that you’re ‘decluttering all day everyday.’

Decluttering the home and heart

I started decluttering 6 years ago when I was only one year into marriage! I started decluttering because I learned (the hard way) that joy doesn’t come from retail therapy and peace doesn’t come from minimalism. My habits were symptoms of discontentment. I knew what I needed was a heart change, not just behavior modification or a better system.

This is why I started Declutter Discontent™ — a gospel-centered approach rooted in Christian contentment. This method helps you clear physical clutter, while also addressing the deeper issue: discontentment. Clutter isn’t just a home problem but a heart one too. This approach helps you declutter not only your environment but also the emotions you might not even be aware of going on. Because peace doesn’t come from a perfectly organized house, your curated social media posts, or a seemingly tidy life (trust me, I tried!). True lasting peace, not just relief, can only be produced by the God of peace. If you want to hear more, I was a guest on Jess Connolly’s podcast all about peace in our homes. You can actually watch the episode here on YouTube!

Resource for monthly members

This month’s resource is a printable digital checklist to simplify your home and lighten the mental load for paid subscribers below this paywall (only $7/mo if you subscribe here). Consider it a refresh for heart and home. And it’s the perfect time to try it out this summer and start of a new month. I’d love for you to join!

What’s Included:

• A dated weekly chore checklist

• An undated weekly chore checklist option (highly recommend laminating it and sticking it to your fridge as a helpful visual)

• A daily checklist with my top 4 essentials to have a clutter-free brain and home
  

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Reflect

Taking inventory
I’ll be honest. This post was supposed to be an entirely different topic for the month of April. But I needed to take inventory of my heart rather than stuffing my emotions like a junk drawer.

April was bittersweet— filled with anniversaries both happy and heartbreaking. We celebrated Easter, I turned 31 years old, we mourned the 8th year since my brother’s traumatic self-inflicted burn injury that led to a hospitalization and the hardship that comes with having a loved one with severe mental illnesses, and lastly, the 6th month mark since losing Papi unexpectedly. We also packed and shipped up our entire lives into two U-haul pods on the 20th and started this cross-country road trip on the 30th. So… here we are.

But as I felt the overwhelm, it hit me and this thought came to mind— am I abiding in Christ? The clutter in our lives is an indicator of a cluttered soul. In busy and chaotic seasons, I often find myself reading the Bible and treating like a quick on-the-go snack instead of sitting down for meal with a friend. Is it abiding or a quick skim of Scripture to check it off my list? Is the spiritual discipline of reading God’s Word just a routine or a rhythm of meditating throughout the day (Psalm 1). So, in this post, we’re addressing our daily rhythms, including Bible reading and repenting.

Reframe

Decluttering as repenting and pruning
I’ve been asked several times, “What does it mean to declutter the heart?” As I sat with Jess Connolly and recorded this podcast episode, I described decluttering the heart as repentance rehearsed and abiding applied. I think of repenting and pruning similar to decluttering. To declutter simply means to remove. Sometimes the Lord is the one doing the removing through pruning and at times we need to confess and repent. It starts with repentance, which means to turn away from your sin and turn to Christ. Repentance is rehearsed over and over, confessing our sins to the Lord. He forgive and cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). And I love how this Bible verse mentions being refreshed by the Lord as a result of repenting— “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19-20).

Refresh

Abiding leads to peace
I love this definition of abiding by Robert Cheong, an author, friend, old boss, and mentor of mine. He writes, “Abiding in Christ is living by faith in His presence, promises, and power, resulting in the fruit of loving God and others.” Abiding in Christ means remaining connected to the True Vine, the source of life (John 15). And as you walk by the Holy Spirit or in other words, “keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5), you produce fruit of the Spirit, such as peace and joy.

Declutter Discontent™ is a gospel-centered approach rooted in Christian contentment. This method helps you clear physical clutter, while also addressing the deeper issue: discontentment. Clutter isn’t just a home problem but a heart one too. This approach helps you declutter not only your environment but also the emotions you might not even be aware of going on. Because peace doesn’t come from a perfectly organized house, your curated social media posts, or a seemingly tidy life (trust me, I tried!). True lasting peace, not just relief, can only be produced by the God of peace.

Resource for monthly members

This month’s decluttering workshop and printable digital guide is all about decluttering burnout for paid subscribers below this paywall (only $7/mo if you subscribe here). Consider it a refresh for your soul and the start of a new month. There are 7 women in our monthly membership and I’d love for you to join too!

What’s Included:

• A printable journaling guide with Reflect, Reframe, and Refresh (3 sections)

• A series of pre-recorded videos (3 videos, 5 minutes each)

Join monthly membership

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A goals reset 🗓️

Why a goal check-in?
I’m here to be your decluttering coach, accountability partner, and cheerleader when it comes to goals and resolutions! Most of us dread this conversation because it’s usually rooted in shame… If we’re honest, our inspiring dreams and goals from January become a forgotten dusty notepad by February. A resolution is a firm decision to do or not to do something (your WHY) and a goal has a deadline to help you move in the right direction to actually bring your resolution to fruition (your HOW). In other words, a goal makes a dream into a reality! This workshop is for you to live a fruitful season as you set Spirit-dependent goals and abide in Christ. Want to join me? 🌿

What’s Decluttered:
🤎 Fears & doubts
🤎 Negative mindset & limiting beliefs
🤎 Perfectionism & unrealistic expectations

What’s Included:

• A printable guide with Reflect, Reframe, and Refresh journaling prompts

• A daily habit tracker for QTR 2

• A 35-minute pre-recorded coaching call

This month’s decluttering workshop and printable digital guide is all about decluttering a negative mindset, procrastination, and perfectionism for paid subscribers below this paywall (only $7/mo if you subscribe here). Consider it a goals reset! There’s 5 women in our monthly membership and I’d love for you to join too!

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Decluttering your screen time

From smart phones to iPads to TVs, we use technology for both education and recreation. We work and rest with our devices.

Most people admit they have an addiction to their phones. I hate to admit it but as a younger millennial, I was raised as a TV baby, which means my phone and laptop aren’t the only screens I need to break free from.

Theologian and Puritan, Thomas Watson wrote, “Contentment lies within a man, in the heart, and the way to be comfortable is not by having our barns filled, but our mind quiet.”

Essentially, a content life begins with a quiet mind. Want to be happier? Put your phone down (currently preaching this to myself).

We’re reading The Art of Divine Contentment for our quarterly Joy Book Club taking place in March (become a paid subscriber to join)! It’s my favorite book that has impacted my faith and changed my life.

A note for moms & screen time:
This post isn’t a conversation of screen vs no screen moms. I don’t want to add to the noise or contribute to any information overload or mom guilt. If you’re searching for a balanced approach to screen time for children, I really enjoy reading and learning from Joy Of by Lauren Carlson.

12 ways to BRICK your phone for free

In case you don’t know what a BRICK is… Their website defines it as A physical device that temporarily removes distracting apps & their notifications from your phone. Designed for simplicity. No subscriptions. No complex setups. Just more time for what matters.

1. Get a BRICK buddy: Phone a friend and ask for accountability (maybe a roommate or spouse). Ask them to make the password for your app screen limits so when you’re locked out, you stay locked out.

2. Delete & Download Rule: Only download social media apps when you have a plan to post. Yes, most of us creatives are on social media but that doesn’t mean I always have to be on. To avoid doom-scrolling, I delete the social media apps from my phone and download them only when I have a plan to post. No saving drafts! Create more than you consume and be present where you are.

3. Swap the Scroll Rule: Pick a book and only read it whenever you get the urge to check your phone (try doing this while your children play if you’re a mom)... I used to assume that moms were busy all the time but in my current experience, I have found that there are lots of 20-30 minute pockets of time throughout my day that can really add up fast and I don’t want to waste them scrolling anymore. Take the book with you on the go, especially if you have appointments.

4. Get a notepad to replace your Notes app. I keep mine in my purse so that I can quickly jot down creative ideas, to-do lists, etc when I’m on the go. I’ve been pleasantly surprised of how many ideas will come to mind as I’m driving in silence. I got my cute one from the Dollar Tree but I found a similar floral one at Target or this really fun one from Papier (if you’re okay with spending a little more). Less noise, more creativity! Less mental clutter, more peace!

5. Hobby & Happy Habit: My goal is to master the perfect pancake this year… Have you tried? It’s actually not that easy. It’s a way to make cooking actually fun for someone like me who isn’t really a sourdough mom (IYKYK). Maybe it’s knitting for you but I wanted to start with something low maintenance and low budget. A happy habit is anything you do JUST. FOR. FUN. (A loving reminder for my fellow Type A friends).

6. Morning Pages: I started doing this practice recently when I joined Caroline Lunne’s book cohort for The Artist’s Way. It’s also known as brain dump journaling.

PS — Joy Club members get to read the rest of this list below in the paywall section. Join us!

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Less is more

I thought about starting this series of monthly workshops with decluttering our calendars or routines. But then this thought came to mind— what is the most important part of my day? What’s the non-negotiable for my routines?

That’s why I’m starting with my Quiet Time. Some people call it devotional time, family worship, personal worship, etc. I’m talking (writing technically) about the time that we spend practicing the spiritual discipline of reading God’s Word.

Say it with me: LESS IS MORE.

There is no such thing as the perfect planner that will fix my problems or life. We don’t need to buy another new journaling Bible to finally be disciplined. We don’t need more journals or notebooks. (I’m preaching to the choir!) We don’t need the BRICK or other gadgets to make our lives more efficient or productive. We don’t need more time.

We need to quiet the noise. We need to remove distractions. Less is more.

It’s time for some decluttering.

The Art of Divine Contentment by Puritan and theologian Thomas Watson is my favorite book that actually changed my life. We’re reading it for our Joy Book Club (become a paid subscriber to join)!

He writes, “Contentment lies within a man, in the heart, and the way to be comfortable is not by having our barns filled, but our mind quiet. The contented man is the happy man.”

Watson defines and describes discontent as “making a man so that he does not enjoy what he possesses.”

Here are two principles we can take away from Watson’s quotes:

• A content life begins with a quiet mind.

• A happy person is actually content with the life he/she already has.

If you’re experiencing grief like me when it can be easy to get defensive, Watson even includes an important distinction: “The difference between a holy complaint and a discontented complaint. In the one we complain to God; in the other we complain of God.”

You can grieve the losses and wrestle with God and still believe that He is good even if life feels like you were dealt a bad hand.

Sometimes your home isn’t the only place in need of some decluttering. As you take inventory of your heart and habits, sometimes pruning will need to take place (see John 15). But remember although pruning can be painful, it is purposeful.

So, may this be the year of decluttering discontentment from every area of our lives in order to design our dream lives– starting with our quiet time.

Why Your (Old) Quiet Time Routine Isn’t Working

Even if your quiet time isn’t so quiet, it can be fruitful. This is specific encouragement to mothers! Sometimes you’ll have the energy to wake up with an alarm before your children. Sometimes you’re in a season when your children are your alarm clock to get the day started. The time or setting isn’t always going to be ideal. I have found myself reading the Bible outside while my son plays (thankfully I’m in SoCal and the sun is out which makes this option possible). But it’s filled with interruptions and that’s okay!

Trying to read the Bible around your children may be why it feels like your quiet time isn’t fruitful. But I think the greatest distraction and hindrance for consistent Bible reading is overcomplicating the routine (and your phone).

Overcomplicating is rooted in perfectionism (the all-or-nothing mindset). And it’s my biggest enemy because it convinces me that if my quiet time doesn’t look or feel Pinterest-worthy with an ambient playlist, whimsical candle, or beautiful journaling Bible then why bother? But then that new Bible remains unopened and untouched.

I have to remind myself that even a descendant of the tribe of the Levite priests wrote that one day in the house of the Lord is better than 1,000 days spent elsewhere (See Psalm 84:10). Even if I abide in Christ through Scripture reading for only 10 minutes in my non-aesthetic home— that’s better and the most fruitful than another way I try to be productive.

Simplify Your Quiet Time Routine

Sometimes the spiritual discipline of reading the Bible just isn’t working because you need to simplify the routine.

If you’re new around here, I created a method called Declutter Discontent™. It’s a gospel-centered approach to decluttering discontentment both externally and internally. It’s not just about decluttering your environment but also your emotions– hence decluttering your home and heart.

Declutter Discontent™ is rooted in repentance– turning away from sin and turning toward Christ.

Here are the 4 simple steps:
→ Take inventory
→ Create systems
→ Refresh space
→ Implement boundaries

You can learn the step-by-step process in From Clutter to Calm: a beginner’s guide to Declutter Discontent™.

TAKE INVENTORY
Take inventory of your heart before you start reading! Sometimes I’ll realize that I read a whole chapter and remember nothing immediately after because I wasn’t actually critical thinking while reading. It’s crazy that our brains can even do that! Get a journal and do a simple ‘brain dump.’ Or grab a notebook/planner and write a to-do list so that your mind isn’t worrying about what tasks you’ll need to remember later. Write out any and all emotions and thoughts. No fancy planner needed– just pen and paper! Sometimes our minds are more cluttered than our homes.

CREATE SYSTEMS
Creating a system is basically just making a plan! Decide on location. Where do you plan on reading? It could be your dining table, desk, or couch. Next, declutter (remove) distractions: Put your phone on Do Not Disturb (DND) or Sleep Mode so you won’t get any text alerts or better yet, if your concern is keeping track of time, get an old school clock or cute timer like mine!

REFRESH SPACE
Make A Quiet Time Basket (I made a fun video tour of my Quiet Time Basket. Join the Joy Club to watch). Place each item you’ll need in the basket so you don’t waste time in the morning trying to find your pen, highlighter, Bible, or more.

I’m currently reading through this liturgy book to start my time by praying but I also love and recommend these devotionals too like Valley of Vision and New Morning Mercies! Remember to keep it simple.

IMPLEMENT BOUNDARIES
I’d say one way to do this is to implement or incorporate some accountability! Too often we get behind because we don’t think we have enough time but what we need is discipline and a friend to help us stay on track. I love this (FREE) Bible reading plan because there’s a daily section for ‘family reading’ and another for ‘personal reading.’ So you can do this with a friend or spouse! My husband and I are using this plan for the 3rd year in a row.

The goal is not necessarily to finish the Bible in one year but to be in the Bible everyday of the year.

Or you can start a group chat and ask some friends to do a daily or weekly check-in. You can ask questions like “What is God teaching you lately through his Word?” See this question guide (like #8 & #9) for free!

The Joy Club

I’ve added a paid subscription option to my Substack so I can have margin to create and offer more resources on how to declutter your heart and home so you can live joyfully in Christ! I hope you’ll consider joining.

Here are the details:

• If you want to join us, subscribe here (only $7/month)!

• You’ll get access to the monthly pre-recorded workshop along with some interactive worksheets called the “playbook” like the ones I’ve included below this paywall (because we like to have fun and be productive around here)!

• We’ll have a quarterly book club and our first book is The Art of Divine Contentment. The first call will be on Thursday, March 12th on Google Meet! I’ll send out more reminders as it gets closer with the time and link.

• You’ll be added to a Substack group chat with other Joy Club members for encouragement, accountability, and community!

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