Question: How many psychiatrists does it take to change a lightbulb?
Answer: One. But the lightbulb must want to change.
You’ve probably heard that riddle before. But even though it may make you smile it does get down to the heart of the matter of changing your life. To change your life, you must want it.
Our habits drive our lives. They make things easier because we don’t have to think about them. We just do them.
We brush our teeth twice a day. We have that morning cup of coffee to get us going. We take a shower daily.
Habits are powerful. We don’t have to make decisions about many of the things we do daily. They are simple habits.
Have you ever tried to change a habit and replace it with a new one that serves you better? I know I have. But most of the time, I failed. I tried to change too much all at once. Or I tried to change too many things.
When I tried to count calories by writing down everything I ate, I failed. When I tried to cut out all sugar in my diet, I failed. When I tried to exercise 30 minutes every day, I failed.
So, what did I do? I quit trying.
But what if I changed one tiny thing consistently? How might that affect my life?
Check out this video to see how one microhabit and using a habit tracker changed my life.
And you know what? If you start doing one thing differently until it becomes a habit, it changes your perspective about things. I found that what I drank at meals or snack time wasn’t that important. I could focus more on enjoying the food I ate. I also found that I started feeling better by drinking water instead of Pepsi. And then, I started feeling better about myself because I was successful at doing something to improve my health.
It was a tiny microhabit. But it had powerful results.
So why is it better to make tiny, incremental change in your life instead of revamping your entire life at once? Because microhabits are simply doable
They are easier to start.
Often, the reason we have such a hard time making changes in our lives is that we just don’t know where to begin. The whole process seems so daunting and overwhelming. With microhabits, the difficulty is removed. When you’re only changing one very small thing, it barely feels like a change at all. In fact, it can be kind of fun trying out an incremental change just to see what kind of result you get.
They are easier to sustain.
While big changes tend to get real old really fast (like changing from a diet full of processed foods to something Keto or Paleo), micro-changes (like adding a vegetable to every meal) never feel hard at all. The simplicity of incremental change carries momentum all on its own.
They are fairly painless.
The big changes are sometimes so sweeping that they can actually hurt. Imagine throwing out every piece of unhealthy food in your kitchen. Then imagine standing there staring into the abyss of an empty refrigerator trying to figure out what to eat. You have nothing left that your actually liked to eat!
The nice thing about microhabits is that the change is in increments. So, if you’re working to change your diet, you may be only changing one food – like giving up soda – while still enjoying the things you love.
And ultimately, you may find it much easier to start adding other healthy microhabits in your life.
They use less energy.
Those great big changes are only going to wear you out. It’s like going for a full-fledged workout when you typically rarely leave the couch. Your body certainly isn’t ready for that kind of work, and the whole process (finding workout clothes and equipment, going to the gym, knowing what machine to use and how long, and for how many reps) can be pretty daunting.
Microhabits encourage you to take things slow, leaving you with more energy for the rest of your day. So instead of worrying about all that time at the gym, maybe you’re just deciding to take the stairs at work or to park further away from the building, so you get that extra walking in. That bypasses all that energy you’d spend going to and from the gym, and still gives you some exercise you wouldn’t normally get.
They keep you motivated.
Great big goals can feel a million miles away and easily leave you discouraged.
Microhabits set smaller goals that are achieved in tiny increments. This means you get to your destination a lot faster, leaving you with a feeling of accomplishment. That feeling helps keep you motivated as you continue to work towards change. Creating microhabits is a self-sustaining cycle of change and momentum.
While these might not seem like big achievements, the feeling of having done something special is still perfectly valid and will make you feel good about yourself, and what you’re doing.
Is there something you would like to change in your life? Can you simplify it into a microhabit?
Here is a simple habit tracker I designed and used to establish my habit! My One Thing Daily Habit Trackeris an undated printable that you could print out to complete or use in digital format and save in a file. You have a choice of three colors – green, pink, or white, and can use it over and over because it is undated.
And start your tiny, incremental change toward huge rewards in your life today!
Disclosure: My blog posts sometimes contain affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase, which is at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
I’m Vicki Peel, former home economics teacher and educational administrator. If you are not receiving my emails, coupons, and freebies, go to my website – https://HERLifehacks.com, and pick up my free copy of HER Heritage HOMEwork Checklist. I will not share your information with anyone, and all the content you will receive as part of our community is free. I may occasionally promote someone else’s paid content, offer a product for your consideration or share an item that I think might be of use to you. However, you are under no obligation to purchase anything – ever. So, sign up now so you won’t miss anything during our July through September focus on LIFESTYLE!
Decluttering and organizing is hard. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with decisions about what to keep, what to discard, and how to organize the things we keep.
Dana K White, author and decluttering expert, is the creator of this process – the Container Concept.
Understanding the Container Concept
The Container Concept is a simple but powerful principle that shifts the way we think about our belongings. I typically try to fit the most I can into a space. It doesn’t work. At least, not in the long run.
Instead, think about every space in your home as a container that has a limit.
Whether it’s a drawer, a shelf, or a whole room, each container is limited in the space it provides. In fact, your entire home is a container. It can only hold so much stuff.
The key is to recognize that the container is the decision-maker—it dictates how much we can keep. This is one of the most important principles that I had to understand and accept when decluttering and organizing my own home. Shifting the decision-making process to the container also removed my emotional involvement.
Working the Container Concept
Here’s how the Container Concept can transform your approach to decluttering and organizing:
Identify the Container
Start by identifying the space you’re working with. This could be a single drawer, a bookshelf, your entire closet, or even an entire room.
The physical boundaries of this space are the limits of the container.
Choose the stuff you want and need to keep
Sort like stuff together so you can see the quantity you own of each item and make decisions about what you want to keep and what to discard.
Next, go through your items and pick out the ones you want to keep or use regularly. Organize these in your container first.
Place like items together in a container.
Respect the Boundaries
Once the container is full, the hard part begins—everything that doesn’t fit must go. It’s all about recognizing that the container has done its job.
If you’ve chosen what you want and need and the container is full, then anything extra is excess and needs to be donated, discarded, or relocated.
Leave Space to Expand
If you fill a container until it’s completely full, you have nowhere to put additional like purchases.
Leaving extra space not only looks better, but it also gives you the option of adding items in the future.
If you don’t leave space for expansion, you may need to adopt the “one in – one out” rule. For every item you want to add to the space, an item needs to be removed to make room for it.
Apply It Everywhere
The genius of the Container Concept is its versatility.
It works everywhere in your home, from your pantry to your garage.
It even applies to less tangible “containers” like your schedule or your mental energy. They have limits too and recognizing that improves your chances of making good decisions in these areas.
By understanding and respecting the limits of your containers, you naturally begin to declutter and prioritize what’s most important to you.
Embracing the Effectiveness of the Container Concept
The Container Concept is effective because it removes the emotional burden of decision-making.
Instead of agonizing over what to keep and what to let go, the container’s physical boundaries guide your choices. Instead of trying to justify keeping items, your focus becomes making space for the things that add value to your life.
This mindset also helps prevent future clutter.
When you bring something new into your home, you’re more likely to consider where it will go and whether it will fit within your existing containers. If it doesn’t, you need to make a conscious choice about what to remove to make room for it.
By viewing your spaces as containers with fixed limits, you can simplify the decluttering and organizing process. It also reduces stress and helps you create a home that reflects what matters most to you.
The Container Concept is your ultimate decluttering and organizing decision-making tool!
Disclosure: My blog posts sometimes contain affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase, which is at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
I’m Vicki Peel, former home economics teacher and educational administrator. If you are not receiving my emails, coupons, and freebies, go to my website (address below) and sign up for my newsletter. I will not share your information with anyone, and all the content you will receive as part of our community is free. I may occasionally promote someone else’s paid content, offer a product for your consideration or share an item that I think might be of use to you. However, you are under no obligation to purchase anything – ever. So, sign up now so you won’t miss anything!
Do you have more stuff than the space to store it?
Which of these statements describes you and your relationship with your space?
I often find myself wasting time because I can’t find an item I need.
Sometimes, I come across things I didn’t even know I had.
I can’t bear to get rid of Grandmama’s china.
I have several boxes of memorabilia under the bed or in the attic.
I know I have to decide what to do with my mother’s and mother-in-law’s furniture, but I keep putting it off.
I have a storage facility that I pay for monthly because I can’t decide what to do with the contents. They hold fond memories for me.
I find expired food in the back of the pantry (or refrigerator) that I didn’t know I had.
I know I need to get rid of some stuff, but I’m like Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone with the Wind” – “I’ll think about that tomorrow”.
Every time I start to declutter a space, I make such a big mess sorting and going through things. I dread even starting.
I’ve thought about starting a whole-home decluttering project, but the thought is so overwhelming that I simply put off thinking any more about it.
I just am not motivated to get my house in order by decluttering and organizing.
I don’t have the energy to tackle big decluttering and organizing projects.
I have enough closets and spare rooms to effectively “hide” all the extra stuff I don’t know what to do with.
I think I’ll just wait and let my children and grandchildren deal with all the stuff.
The thought of getting rid of things from my parents and grandparents is too depressing. How can I throw away precious memories?
I want to declutter and organize, but I just don’t know where to start.
Things may look a little cluttered, but I like having a lot of stuff around me.
When I was growing up, I was taught to take care of your stuff. You don’t throw away stuff that still functions. That is wasteful.
Every time I read about how to declutter and organize, it just doesn’t feel right for me. Is there really a right way to do it?
It makes me so sad when I realize that my children and grandchildren don’t want the stuff that I cherish.
Write down the number of any statement that reflects how you think or feel.
Instead of “where do I start?”, should the question be “what kind of mindset do I need to cultivate before starting a major decluttering and organizing project?”
Personally, I have struggled with many of these thoughts and feelings. After all, how do you think I came up with all of them?
When you consider whether you need to declutter and organize your space, what is holding you back? If you’re happy with everything in your home – the stuff you have and where you have it, then don’t let anyone tell you what you need to do.
However, if thinking about any of these statements makes you feel uncomfortable, what needs to change for you? Or what do you need to change? Your mind?
Disclosure: My blog posts sometimes contain affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase, which is at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
I’m Vicki Peel, former home economics teacher and educational administrator. If you are not receiving my emails, coupons, and freebies, look for the Subscribe block (below right) and submit your contact information. I will not share your information with anyone, and all the content you will receive as part of our community is free. I may occasionally promote someone else’s paid content, offer a product for your consideration or share an item that I think might be of use to you. However, you are under no obligation to purchase anything – ever. So, sign up now so you won’t miss anything!
We all have those days when motivation is nowhere to be found. If you’re feeling stuck, here are some simple and effective tips to help you get back on track:
**Meditate**: Take a few minutes to calm your mind and reduce stress.
**Journal**: Write down your thoughts and feelings to process them better.
**Find Inspiration**: Read or listen to inspiring stories.
**Explore New Hobbies**: Try something new to spark your interest.
**Set Small Goals**: Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
**Establish a Routine**: A consistent schedule can create a sense of normalcy.
**Practice Gratitude**: List things you’re thankful for to boost your mood.
**Get Moving**: Exercise to improve your mood and energy levels.
**Listen to Music**: Play your favorite tunes to uplift your spirits.
**Connect with Friends**: Spend time with loved ones for support.
**Surround Yourself with Positivity**: Be around motivated people.
**Prioritize Self-Care**: Take care of your physical and mental health.
**Limit Social Media**: Reduce time spent on social media to avoid comparison.
**Reflect on Achievements**: Remember past successes to build confidence.
**Take Breaks**: Short breaks can refresh your mind.
**Spend Time Outside**: Nature can have a calming and rejuvenating effect.
**Seek Help if Needed**: If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to seek professional support.
These tips can help you find your motivation and enjoy life more. Remember, it’s okay to take it one step at a time. For more ideas and detailed advice, check out the original article on the [Calm blog] (https://www.calm.com/blog/i-dont-feel-like-doing-anything).
Disclosure: My blog posts sometimes contain affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase, which is at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
I’m Vicki Peel, former home economics teacher and educational administrator. If you are not receiving my emails, coupons, and freebies, look for the Subscribe block (below right) and submit your contact information. I will not share your information with anyone, and all the content you will receive as part of our community is free. I may occasionally promote someone else’s paid content, offer a product for your consideration or share an item that I think might be of use to you. However, you are under no obligation to purchase anything – ever. So, sign up now so you won’t miss anything!
Have you ever noticed how many emails you get or articles you see that start with a number?
“5 Final Thoughts About…..”
“7 Things You’ll Never Regret…”
“The 11 Best…”
Well, decluttering rules are no exception! In this article, I’ll share 10 sets of rules with a specific number of rules! Confusing? It’s all in the numbers.
Here is the condensed version. If you want to know more about a specific set of rules, just click on the hyperlinked title beneath each image.
The 90/90 Rule turns out to be only one rule, but you decide on the number. It started with 90 days – 90 days before and 90 days afterward.
This works well for decluttering clothing. Ask yourself if you have worn an item in the past 90 days and whether you will wear it in the next 90 days. Then remove those items that don’t make the cut.
Turns out that the 20/20 Decluttering Rule also boils down to one rule.
This is a good rule if you are one of those people who want to hold on to an item “just in case” you might need it sometime in the future.
Describes my mother to a T! And I’m my mother’s daughter.
If you get rid of an item that you realize you need, can you replace it for less than $20 in less than 20 minutes?
If so, it goes in the discard box.
For people living in a very rural setting like I do, you may not be able to meet the 20-minute deadline, but the concept still holds. And even where I live, we have a new Family Dollar-Dollar Tree store less than 5 minutes away out here in the middle of nowhere!
These 10 Gentle Decluttering Rules are not decluttering methods or how-to rules. Instead, they are to help you learn how to let go of things and live with less.
Why is more important than how.
One thing at a time.
This is not a race.
If everything matters, nothing matters.
Keep your eyes on your own stuff.
Small progress is still progress.
Less is not nothing.
Just in case means never.
Holding on is harder than letting go.
This is love. Simplicity.
As you read the above rules, could you envision how some of them may have played out in your life? Our own interpretation of these rules is how they should be applied.
As an introduction, Taryn notes that the average American spends 2.5 days per year looking for lost items. And 20% of families who live in homes with 4 or more bedrooms have items in storage. Yikes!
Declutter little. Declutter often.
Apply KonMari decluttering techniques only to your everyday clutter.
Spontaneous combustion – meaning if an item in your home were to spontaneously disappear, how would you feel?
20/20 rule – if you rarely use an item and can replace it for less than $20 and in less than 20 minutes, get rid of it. (Hint: you will probably never end up buying it again!)
Project 333 from Courtney Carver – have 33 pieces of clothing in your closet that you commit to using for 3 months. Pack up the rest of your clothes and put them away, so you can always go back to get what you missed or needed until you are satisfied with the process.
90/90 Rule – consider if you used the item in the previous 90 days and would you use it in the next 90 days. Then make the decision to keep it or discard it.
Wait for it – if you decide you want something, wait a specified amount of time to see if you still want it. Many times, you’ll find you don’t really need it after all.
There are no rules. At least there are no hard and fast rules. Make your own rules based on what you want to accomplish and the best way that works for you, your personality, your energy level, and your available time.
Disclosure: My blog posts sometimes contain affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase, which is at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
I’m Vicki Peel, former home economics teacher and educational administrator. If you are not receiving my emails, coupons, and freebies, look for the Subscribe block (below right) and submit your contact information. I will not share your information with anyone, and all the content you will receive as part of our community is free. I may occasionally promote someone else’s paid content, offer a product for your consideration or share an item that I think might be of use to you. However, you are under no obligation to purchase anything – ever. So, sign up now so you won’t miss anything!
After 5 days of quarantine in the hotel and practice at the studio, the MrBeast challenge was set to start.
Expecting to start the challenge bright and early, I got dressed and waited for directions to board the bus. And I waited. And I waited.
By the time we were bussed to the studio and practiced marching to our cubicles a few times, the official challenge started about 3:00 pm.
Once we stepped into our cubicle, we had to stay inside until we were eliminated. If we stepped out, across the red line at the door space, we were automatically eliminated.
We still had no idea what the challenge was all about.
The only things in our cubicles were a bed with white linens and a pillow, a box underneath the bed with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a few snack items, and a tablet on a podium in the corner of the cubicle.
First order of business was to test the tablet. Pictures of all contestants and their ages were already loaded onto the tablet.
MrBeast then directed us to vote for one person who we thought should win the $250,000 prize. If everyone voted for the same person, the challenge was over.
Most people voted for themselves. I voted for the 100-year-old.
On the tablet screen was a picture of a toilet. If we needed “to go”, we pushed that button and a port-a-potty was wheeled down the aisle on our level and into our cubicle. When we were “finished”, we came out and the port-a-potty was wheeled out and back down the aisle to be sanitized for the next consumer.
Now, we’re ready.
MrBeast announced that he needed 10 of us to leave on our own volition.
If 10 people did not leave, then 25 people would be randomly selected to be eliminated from the challenge. Ten minutes was allotted.
Ten people did not leave. The 1-year-old, 3-year-old, 89-year-old left, and one other person left. That’s all.
I don’t think the 1-year-old and 3-year-old were responding to the request. They just ran out of the room!
Getting down to the business of elimination of 25 people!
A machine with popup ping pong balls with each of our ages on them was used to make the selections.
#18! #85. #82. #73.
OK – good. #73 was gone. The odds were in my favor that #74 wouldn’t be chosen, at least not right away.
So, I sat back on my bed and relaxed. I was feeling pretty confident.
#74!
And just like that, my 15 seconds of fame never materialized!
However, I am sharing exclusive photos that prove I was actually in the challenge.
I missed seeing Howie Mandel, who was a guest of the challenge at a crucial point. Afterward, MrBeast gave Howie a tour of the studio. (Click on Howie to see that!)
In case you missed me, (If you got to the 3 minute mark and didn’t see me – you missed me) here are the exclusive and conclusive photos of my participation:
Look for the yellow circle in the back on right side!
#74 getting settled in!
#73 eliminated! Odds for #74 staying improve!
Walk of Shame: the 25 randomly eliminated before the challenge started!
Until the video was published, I had no idea what happened after that! At the time of this posting, the video had been on YouTube for 3 days. Almost 80 million views. Over 163K comments.
And after all that, I remain anonymous. Fame is fleeting – or nonexistent as the case may be.
Was it worth it? Absolutely!
I took a chance at doing something I never would have volunteered for when I was much younger.
I met some interesting people in spite of my introversion, including a writer from Los Angeles, a family of a mother, father and son who owned a restaurant and a “dueling pianos” bar.
My new writer friend from Los Angeles told me about #82, a mother of 8, grandmother and great-grandmother of a LOT, who had never worn pants before this challenge. She was from Kentucky and requested they send her the fabric for her to sew a skirt to wear. However, the fabric didn’t arrive before she had to fly to the challenge. So, she wore the first pants in her life for this challenge. She was the 3rd person eliminated in the random 25! Bless her heart! (We say that a lot in the South!)
I also met a former principal of a school in a county near me. His wife was in basically the same challenge of ages 1 – 100 the previous year and came in second in the entire challenge! She made it to the last two contestants and made the wrong decision at the wrong time!
Because I live only about 30 miles from where MrBeast lives in Greenville, N.C., I wanted to know what it was like to see him in action and where the studio was located.
It was a great experience!
I also know several people who have won money from MrBeast challenges or “encounters”.
My granddaughter’s roommate was a participant in the 100 girls vs 100 boys. She was one of the remaining girls left who won the challenge and won several thousand dollars.
My grandson’s friend won $35,000 by making a basketball shot.
And my husband’s friend and former co-worker was one of the 1000 people who received hearing aids from MrBeast. I’ll call him G. MrBeast talked with him afterward and asked him if he needed a car, and G said he didn’t. Then MrBeast asked him what he would do with the money if he were given some. G said he would put it in a college fund for his grandchildren. When MrBeast asked him how many grandchildren he had, G replied “12”. He was given $12,000. A nice little jumpstart on college funds.
I didn’t win the money, and I was eliminated before the challenge really got started, but I didn’t come away empty-handed.
We were told we would receive $500 if we didn’t win anything else. But we were given $1000 instead.
I don’t think $1000 is too bad for 5 days in a nice hotel with meals brought to you, high-speed Internet, and all that time to work on my business and watch TV!
I’m a pretty proud Introvert, who put myself “out there” for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!
By the way, did you identify what each of the items on my rejected artwork represented in Mr.Beast world (from previous post)?
Here are the answers, clockwise from top:
Tree – 23 million trees planted, estimated to absorb around 2 million pounds of harmful carbon air pollution
Trash bag – removed over 8,000,000 kg (17.8m lb) of trash from the oceans and rivers worldwide
Well – built 100 wells in Africa, bringing clean drinking water to an estimated 500,000 people
Candy bar – introduced Feastables chocolate bars in several varieties, making over $250 million in first year
Numbers – MrBeast first viral video breakthrough, counting to 100,000
Bee – MrBeast red the entire Bee Movie script in a video
Eye and Ear – paid for 1000 people to have their vision restored and donated hearing aid technology for 1000 people
Dictionary – MrBeast read the entire dictionary in one sitting
Disclosure: My blog posts sometimes contain affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase, which is at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
I’m Vicki Peel, former home economics teacher and educational administrator. If you are not receiving my emails, coupons, and freebies, look for the Subscribe block (below right) and submit your contact information. I will not share your information with anyone, and all the content you will receive as part of our community is free. I may occasionally promote someone else’s paid content, offer a product for your consideration or share an item that I think might be of use to you. However, you are under no obligation to purchase anything – ever. So, sign up now so you won’t miss anything!
I participated in a MrBeast challenge. Me. The ultimate introvert – certified no less.
And now that the video has been published, I am no longer bound by the non-disclosure agreement.
So, here’s my story.
First, if you are not familiar with MrBeast (yes, that’s the correct title for him), he is the world’s (yes, I said world) most-subscribed individual on YouTube and the second-most subscribed channel overall.
MrBeast, aka Jimmy Donaldson, has over 253 million subscribers, and the video in which I participated already has over 51 million views and climbing after only one day since its release.
In fact, Jimmy – MrBeast was featured on the cover of Time Magazine in February 2024! Have you read the article?
In May of 2023, I came across an online application to participate in a MrBeast challenge. I filled it out. I don’t know why.
It’s not like that was on my Bucket List. And I’m not very good at mingling with people I don’t know. And I like to know what to expect in any given situation.
Then I forgot about it.
In December, I got a call inviting me to participate in a Zoom meeting interview. I was told that this did not mean I was chosen. I was only going to go through a casual interview with casual questions.
Then, in January 2024, I got a call inviting me to move to the next step in the casting process!
I had to complete a Casting Questionnaire, Contestant Intake Form, and sign a non-disclosure agreement that prevented me from sharing any information about the challenge until after the video was published.
At this point, I was still in the running for selection as a contestant but had no assurance of becoming one.
By the end of January, I was issued an official invitation announcing my selection as a MrBeast Contestant!
I was allowed to share that information with family and friends, but nothing about the actual event, of which I knew nothing anyway.
The challenge took place the first week of March.
I was in quarantine in a nice hotel with a kitchenette for 5 days. That included an extra day because of technical issues before starting the challenge.
There were 100 contestants, ages 1 – 100. I’m #74.
We received 3 room service meals and snacks daily.
As a confirmed Introvert, I loved being alone for 5 days, with my laptop and a TV! I worked on my blog, emails, products, did research, and watched TV. That’s what I call fun!
All contestants were invited to submit a drawing of MrBeast-related content for prizes in each age group. I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler, but I submitted this one. (And – I didn’t win! Surprise!) Can you identify what each of the items in the circle represents?
Before the challenge started, we were allowed to go outside for a little while and rotate through doing a Feastable commercial, MrBeast’s chocolate bars and several other stations.
I wasn’t worried about that, because I knew there was no chance that mine would be selected. I’m not exactly an “on-camera” person.
The final station included an individual photo shoot in a number of poses in our outfit for the challenge.
Then back to our rooms until challenge time.
We were issued an athletic outfit that included a blue jacket, matching blue pants, white T-shirt, white socks and white sneakers.
The outfit was in men’s sizes, and needless to say, mine didn’t fit well. The pants were about 18” too long. I just tried to roll them up to keep from tripping over them.
The shoes were too small, and they did not have a larger size available. So, I squished down the heel and wore them like clogs.
MrBeast Contestant Outfit
The day before filming started, we were bussed to the studio for practice. I use the term practice loosely.
The set consisted of 5 rows of 20 bedroom plexiglass cubicles, separated down the middle with a ramp for access. The rows were tiered, so that each row was higher than the previous row. Then everyone could see the front where MrBeast and his pals worked the event.
Row 1 was ages 1 – 20, the next row included people ages 21 – 39, and so on. As a 74-year-old, I was on the next to the top row, followed only by the 80 – 100 year-olds!
First, everyone was lined up in front of the cubicles in age order and we practiced yelling and cheering on cue for the 360-degree camera overhead. We practiced and we practiced. After 45 minutes, I assume they thought they had enough to get some good video. (None of it was used in the final video!)
Then, we practiced marching to our cubicles, which had an open-door area on the back and our age number in the middle of the floor. And we practiced and we practiced.
When we were “good enough”, we were bussed back to the hotel. The challenge started the following day!
Disclosure: My blog posts sometimes contain affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase, which is at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
I’m Vicki Peel, former home economics teacher and educational administrator. If you are not receiving my emails, coupons, and freebies, look for the Subscribe block (below right) and submit your contact information. I will not share your information with anyone, and all the content you will receive as part of our community is free. I may occasionally promote someone else’s paid content, offer a product for your consideration or share an item that I think might be of use to you. However, you are under no obligation to purchase anything – ever. So, sign up now so you won’t miss anything!
Question: How many psychiatrists does it take to change a lightbulb?
Answer: One. But the lightbulb must want to change.
You’ve probably heard that riddle before. But even though it may make you smile it does get down to the heart of the matter of changing your life. To change your life, you must want it.
Our habits drive our lives. They make things easier because we don’t have to think about them. We just do them.
We brush our teeth twice a day. We have that morning cup of coffee to get us going. We take a shower daily.
Habits are powerful. We don’t have to make decisions about many of the things we do daily. They are simple habits.
Have you ever tried to change a habit and replace it with a new one that serves you better? I know I have. But most of the time, I failed. I tried to change too much all at once. Or I tried to change too many things.
When I tried to count calories by writing down everything I ate, I failed. When I tried to cut out all sugar in my diet, I failed. When I tried to exercise 30 minutes every day, I failed.
So, what did I do? I quit trying.
But what if I changed one tiny thing consistently? How might that affect my life?
Check out this short video about what I did.
(Since I created this video, I moved the “My One Thing Daily Habit Tracker” to my Etsy shop. So, click on the links at the end of this post to access your FREE habit tracker!)
And you know what? If you start doing one thing differently until it becomes a habit, it changes your perspective about things. I found that what I drank at meals or snack time wasn’t that important. I could focus more on enjoying the food I ate. I also found that I started feeling better by drinking water instead of Pepsi. And then, I started feeling better about myself because I was successful at doing something to improve my health.
It was a tiny microhabit. But it had powerful results.
So why is it better to make tiny, incremental change in your life instead of revamping your entire life at once? Because microhabits are simply doable
They are easier to start.
Often, the reason we have such a hard time making changes in our lives is that we just don’t know where to begin. The whole process seems so daunting and overwhelming. With microhabits, the difficulty is removed. When you’re only changing one very small thing, it barely feels like a change at all. In fact, it can be kind of fun trying out an incremental change just to see what kind of result you get.
They are easier to sustain.
While big changes tend to get real old really fast (like changing from a diet full of processed foods to something Keto or Paleo), micro-changes (like adding a vegetable to every meal) never feel hard at all. The simplicity of incremental change carries momentum all on its own.
They are fairly painless.
Big changes are sometimes so sweeping that they can actually hurt. Imagine throwing out every piece of unhealthy food in your kitchen. Then imagine standing there staring into the abyss of an empty refrigerator trying to figure out what to eat. You have nothing left that you actually liked to eat!
The nice thing about microhabits is that the change is incremental. So, if you’re working to change your diet, you may be only changing one food – like giving up soda – while still enjoying the things you love.
And ultimately, you may find it much easier to start adding other healthy microhabits in your life.
They use less energy.
Those great big changes are only going to wear you out. It’s like going for a full-fledged workout when you typically rarely leave the couch. Your body certainly isn’t ready for that kind of work, and the whole process (finding workout clothes and equipment, going to the gym, knowing what machine to use and how long, and for how many reps) can be pretty daunting.
Microhabits encourage you to take things slow, leaving you with more energy for the rest of your day. So instead of worrying about all that time at the gym, maybe you’re just deciding to take the stairs at work or to park further away from the building, so you get that extra walking in. That bypasses all that energy you’d spend going to and from the gym, and still gives you some exercise you wouldn’t normally get.
They keep you motivated.
Great big goals can feel a million miles away and easily leave you discouraged.
Microhabits set smaller goals that are achieved in tiny increments. This means you get to your destination a lot faster, leaving you with a feeling of accomplishment. That feeling helps keep you motivated as you continue to work towards change. Creating microhabits is a self-sustaining cycle of change and momentum.
While these might not seem like big achievements, the feeling of having done something special is still perfectly valid and will make you feel good about yourself, and what you’re doing.
Is there something you would like to change in your life? Can you simplify it into a microhabit?
Here is a simple habit tracker I designed that you could download for free! My One Thing Daily Habit Trackeris an undated printable that you could print out to complete or use in digital format and save in a file. You have a choice of three colors – green, pink, or white, and can use it over and over because it is undated.
Go to my Etsy Shop to get your free copy! Just click HERE!
And start your tiny, incremental change toward huge rewards in your life today!
(If the coupon for the habit tracker has expired in this post, contact me for a new code!)
Disclosure: My blog posts sometimes contain affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase, which is at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
I’m Vicki Peel, former home economics teacher and educational administrator. If you are not receiving my emails, coupons, and freebies, look for the Subscribe block (below right) and submit your contact information. I will not share your information with anyone, and all the content you will receive as part of our community is free. I may occasionally promote someone else’s paid content, offer a product for your consideration or share an item that I think might be of use to you. However, you are under no obligation to purchase anything – ever. So, sign up now so you won’t miss anything!
Ever experienced the urge to declutter, but don’t know where to start? So, you just leave it for another time – when you’re feeling more motivated or energetic. You’re not alone. Dana K White, of A Slob Comes Clean blog, offers practical wisdom on how to effectively tackle clutter, starting with what she calls the Visibility Rule.
You may have read to start with one drawer, like a junk drawer. Or start with your closet, sorting, donating, and trashing. While those are places you could start, if you’re like me, you quickly get too tired and the motivation to continue is soon gone.
And look around. You’re left with a bigger mess because you pulled everything out of that drawer onto the counter or spread out all your clothes on the bed. Bigger mess and your urge to clutter got up and went!
But Dana urges us to pause and consider a different approach.
Enter the Visibility Rule. Instead of starting the decluttering process with those tucked-away areas, Dana suggests focusing on spaces that are in plain sight.
Why? Because tackling visible clutter not only enhances the overall appearance of your home but also boosts your motivation to continue decluttering.
It makes a bigger difference faster!
Just look around first. What can you do in just a few minutes? You can make significant strides by addressing items that have been lingering unnoticed but would make a huge difference if picked up and put away. Whether it’s clearing out unused containers, discarding expired food items, or simply straightening up, these small but visible changes can have a profound impact on your space.
So why prioritize visibility over the seemingly more important clutter tasks that you’ve been wanting to tackle for so long? Dana says that by focusing on what people see upon entering your home, you’re not only creating a more welcoming space for guests but also streamlining your decluttering efforts. After all, the areas that catch the eye are often the easiest to tackle, making it a win-win situation.
What does prioritizing visibility look like in practice? It’s about making intentional decisions based on what will make the most noticeable difference. Rather than getting bogged down by the enormity of clutter, start with manageable tasks that yield visible results. Whether it’s organizing a countertop, decluttering a living room, or tidying up a high-traffic area, these small victories pave the way for larger successes.
Pick up an item and make a decision right then and there. Does it need to be trashed? (Keep a trash bag with you at all times.) Does it need to be put away? (That means you have a place for it and can take it there right away.) Or, is it still in good shape, but your family doesn’t need or want it anymore? (In this case, it goes into the Donate Box.)
In essence, the Visibility Rule offers a simple, but strategic approach to decluttering—one that prioritizes impact over effort. By making incremental changes to the areas that matter most, you’ll not only create a more harmonious living environment but also gain a sense of accomplishment that fuels further progress.
So, remember the wisdom of the Visibility Rule. Instead of getting lost in the chaos of hidden clutter, channel your energy into transforming the spaces that make the greatest impression. Your home—and your sanity—will thank you for it.
How UN Are You? Assessing Your Motivation, Interest, and Energy for Decluttering, Cleaning, and Organizing
I have been planning and dreaming about taking control of my house for over a year now. I’ve considered each room and how I want the room to look, feel, and function. I’ve made this a major goal for this year.
I’ve thought about the available spaces and whether my belongings would fit into the spaces. However, I know the answer to that problem. No – my belongings would not fit into the available spaces in my home. Solution: get rid of enough stuff so the remaining stuff will fit into my space.
I know what I want, and I know what I need to do. Why haven’t I been progressing on this goal?
After much procrastination and endless analysis, I have come to the inevitable conclusion.
I want a decluttered, clean, and organized home. I just don’t want to do it!
I’m the founder and organizing leader of the UN-Crowd – the UN-motivated, UN-interested, and UN-energetic!
Have you ever felt overwhelmed, uninterested, or lacking in energy when faced with household tasks? If so, you’re not alone. Welcome to the UN-Crowd!
Many of us find ourselves in the UN-Crowd at one time or another, struggling to muster the motivation to tackle clutter and chaos. We may want a clean and organized house, but getting there is a major struggle.
This post is all about assessing your motivation, interest, and energy levels when it comes to decluttering, cleaning, and organizing your home.
Understanding the UN-Crowd
To begin, let’s consider whether you are a likely member of the UN-Crowd. The UN-Crowd consists of individuals who feel UN-motivated, UN-interested, and UN-energetic when it comes to decluttering, cleaning, and organizing their homes. They may feel overwhelmed by the thought of tackling clutter, lack the energy to get started on household tasks or simply hate the thought of decluttering, organizing, and cleaning.
There are several common reasons why people may find themselves in the UN-Crowd. Busy schedules, overwhelming clutter, and a lack of knowledge on where to start can all contribute to feelings of being UN-motivated, UN-interested, or UN-energetic when it comes to household chores.
Assessing Your UN Status
Now that we’ve defined the UN-Crowd, let’s take a closer look at where you currently stand on the “UN” scale. Using this simple self-assessment tool, you’ll be able to rate your current level of motivation, interest, and energy when it comes to decluttering, cleaning, and organizing your home.
Take a moment to reflect on each statement and rate your feelings honestly on a scale of 1 to 10. Once you’ve completed the assessment, you’ll have a clearer understanding of your current status and where you may want or need to focus your efforts.
Click on the title below and take this quick and easy self-assessment. It should take only a couple of minutes.
As you complete the self-assessment, you may begin to identify specific challenges or obstacles that are contributing to your feelings of being unmotivated, uninterested, or unenergetic when it comes to household tasks.
Are you too busy to embrace decluttering and organizing?
Is knowing where and how to start daunting?
Do you fear letting go of stuff you’ve had forever?
Are you happy with the current level of clutter and organization in your home?
Take note of any patterns or recurring themes that emerge as you reflect on your current status. Do you want to make changes in the current status of clutter, organization, and cleanliness of your home? If not, fine. It’s up to you.
By identifying any challenges, you’ll be better equipped to develop strategies for overcoming them and moving forward toward a more organized and peaceful home environment.
That’s where I’m headed – toward an organized, peaceful home, one where I know what stuff I have and where I’ve stuffed it! (Not “stuffed it” – I mean where I assigned it to be, nearest its point of use, and where I might look for it first when needed!)
It’s going to be a long and slow journey for me. The goal is better, not perfection. And I don’t think there is an end. There will always be parts of the process that need repeating from time to time. But each time I have to declutter, clean, or organize again, it will be easier than the first time.
Are you coming? What’s holding you back?
A final word of clarification: Your decluttering, cleaning, and organizing journey may look very different from mine. There is no right or wrong way to get to your destination. You simply decide how much or how little you need or want to declutter, clean, and organize. Take what you need or want from the resources and advice I share along my journey, and let the rest go. Define your organizing journey. Do as little or as much as you decide.
