by Vicki Peel | Jan 21, 2025 | Clear Clutter, Lifestyle, Preserve |
Marie is downsizing from a huge house she lived in for almost 60 years to a tiny apartment over 100 miles away. Her story is one of legacy decluttering.
Are you starting to consider the legacy you want to leave behind?
Whether you’re downsizing due to life’s natural transitions or simply beginning the journey of letting go, the Legacy Decluttering Starter Kit is your trusted guide. Click on the title below to see what’s included and how it can help you.
Live Well. Finish Strong. Leave a Lasting Legacy.
If you’re interested in the Legacy Decluttering Starter Kit, contact me at vicki@herlifehacks.com for a coupon code. The launch coupon code only lasts a week But I’ll be glad to give subscribers a 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, 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!
https://HERLifeHacks.com
by Vicki Peel | Jan 6, 2025 | Clear Clutter, Lifestyle, Preserve |
Have you ever looked around and thought, “How did my life get so full of stuff?” And I mean not just the piles of things in your home, but the mental and emotional clutter too.
For years, I bought into the idea that living well meant doing and having it all. But that’s a recipe for overwhelm and exhaustion. I’ve been there, and I know firsthand that the secret to living well isn’t about more.
It’s about clarity of purpose and prioritizing what truly matters.
The “Having It All” Myth
For too long, I thought I had to be everything to everyone and excel at it all.
The truth? Trying to do it all left me frustrated and drained. I left myself out of the priorities.
Here’s the big mistake we all make. We think living well is about adding more.
But what I’ve learned is that it’s really about letting go of what doesn’t matter and focusing on what does.
Living well doesn’t mean perfection or having it all together. It means figuring out what’s important to you and giving yourself permission to let go of the rest. That’s how we create a life that supports us instead of one that exhausts us.
And that sets the stage for “finishing strong”.
Starting With Decluttering
Decluttering doesn’t mean tossing everything you own or becoming a minimalist if that’s not your thing. It’s about making choices. Ask yourself:
- Does this item or task add value to my life?
- Am I keeping this because I love it, or out of guilt or habit?
And remember, decluttering doesn’t have to be extreme. It’s about creating a space that feels good to you, not empty or sterile. Keep the things that bring you joy and serve a purpose. Then let go of the rest. Trust me, you’ll feel lighter.
Everything Needs a Home
Once you’ve decluttered, the next step is to get organized.
My golden rule? Everything must have a home. If it doesn’t, it’s just clutter waiting to happen. When you know where something belongs, you’ll save yourself time and frustration. And when you return it to its home, you’ll know exactly where to find it next time. It’s a little thing, but it makes a big difference.
And here’s another great organizing tip – the “one in, one out” rule. If you bring something new into your space, let go of something old. It’s a simple way to keep things from piling up again.
Build Habits That Work for You
Living well isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about the small, consistent habits that move the needle.
I’ll give you an example: in June 2022, I stopped drinking sweet tea and soda. It was hard at first, but tracking my progress helped me stick with it. Habit trackers are my secret weapon. They make it easy to see your progress and keep you motivated.
If you’ve got big goals, break them into smaller, manageable steps. Write them down, track your progress, and celebrate the wins along the way. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.
Time Management Isn’t Just About Schedules
We all wear a lot of hats—caregiver, professional, friend, homemaker. It’s easy to feel pulled in a million directions. That’s why managing your time is so important. Here are a few things that have worked for me:
- Prioritize your tasks. Not everything is urgent or important, so focus on what really matters.
- Time-block your day. Set aside specific times for work, family, and yes, self-care. You need to be on your own list. (I still have trouble making that a priority!)
- Learn to say “no” without guilt. Every time you say yes to something unimportant, you’re saying no to something that matters.
Ask for Help (Trust Me on This One)
I used to think asking for help was a sign of weakness. I was wrong.
When I finally let go of that belief and started letting others help out, everything got easier. Whether it’s asking family for support, hiring a professional, or joining a community group, don’t be afraid to ask for help. You don’t have to do it all alone.
Truthfully, allowing others to help you helps them. People love the feeling that comes from doing something to help someone they care about.
Progress, Not Perfection
Here’s the truth: living well and finishing strong isn’t about getting it all right. It’s about taking small, intentional steps that align with your values and bring you joy. Focus on progress, not perfection. Give yourself grace along the way.
Your Next Step
Ready to start? Here’s what I’d suggest: take a few minutes to reflect on what really matters to you. Then pick one small area—a drawer, a shelf, or even just your calendar—and take action.
Declutter, organize, or ask for help.
Small changes add up, and before you know it, you’ll feel lighter and more in control.
Remember, you don’t have to do it all at once. This is your journey, and it’s okay to take it one step at a time. The life you want is closer than you think.
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!
https://HERLifeHacks.com
by Vicki Peel | Dec 18, 2024 | Lifestyle, Preserve |
Christmas is a time for family and traditions. It’s a time when our stories are molded and meant to be remembered, shared, and retold.
I am proud to share today’s blog post about how Christmas family traditions are the “building blocks of our legacy”, which was written by Giavanni Swanger.
Building Memories and Meaning: The Power of Christmas Traditions
As a child, Christmas always felt like the most magical time of the year—with the smell of cookies filling the house, the excitement of seeing family you have not seen in a while, and who could forget the highly anticipated visit from Santa, which created a whirlwind of excitement. Now, as a parent, I see the same excitement mirrored in my children, but what truly makes the season magical are the traditions we have created together—the annual Christmas party with extended family and the peaceful, slow morning spent in pajamas opening presents with immediate family. These traditions are more than just rituals; they are the heart of our holiday celebration. Our traditions connect us, provide comfort, and create memories that will carry on for generations to come, reminding me that traditions are what make the season, and life, so meaningful.
Traditions have a wonderful way of bringing people together. Every year around Christmas, our family plans a Christmas party to exchange gifts and have one guaranteed day a year where we get to spend time together amidst busy schedules. We order the same 10-foot sub from a restaurant called Baldino’s, we get wings from JJ’s Buffalo Wings—half lemon pepper and half mild—and my mother-in-law makes her homemade cookies, Rice Krispie treats, and deviled eggs. We catch up on life and share stories of things that have happened since our last gathering. Every year my mother-in-law gets gifts for a game that we play that involves dice. (My husband and I always pick out which items we want and try our hardest to leave the game with the gifts we want.) We may not all be able to get together throughout the year, but simple traditions like that help us maintain our connection with one another.
Traditions provide a sense of stability and comfort. My husband and I take Christmas morning slow —or at least as slow as our children will let us. We stay in our pajamas, brew a fresh cup of coffee, turn on the Grinch, and begin sorting out presents. We take the time to enjoy our company as a family before the excitement of new gifts takes over. The slow pace of the morning gives a certain comfort after having a busy, and sometimes crowded, Christmas party. Our small family tradition provides us with a sense of peace that I hope will continue for years to come, as the lessons of love, patience, and family are passed onto the next generation.
Traditions are a good way to solidify a family legacy. They can be enjoyed for generations; I hope my children will look back on Christmases from their childhood and smile. The games, food, and laughter shared at the Christmas party have helped nurture and create bonds with our family and closest friends. I remember my grandparents sharing stories of their holiday traditions growing up, and we would gather around the table and play the same dice game my great-grandmother used to host. Those moments left a lasting imprint on me, and now I see my children creating their memories one holiday at a time. Our kids will take the lessons of generosity and the value of spending time with family and carry those values into adulthood. Though future generations may make changes to how the tradition is carried out, the underlying value will stay the same.
As I imagine myself 15 or 20 years from now, watching my children carry on our family’s Christmas traditions, I feel a sense of warmth and happiness. I can picture them hosting their own Christmas gathering; I know the traditions will live on—filled with laughter, games, and togetherness. The food may be a little different, and the rules of the games may have changed, but the same joy will come from their time spent together. Perhaps they will take Christmas morning slowly, enjoying their time together, and passing the tradition down to their kids. The traditions that we hold today such as gatherings and shared memories are more than just events or moments in time. They are the building blocks of our legacy.
GUEST BLOGGER, Giavanni Swanger’s essay was selected as one of the best in her Writing and Communication Class at Mercer College in Macon, Georgia, which is taught by Christina Harris. As a result, I excitedly agreed to post her essay on my HER Life Hacks blog.
Giavanni is a college student studying IT and a proud law enforcement wife. After nearly a decade working in the veterinary field, she decided to return to school to pursue her passion for technology. She’s also a mom to three kids and three dogs, and is turning her love for baking into a growing business. Her family traditions inspired the essay featured here, written as part of her college studies.
The Author – Giavanni Swanger and Children
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.
https://HERLifeHacks.com
