10 Forever Documents to Keep

I love lists.  Making them and reading them.  I came across this list of what documents to make sure you have and keep in a safe place and I thought I’d share it with you.  Where I live in California, people often keep a grab and go box in case you need to evacuate for a fire or mudslide. It doesn’t have to be fancy, mine was probably less than $10 from Office Max. Do you have your important documents in one place?

Certain papers should be kept in a safe location where they are protected from damage, loss and theft. Such original documents, which may be hard to obtain or costly to replace.  Here is the list:

• Birth certificates and adoption papers
  

• Death certificates
  

• Marriage and divorce records
  

• Social Security cards. Yes, you know the number, but there may be an occasion where you have to produce the actual card.
  

• Military service records, including discharge documents. An honorably discharged service member is eligible to receive funeral and burial benefits.
  

• Loan payoff statements. Here’s something important: If you negotiated to pay less than what you owed on a debt, keep the original agreement in perpetuity. Often when debt is sold to debt collectors for pennies on the dollar, the sale doesn’t include a lot of information, including documentation proving a payoff.
  

• Year-end pay stubs. If a company goes out of business you may not be able to track down the information should you need it later.
  

• Retirement or pension records. Be sure to keep the records from previous jobs.
  

• Estate documents
  

• Funeral programs. Although many funeral homes will post an obituary online, they are often shortened versions of the program you might receive at the service.
  

  If you need help getting started let me know, I’d love to help!

Osoji the Japanese Reset

There are so many people who subscribe to a new years cleaning regime, there are ones who end the year by purging things they don’t need before the holidays and others who love to do a big spring refresh by cleaning out their closets and garage come April.  I’d say I do a mix of all these.  Mostly because I’m a purger and love getting rid of things.  Yes, there are times I’ve regretted getting rid of things in haste but mostly I just love the feeling of a well curated space. I feel like I am always battling the piles around the house.  There’s nothing better when there’s a place for everything.

The Japanese have a yearly practice called Osoji and though it’s technically at the end of the year, we’re only into mid January so in my book, I think it still counts. 

Spring cleaning is a well-established seasonal reset, but in Japan, many people also engage in a similar practice at the end of the year: ōsōji. It literally means “great cleaning,” though it’s associated with Shinto beliefs, it can be viewed as a secular exercise or a more spiritual ritual.
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“Ōsōji, or the year-end deep cleaning, is similar in spirit to spring cleaning in that it’s an important opportunity to clear away a year’s worth of dirt and dust,” explained Marie Kondo, who has a chapter on ōsōji in her recent release, Letter From Japan. “What makes it different, however, is its timing and meaning. Since it’s done at the end of the year, it’s not only a chance to reflect on the past 12 months, but also a way to prepare for the arrival of Toshigami-sama ― the deity who visits at New Year’s to bring happiness for the year ahead.”
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It’s ok if you didn’t do some kind of big clean at the end of last year, in some calendars the New Year doesn’t start for a few weeks.  Chinese New Year is Tuesday February 17 this year.  You don’t have to drop all your plans and start scrubbing the baseboards — Kondo advised reflecting on how you can incorporate ōsōji in a way that’s best for you. “Even if you choose just one small area that’s been bothering you, cleaning it with a sense of gratitude for the past year can become both an expression of appreciation toward your home and a gentle opportunity for self-reflection,” she said. “It may also help you begin the new year with a fresh and renewed feeling.”

I started in my junk drawer. What corner of your house will you start to refresh?  

What would you do with an extra hour?

Imagine if you were given an extra hour in your day—just 60 more minutes to use however you like. What would you do with it? Would you finally dive into that book you've been meaning to read, take a walk outside, call a friend you haven’t caught up with in a while, or maybe just do absolutely nothing and enjoy the quiet? There’s no right answer—just a chance to pause and think about what really matters to you. So, what would you do with your extra hour?

We are all so scattered and pulled in so many directions how would it really feel to wake up and realize you have an extra hour.  Do you love that feeling when you have an appt and it gets cancelled and you can fill in that time with whatever you want? Maybe that’s a sign you need a little extra time to yourself.

Personally, if I had an extra hour to do whatever I want, I think I’d either lounge and do nothing or jump in the ocean. I always feel rejuvenated when I’ve taken this break and am more ready to get back to work. What would you do? 

When we take breaks we feel recharged and lighter.  So why don’t we take more breaks?  They don’t have to always be an hour maybe they can only be 15 minutes.  Like a snack break but for taking deep breaths, walking around the block or sitting for a 5 minute meditation.

If you would like help finding an extra hour in your day, I'm here for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.  If you’d like to book a call with me to find out more, click here.  I'd love to connect!

Being Organized Makes Us Feel Lighter

It’s true, when we are organized we just feel lighter.  We have more space to think.  More room to breathe.  We can find things easier and even sleep better.  On the flip side, disorganization holds us back and weighs us down.  You know the feeling.  We’ve all been there.  

Even spending 5 minutes a day staying on top of our space makes things more doable.  This could look like putting things away in their place, cleaning out a junk drawer or clearing out our email inbox.  Sometimes just committing to a short burst of time can take you from feeling frazzled to more clear headed just like that.

Here are a few quick tips to help you feel organized:

• Tidy Up a Small Area: Pick one space—your desk, a corner of the kitchen, or your workbag—and clear it up. It’s amazing how quickly clutter can make things feel chaotic. Just five minutes of putting things in their place can give you a sense of control.
  

• Make a 3-Item To-Do List: Keep it simple. Write down the three most important things you need to do today. Don’t overthink it—this is just about getting started and avoiding feeling overwhelmed.
  

• Set a Timer for 5 Minutes: Choose a small task that’s been on your mind, like responding to a few emails or folding laundry. Set a timer for 5 minutes and get moving. Often, starting is the hardest part, and once you're in motion, you'll feel more productive.
  

• Declutter Your Phone or Email: In 5 minutes, you can delete old messages, unsubscribe from a few email lists, or organize your home screen. Clearing out digital clutter can have a big impact on how organized you feel.
  

• Prep for Tomorrow: Lay out your clothes, pack your bag, or make a quick plan for the next day. Having a head start for the morning can help you feel like you’re already ahead of the game.
  

• Breathe and Refocus: Take 2 minutes to just breathe deeply and reset. When you feel less rushed or scattered, you naturally organize your thoughts and actions better.
  

And you’re off to feeling more centered and focused!

Vacations really ARE good for you

It turns out that vacations ARE really good for you.  They do something to our brain.  It’s like “shaking up the snowglobe” so to speak. Vacations get us out of our ruts of daily life and help our brain think in new and exciting ways.

I recently took a week to visit my sister in Florida with my son.  I felt like I hadn’t taken a real vacation in a very long time.  Most of my trips the last few years have been to see my family back east and I’ve “helped” them start to purge for their next chapter.

My week away did my brain wonders in more ways than one.  I came back completely refreshed and looked around and saw things with a fresh set of eyes.  The same old living room looked newer and I saw things that I could purge that I hadn’t noticed before.  

I also came back feeling totally refreshed and ready to get back to work.  Excited to start a new project.

Taking a vacation isn’t just a break from work—it’s a powerful way to reset your mind and body. Science shows that stepping away from daily stress can lower your cortisol levels, boost your mood, and help you sleep better. In fact, research found that men who skip vacations for years are 30% more likely to have a heart attack. That’s a huge risk for something as simple—and enjoyable—as taking time off. Vacations also spark creativity, improve focus, and make you more productive when you return. And get this: just looking forward to a trip can make you happier for weeks. So if you’ve been putting off that getaway, think of it as a necessary act of self-care—not a guilty pleasure.

I’ve decided that even when I can’t take off for a week I can do day trips close to home that will take me out of my routine and shake my snowglobe up.  Going on small adventures close to home is good, too.  There are so many great things to see and do in our own backyards.  

What’s your next vacation you have planned?

Joy Snacking

Life moves fast. Between deadlines, responsibilities, and endless to-do lists, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget to pause for joy. But what if happiness didn’t have to wait for weekends or vacations? What if we could sprinkle tiny bursts of joy into our daily routine—just like a quick snack to refuel our energy.

Enter joy snacking—the simple, intentional practice of savoring small, everyday moments of happiness. These quick hits of joy don’t require grand plans or major life changes. Instead, they’re about embracing the little things that make you smile, bringing more lightness and ease into your day.

Our brains are wired to focus on what’s urgent, often skipping over what’s enjoyable. But research shows that small, repeated positive experiences can boost mood, reduce stress, and increase overall life satisfaction. Joy snacking is about training your brain to notice and amplify positivity, shifting your focus from what’s missing to what’s already present.

Think about it—when was the last time you let yourself fully enjoy a sip of coffee, a favorite song, or a deep belly laugh? These moments may seem fleeting, but when stacked together, they create a more fulfilling, resilient mindset.

The beauty of joy snacking is that it’s personal and flexible—there’s no right or wrong way to do it. It’s about finding micro-moments that make you feel good and intentionally soaking them in.

• Pause for Sensory Joy – Close your eyes and really savor the warmth of the sun on your skin, the first sip of your morning drink, or the sound of leaves rustling in the wind.
  

• Incorporate Playfulness – Watch a funny video, dance to your favorite song, doodle, or let yourself be silly for no reason.
  

• Engage in Micro-Acts of Kindness – A quick compliment, a thoughtful text, or even smiling at a stranger can create a ripple effect of joy.
  

• Celebrate Small Wins – Finished a task? Take a moment to appreciate it. Even tiny accomplishments deserve recognition.
  

Joy doesn’t have to be a far-off goal—it’s available in the present, waiting to be noticed. By weaving small, joyful moments into your day, you’re not just adding happiness—you’re training yourself to live a life that feels lighter, more balanced, and deeply fulfilling.

So, what’s one joy snack you can indulge in today?