Amy Slenker-Smith

Kid’s Artwork, Who Are You Saving It For?

April 3, 2020 by Amy Slenker-Smith Leave a Comment

Kid's Artwork is abundant in our house even with just one child. Households with multiple kids struggle to tackle the volume of paper clutter. And every parent finds their kid's artwork difficult to get rid of because of the memories. Artwork more appropriately falls under sentimental clutter versus paper clutter. And sentimental stuff requires its own process. Currently, I am working on a small scrapbook for my son's elementary years. I collected some photos and artwork over the years. With each passing grade, there is less and less. In the end, I asked for his help with a few large books of his first writing samples. We read them together and laughed at the funny sentences. He noted 6 or 7 pieces that he truly remembered. I snapped photos of those. Without prompting, he said, "I think I'm ready to pass these on. I don't need them." Here's 3 Reasons Why Time - Several years had passed since he wrote the stories. He's not attached to them. And he won't be more attached …

10 Rules for Happiness

April 2, 2020 by Amy Slenker-Smith 3 Comments

Happiness and Gratitude - Even In the Valleys The Happiness Project inspired my Rules for Happiness. These rules are 10 priorities with a posture of gratitude and contentment by living simply. My values set the foundation for these ten rules. Follow Christ My faith journey and my journey to simplify are deeply intertwined but I didn’t realize how much until I wrote My Story. Without question, God had a plan for me. Be Generous Remember the TV show ER? (Yes, I'm dating myself.) Anthony Edward’s character Dr. Greene was dying of cancer. In his final hours, he implored his daughter to “Be Generous”. I am most content when I am generous with my time, talents, possessions, money and words. Gratitude I'm grateful for what I have because it's Simply Enough. A name that so accurately describes this life I get to lead. I appreciate the peaks and the valleys. Because in the valleys, my blessings abound, even when happiness does not. Gratitude shows me the silver …

3 Simple Steps to Organize Remote Controls

March 30, 2020 by Amy Slenker-Smith Leave a Comment

Take a look around your family room. Are the remote controls easy to locate? Or are they lost under a couch cushion? Remote controls also have a way of multiplying. We may get rid of an old DVD player but the remote remains. Let's declutter and organize this space today. Collect Aggregate all the remote controls from your family room. Check under the couch and inside drawers and cabinets. Address each one. If the remote operates a current device Replace the batteries. Use a label maker to provide additional information. (This can be helpful for guests and aging family members.) If the remote operates a disconnected device Remove the batteries If you own the device, tape the remote to it. Donate or Recycle unused electronics Storage Each night, I put the family room to bed before turning in myself. I fold blankets, return games to the cabinet, and stow remotes in a basket. Get in the habit of "putting to bed" the common spaces of your home …

Why I Donated My Entire Candle Collection

March 26, 2020 by Amy Slenker-Smith Leave a Comment

I was recently asked about where to store candles and how many do I own? Not many. But here's why I reduced the number of candles in my home. Collection There was a time when I owned an impressive collection of votives, tapers, scented jar candles, and candleholders. I even saved the jars after the candles burned out. Why? No idea. But this is what makes collections dangerous. We have no idea why, but we continue to buy the items. We are supposed to because we declared it a collection. When I started organizing this collection, I realize they represented more work than enjoyment. I had to store them, and then reorder, replace, and refill them. When new boxes arrived, I threw away wasteful amounts of packaging. After they burned, I cleaned soot off candle holders and my furniture. And then I dusted the candle holders and then dusted around them. It was too much! Migraines In the midst of organizing, migraines entered the picture which meant even less enjoyment from candles. …

How to Work from Home Effectively with Kids

March 21, 2020 by Amy Slenker-Smith Leave a Comment

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has turned our world upsidedown. As families quarantine and practice social distancing, they also struggle with how to manage endless downtime. I love slowing down and embrace the margin in our schedules. We're free to do things like play a board game, try a new recipe or plant an herb garden. #coronatime But I recognize that working parents are trying to figure out how to work from home and simultaneously entertain and educate children. Workspaces and Homeschool Spaces A few years ago, I homeschooled my son. Most of the time, we traveled but here's the room I used for several weeks. I simply adjusted the height of my existing desk. We didn't buy a new desk. My son worked here for 1-2 hours a day and preferred to be near me. Repurpose or Reuse - Do Not Buy Perhaps your kitchen or dining room table is the answer to this temporary situation. Don't rush out and buy something that will become clutter. Flat surfaces are notorious for …

How to Use Food Inventory, Reduce Waste and Save Money

March 13, 2020 by Amy Slenker-Smith 5 Comments

It's amazing how quickly the cabinets fill up. Even our generous pantry is full. Clients often tell me their pantry is too small, but I would argue that we stockpile too much food. We buy large quantities because of a sale only to have items go bad before we use them. A few years ago, we canceled our membership to a bulk shopping store. The impulse buys and excessive quantities eliminated any cost savings. Grocery store sales and coupons are merely advertisements encouraging consumers to “stock up” and spend more. That’s why for this inventory challenge, I suggest staying out of the store altogether. I know what you’re thinking….but I don’t have all the ingredients to make this recipe or that. Well, neither did I, but Google and I made a lot of great meals together! I find substitutes for most ingredients or borrow spices from my neighbor. And sometimes, simply do without. My grandma liked to cook this way. She improvised. Occasionally, it was a disaster but we laughed a …

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Amy Slenker-Smith

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