a pleasant solution: embracing an organized life by Amelia Pleasant Kennedy
Join me for a celebratory finale as we reach our 100th episode, marking the end of a transformative first season. 🎉Thank you. I appreciate you listening to the podcast, sharing, and taking the time to leave a comment and a review.
As we approach the end of the year, it's the perfect time to pause and evaluate whether our actions align with our core values and priorities.
Tune in for an enlightening and comforting conversation with Dr. Tanya Goodrich, a renowned expert in women's pelvic health. An often-overlooked topic, pelvic health plays a crucial role in women's well-being.
Join in as I sit down with Tara Ryan, a passionate advocate for equity and care, who transitioned from a successful career in software sales to becoming a certified professional coach and activist for parents' rights.
In our latest episode, we are thrilled to host Dr. Carrie Lane, a leading expert in American Studies, as she unveils the intriguing world of professional organizing. Her latest book, More Than Pretty Boxes: How the Rise of Professional Organizing Shows Us the Way We Work Isn't Working explores how this booming industry reflects the challenges of our current work culture.
Deciding what to eat can be the source of an enormous amount of mental clutter. Whether you're managing meals for yourself or an entire household, the seemingly simple question of "What's for dinner?" can carry a heavy load of assumptions and expectations.
With the year-end fast approaching, it's the perfect time to explore a calendaring technique that can transform your approach to time management.
Our latest episode explores why mental clutter goes hand in hand with physical clutter and how decluttering your wardrobe can lead to mental clarity and self-compassion.
On this episode, we welcome Karri Bowen-Poole, the visionary founder of Smart Playrooms and Project Playroom. Karri shares her inspiring journey from a childhood influenced by a transformative teacher to becoming a pioneer in designing play spaces that nurture children's emotional well-being and creativity. Discover how her innovative approach to playroom design integrates movement and sensory-rich elements that cater to children's diverse needs, promoting self-directed play and lifelong learning.
In our latest episode, we explore the intricacies of bravery, moving beyond the traditional hero archetype to uncover the everyday courage that exists within all of us. Bravery is often portrayed as the domain of superheroes and fearless leaders, but what if it's something much more accessible? What if it's about simply choosing to face each day with determination, despite the challenges that lie ahead?
In this week's episode, join me as I explore the transformative power of vulnerability.
I’m thrilled to celebrate a significant milestone—five years in business! In this special episode, I’m sharing my personal journey of starting a business from scratch, balancing family life, and the power of belief.
Money is a topic that either excites or intimidates, yet it’s central to so many aspects of our lives. Today, I’ll share two powerful perspectives about money that I hope will expand your thinking and challenge your beliefs around finances.
Are you ready to take control of your finances without giving up the things you love? In our latest episode, I speak with Germaine Foley, a certified life and money coach, who shares her journey from $200,000 in debt to financial freedom. Germaine's unique approach focuses on mindful spending and financial organization, allowing you to build wealth while still enjoying life.
Welcome to Episode 86, where we sit down with Eve Rodsky.
Feeling overwhelmed by the countless decisions you face every day? Our latest podcast episode is here to help!
Today, I’m sharing a personal update on my journey as a caregiver over the past five years. My mom was diagnosed with dementia a bit over five years ago, and these years have been filled with challenges, humor, and countless lessons. In this episode, I’ll offer insights into supporting aging loved ones, recognizing that every family dynamic is unique.
This week, we are joined by Erin Aquin and Steve Haase, co-founders of Superabound, a coaching company dedicated to helping leaders and business owners live a life the Universe is dreaming for them. Erin and Steve are master certified life coaches and co-authors of the new book, Superabound: How to Live the Life the Universe is Dreaming for You.
In this insightful episode, Shawna Samuel, an executive leadership and productivity coach for women and host of The Mental Offload podcast brings her extensive experience in corporate leadership and feminist coaching to discuss how negotiation can be a powerful tool for achieving equity both at home and in the workplace.
Hey y'all, before I dive into today's topic, I wanted to share that this podcast is now available by video on both YouTube and Spotify. How fun! Simply search for "A Pleasant Solution" on either platform.
Feeling out of alignment? It's time to go back to basics! Often, we seek complicated solutions when the most straightforward elements in our lives can help us the most.
Do you know how many subscriptions and memberships you're paying for each month?
Today, I have the pleasure of chatting with Allanna Bell, founder of Optimization Dolls, a full-service custom storage company. Allanna shares her journey from retail management to becoming a leading expert in custom closet design. With her keen expertise in space optimization and project management, Allanna has transformed countless spaces into functional, stylish environments tailored to her clients' needs.
We often find ourselves drowning in a sea of photos—both physical and digital. From cherished family moments to snapshots of everyday life, these images are precious. But how do we make sense of it all?
In today's fast-paced world, being organized and productive is often seen as the ultimate goal. But what if I told you that high levels of organization might be masking something else? In this episode, we’ll explore the hidden costs of high productivity and how it can impact our mental well-being.
Happy July, y'all! As we enter the second half of the year, we're diving into my favorite month—a time for celebration and rest. July is my birthday month and my dedicated month of slowing down, turning inward, and practicing being more than doing.
From the small tasks that linger on our to-do lists to the grand plans that never quite come to fruition, we all have good intentions that sometimes fall by the wayside. Join me as we explore the nature of these intentions, the internal critic that often accompanies them, and how self-compassion can help us navigate this common experience.
Today I’m chatting with Tanisha Lyons-Porter. Join us as we discuss a sensitive yet essential topic: after-death organizing.
In this episode, we explore the world of empowered thinking with high-performance coach Stephanie Hessler. Stephanie shares her expertise on guiding high-achieving corporate leaders and business owners to overcome career roadblocks.
Are you and your partner stuck in a loop of unbalanced household responsibilities?
Moving is emotional – it can cause a lot of excitement and joy, but also sadness, anxiety, and stress. But what if I told you it's also an opportunity for growth, adventure, and self-discovery?
It's garage season, y'all! Ready for a full garage declutter or upgrade?
Have you ever felt like your work is never truly done? That after a long day, you come home only to face a second shift of chores and emotional labor that no one seems to acknowledge? You're not alone, and it’s up to us to shift the narrative.
In this latest podcast episode, I sit down with Caterina De Falco, an expert on the relationship between food, health, and most importantly, family.. Caterina's insights on creating meaningful mealtimes and making meal preparation convenient are not just about food; they're about crafting a life that's rich in connection and simplicity.
Do you find yourself re-washing dishes or re-doing laundry because it wasn't done 'your way?’ It's time to redefine your home life. In this episode, we’ll explore the concept of a 'minimum standard of care'. It's something that many of us live by without even realizing it—a baseline set of expectations for how our living spaces should look, feel, and function.
Do you ever feel like you're speaking, but no one is truly listening? In our bustling world, the art of listening has become a rare treasure. But what if you could be heard, genuinely and completely?
Patience—quiet, unassuming, and steadfast—may not be the most celebrated quality in our instant-gratification world, but it's a cornerstone of an organized life.
An item can be clutter even if it's worth thousands.
Are you feeling the pull between your personal goals and your family's evolving needs? In this episode, we explore a topic that touches the heart of every person who juggles multiple roles - the inevitable moment when family needs you more.
Last week, I defined alignment and discussed its growing acceptance in the realm of personal development. This week, I’m building a bridge from where you are to where you want to be. If you're struggling to get organized, feeling attached to possessions, or facing resistance when it comes to decluttering, this episode is for you.
Step into the light of spring as we explore the essence of alignment and how it shapes a clutter-free, sustainable lifestyle. As the days grow longer and the sun's warmth begins to thaw the winter's chill, I reflect on the profound impact of seasonal shifts on our inner well-being—especially for those of us, like myself, whose spirits soar with the sun's embrace.
In this episode, we delve into the need for inner independence with Catherine Collins, a beacon of entrepreneurial spirit and the author of Mom's Got Money: A Millennial Mom's Guide to Managing Money Like a Boss. With her work featured on prestigious platforms such as Good Morning America, Forbes, and Business Insider, Catherine has co-founded a personal development company, Five Year You, aiming to help a million people become their best selves within five years.
It’s my pleasure to introduce to you Lori Sugarman-Li, and her new children’s book, Our Home: The Love, Work, and Heart of Family. Lori believes deeply in the power of families and is a passionate voice in the cultural shift aiming to articulate the value and visibility of unpaid work.
From the seemingly harmless daily glass of wine to the intentional choice of sobriety, this episode unpacks the mindset shifts and coaching tools that led me to embrace a life without alcohol.
In this episode, we dive into simplifying your paperwork process. I get it, paperwork is a daunting task, but once you incorporate the correct procedures, it can become second nature.
It's time to celebrate, y'all! This episode marks the one-year anniversary of A Pleasant Solution: Embracing An Organized Life podcast! Join me in reflecting on the excitement, nerves, and unique perspectives that have influenced this journey.
I'm thrilled to introduce you to Lynne Poulton, a Board Certified Professional Organizer and the creator of Declutter Go!® In this episode, we explore Lynne's journey from social work to professional organizing and how her personal experiences have shaped her approach to working with clients.
In today’s episode, I’m offering an easy-to-implement practical solution. The goal is to help you stop feeling frazzled, rushed, or anxious as you move throughout your days. I'll introduce a game-changing practice – adding travel time and transition time to your agenda to create a more clutter-free schedule.
In this episode, Amelia delves into the first core value of A Pleasant Solution – 'the courage to heal.' Whether you're grappling with the emotional weight of sentimentality or feeling burdened by household duties, A Pleasant Solution recognizes and honors what you’re going through.
In this episode, I share the intricacies of parenting, self-discovery, and one of our family's fundamental philosophies: Attitude, Effort, and Decision Making (AED). It’s a mindset framework that our family uses to ensure we’re optimizing each day to the fullest, and originally arose from my son’s elite soccer journey.
In this milestone 50th episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Mikki Gardner, a conscious parenting coach, bestselling author, and host of the Co-Parenting with Confidence podcast. Mikki's journey from navigating a challenging divorce to becoming a beacon of guidance for moms seeking a new approach to co-parenting is truly inspiring.
In this captivating episode, I had the pleasure of chatting about purpose, passion, and entrepreneurship with Amber Guyton, owner of Blessed Little Bungalow.
As we conclude 2023 and usher in the New Year, I'm excited to introduce a concept that I use myself and with clients.: "From this day forward." This phrase becomes a deliberate boundary, separating past habits from the intentional choices shaping your future. Whether you’re organizing your home or establishing new routines, ‘from this day forward’ is a mindset shift that allows you to let the weight of the past go without the need for heavy judgment.
As someone who’s navigated this journey first hand, I understand the reluctance and difficulty in broaching conversations about future care for parents.
Calendar management is challenging for most of us (especially when multiple people are involved!) In this episode, I discuss insights from The Fair Play Method, and I explain how my husband and I divide calendar responsibilities at home. I invite you to question default gender-based roles around calendar keeping, and reconsider the dynamics in your household too. Sharing the chore load also involves clear communication around the family’s activities.
On this episode, I’m joined by Kenika Williams, a home and lifestyle connoisseur and founder of Tidied by K. Kenika's mission is all about helping high-achieving women and families create intentional, functional, and streamlined living spaces, allowing them to present their best selves to the world.
It’s my pleasure to welcome Stefani and Alexa, the two brilliant co-founders of SortJoy home organization products. SortJoy is a brand that aims to transform spaces through simplicity and calm. Its commitment to sustainability and multifunctionality shines through in its thoughtfully designed product line which features Sculpted Bins, Flex Bins, the Jamie Bins, and much more. Their emphasis on embracing imperfection in organization resonated deeply, reminding us that striving for functional, streamlined organization is more realistic and rewarding than chasing perfection.
Welcome to Episode 43, where we unravel the transformative power of adopting a mindset of organization.. In this episode, I draw from a poll among organizing experts, to uncover the automatic thoughts shaping their perspectives.
As we approach the holiday season, a time traditionally filled with joy but often laden with unspoken expectations, it's important to dissect the intricate web of relationships. From the milestones and life transitions, we must keep track of the intricate dance of appreciation and acknowledgment, how much we perform the emotional labor of kin work plays a role in our well-being.
This week, I'm joined by Elise Bowerman. Elise is the founder of Birth Humanity, a prenatal and postnatal yoga teacher and a practicing birth and postpartum doula, who is deeply committed to transforming the way we care for women and babies during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. She believes in helping mothers embrace the sacred rites of passage they experience, creating a foundation of strength and value rather than fear and weakness.
First, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you for your incredible support. Thanks to your listening, reviewing, and sharing, this has propelled "A Pleasant Solution: Embracing an Organized Life" into the top 50 of podcasts in my category. I'm immensely grateful for your time and feedback and I'm thrilled to have you on this journey.
I’m mixing things up a bit today. This episode is a replay of one of my free, public workshops from this year and it's all about emotions.
Welcome to Episode 38, where we're about to embark on a journey into the heart of your home: your kitchen.
Today I’m joined by Leslie Josel, an award-winning ADHD student and parenting coach. Leslie is an author of three books, creator of the award-winning "Academic Planner: A Tool For Time Management," and an internationally acclaimed speaker. Global Gurus has recognized Leslie as one of the top time management experts in the world for seven years running!
In today's episode, I’m excited to welcome someone who has been an inspiration to me in my journey as a Clutter Coach.
Frazzled is another descriptor for the mental and emotional load. For me, frazzled feels like a dense brain cloud. When I’m frazzled I can’t even seem to make the simplest decisions. My mind is cluttered, and I’m not 100% aware of it.
In our productivity-oriented culture, there’s so much focus on the to-do list. Keeping track of what you’d like to accomplish is helpful, yet when we use it as a measuring stick of success it can be disheartening. Instead, I prefer redirecting my brain toward what I have already completed each day.
Today, I'm talking about procrastination. It's a tool you can use to increase pressure on your output, but it's not who you are. Most folks who use procrastination know that they do it. The difficulty occurs when you add a layer of self-judgment and shame for putting a task off. This makes procrastination painful. Understanding why you use it and how you’re actually increasing your own suffering is the first step towards change.
In today’s episode, I discuss feminist parenting and gender roles with Catherine Bailey. As a former lawyer and policy advocate, Catherine’s expertise in cultural and societal expectations led to the founding of her company, Think or Blue. Through her work as a Certified Fair Play Facilitator, Catherine helps parents and caregivers break free from outdated gender norms, feel more supported in parenthood, and raise children who are happy to be themselves.
Today's episode is a conversation with a former client, Sade Curry. Sade is a dating coach and hosts the podcast Dating After Divorce. She invited me to a discussion on her podcast, which turned out to be a beautiful recollection of our work together. Sade dedicated a year to transforming her relationship with clutter, and her results are profound. If anyone wants a fuller testimonial of what it's like to partner with me, this episode is for you!
Today’s episode is the second of two introductory episodes about The Fair Play Method. The Fair Play Method is a trading card game designed to rebalance the chore load within the home so that everyone saves time and mental energy. First, I will give an outline of the basics of the game. Then, I share my take on Eve Rodsky’s four rules of Fair Play: All Time is Created Equal, Start Where You are Now, Establish Your Values and Standards, and Reclaim Your Right to be Interesting.
I’m genuinely excited to bring you today’s topic, an introduction to The Fair Play Method. Eve Rodsky developed this unique time and anxiety-saving systematic approach to the labor we all perform within our homes. The Fair Play Method is a card trading game that forms the basis for discussing who does what within the domestic sphere.
Today’s episode is about the process of letting go and how to clear space, literally and figuratively, for what you actively need.
Whether you're well into the journey of embracing an organized life or at the very beginning of it, revisiting your morning and evening routines is always a great and impactful practice. We measure the passing of time in days. Therefore, having a conscious simple start and end to your day creates space to reflect upon this larger journey of life that we're all on together.
Today’s episode is about digital estate organizing. I welcome Kate Hufnagel, also known as the “Digital Wrangler,” to discuss how to make it fun and hip to talk about getting your affairs in order. Kate specializes in educating individuals and families on modern-day estate planning, and how technology can make it a more complex process.
Today’s special guest is Leith Speer Barton. Leith is a fellow Fair Play Facilitator and she works both in-person and virtually as a parenting educator and coach. Based in New York City, Leith facilitates RIE® Parent-Infant Guidance classes to support and empower parents in order to build respectful and connected relationships with their children.
Today's episode features special guest Hana Thomson. Hana is a jewelry appraiser and writer in the Ann Arbor, Michigan, area. She's worked at museums, auction houses, and in jewelry retail and production. She has a master's degree in the history of jewelry design from 1850 to 1950 from Parsons Cooper-Hewitt in New York City and a graduate technologist degree from the GIA. Hana loves to learn and research the stories behind jewelry, watches, and objects.
I am excited to welcome Marissa McKool to our podcast today. Marissa, Master's in Public Health, is a coach for women in public health and related professions who struggle to find work-life balance, set boundaries, and clear mental clutter. She helps professionals stop chasing productivity at the expense of their happiness and health.
My whole philosophy is that our internal clutter often shows up externally in some shape or form and I believe that our cars can be a sneaky place for clutter to appear.
Today I’m talking about inherited clutter. Inherited clutter is when you become the recipient of someone else's belongings for any other reason than by choice. Many people avoid having a conversation with their parents about finances, future living situations, and healthcare.
The word "busy" is overused. It is often used as a blanket catchall phrase or a marker of success or martyrdom. I think a more accurate term is being over-committed. It's when you have to be in multiple places at once. It's when you have numerous projects requiring your attention or when your brain jumps from tasks to logistics to problem-solving. Busyness is life without sufficient and restorative physical and mental breaks.
How do you want to feel in your home? The journey of creating your dream home and life starts with awareness. Self-trust is the anchor of our lives, and in today’s episode, I’ll share why I believe it’s the third and final cornerstone to an organized life.
The external clutter in your life starts within your internal mindset. Today, I show how the intersection of emotions and decisions form the foundational elements of a clutter-free life.
In today’s episode, I address the fundamentals of decision-making. But, of course, you already know how to say no or yes. You may also know when you’re stuck or avoiding a project or decision. So join me as I dive into why decision-making is a cornerstone of a clutter-free life and how you can powerfully wield the tool of decision.
The bathroom is an integral part of your daily routine. Your thoughts about routine and your thoughts about it influence the time you spend in the space. So today, we will get curious about your relationship with your bathroom.
So often we’re busy criticizing ourselves for how our home could be tidier. Or how we could have less stuff. Or how things could be more organized. As a result, we forget to stop and recognize the abundance and beauty in our lives.
By embracing an organized life you’re actually more prepared for the moments when life goes sideways. A "glitch" in your matrix is when there’s disruption of such magnitude that your emotional foundation is shaken for a few days or sometimes for a few months.
After doing a fair amount of travel recently, I started thinking about why we crave predictability in all areas of our life. You depend upon it, but you may not notice how much you crave it until it’s absent. However, when things go awry, you find yourself suddenly grasping for stability. Predictability is why organization is essential. Building a schedule and structure around your day is another strategy to release mental clutter.
This episode is about why consciously defining the hours you're working on household responsibilities or care tasks matters. Women are raised to always be working and always giving our time to others. Therefore some unlearning of this pattern may be needed. First, I share why the idea of "working hours" at home is critically important. Then I'll share my experience, including exactly how I decided to define and implement the concept of working hours.
In this episode, I discuss how to practically declutter and update your wardrobe from a mindset-based approach. I’m going to encourage you to look at your clothing from the point of view of the past, your current reality, and your future self.
If you consider yourself sentimental or nostalgic, or if you find yourself resisting letting go of items, this episode will resonate. I outline the ways in which your brain structure and biological design influence the decluttering process. These factors play a significant role behind your motivation and the way you think about what you own. Your brain often acts on autopilot, giving you sneaky thoughts to keep you from letting objects go. For those of you seeking to understand more of the WHY behind your internal decluttering struggle, this will shine a light on what may be happening for you.
In this episode, I introduce my personal experience as a caregiver for my mother, who is living with dementia. My mother will make several guest appearances on podcast episodes in both stories and in spirit. She is my reason “why” for everything I do and has inspired and supported me through every step of life. When I started my journey as a caregiver, I wrote an influential essay entitled “The Way Dementia Moves In” and am proud to share it with all of you.
In this episode, I define mental clutter and why a calm and positive mindset is essential to creating an aligned and sustainable lifestyle. After years of working in-home as an organizer, I realized that our internal experiences profoundly affect our external reality. There is a common misconception that a tidy home guarantees a clear mindset. However, internal and external peace are not mutually exclusive. Unfortunately, you can have one without the other.
In this episode, I discuss how pre-project planning improves every organizational undertaking. The hardest part about starting a project is ACTUALLY starting it. Feeling overwhelmed about a project is normal and can lead to procrastination. Knowing where you want to go with a project is essential pre-work. Start by identifying the scope of work you want to accomplish. Then, pre-plan deadlines, expectations, and goals to help your brain create boundaries. As a result, it will be easier to get motivated, overcome distractions, and stay on track to complete your project on time.
In this episode, I invite you to adventure forward in time and visualize your future self. Who you want to become will guide your decision-making and focus on every action you take today.
In this episode, I debunk the myth of domestic perfection. We all have a vision of the “perfect” home. But there is no such thing as the perfect way to maintain a house. Every belief we hold about how our home should look or feel is based on societal messages.
In this episode, I define the meaning of the word ‘clutter.’ I also talk about three ways clutter surfaces in your home.
In this episode, I share what it means to embrace an organized life. Organization, practically and in mindset, was my method to stay sane during the pandemic. Between work, home, and family, I had a lot of things going on. There were many moving parts.
In this episode, I share three reasons why we get caught thinking that our schedule and identity are intertwined.
In this episode, I talk about a central topic of decluttering: why you feel connected to items you own.
