Spark Joy

Closet Joy Part 3 of 3. Our guest, Tara Button, helps you curate a mindful life of less throwaway that extends well beyond your closet, ultimately impacting the environment and the global community. Today’s episode of Spark Joy is part three of a three part series dedicated to closet joy. We’ll talk to three guests who are revolutionizing the way we view fashion and style. Tara Button, founder of BuyMeOnce, is at the forefront of the global movement to change the way we shop and live forever. In 2013 Tara went from depressed spendthrift to fulfilled entrepreneur, using a technique she calls ‘mindful curation.” Her new book A Life of Less Throwaway, teaches the steps to master this lifestyle change. We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: How a cooking pot inspired Tara to get out of debt, change her spending habits and champion a buy it once culture and platform How the "mindful curation" technique featured in Tara's book, A Life Less Throwaway, helps you find out what's meaningful to you Why we need to notice the preassures of advertising and recognize things are typically not made to last a lifetime, perpetuating the cycle of buy, use once, throwaway How you can "take stock" of the things in your home to focus on how you accumulated your stuff and how to find things that help you live your life's purpose How Tara's book helps you get off the trend treadmill and decide what kind of person you want to project to the world Celebrities that are trending for repeating the same outfit on multiple occasions How longevity (buying things that last longer) has the biggest impact on the planet (bigger than recycling!) How looking at your past Amazon purchases can help you confront your consumerism and shopping patterns How Tara is not a naturally tidy person, but was able to apply decluttering techniques and be more discerning about the things she purchases How identifying what makes you happy and what gives you purpose helps you understand how to make certain things in your home accessible The connection between mindful curation and finding your purpose and priorities, while focusing on the things that matter. How thinking about what you want people to say about you once you're gone helps you understand what you really care about How researching and writing down colors, styles, fabircs, and brands before you start to shop will help you be more mindful and sustainable when you shop The system that determines what products land on BuyMeOnce Mindufully curated closet maintenance tips, including the Guppyfriend Washing Bag How to properly "do your colors" to get a sense of which ones bring you alive Examples of items in Tara's home that she's only bought once Gems: "The whole world is trying to persuade you to buy mindlessly." "People don't talk about longevity when it comes to the planet." "I now don't bring anything into my home that I'm not going to have for a decade or so." "When it comes to things that are going to make us happy in the long term, it's all about our community and relationships." "The fashion industry is the second most poluting industry in the world, after the oil industry." "As humans, we know we need things to survive. Not shopping is not an option." "Buy things that will make you feel good in the long term." "Write a list of the things that you don't need in your life and you'll feel a surge of gratitude for everything you have." Tara’s favorite tidying tip: Start with items that are not emptionally resonant. Start with your pants! What sparks joy for Tara: Taking a moment out of her day to be creative by writing children's books. You can find more about Tara by visiting www.buymeonce.com. Be sure to pick up Tara Button's book, A Life Less Throwaway, and follow her on Instagram (@tara_button) and Twitter (@tarabutton) You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home You can find Kristyn Ivey at For the Love of Tidy Special Guest: Tara Button.

Closet Joy Part 2 of 3. Our guest, Courtney Carver, shares minimalist wardrobe tips centered around 33 pieces that will help you be more with less. Today’s episode of Spark Joy is part two of a three part series dedicated to closet joy. We’ll talk to three guests who are revolutionizing the way we view fashion and style. We’re going to learn how to be more with less from one of the minimalism movement’s veterans - Courtney Carver. Courtney changed her life by simplifying it after a devastating diagnosis in 2006. She’s the founder of bemorewithless.com and minimalist fashion challenge Project 333. Her new book Soulful Simplicity was published by Penguin Random House. Carver shows us the power of simplicity to improve our health, build more meaningful relationships, and relieve stress in our professional and personal lives. We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: The documentary about Minimalism that featured Courtney's story How a health scare in 2006 led Courtney to explore her wardrobe to reduce stress and improve her overall well-being The origins of Courtney's personal challenge, Project 333, that focuses on paring down your wardrobe to 33 items or less for three months How Courtney connected her shopping behaviors to dissatisfaction in other areas of her life How tucking excess clothing away, out of sight instead of immediately discarding allowed Courtney to experiment with having a capsule wardrobe without evoking unnecessary stress How you may already be practicing Project 333 without even knowing it! Why you don't have to have exactly 33 pieces to simplify your wardrobe. (hint: there's no magic number!) How to handle laundry, occasional wear, and goal clothes when simplifying your closet How Project 333, KonMari, and frugality don't promote suffering or deprivation. The methods are meant to be helpful, stressless and value add The Be More with Less courses, virtual community, and Tiny Wardrobe Tour How dressing with less has helped those in Courtney's community lose weight and recover from depression and anxiety disorders Courtney's steps to minimalism for beginners: Dress with Less Write it Down Discard the Duplicates Declare a clutter-free zone Travel lightly Eat Similar Meals Have an Emergency Fund Why you have to have a good "why" to shape a compelling reason to change How Courtney followed Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover to get out of debt in three years and establish an emergency fund The importance of creating a clutter free KonMari Power Zone The future of Be More with Less Gems: "I didn't know what enough was." "Your workout clothes have to workout." "I didn't know what I loved." "It's just interesting to really notice what you're actually wearing." "This isn't a project in suffering." "In the history of my life, a smaller size has never gotten me to where I want to be." "Choose clothes that fit you today." "I wanted one area for the family that would inspire us to declutter other areas." "Don't discount the tiny steps, because that's what big change is." Courtney’s favorite tidying tip: Reset to zero. What sparks joy for Courtney: Her daughter's golden doodle puppy Stanley. To connect with Courtney Carver, visit Be More with Less and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you’re interested in Courtney’s book “Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More” she's made a free copy of Chapter 1 available for Spark Joy listeners. You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home You can find Kristyn Ivey at For the Love of Tidy Special Guest: Courtney Carver.

Closet Joy Part 1 of 3. Our guest, Dr. Jessica Louie, is an entrepreneur, critical care pharmacist, and assistant professor. She is the founder and CEO of Petite Style Script and Find Your Script. Today’s episode of Spark Joy is Part one of a three part series dedicated to closet joy. We’ll talk to three guests who are revolutionizing the way we view fashion and style. Dr. Jessica Louie is an entrepreneur, critical care pharmacist, and assistant professor. She is the founder and CEO of Petite Style Script and Find Your Script. With a broad background of experiences, she centers her focus on sparking joy and inspiring confidence in life. We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: -How Jessica became interested in KonMari and then went on to start Petite Style Script -Along with fashion, Jessica is an advocate for pharmacists with her blog and website at: Find Your Script -She found that focusing on fashion helped her convey her confidence and her competence in her field. -Learn how Jessica went through the KonMari process and how the process was key in helping her discover her calling in both fashion and advocacy. -Jessica’s take on capsule wardrobes and how she has made it work for her. The work that she does in -Her focus on using the clothing items you have more effectively and adding in your own personality to the decision making process. -How Jessica sees the role of KonMari in developing a sense of style that brings you joy! Gems: “There were times when I just laughed out loud in my car while listening to Marie Kondo because it resonated so much with me.” "I wanted to hold myself accountable for my shopping going forward.” "I wanted other to own clothing that they love and that they invest in quality pieces because it’s really about quality over quantity.” "This isn’t minimalism, I don’t talk about any definitive number of items to own.” “I focus on people who are re-building their wardrobes after KonMari or after a major transition.” Jessica’s favorite tidying tip: “Learning how to fold. It seems very simple but getting your clothes off your hangers and learning how to appreciate and fold them properly really makes a big difference, I think!” What sparks joy for Jessica: “A canvas painting of New York City that is up on my kitchen wall exactly where I can see it. It brings make great memories of visiting New York and is very inspirational.” To connect with Jessica visit Petite Style Script Jessica is on Facebook at Petite Style Script on Facebook Jessica's Twitter: P Style Script on Twitter Here is Jessica’s info on Seasonal Capsule Wardrobes: Seasonal Capsule Wardrobes On Jessica’s blog she offers capsule wardrobe style tips and a free kit for starting your own capsule wardrobe: Capsule Wardrobe Starter Kit Each season Jessica conducts a virtual Capsule Wardrobe Challenge: Spring Capsule Wardrobe Challenge And, Jessica is becoming a Certified KonMari Consultant. Yay, Jessica! Jessica’s KonMari Page You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home You can find Kristyn Ivey at For the Love of Tidy Special Guest: Jessica Louie.

Spark Joy co-hosts and KonMari Consultants, Karin and Kristyn, talk about 17 obvious and hidden costs associated with living with clutter that is slowly stealing your joy. In this episode, we attempt to uncover and put a price tag on the hidden costs associated with delaying your KonMari tidying event. Like many common lifestyle challenges (losing weight, getting out of debt, finding a new job) the longer you wait to get started, the more the issue compounds and slowly steals your joy. So it’s time to get real and talk about the physical and emotional costs associated with keeping clutter around. Now we want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: Joy Checks: Karin surprises her mom in Kansas City and Kristyn finds joy on the 606 running trail in Chicago. We breakdown 17 costs associated with clutter: The cost of storing your clutter outside of your home The cost of not using everything that you've purchased The cost of having unutilized space within your home Clutter Cost Formula The cost of buying/renting a bigger home to accommodate things that don't spark joy The cost of the clutter damaging your home over time Calendar clutter: time and energy Refer to Ep 30 | Simply B Organized with Laurie Palau The cost of clutter getting in the way of you finding what you need The cost of clutter getting in the way of things you truly need to do Book: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity Refer to Episode 16 | Stress Free Holiday Joy with Amanda Jefferson The cost of negative thinking or self talk The cost of ignoring your own reality The cost of using shopping to cope Refer to Episode 31 | Shopaholic No More with Dr. April Benson The cost of linking your self worth to a certain type of collection of things or a particular lifestyle The cost of clutter that blocks your ability to execute certain physical activities The cost of clutter that limits your ability to make healthy choices Refer to Episode 3 Face Your Stuff with Dorothy The Organizer The cost of clutter that limits relationships and your quality of life with your friends and family The cost of clutter that prevents you from accessing information critical to uncovering the reality of your finances, preventing you from reaching true wealth/abundance Refer to Episode 6 Declutter Your Path to Wealth with Tess Wicks The cost of clutter that locks you into consumption patterns that lead you to having no choice in the type of job situation or career choice - even if it’s not ideal Refer to the the ChooseFI community The cost of clutter that prevents you from pursuing your life purpose/feeling fulfilled, understanding what true joy means to you Don't worry, we end this episode on a joyful note! We discuss the many ways decluttering can pay you back to counter some of the clutter costs. Gems: "Having a storage locker is like going to visit your past mistakes." "Your space itself is way more valuable than your stuff." "Is this space honoring what's being stored within it?" "Is this space supporting the ideal lifestyle that I desire?"

Self confidence is one of those things that some people seem to be born with while others struggle and struggle, feeling confident some days and completely defeated the next. It can feel very elusive, but our guest today absolutely that believes self confidence can grow and flourish in all of us. Our guest, Sheena Yap Chan is a blogger, podcaster, consultant, author and speaker whose sole purpose, drive and passion is to help build women’s self confidence from the ground up. She currently inspires women everyday through her podcast called The Tao of Self Confidence where she interviews various women about their inner journey to self-confidence. We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: -How Sheena made the decision to launch her platform, The Tao of Self Confidence -Some of the amazing stories of women who have overcome great obstacles to achieve their goals shared on Sheen’s podcast The Tao of Self Confidence Podcast -The common traits of women with high self-confidence. -How the process of visualization helps grow self-confidence. -How Sheena’s adventures living on the beach for two years gave her an appreciation for a simpler, more meaningful life. -How limiting herself to wearing only three colors has made a huge difference in the things Sheena’s focuses on. Gems: "I never felt there were enough platforms to celebrate women.” "They all have a huge purpose. A purpose that is bigger than them.” "Learning to figure out things along the way. As women, we can do that.” "Having that mindset of abundance. You’ll attract more things into your life." "Surrounding yourself with great people…will give you feedback on what you can improve on." "How do I see myself if I were this confident person?” Sheena’s favorite tidying tip: “I wear just three colors to make my life a lot easier. It helps me focus on other, more important things.” What sparks joy for Sheena: My podcast! I love helping women…and if I can help one person, I have done my job. It’s all worth it if someone out there hears it and thinks, “If its possible for one person, its possible for me.” Parting words of wisdom: Behind every great woman is herself. You are what creates success. To connect with Sheena Yap Chan visit The Tao of Self Confidence Facebook at Sheena Y. Chan Twitter The Tao of SC on Twitter Sheena's YouTube Channel:The Tao of Self Confidence on YouTube Also, check out her podcast atThe Tao of Self Confidence Podcast Sheena is offering free self talk tape for Spark Joy listeners on her website - Building Self ConfidenceSpecial Guest: Sheena Yap Chan.

Alaia Williams, business systems analyst, shares tips on calming any chaos that exists in your business so you can make more money while focusing on the things you love. Our guest, Alaia Williams takes her clients from stuck, stalled and struggling with overwhelm and helps them get to a place where they can run their business with a greater sense of calm, clarity and confidence. Alaia started her professional life as a professional organizer and this has informed her work as an organizer of business systems. We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: How Alaia accidentally stumbled upon entrepreneurship when she realized she needed to confront mental clutter that manifested as physical clutter How working with her first organizing client taught Alaia how to lead with empathy when organizing both closets and businesses Why our shared personal decluttering experience best prepare us to relate and help clients grow The impact the recession and feedback from existing clients had on the direction of her business offerings The similarities between being attached to your physical clutter versus attachment to your business The importance of taking time (even a few minutes) to plan every day The five essential systems that every small business needs Alaia's podcast -One Organized Business Why even if you aren't "born" organized, you can learn how to be organized with practice How tiny steps and habit change is the key to lasting change How Alaia was introduced to minimalism when studying the quaker culture, which sparked her continuous quest to live more simply across all areas of her life The benefits of small space living and outsourcing tasks that don't spark joy Gems: "If we don't take time to plan, we walk through every day with our blinders on." "You can spend your entire day marketing and still not make any progress." "The business side is not that different from the personal." "Yesterday was better than today. Today's better than tomorrow." "A small space with good storage is all I need." "Anything that doesn't bring you joy that you can delegate...do it." "Just make the space around you feel good." "Do one tiny thing to move yourself forward." Alaia's favorite tidying tip: Start where you are and start with something small. What sparks joy for Alaia: Simplifying things and keeping everything in her life as simple and harmonious as possible; Having joyful work relationships. Parting words of wisdom: Don't beat yourself up and start where you are right now. To connect with Alaia Williams visit www.alaiawilliams.com and follow her on Facebook, Instagram (@oneorganizedbusiness) and Twitter (@alaiawilliams). Also, check out her podcast and At the Helm women's conference Alaia is offering a free guide to Spark Joy listeners: How to Organize Your Home Office for Maximum Productivity Special Guest: Alaia Williams.

Living a responsibly sustainable life while raising a young family is definitely a challenge. Join us this week as we learn about one mom’s journey to a joyful, minimalist home. Our guest this week is Stephanie Seferian of Mama Minimalist. Stephanie lives just outside of Boston with her husband and two daughters. She podcasts and blogs weekly about how the themes of minimalism, sustainability, decluttering, low-waste living and parenting intersect. Her podcast, The Sustainable Minimalist, features eco-friendly tips and incremental strategies for cutting through clutter as a means to more fully enjoy life's sweetest moments. Now, we want to hear from you. Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: -How Stephanie decided to pursue a minimalist lifestyle after becoming a busy mom. -Her Three Dimensions of Minimalism: Aesthetic, Experiential, Sustainable. -How going down the minimalist path gave her more time to be present for her children. -How our tendency to buy, declutter, and buy again impacts the environment. -The challenges of having young children and maintaining a minimalist household. -How to manage the influx of gifts that come into the home. -Recycling old cellphones at Best Buy: Best Buy Recycling Program -Learn about Cellphones for Soldiers: Cell Phones for Soldiers -The struggle of letting go of a beloved wedding dress! Brides Against Breast Cancer Gems: “We are destined to being constant consumers of technology.” “We had the normal parent thoughts of 'When we have a yard, things will be better. When we have a place for our daughter’s stuff, we will be more relaxed.'" “There’s no one path to minimalism.” “It’s about getting out and getting living.” “We emphasize experiences over stuff in our home.” What sparks joy for Stephanie: “The simple and often overlooked moments with my daughters and husband.” Parting words of wisdom: “Just take one small step toward simplification. And if it feels right, take another.” To connect with Stephanie, you can find her at MamaMinimalist.com @mamaminimalist on Instagram and Twitter The Sustainable Minimalist on Facebook: Listen to her podcast: Sustainable Minimalist PodcastSpecial Guest: Stephanie Seferian.

Karin and Kristyn share their insights on the KonMari consultant certification process. Listen as they discuss how and why they became consultants and whether the KonMari consultant life is right for you. In this episode, we discuss how we discovered KonMari, how we became KonMari Consultants and what it’s like to have a KonMari consulting business. Now, we want to hear from you. Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: Joy checks! Kristyn sold her starter condo and rental property in Virginia and is now completely settled as a Chicagoan. Karin loves Springtime in New York City! How Karin and Kristyn tidied their own homes and started down the path of certification More examples of KonMari fans becoming KonMari Consultants: Consultants Share the Moment KonMari Changed Their Lives The Steps to becoming a consultant: -Step 1: Read the Marie Kondo Books -Step 2: Tidy Your Home KonMari App -Step 3: Attend a Seminar -Step 4: Join the Community -Step 5: Submit Tidying Reports -Step 6: Complete the Exam -Step 7: Apply for Certification What it’s like to meet Marie Kondo A day in the life of a KonMari Consultant The business considerations associated with being a consultant Why Clients Hire Consultants Tools to help prospective consultants and trainees: The Tidy Mastermind and an open letter to KonMari Consultant Trainees On the fence about becoming a consultant? Schedule a Joy Call with Kristyn to discuss your unique situation Gems: "Her Mission, which is Organizing the World!" "All different walks of life can bring things to KonMari." "The fact that I was very sure that I had chosen the right thing to do totally trumped any fear I had about entrepreneurship." "Everyone at the seminars is super passionate about tidying and living their best lives." "It's important for you to believe that you have something to provide that's valuable to people because you are." "I never know what to expect when that door opens." "As much as I love KonMari, if I didn't feel I could create a sustainable business around it, I would have have had to let go of the idea."

Evan Zislis, professional organizer and social entrepreneur, sparks a clutter free revolution by looking at consumption through a lens of fair trade, social justice, and environmental sustainability. How does your personal clutter impact the world? Today’s guest on Spark Joy is Evan Zislis. He is a professional organizer and bestselling author of Clutter Free Revolution. Evan helps people focus on the things that matter most: who we love, what we do, how, and why we live…because everything else is just stuff. Currently, Evan is the founder of Intentional Solutions, a business focused on organization, operational systems, time and task management and more. We want to hear from you. Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: How Evan's diverse list of job experience all had a theme of organizational leadership that tied it all together and led him to helping people organize their life The free services Evan provides to public school teachers and classrooms How Evan gives back to the community on his terms through 1% For The Planet How Evan's book Clutter Free Revolution picks up where KonMari drops off Products and companies that empower local communities through fair trade and socially just practices: The Good Trade ; Pact The ridiculously simple three step process - simplify, clarify, and inspire - that makes up Evan's organizing philosophy How Evan builds his client's sense of self efficacy and confidence by focusing on incremental successes while incorporating a bit of tough love Evan's lid-on-a-box helps accumulators with little to no self control Why Evan believes, in some cases, your joy is not enough your joy is not enough The technique that Evan uses to get his daughter to voluntarily clean and honor her room daily, without fail What monks and mountaineers have in common Why "The Velveteen Rabbit" is the Zislis family's favorite book A thank you to Evan's friend Dr. Melva Green (Episode 19) who inspired this interview Gems: "Need less." "Abundance is having a sense of gratitude for having that which is needed when it is needed and not a single item more." "Was anyone harmed in the making of this item?" "Things are easy to find and convenient to put away." "Proximity equals urgency." "You don't love it, you don't have a place for it, and storing it is an inconvenience for you." "This sense of joy can be transcended [by] this sense of purpose." "The things that I need..support the idea of generosity, and compassion, and philanthropy." What sparks joy for Evan: Working on his new book project "Good Company" that highlights entrepreneurs that support fair trade, social justice, and environmental sustainability. To connect with Evan Zislis, visit www.clutterfreerevolution.com and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.Special Guest: Evan Zislis.

Dr. Benson, a leading expert in compulsive buying disorder, joins us to discuss the connection between clutter, consumption, and addictive shopping behaviors. No matter how intentional you are with your spark joy decision making, excessive shopping can severely compromise your ability to either finish your KonMari tidying event or maintain a tidy home and lifestyle long term. Therefore, it is important to address any compulsive or addictive behaviors that you may have uncovered around shopping and consumerism. Our guest, Dr. Benson, is a nationally known psychologist specializing in the study and treatment of compulsive buying disorder. Author of To Buy or Not to Buy: Why We Overshop and How to Stop, she offers individual, evidence based coaching and a comprehensive website - www.shopaholicnomore.com - filled with information and effective strategies. Now, we want to hear from you. Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: How the closing of her favorite store led Dr. Benson to explore her own shopping behaviors, which led her to transition from working with people with eating disorders to working with people with shopping disorders Why compulsive buying is often referred to as the "smiled-upon addiction" The three cardinal signs someone is suffering from an addiction The common reasons why we overshop The primary and secondary consequences of shopping addiction (emotional, financial, physical, etc.) How to confront a compulsive buying disorder, along with certain questions to ask yourself to determine if you're a shopaholic Six major shopping magnets and tips to deal with these triggers Extended tips on avoiding impulsive online shopping What to do if KonMari tidying triggers compulsive shopping behaviors used to fill an emotional or social void Take the evaluation: Who Needs Help? 3 Ways to Know, Are you an Overshopper? Six questions to ask yourself before you make your next purchase: Why am I here? How do I feel? Do I need this? Can I wait? How will I pay for it? Where will I put it? Take the Values in Action Character Strengths evaluation Gems: "Create a pause between the impulse and the action." "Shopping is a short cut solution to issues related to how someone feels about themselves." "You can never get enough of what you don't really need." What sparks joy for Dr. Benson: A collection of passion flowers in her greenhouse, dog-sitting, and a love of learning Russian and the piano. Parting words of wisdom: Effective help is available. [Compulsive buying disorder] is something you need to be serious about. To connect with Dr. Benson visit www.shopaholicnomore.com.Special Guest: Dr. April Benson.

Laurie Palau presents an insightful approach to organizing with an emphasis on the emotional aspects of clutter along with her practical tips for managing the things in your home. Is your home a hot mess? If the answer is yes you’re going to enjoy today’s guest organizer Laurie Palau of Simply B Organized in Pennsylvania. Laurie is a speaker, author, and host of the podcast, This Organized Life, where listeners get a glimpse into her not-so-perfect world as a wife, mom and professional organizer. Her book, HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is a must-read for anyone looking to streamline clutter from their life. With over nine years of organizing under her belt, Laurie is another industry veteran here to share her unique perspective on getting organized along with road tested practical tips. Now, we want to hear from you. Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: -How Laurie found her true calling as a home organizer when she identified that organizational principles were part of the solution to feeling anxious and overwhelmed in the home. -Laurie discusses the 3 types of clutter that she finds with her clients: Physical, emotional, and calendar clutter -Learn about ArtKive, Laurie’s recommended app that will help you organize your kid’s artwork online: ArtKive -Your dominant clutter source and how it impacts your home organization. -Organizing diagnostics: reviewing your current clutter situation. -Learn about the ESP Method: Empty, Sort and Purge. -The Four Purge Piles: Donate, Reuse, Recycle, Discard. -How Laurie defines the cost of clutter. Gems: “Clutter doesn’t just have to be the physical stuff. It can be the burn out. How you end up snapping at your kids or spouse because you are just spread too thin.” “How much time and money do we waste buying things we already have that we can’t find?” "Most people if given the choice would rather live in an organized space." "I’ve relocated kitchen items outside of the kitchen.” “The average US citizen wastes an hour a day looking for lost or misplaced items." Favorite Tidying Tip: Open the mail every day and make a decision. Mail should fall into three categories: Action, Reference, Recycle What sparks joy for Laurie: Laurie covets her quiet time in the morning! Parting words of wisdom: Start small. Just wanting to make a change is a huge hurdle that you’ve already accomplished. To connect with Laurie you can find her at www.simplyborganized.com Listen to her podcast: This Organized Life Podcast Simply B Organized on FaceBook Simply B Organized on Instagram Simply B Organized on TwitterSpecial Guest: Laurie Palau.

Karin and Kristyn explore the relationship between tidying and cleaning - two activities that help you restore your home to a place of honor and joy. In this episode, we usher in spring by discussing the rituals of cleaning and tidying. We also explore the similarities and differences between these two common domestic activities and how they complement each other and your KonMari lifestyle. Now, we want to hear from you. Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: Joy checks! Karin just purchased a new Chemex and Kristyn finished moving #studiotidy (For the Love of Tidy headquarters) to the Wicker Park neighborhood in Chicago The difference between cleaning and tidying How tidying makes many aspects of cleaning that are often deemed challenging, much easier How decluttering exposes areas of your home in need of attention Tips from Marie Kondo's Guide to Spring Cleaning How the act of spring cleaning can trap you indoors during the warmest season The importance of tidying before you clean How to bring your clothing out of hibernation Kristyn's favorite Foldable Storage Bag How to conduct a spring time version of the KonMari home greeting Three unconventional tips for moving your tidying and cleaning forward How the Mel Robbins' 5 Second Rule can help push you beyond procrastination and into action Our big announcement: 100,000 downloads! Gems: "Tidying addresses objects, while cleaning addresses dirt." "By tidying you're confronting yourself. By cleaning, you're confronting nature." "It's easier to clean your home when it's already tidy." "[Decluttering] lifts the spirit of the home by waking up dormant items that haven't received attention." "I appreciate things better because I can see them year-round." "Spring is the perfect time to plan or begin your KonMari tidying event." "Action breeds motivation." "Clutter is finite."

Living your KonMari lifestyle includes a focus on health, wellness and self-care. Our guest today is Eastern medicine practitioner, Brodie Welch. Brodie Welch is a Licensed Acupuncturist, board-certified herbalist, Chinese Medicine expert, holistic health coach, and self-care strategist. She’s the founder of Life in Balance Acupuncture in Corvallis, Oregon, where she has been treating patients since 2003. Brodie has helped thousands of clients with a regular body/mind practice and leads self-care boot camp programs helping women put the principles of self-care into practice. She’s also the creator and host of A Healthy Curiosity: the podcast that explores what it takes to be well in a busy world. You can find more information about Brodie and her practice at Brodie Welch and follow her on FaceBook @brodiewelchlac Brodie has provided Spark Joy listeners with a collection of healthy living resources that will definitely spark joy. You can find: Right to Take Care of Yourself Manifesto: Brodie Welch Calm and Centered Bundle Free 5-minute breathing meditation: Breathing Break Spark Joy wants to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you'll enjoy: How Brodie decided to pursue her interest in Eastern Medicine. Check out this article on self-care: This is What Self Care Really Means How health issues are connected to broader social and environmental concerns. Brodie’s definition of self-care. It can be difficult and uncomfortable at times, but the results can be amazing. How to recognize when you are entering the “unbalanced zone” that gives rise to physical symptoms. How Acupuncture can help and how to find a great Acupuncture practitioner in your area. Check out the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine: NCCAOM What happens and what to expect during an acupuncture treatment. What sparks joy for Brodie: Watching people transform. Gems: "If it’s not connecting us to our own vitality, it’s not self-care.” "Positive attitude brings positives things in life." "That issue will keep coming back unless you teach the body to do something differently." “Have your environment reflect your highest values.” Special Guest: Brodie Welch.

Yuno Imai shares what it's like to translate for Marie Kondo and what inspired her to write a children's book based on her joyful life experiences. Our guest, Yuno Imai, is a Japanese food and travel writer and copy editor based in LA. In addition to being one of the original translators for Marie Kondo and her team, she’s now living a life of joy and focusing on publishing a children’s book. You can find out more about Yuno by visiting www.iknowyouknowyuno.com. Updates on the launch of her first children’s book will be made available there and you can track Yuno’s adventures and joyful lifestyle via instagram @iknowyouknowyuno. Spark Joy wants to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you'll enjoy: How Karin and Kristyn met Yuno during KonMari consultant training How a fascination with American movies and culture inspired Yuno to pursue translating; the most challenging job she's ever had What it was like to observe the message of the KonMari Method while it initially spread How Yuno studied up on KonMari to prepare for her big translation gig How translating allows Yuno to experience many industries and bridge Japan and America Tricks Yuno uses to memorize her client's words and provide seamless translation Why the gym doesn't spark joy for Yuno and the joyful way she achieves the same results How life, death, prison, and food inspire Yuno's writing projects Yuno's favorite children's books: The Red Shoes and The Rainbow Fish What sparks joy for Yuno: Creating her children's book, Trevor and Me, based on real events in her life. Themes: friendship across generations, death and reincarnation. Gems: "I just follow what I love." "Positive attitude brings positives things in life." "Do what makes you happy and go after your joy!" Special Guest: Yuno Imai.

Join us as we speak with Sarah Williams of Tough Girl Challenges about her journey, her work and get her take on how to move toward being the person you want to be. Sarah is the founder of Tough Girl Challenges, which is an amazing platform for women who are taking on physical challenges and overcoming obstacles. Sarah started her professional life in finance but found it lacking and wanted to do something more in line with her interest in the sporting life and Tough Girl Challenges was born. As she built up her platform, she found that her blog, public speaking, coaching and podcast, along with three books, was beginning to grow a community of girls and women who were motivating each other to reach their goals and achieve great things. She's based in the UK, but reaches women all over the world. In this episode, you'll enjoy: -You’ll learn how Sarah made the transition from a career in finance to building the Tough Girl Challenges platform. -Her commitment to showcasing the stories of women who overcome obstacles both physical and mental to achieve their goals. -Hear about the common experiences of girls and women in setting goals, preparing and implementing a plan to achieve the goal. -Listen as Sarah shares her story of hiking the Appalachian Trail. -Her technique for breaking down potential barriers into small, approachable steps. -Learning the goal-setting strategy of trying different things to find the perfect fit for you. -Follow the stories of 7 Women, 7 Challenges on Sarah’s podcast: Tough Girl Podcast To connect with Sarah, you can visit her at her website: Tough Girl Challenges She's on Twitter: @_tough_girl, Instagram: toughgirlchallenges and Pinterest: Tough101 Her facebook is: Tough Girl Challenges Her YouTube Channel : Tough Girl Challenges on YouTube Spark Joy wants to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com, email us at contact@sparkjoypodcast.com to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week's show. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter via @sparkjoypodcast. What sparks joy for Sarah: She loves Mondays! She loves the start of new things and the adventure ahead. Sarah is excited about the inspirational stories of women she is able to bring to her audience. Gems: "If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.” “People will rise to occasion to help you achieve your goals.” "She continues to go back, every single week.” “Nine times out of 10 it’s the mindset of how you chose to look at things.” “If you want to do something, please just go and do it.”Special Guest: Sarah Williams.