249: 7 Lessons I've Learned about Minimalism and Motherhood

Today I'm in reflection mode because my oldest daughter just turned 7, which also means my husband and I learned about minimalism and decluttered our home for the first time ALMOST 7 years ago. Additionally, I started the podcast right before my daughter turned 1, so Minimal-ish is officially 6 years old! With all of these milestones has come some reflecting- so I'm bringing you 7 big lessons I've learned about both motherhood and minimalism. I love doing episodes like this one, so I hope you enjoy it! At the end, I ask you to send me your favorite thing you've learned about motherhood and/or minimalism. Find me on instagram or via email to do so ([email protected]). Links: Desirae on Instagram Podcast Website Sponsor: Dr. Marty Pets: Go to drmartypets.com/minimalish for up to 54% OFF Nature’s Blend and get a free bag of Cod Crispies, their bestselling wild-caught cod skin treats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I'm bringing you an episode that stemmed from a little check in with myself earlier this week. As I've entered a new much busier season of life that has come with big change for our family, it has been trial and error trying to figure out our new routine, how to be intentional with it, and how to support myself and my family during this time of change. If you're in a. busy season or a season of change, I hope these tips bring you the permission you need to let go of some things along with some actionable tips. Links: Desirae on Instagram Podcast Website Sponsor: Hungryroot: A great option to take the guesswork out of meal time and grocery shopping during your busy season! Get free veggies for life and 40% off your first delivery at hungryroot.com/minimalish Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the end of one of the busiest weeks of the year for my family, I'm bringing you a replay episode of my favorite episode of the podcast that speaks to me now just as much as it did two years ago. Shauna Niequist had always been my dream guest, and that dream came true in spring of 2022! I'm so excited to replay this episode for you as you may not have heard it yet being that it is far down in the archives. Even if you've heard it, it's one of those must-re-listen episodes. Shauna and I talk about change, the mourning that can come with change, and how we can embrace a new season even if it feels like someone is prying the old season from our hands. If you're going through change of any kind, change can be so hard. This episode is here to be a warm embrace. Grab a cup of something warm and listen in again, or for the first time. Links: Links: Shauna on Instagram I Just Haven't Learned That Yet Desirae on Instagram Podcast Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I'm sharing a solo episode where I talk through some details of how we overhauled our summer routine when our days were feeling very unstructured and unintentional. First I share some steps I take when I'm ready to change up a routine. I then share a little more behind the scenes of routine changes and visuals that worked for our family to go from unintentional summer routine to much more structure and intention in our days. I'm sharing about our summer routine since we had some practice in making sure it worked. However, I'll be applying these concepts to our back to school/ fall routines over the next few weeks. I hope you enjoy this episode! thank you for listening in! Links: Desirae on Instagram Podcast Website Many Little Joys Etsy Sponsor: Lands End: Get 30% off your summer purchase at landsend.com with code MINIMALISH Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode, we have special guest Dr. Morgan Cutlip, PhD in psychology and relationship expert, featured on Good Morning America, New York Times, Women’s Health Magazine, and more, to talk about the mental load in motherhood. With back to school season upon us, Dr. Morgan shares tips for managing busy seasons as a family and finding ways to recalibrate and be intentional with your time and energy. If you've been navigating burnout, I hope this conversation resonates with you and that you'll know you're not alone.  LINKS Dr. Morgan on Instagram Morgan’s Website Check out her book: “Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself” Pre-order her new book on mental load HERE Desirae on Instagram Minimal-ish Podcast Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DRAFT SHOWNOTES: In this week's episode, we have special guest Amanda Jefferson here to talk about all things digital decluttering + organization especially in back to school season. Amanda is the owner of Indigo Organizing, co-host of the Good Enough-ish podcast, and TEDx Speaker. She shares so many good tidbits on how to stay on track of important school documents, the constant influx of emails from schools, sports, or club, and even ways to manage the endless photos of your kids on your phone. I left this conversation with Amanda feeling a little less overwhelmed to start tackling my own digital clutter and I know you will too! Code for $5 OFF any of Amanda’s courses: MINIMAL Links: Amanda on Instagram Amanda’s Website (Indigo Organizing) Amanda's Podcast: Good Enough-ish Desirae on Instagram Podcast Website Sponsor: Lands End: Use code "minimalish" for 30% off your summer purchase at landsend.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you are looking for more Minimal-ish podcast episodes on Back to School, check these out: Episode 197: Layering Routines and Surthriving with Tidy Dad Episode 196: 4 Pillars to a Minimal-ish Back to School Season Episode 195: Part 2: Simplifying Back to Homeschool with Mandy Davis Episode 194: Part 1: Simplifying Back to School with Diana Rene Links: Desirae on Instagram Podcast Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have special guest Joey Mascio - husband, father of 4 kids, former middle school teacher turned certified life coach for teens, and founder of the app Sidekick Hero. Joey shares his journey with creating Sidekick to Hero, a gamified program for building resilience in teens and tweens as well as some really great takeaways about how to help your kids build confidence and self-worth, manage emotions, and achieve their goals. If you are a parent of kiddos at any age, or struggle with confidence yourself, I know you’re going to love listening in to Joey’s story! LINKS Sidekick to Hero app Joey’s Website Joey on Instagram Desirae on Instagram Minimal-ish Podcast Website SPONSOR Thanks to Hungryroot for sponsoring today's episode! Head to hungryroot.com/minimalish for 40% off your order and free veggies for life! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I'm sharing a behind the scenes/ declutter with me style episode, but we're talking about travel instead of decluttering. I take you along my thought process when it comes to being intentional and minimal-ish while prepping and packing for my upcoming trip. We're more-so focused on my version of intentional vacationing vs. what exactly is in our suitcases. After all, the living is more important than the stuff. Links: Minimal-ish Travel episode with Rachelle Crawford Budget Template from Debt Free Mom Desirae on Instagram Minimal-ish Podcast website Sponsor: Lume: get 15% off at lumedeoderant.com with code Minimal-ish Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I have a solo episode for you where we go through a mid summer check in. So often we plan for the season ahead and then forget about the plan, or at least never come back to reflect on how it is going. Today, we're reflecting on how our summer is going via a simple question along with the four pillars of minimal-ish living. I personally take you along with me on my own mid-summer check in, and then encourage you to do your own! Thank you for listening! Links: Summer Planning Resource I used Desirae on Instagram Podcast Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices