3591: How to Downsize Your Life from Negative People by Renee Benes of The Fun Sized Life

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3358: Marc Chernoff offers a practical guide to break free from life's ruts and reclaim energy, focus, and health. His 30-day plan focuses on small, actionable steps ranging from dietary changes and exercise to mindfulness and reflection that create powerful shifts in well-being. The message is clear: lasting happiness is built on habits and conscious choices. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.marcandangel.com/2009/07/27/how-to-save-you-from-yourself/ Quotes to ponder: "Misery is, after all, a choice." "Your daily habits can be either a host for misery or a host for happiness and positive change. The choice is yours to make." "Escaping the bounds of a deeply-grooved rut requires nothing more than some willpower, a good plan, and the resolve to take immediate action." Episode references: How to Win Friends and Influence People: https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034 The Power of Less: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Less-Fine-Tune-Essentials/dp/1401309704 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

17 Okt 202411min

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3357: Mark Manson explores the paradox many face when engaging with Zen philosophy and meditation: the struggle between detachment from desires and living responsibly. He offers a nuanced explanation of how to approach attachment and the present moment, emphasizing that it's not about removing ambition, but recognizing that clinging to outcomes or self-identity through achievements leads to suffering. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://markmanson.net/the-zen-dilemma Quotes to ponder: “It’s not about doing or not doing. It’s all about how much of your sense of Self, your identity is attached to the outcome of what you do or don’t do.” “Being present isn’t ignoring the past or the future. That’s impossible actually, because the act of thinking about a past or a future is actually taking place in the present.” “Have your career goals, thoughts and ideas, your hopes and dreams, but don’t attach the Self to it in such a way that you’ll suffer if you don’t achieve them.” Episode references: The Power of Now: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Now-Guide-Spiritual-Enlightenment/dp/1577314808 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

16 Okt 202410min

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3356: Allison Carmen encourages embracing uncertainty with patience and an open mind. In her story of Linda, a small business owner, she highlights how facing unanswered questions and difficulties can lead to growth and new opportunities. Carmen introduces the idea of "Maybe," a mindset that allows for possibility and hope, helping us stay present and resilient, even in uncertain times. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://www.allisoncarmen.com/finding-patience-for-lifes-unanswered-questions/ & http://www.allisoncarmen.com/why-cant-we-stay-positive/ Quotes to ponder: "Have patience with everything that remains unsolved in your heart. Try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books written in a foreign language." "Maybe everything can work out well, Maybe something else beneficial will happen or Maybe we will be okay no matter what." "Having an immediate answer is not always the best solution. Maybe experiencing the question will lead you to where you want to be." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

15 Okt 202410min

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3355: Renee Benes explores how minimalism can be harmoniously balanced with pet ownership. By focusing on decluttering, prioritizing essentials, and limiting unnecessary items like toys, you can create a joyful and simple environment for both you and your pet. Ultimately, the key to a minimalist life with pets is recognizing that their true happiness comes from your time, love, and attention, not from material possessions. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.thefunsizedlife.com/minimalist-pets/ Quotes to ponder: "Minimalism revolves around living with only the things you need and feel happy about." "Truth is, what your pet really needs is you, her owner." "Decluttering should be one of the first things to do when living a minimalist life with pets." Episode references: Headspace Meditation App: https://www.headspace.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

14 Okt 202410min

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3354: Michelle McQuaid reveals how incorporating an 11-minute daily strengths habit transformed her life, moving her from a job she disliked into one that truly utilized her strengths. By understanding how habits work and anchoring new behaviors to everyday cues, you too can create small but impactful changes that align your work and life with your natural talents. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.livehappy.com/could-eleven-minutes-change-your-life/ Quotes to ponder: "Discover what your strengths are. Use them as you move through each day. Then luxuriate in the success and joy of doing what you love." "It took almost exactly one year for my boss to move me out of the job I didn’t like and into a new role where my strengths could truly shine." "No matter what was going on, I could always find 11 minutes somewhere." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

13 Okt 20248min

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3353: Terry Gaspard explores how couples like Teresa and Brian, struggling with everyday frustrations, can strengthen their marriage by creating shared meaning. Through common goals, open communication, and meaningful rituals, partners can deepen their connection and nurture a lasting, fulfilling relationship beyond just the practicalities of life. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.gottman.com/blog/enriching-marriage-creating-shared-meaning/ Quotes to ponder: “It seems like Brian puts all of his energy into his job and has little left over for me, our kids, or our home at the end of the day.” “Just because you fall in love with someone, that doesn’t mean that love will stay alive without nurturing your partnership.” “What might be missing is what Dr. John Gottman refers to as a sense of shared meaning.” Episode references: Fighting for Your Marriage: https://www.amazon.com/Fighting-Your-Marriage-Edition-Conflicts/dp/1118672925 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

13 Okt 202411min

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3352: Leo Babauta offers practical steps to build the habit of staying calm during moments of frustration. By noticing habitual reactions like shutting down or lashing out, and learning to pause, breathe, and open up with compassion, Babauta shows how you can shift from anger to connection, leading to more thoughtful and empathetic responses. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://zenhabits.net/frustrating/ Quotes to ponder: "This comes from the hope that things will be calm, orderly, simple, solid, and under control. The world doesn’t comply with this hope so we get frustrated and angry." "Once you practice this, you get more and more comfortable being in the middle of frustration, and you don’t need to relieve the feeling by lashing out." "The problem is your closed heart. Try not indulging in that shutting down, and opening yourself a little." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12 Okt 202410min

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3351: Dr. Lisa Firestone shares powerful strategies for reducing stress by shifting our perspective, practicing self-compassion, and identifying triggers. Techniques like mindfulness, breathing exercises, and taking positive action help us face challenges with resilience. These steps allow us to cultivate a calmer, more balanced approach to life's demands. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.psychalive.org/secrets-less-stressful-life/ Quotes to ponder: "Self-compassion allows us to see our flaws or limitations without hating ourselves, and therefore, we can take steps to make changes." "If we take a moment to pause to see this instead as a challenge, a natural bump in the road of life, we can change the way we feel inside when facing the very same external circumstances." "Anything we can do to help squeeze more joy, peace, and meaning out of our day is a worthy pursuit that everyone deserves." Episode references: The RAIN Approach by Tara Brach: https://www.tarabrach.com Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff: https://self-compassion.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11 Okt 202411min