9-15-25 EP 206 // 5 Ways to Start Simplifying Your Life Without Feeling Stressed & Overwhelmed.

Hello Friend! 

My life is very full with all of the things we choose it to be such as gardening and homesteading activities, but I make sure that I have time to just be, pray and think in the morning and that usually means getting up by 4:00 am. (Yes, I am in bed early at night so I get at least 7 hours of sleep)  It gives me time to see the sun rise, sit in silence  and just listen to what God is saying to me without any other disturbances.  

Our lives are shaped mostly by how we create them.  If you know me at all you know that little simple things make me happy.  I don’t need to spend money to be happy, I enjoy the birds chirping, the rooster crowing, a fresh Fall breeze coming throught the open windows, the sun rising, walking in the woods and we are now living what we have created. 

I could have continued to climb the ladder working for someone else just  to chase after more riches, but nearly 30 years ago, we made a life plan of how we wanted to live, raise our family and what was important to us……and guess what-not any of what was important to us was new cars or material items-it was Jesus, time with family and freedom to do what we want, when we want and it seems as if God has been just chasing us with blessing after blessing.

Things have shifted slightly as God is giving us a new direction and so we will reveal where that is going as time goes on.  Right now, we are at the stage of really God?  You want us to do what?  So I don’t know any details right now, but I do know that He wants me to help you get back to the root of what is most important. 

I want to give you 5 simple steps to get started on this simple living journey, and I will saved the #1 way to the end.

~ 1st, Become so clear on what you value and make sure your time matches up with your values.  You say you want time with your kids, but then you spend all day at work, or you might say you value giving, but your pocketbook looks like you spend more on things for yourself.  It has to match up or you will not ever feel at peace or aligned.  

~ Next, Make your life plan-do you want to be a SAHM and homemaker, do you want to living in the country, want to homestead or learn to cook from scratch to save money?  What kind of house do you want to live in?  Be so clear that when you move to a house, you realize it was exactly what you handwritten out in detail many years prior.  Your life might not start out exactly as planned, but I can definitely tell you if you have a vision and a plan in written for, you will most likely get to that place!  I even put in my plan I wanted to be a Grandma that was available for my Grandkids whenever they needed me or had events and I am thankful to be able to spend time with all of them quite often and love it!

~After that you will want to make a plan you reduce your debt.  Maybe you need to sell a vehicle with a payment and get a used vehicle-there is certainly not anything wrong with having an older vehicle.  I was just trying to figure out the last time we had a car payment-probalby over 15 years ago!  Spend your money wisely and living a debt free live is so rewarding.

Then you need to put your plan into action-just start-it is an incredible feeling to know what you are working toward!

And the absolute #1 step that is the most important is reading your Bible and putting Jesus first in everything that you do.  When you walk the narrow path, there are many rewards.  I’m not saying there will be opposition, because there certainly will be, but the rewards far outweigh it. 

1 Start reading your Bible

I want you to send me a message and let me know how this is going for you and if I can help you in any way.

Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/claimingsimplicity/

Email -> [email protected]

Keep it simple and God Bless!

Monica

Hello Friend!

Here are a few of my thoughts about living boldly for Christ based on Charlie  Kirk's life. 

We need to rise up and create a world movement as the time is getting closer to Jesus Christs return.

See you next week!

Monica

Hey!

Welcome back on this beautiful September day!  If you are new here,  I’m Monica and I love to simplify and streamline everything and I enjoy sharing all I learn with you, so grab a cup of coffee and enjoy!

After a summer of probably saying yes to too many things and feeling exhausted, I realized I needed to be reminded of my own advice to keep things simple with less stress.  If you know me at all, which you probably know me pretty well if you have listened to any amount of podcasts here, but I’m sure you know I like to do all the things, I love to learn and sometimes that comes with getting too much on my plate.  

If you want to reduce some of your mental load & enjoy a slow and intentional life, the first step is to create it by centering your life around what is important to you.  For me, it is my faith, family, and time for being present.  To me, time is our precious commodity and I don’t want to get to the end of life and wish I would have done things differently.  Depending on what season you are in, living intentionally may look different than slow living, but you have to know what you really want life to look like and make a plan so you can stop spiraling out of control and feel like you are going backwards.

Next, you need to start saying no to some of what you are doing.  If you are saying yes to please others or just because you think you are supposed to do something, you will burn out fast.  I remember when my kids were in elementary school, I thought that I should volunteer just because I stayed at home (because most people done understand what WFH moms do!), but I whenever it came to going, I just dreaded it because I had so many other things I needed to do.  I have always had side businesses as I’m not someone that ever sits around, so I have to plan my time carefully.   I have learned to say, thanks for thinking of me, but right now I am unable to …..whatever it is.  You don’t have to say any more or try to make up excuses.  Just imaging what all the things you will be able to say yes to because of the no’s you had to tell people!

And the last way you can lessen your mental load is to declutter.  There is a direct correlation with mental stress and clutter, so make sure you are clearing spaces in your home.  Since we have moved into our home 2 years ago, we have done so mych outside, but I still have totes with my hobbies and it bothers me everytime i see those totes because it is something I just haven’t had a chance to get to yet.  As my business has grown, it is something that got put on the back burner!  I know when I have clutter on the counter or around our home, it makes such a difference in how stressed I am.  If you do 1 thing today, start with clearing off your cupboard and getting the dishes done every night.  After a week or 2 add in another thing and try to clear your space you are in most of the time first.  You will wake up feeling much better when you go to make your coffee and don’t have the stress of the mess hanging over your head.  

I want you to start implementing this right away and let me know how it goes for you!  

Remember Keep it simple and have a great week! 

Love ya friend!

Monica

Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/claimingsimplicity/

Email -> [email protected]

Hey Friend!

Wow, can you believe it is back to school already?  We had a very different summer this year, but God’s hand was in all of it and I wouldn’t want it any other way.  If He is in the middle of whatever is happening, there is peace.  One of the many things I love about Fall is that even though here in MN things start to die, there is also a new and refreshing energy I feel.  I love the crispy air and sweatshirt weather and like it to last as long as possible before the deep freeze, but for me Fall is so abundant.  It is a very full season for us with all the garden produce, apple orchard harvest, bear hunting that starts at the beginning of September and then deer hunting.  This is when we store most of our food for the year, so it is very productive.  We only get bear tags every 6 years and our 15 year old daughter has one this year, so hoping for success for her as this will be her first one.  My husband gets pretty excited getting everything ready for the hunt which starts in August.  It really is such a blessing for them to get to experience it and I am so thankful they are so well rounded in so many areas of life and have more skills than 95% of their peers.  I truly believe they are going to be so much further in life with the every day life they have learned over the years.  From how to save on groceries and cook from scratch to hunting for food, processing it all along with all the life skills they learn on a homestead with animals!

I am so grateful for all of you that reach out and are loving the podcast and now the instagram content!  I am so so thankful for all of you-who knew this would grow so big just a few years ago when I had no idea what I was doing!  Just trying to share everything I know to live a simpler life.  Sometimes I feel like I’m failing you because I don’t have consistent content, but then I remember that I’m doing the Lord’s work and I don’t have to burn out or give up my values especially after last year and knowing that rest is needed.  Thank you for the grace.

So this summer we have been getting ready for next Spring as we will have a graduation here for our daughter that is a senior. We have been moving flower gardens(they were full of the most gorgeous flowers along with many thistles and grass that I couldn’t get rid of, so we made new garden beds for them. We have been staining and other miscellaneous things around here with the help of many Grandkids we have had over the summer with their daycares being off quite a bit which is fun ~ they just love it here and so fun for them to learn about the animals and milking, gathering eggs and all the fun that happens on a farm.  Most of our fencing and barn work is done for now and it helps to have portable electric fencing from premier one.  That works so nice for rotating the animals easily and often.

There was a time in June when I couldn’t get out of bed for 5 days, even lift my phone and I ended up having anaplasmosis, so glad I finally went in.  I’m a little stubborn knowing that most viruses they can’t do anything for, but after not getting better, I knew it had to be something other than the flu or covid and i didn’t even I had been bitten by a deer tick, but I did have several of them crawling on me at different times I hadn’t thought much of.  That took some time to recover from and then my husband’s job unexpected was off work for a while, so he ended up going to a different company putting in natural gas, so there has been alot of change around here.  My 15 year old started working in the spring as a phenomenal sourdough bakery that just opened up and she still needs rides, so glad it is only 15 minutes away and our other daughter is working in a kitchen at a resort, so they have been busy girls between working, sports, 2 large lawns they mow and numerous church camps.  It was just very different to not see them as much, but I am thankful to have such responsible kids.

We have seen God’s hand in all the hard things this summer and after testing instagram again for a couple months, my business grew really fast, so I’m working on creating more content to save you money and if you have not already, make sure you are following @claimingsimplicity on instagram.  I actually niched down to talking about cooking from scratch and how to cook dinners once a week for under &75 because that is what you wanted more of, so I’m slowly but surely working on some products around grandkids, kids, farm and all the fun that summer brings!

Now that we will get back to a semi normal routine, I hope to be back here weekly!  As always, please reach out with any topics or questions you have!

God Bless you!  Have a fantastic week!

Monica

Hello Friends!  

I am thankful to be able to do what I love every single day!

I had to go back to what I love as I could go in many different directions since I am so multipassionate with undiagnosed ADHD.  I enjoy working 2 hours a day with my business, but I had so many other people reaching out and wanting me to coach them to make money online and that really wasn’t my passion, it is a portion of it I love though!

My passion is simplicity and having a flexible schedule to enjoy the things I love. 

I absolutely enjoy teaching my homesteading and cooking from scratch skills to beginners that have no idea how easy it is. Both in person and online, but I also am passionate about working with my hands - Getting in the dirt, making bread and being available when my goats and pigs are birthing.  

I enjoy teaching you as a busy working mom to save money so you can eventually be at home raising their own kids because I don’t believe there is a more important job~especially in the days we are in.  I enjoy showing you there is a better way and you don’t have to keep up with the Jones.

You have your own skills to share and it is fun to learn from each other.

I know friend if you just sit and listen, you will get direction so you can enjoy every single day.  

If you are interested in joining a group of like minded Moms, you are welcome here.  I will be opening up this group soon, so get on the list below!

Simply Set Society -> https://stan.store/ClaimingSimplicity

Living Simply!
~Monica

Hello!  

I just wanted to catch you up to let you know that I am still here and all is good!

Winners, email me to claim your amazon gift cards!!!!

Blessings!

Monic

Email -> [email protected]

Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/claimingsimplicity/

Hello!

I was thinking back to my life when I was stressed out and overwhelmed. It felt like everything was hard and even little tasks seemed difficult.  I don’t ever want to go back to that and I want you to know that even as overwhelmed as you may feel right now, there is a way out.  You feel overwhelmed and stressed out when your priorities are out of whack and your time spent is doing things that aren't your top values.  

Before you start to change your life to living simpler, you have to really know how you want to live and what really matters most to you.  For me, flexibility and freedom to spend time with family and grandkids making memories and making sure they know Jesus is a top priority for me, so being able to send them to camp and go to family camp for 10 days in the summer is very important to me along with being able to help them grow in their faith.  

I also value living a natural life and being as self-sufficient or self-relient as we can by growing our own food and animals and teaching the next generation of the importance of canning and preserving food in different ways like freeze drying, but I certainly didn’t start there when I began this simple living journey.  

I was in my early 20s with 3 young kids when I learned how to preserve green beans and tomato sauce by a neighbor I babysat for as a teenager, but I did not grow up with a garden or preserving any food, so no matter whether you did or didn’t learn these skills, there are so many resources to learn from with the internet and you just have to make time for it.  I did grow up on a farm and I did have chores in the barn to do, some cooking, but I was also involved in sports and many other activities at school, so I was rarely home after I hit 12 years old.  

So after you decide what is important to you, start to minimize the things in your life that are NOT important to you.  As you start to minimize the less important items, you will start to be able to breathe easier and feel less overwhelmed.  Once you begin to feel less stressed, it will be addicting to do more to minimize the things in your life that are less important.  I am not talking about only minimizing physical items, but schedules and where you spend your time.  

I am so excited for you to begin your simple living journey if you have not! 

Monica

Email -> [email protected]

You Tube -> https://www.youtube.com/@claimingsimplicity/ 

Hello Friend!

Today, we’re talking about one of the most basic, yet powerful, ways to nourish your family—homemade bread! If sourdough sounds like too much work right now, don’t worry. I’ve got you covered with super simple homemade bread recipes that anyone can make—even on a busy schedule. This is one of the simplest places to start to provide more nourishing food for your family.

I started making bread once I looked at the ingredients and most of them I couldn’t pronounce, I had no idea how simple it was to make and I simplified the process to only make once or twice a month!

There are so many health benefits to making your own bread.  There are no preservatives, additives, or unnecessary sugar like store-bought bread.

You control the ingredients—organic flour, natural sweeteners, and real butter if you choose!

Easier to digest and more filling than processed bread.

Not to mention how amazing your house will smell!!!!!  

It is also budget friendly and costs pennies per loaf compared to store-bought artisan bread and when you buy bulk ingredients you will save money over time! Batch cooking will save you time!

Homemade bread doesn’t have to be complicated. Just start with one simple recipe, and before you know it, you’ll never want store-bought again!  Try to make at least one loaf this week and you will be hooked!  Reach out if you would like any of my recipes!

Hey Friend

Today, I’m sharing a few of my favorite non-toxic DIY essential oil recipes that will help you ditch the chemicals and start to create a healthier home—without the overwhelm!

Switching to non-toxic DIY products isn’t just a trendy idea—it’s a powerful way to take control of your family’s health, save money, and create a safer home. Here’s why it’s so important:

Most conventional cleaning and personal care products contain harmful toxins like synthetic fragrances, parabens, and harsh preservatives and these chemicals have been linked to:

DIY essential oil recipes allow you to ditch the toxins while still keeping your home fresh, clean, and safe.

Non-toxic doesn’t have to mean expensive! Most DIY recipes use simple, affordable ingredients you probably already have—like vinegar, baking soda, and Castile soap—along with a few drops of essential oils.

Most commercial products labeled as “fresh” or “clean” actually contain synthetic fragrances that can trigger headaches, allergies, and even disrupt hormones and with essential oils, you get:

About 25 years ago I went to a class where we made a few of our own DIY products like bug spray, laundry detergent and after learning how safe and economical it was, that is all I have used since then.  There are still a few items I continue to find my favorite recipes for, but these are the first 5 I started with.

Laundry Detergent-I love the simplicity of the ingredients and how easy it is to make.  I was making a different kind with a felz nappa bar of soap shredded into the recipe and after a long time using it-I’m not sure how long, it clogged up our washer hose and my husband told me I couldn’t use homemade laundry soap anymore, but now that I have this recipe, we haven’t had any trouble.  It just has epsom salt, baking soda, washing soda, sea salt and essential oils. 

Linen Spray which is just witch hazel and essential oils.  I love fresh scents, but you can choose any you enjoy!

Toilet cleaner that is just vinegar, baking soda and essential oils.

Glass cleaner with water, vinegar and essential oils.

And our most used recipe is the foaming hand soap.  I have never found any soap that compares to this soap and it is only castile soap and essential oils.  I’m guessing you will love it as well!

I know that I have saved hundreds of dollars over the years, possibly even thousands and I’m all about saving money but even more so being confident that I’m helping with my family's health and using less toxins.

I challenge you to try just one recipe this week-I do have a free ebook with exact recipes details &  additional recipes as well you can grab below in the show notes.

Switching to non-toxic DIY isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Replacing just ONE chemical-heavy product with a homemade version is a step toward a healthier, safer home. Once you start, you’ll see how easy, fun, and rewarding it is!

Thanks for tuning in today.  God bless your week!

Monica

Hello

Hello and Welcome!  If you are new here, I am so grateful you are joining us!  I am passionate about teaching simplicity in all areas of life to reduce stress and overwhelm for busy moms.

Do you ever feel like life is spinning too fast? Like you’re juggling so much that you don’t even have time to catch your breath? I’ve been there too, and today I want to share seven things you can let go of this year to slow down, live intentionally, and embrace a simpler, more peaceful life.

Saying “yes” to everything.  There was a time in my life over 25 years ago when I got totally burnt out.  I was working full time, putting on a benefit for a young boy in our community that was in a bad car accident along with raising my own small children with their busy schedules. I remember the feeling of hardly being able to function up to the event and then crashing after the event.  It took me some time for me to recover & at that point I realized what stress does to a person’s body.  Thankly that was short term, but you may be living in chronic stress and that can affect you physically and mentally if you don’t get that under control, so I want you to start thinking about what you are saying yes to.  There are many ways to say politely no like-thanks for thinking of me, but at this time I can’t take on anything new or something to that extent. What is one thing you’ve said yes to recently that might be adding unnecessary stress to your life? Could you practice saying no this week?

Toxic relationships or negativity.  You do not need the stress of those people, so do your best to let go of those relationships.  Spend more time with the people you love to be around.  Life is short to waste time with those people.  Think about the relationships in your life. Which ones bring you joy, and which ones drain your energy?  In Proverbs 4:23, it says,‘Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Protecting your peace is not selfish—it’s essential for living joyfully and intentionally.

Comparing your life to others or social media.  You have a different story and experiences than any other person, so you should not be comparing yourself to anyone at all.  You are unique in your own way and a child of God and daughter of the King.  Rest in that. 

Clothes you haven’t worn in a year.  Let them go…..if you haven’t worn them in that time, you probably won’t ever wear them.  Last year, I went through my closet and found clothes I hadn’t touched in a while. I donated them, and not only did it declutter my space, but it felt good knowing someone else could use them.

Constant phone notifications.  Do you look at your phone every time it buzzes?  Go into each app and turn off notifications.  What value does it bring you to have those notifications on?  Without them, you may discover more peace and less anxiety.  People don’t need an immediate response to anything!  Well….other than an emergency!  I typically keep my phone away from me while I’m working so I can be in the zone without interruptions which makes for more productivity in less time.  That is one key to getting things done.

Overpacked schedules.  This goes along with saying yes to everything and packing so much into your schedule.  Make sure you have rest and recovery time planned.  You can’t sustain stress long term without it creating havoc somewhere, so be very mindful of your schedule.

The need for perfection.  You are perfect in God’s eyes and that is all that matters!  

Remember Psalm 139:14: I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. You don’t need to strive for perfection—God has already made you perfectly unique.

As we step further into this year, I challenge you to pick just one of these things to let go of. Maybe it’s saying no to something that’s not aligned with your values, or maybe it’s turning off those pesky notifications. Whatever it is, take that first step toward living with more intention and simplicity. And remember, God is with you every step of the way.

Let’s walk this journey together!

Monica

Website and Waitlist: Claimingsimplicity.com

Email -> [email protected]