Pretty Over Perfect

Last week we posed the question, "Why is Enough Never Enough?" and now we're going to try to figure out what to do about it. We start off asking, "What even is a happy life?" We've discovered that true satisfaction comes not from clicking or bingeing or numbing but from doing hard things that matter. So this week we're talking bucket lists beyond sky diving, the elements that make up a happy life and how to envision a future where we are content.

Arthur C. Brooks has a great podcast talking about the elements of a happy life. You can hear his take here.  Dr. Anna Lembke talks about how running from pain can keep you from real pleasure in this article. And Jessica mentioned Jody Moore's River of Misery podcast, where she explains the short but difficult period of time where you’re struggling most with whatever change you’re making. 

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you! 

@prettyoverperfect

Buckle up, folks! We've got a big episode today! This week we are diving right into the deep end with the question, "Why is Enough Never Enough?" Why are we constantly feeling inadequate and unsatisfied both with what we have and who we are?  To find the answer we're going to get a little nerdy about neurology and talk about the brain processes at work - how dopamine is meant to serve us, but can easily be preyed upon in our tech-heavy world to turn us against ourselves. When we understand the how and why  behind our impulses, we can also understand what we want to do about it moving forward - and we wouldn't leave you hanging without some practical advice on rising above in order to be the people we want to be.

Tons of resources to go alongside this episode, so you don’t just have to take our word for it:

Books
Indistractable  by Nir Eyal
The Molecule of More: How A Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex and Creativity - and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race by Dr. Daniel Z. Lieberman with Michael E. Long
Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence by Dr. Anna Lembke

Podcasts
Self-Care: Living on Purpose (Our Episode about Core Values)
Dr. Daniel Z. Lieberman on the Science of Success Podcast
Dr. Anna Lembke on the Muscle for Life Podcast
Stuff You Should Know: Planned Obsolescence: Engine of the Consumer Economy

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you! 

@prettyoverperfect

Let's face it, it's not fun, but we all have to have a relationship with money. And just like organizing our homes, looking at our finances can feel like a totally daunting task, until we break it down into little doable pieces.  This episode is all about money matters: from everyday budgeting to planning and saving for the future! We won't pretend to be financial experts, but we are people who have to manage our personal finances, and over the years we've learned what works for us and are now sharing it with you!

The Mint App was mentioned. We also think the Every Dollar App looks good, too. 

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you! 

@prettyoverperfect

It’s our fiftieth episode!! Woo hoo! And we’re celebrating by looking to previous generations to learn about being thrifty and self-reliant in an increasingly fast-paced and convenience-based world. We’re going over Country Living’s article, “30 Ways to Save Money Like Grandma Did.” And we’re adding our own wisdom because… it’s our podcast and we can do what we want.

This episode kicks off a whole month of watching our money and learning to be conscientious about how we use our resources, sustain our families and prepare for the future.

Did you know? Jessica’s great grandfather invented the tater-tot! It’s true! She’s going to be trying out some of these green and economical cleaners!

Michelle’s favorite ways to swap out disposable products for reusable ones (it saves money and hassle in constant replacement):
MakeUp Eraser wipes - just add water and they erase makeup better than the disposable kind. There’s an off-brand here!
Libman Wet Mop with reusable pad and refillable cleaning liquid reservoir. It doesn’t even need batteries!
Grove Co. Concentrates for household cleaners.
Mrs. Meyers All-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you! 

@prettyoverperfect

In this week’s episode, Michelle and Jessica talk all about real ways they maintain organizational systems: from getting started to the long haul and everything in between. Plus! Ways we keep the clutter at bay moving forward!

Take the Clutterbug quiz here to find out your organizational style! And share your results with us on Instagram!

Jessica recommends the book “Organizing for the Rest of Us”. 

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you! 

@prettyoverperfect

The next step in our organizing journey (after clarifying our vision and decluttering) is to set up systems that work for us! In this week’s episode, Jessica and Michelle talk nitty gritty for getting your most common problem areas under control. We’ll know a system is working for us when we can reasonably (and joyfully) maintain it! And of course - no organizing method would be complete without a little bit of beautifying and elevating that keeps us excited to come back and continue to care for our homes. 

Michelle’s fave car trash containers can be found here and here.

If you’re looking for further reading on organizing we love Minimalista and The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (it was a phenomenon for a reason!). 

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you! 

@prettyoverperfect

Originally aired in March of 2021, this rerun from last year's month of Organization is a brief overhaul of all our organizing tips and tricks. Listen in while you declutter, and we'll be back next week to share new thoughts on those problem areas we've all got in our homes!

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you! 

@prettyoverperfect

This one goes a little long - but it’s only because we have so many ideas to share about organization - and in this first episode we are motivating ourselves by finding the “why” behind organization. We are clarifying our visions for a month  of spring cleaning: creating a space that is functional and peaceful and free so we can live well. After we’ve clarified our goals, we’re tackling the second step of organization: decluttering! It’s a buzz word for a reason and we’ve got so much inspiration for rethinking what you’re keeping in your home.

Check out our episode on Feng Shui here.
Get Shira Gill’s Minimalista here. 

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you! 

@prettyoverperfect

This might seem like a funny episode to follow our last one all about finding delight in every day experiences, but trust us, they are two sides of the same coin. Expecting that every moment is going to be totally enjoyable is unreasonable and sets us up for disappointment. So, we're letting go of preconceptions of how things should be, and allowing them to just be as they are. We're practicing mental flexibility, especially in the 5 Ss of Emotional Wellness: Sunshine, Sweat, Sleep, Social and Synergy. 

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you! 

@prettyoverperfect

We talk about finding joy in the everday… but how do we actually approach rewiring our brains to see all the goodness available to us on a daily basis? It’s easy to miss moments of delight because we get caught up in expectations, worry about the future or shame about the past or even jealousy and comparison. But by paying attention and choosing to revel in the present, we can find so much (free!!) surprise and joy in the here and now. 

Come hang out! I can't wait to connect with you! 

@prettyoverperfect