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» Zen Mind: How to Declutter. By Leo Babauta One of the things that gives me most peace is have a clean, simple home.

» Zen Mind: How to Declutter

When I wake up in the morning and walk out into a living room that has been decluttered, that has a minimalist look, and there isn’t junk lying around, there is a calm and joy that enters my heart. When, on the other hand, I walk out into a living room cluttered with toys and books and extra things all over the place, it is chaos and my mind is frenetic. I’ve been a simplifier and a declutterer for years now (probably 8-9 years) and I’ve gotten pretty good at it, but I’ve found that you have to keep coming back to revisit your clutter every once in awhile. Here are my top decluttering tips: Do it in small chunks. Other posts about decluttering elsewhere: » Five Simple Exercise Programs for Beginners. Post written by Leo Babauta.

» Five Simple Exercise Programs for Beginners

Follow me on Twitter. I’ve been exercising regularly for a few years, with tremendous improvements in my health, and whenever someone asks me how they should start out in exercise, I tell them to just get moving! Try to get moving every day — whether it’s walking, running, strength training, sports, running around with the kids, swimming, paddling, or whatever works for you. If you can do that, you’ll get healthier and fitter over time. And it does take time. And what you eat is just as important. But these generalized recommendations never seem to be enough. One last note: take it slowly. Program 1: Intervals for Beginners. » 12 Ideas for Establishing a Calming Routine. Every Wednesday is Simplicity Day on Zen Habits.

» 12 Ideas for Establishing a Calming Routine

One of the most rewarding changes in my life in the last couple of years has been finding peace with a morning routine. I’ve made it a habit to wake before most of the world, at about 4:30 a.m., and just enjoy the quiet and solitude. It has made all the difference in the world. I sit quietly with a cup of coffee, and enjoy the silence. I go for a morning run, which relieves stress and is perfect for contemplation. Handwriting tips - StumbleUpon. You’ve decided you want to improve your handwriting and you’re probably hoping a fountain pen will do the trick -- maybe a friend told you it would.

handwriting tips - StumbleUpon

Maybe you’re just adventurous and you want to try your hand at calligraphy (or you might, once your handwriting improves). Good for you! A fountain pen may make your writing look a bit better, but if your writing looks as if frenzied chickens got loose on the page, chances are this won’t be enough. Most likely, you’ll need to retrain your arm and hand. After coaching handwriting and teaching calligraphy over the years, I’ve learned to see the characteristics of those who’ll be able to pick up the necessary motions quickly from those who’ll have to work a bit harder.

Crampy, uneven letters are often the result of drawing the letters with the fingers rather than using the whole arm to write. People who inevitably have trouble with handwriting and calligraphy write with their fingers. It will take time to re-train muscles and learn new habits. 30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself - StumbleUpon. 5 simple ways to increase self-confidence. Self-confidence is one of the key personal qualities necessary for success.

5 simple ways to increase self-confidence

Here are 5 ways to develop self-confidence, presented in the book The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz. Use them in life, and you will certainly become successful. 1. Sit in the front rows Usually in lectures, conferences, briefings and seminars the back rows of the classroom are filled first. 2. There are many bright and talented people (sitting in the same conferences and workshops) who for whatever reason are afraid to express their opinions in order to avoid saying something stupid, not to seem ridiculous, etc. Each time a person wants to say something and says nothing, he injects himself with a portion of the poison that kills confidence.

And vice versa: the more you speak, the more confident you become, so after each time you find it more and more easy to speak in public. Make rule to express your opinion in every public meeting you attend. And do not think that you will look silly.