organize Archives - Life Coaching by Christine Gipple

Crave Less (when the default is to accumulate more)

The older I get, the more space I crave.

Space to think, to be, to breathe, to process, to simply exist.

Yet, it’s a theme for me to continually hear myself say, “I want less.” “I need less.” Still.

My old pattern is to do more, achieve more, and to move at lightning speed. Even if my body doesn’t move at lightning speed, my mind typically does. I plan, arrange, organize, and categorize ideas and tasks in my mind before I even get out of bed!

Craving less means I consciously choose less clutter around me, less food in my body, less commitments in my calendar, and less (aka no) toxicity in relationships. In exchange, I’m more connected to what matters most, and I make mindful choices about what I DO want.

Back in the 90’s, my husband and I rented our first vacation spot in the Pocono Mountains: a raised rancher with a sun-room, floor-to-ceiling windows framed in oak, ceramic floors, and completely surrounded by trees. I felt nurtured, connected to myself, and could have stayed there the entire time and been content.

Our “thing” back then was to shop. We had a saying that my husband would “Shop until I dropped.” Even then, I wasn’t into the consumption scene. But I did it because it was part of “our vacation” and something he loved to do. I also felt the instant gratification that came from our purchases, which was another theme for me. I’d run on the high that came from accumulation of things –in the moment. Only to realize later, it was an unconscious pattern to distract, rather than a conscious choice to consume.

Most of those purchases have since been sold at yard sales or given away. Though we did keep a few choice favorites, like this painting below. It depicts a woman sitting solo in meditation, silhouetted in gold, and still brings me peace and a reminder to ground from within.

As I started to crave less, I simultaneously wanted less inner-clutter. I spent a few decades exploring and befriending old beliefs, habits, and patterns that were ingrained in me from childhood. I replaced them with a mindset that focused on my core values and emotions and then took action on the things that I “said” I wanted.

Because here’s the thing. We might say we want something but then find ourselves taking actions that are in direct opposition to the things we say we want. A simple example might be saying you want to exercise, but you find yourself watching Netflix instead of creating space in your calendar to work out. This can happen because of unconscious programming that we’re not even aware of.

Here’s some benefits of Craving Less…

By craving less, I have more:

Space for experiences that fill me up, like yoga, meditation, learning, walking, being in nature, writing, reading and nurturing meaningful connections.
Flexibility to choose who I work with and when because I’ve eliminated the things that don’t work.
Gratitude for the things and relationships I do have vs. what focusing on what others have.
Capacity to live with less in some areas because of opportunities that arise in other areas.
Energy to keep going when things feel challenging because I’ve removed distractions (physical or emotional)!
Money in my pocket because I’m more deliberate and mindful of every choice I make.

And I’m acutely aware that these are choices I make from a place of privilege. Privilege and long, hard work to get to this point in my life.

I’m deeply impacted by my physical and emotional environment, so it’s critical to my mental well-being to keep things simple.

In essence, I need 3 things: Order, Ease and Simplicity. When I have order, I feel ease, and when I feel ease, my life feels simple. Simplicity brings me into balance and alignment with my truest self. The way for me to get here is to consistently assess and release what no longer serves as I evolve and grow.

This goes for my home, my car, my office, my relationships and my calendar. When I’m over-cluttered and over-committed, it’s challenging to make conscious choices because I don’t have clarity.

Most of the clients I work with are similar. Even if they say they love having a lot of stuff around them, or, “They are OK with the status quo”, there’s often a delightful exhale that happens when they remove the outdated excess in their life. This includes habits, patterns, beliefs, jobs, homes, and even relationships that no longer feel balanced or reciprocal.

Today is Feb 18^th, 2025 and I’m curious, What are you craving today? What do you crave less of? What do you crave more of? Is there anything you told yourself you’d start or do, but you haven’t yet begun?

Before you click away, think about what it might feel like to achieve the thing you say you want? Imagine that you’ve started…how do you feel?

Just marinate in that feeling because that feeling just may be the catalyst that supports you to take the action you need to make it happen.

Interested in exploring this together, or just want to connect and say hello, simply reply here. I’d love to hear from you!

Less = More. Simplify Your Wardrobe To 33 Items

My resistance surprised me. I’d been finalizing my website, so my delay in starting this challenge on June 1st was reasonably justified, but beyond that, I really procrastinated mentally. My inner voice kept telling me there was no way I was going from 100 items of clothing down to only 33, especially since I’d already downsized to 100 items! (see previous posts). The final 33 counted accessories like sunglasses, earrings, shoes, sandals, jackets, etc. Honestly, I didn’t think I could do it. When I approached the 40 item mark, I was ready to amend the rules a bit. I told myself I couldn’t simplify or release any more. As I reached 36, I was too close not to make it work, so the final 3 had to go!

But I did it – I’ve chosen my final 33 items to wear for the next 3 months! From June 5th to September 5th, I’ll use only the final 33 that made the cut. Project 333 Underway – Thanks Courtney Carver for the inspiration!

Here’s what I started with:

Here’s what I chose: One pair of sneakers, two sandals (one not shown because I was wearing them), one pair of earrings, one necklace, one hat, one pair of sunglasses and the rest clothing. (Workout wear and sleepwear don’t count – thank God!)

Result – I feel completely empowered, more mindful, and less stressed. I’m no longer sliding over item after item in my closet that I don’t feel great, searching for the ones I do feel great in. The visual plus – every time I open my closet door, I see only what I need, want and love. It feels simple, easy, and less overwhelming. I also feel less guilt. I don’t know about you, but I had a lot of clothes I didn’t wear. But because I paid good money for them, they stayed in my closet – even though I’d slide them aside looking for something else to wear.

I’ll admit I felt close to giving up. I felt close to backing out. The impossibility of 33 felt like more than I wanted to embrace. But it’s clothes – not people. It’s stuff. And I choose to live with less stuff.

I’m a little dorky and am always simplifying & organizing because I LOVE to, but this particular project has inspired me to simplify even more, beyond clothes. No “thing” is guaranteed a spot to live within our home. My family’s made me promise their stuff is off limits! I’ve agreed to only work on mine. Yet, I see them adding things to the donate pile as a result of my constant clearing. Releasing is contagious, and not by force – simply by doing.

Maybe you could live with less? Let go of items you keep sliding aside in your closet? Share your comments below. If this inspired you or you think it will inspire someone you know to action, please share this!