Squishing my 30-year-old grown up body into a child-sized armchair, this is the sight I beheld for a full ten minutes last Monday: plastic, plastic, a step stool and a half-broken lamp. Yep, this would be my "goal project" for this month - find something decent to put under the kids' room window. More

Day #: Friday, January 18...and the weekend of January 19 & 20
Assignment: Weekly Flowers and Bedroom Cleaning

First up, a quick note: we are absolutely, most definitely, without a doubt well past the halfway point of the Cure, which means you are on the downhill ride to the finish line. Take a minute to appreciate all the effort you've invested so far and then, keep on moving forward! This weekend is focused on your bedroom, so without further ado, and at the risk of sounding like a cartoon mom, it's time to "clean your room!"... More

In the second week of my January Cure, my goal of removing clutter from my home is (nearly) complete. I wanted to get items put away that were lingering on the floors and covering my table in the dining room, as holiday things and new projects had been accumulating. I was really missing having the space to pull out my yoga mat and stretch on a whim, so now that the clutter is gone (or tucked away) I am able to breathe easier in my living room — Luna likes it too. Here is how we got here: More

Books are a hard thing for me to get rid of. I love my Kindle, but real paper books are my go-to when not reading on planes and trains with heavy hardcovers. Most of my collection are tried and true classics and favorites, pretty design books, and beloved cookbooks. Of course, there's some fat to be trimmed. Here's how a bibliophile managed to let some go. More

Day 12: Thursday, January 17
Assignment: Declutter your book & media collections

Books, movies, magazines, games, music! These are some of the things that top my list of "what makes life worth living". I'm a die-hard book lover and, if there is one thing I tend to go overboard on, it's their acquisition - my idea of a good time is an afternoon at the bookstore. One of the big reasons my husband and I chose our home is because there is a huge wall of built in bookshelves in the main room - it's that bad (or good, depending on how you look at it!). So, please know that I can relate to those of you who might be challenged by today's assignment... More

I had mixed success completing the daily tasks for the January Cure this week, but the overall result is that I have a cleaner home and a clearer idea of how to improve it. More

Boom. That was the sound of illness descending upon me this week and flattening me like a phlegmy pancake. I've been holding court on the sofa, surrounded by a moat of used Kleenex, cough drops and Nyquil. The death rattle in my throat would scare off even the bravest guard dog. More

Generally, I'm unapologetically attached to my phone and laptop all day long. Today's assignment was not easy, and to be honest, not really that fun. It was kind of like going to the gym after a long hiatus. You know it's good for you, but it's more "fake it 'til you make it" that first time. But as you step away from the tech (or put one foot in front of the other on the treadmill), you can see that there are long-term benefits in a regular practice. More

During the first week of the January Cure, one of the main tasks was to set up an Outbox to help clear out items that you no longer want or need. I'm a die-hard devotee of the Outbox, but it can still be somewhat difficult to figure out what items belong there. Here are some questions to ask yourself if you're stuck. More

Day 11:Wednesday, January 16
Assignment: Do a Media Fast this evening

Your home is a sanctuary. It's a space where you can retreat from the outside world and focus on what is important, joyful, healthful and centering for you. Tonight, why not make that make that retreat just a bit more intentional - a little quieter and deeper than usual - and see how it feels? Your assignment today is to give a media fast a try. More