Welcome to the best of the week, where I highlight articles that I found on the web geared towards simplifying our daily lives. So make yourself a warm cup of coffee or tea and enjoy.

Simple Quote

“The greatest step towards a life of simplicity is to learn to let go.” – Steve Maraboli

Probably one of the hardest lessons that I had to learn was to not put so much importance on things. Once I learned that, it became so much easier to let go of things, whether it was possessions or commitments, which resulted in simplifying our lives greatly.

Simple Task

Take a few minutes this weekend to declutter your car. Remove everything from your car and make three piles: trash, items that go back in the car, or items that belong in the garage or house. Look under seats, that space between the seats and the console, the backseat, and the trunk.

Toss the trash and return the items for the garage/house to their designated place. Wipe over all of the surfaces in your car.

Now, take all of the items that go back into the car and divide them into 3 piles: small, important, items for the glove compartment; small, less important, items for the middle console; and large items for the trunk.

In the glove compartment include such items as insurance and registrations information, the owner’s manual, and any vehicle maintenance records. You can also put small tools in here such as a first aid kit, tire pressure gauge or safety hammer. You may also want to keep a small notepad and pen on hand in the case you need to jot down information.

The middle console is a place to store tissues, hand sanitizer, cell phone charger, a small makeup bag, and any other items that you need while you are away from the house.

Place large items in the trunk. Check out the Thrillist’s 16 Things you should have in the Trunk of your Car for a comprehensive list.

To keep the car clean in the future, designate a trash collection area. Use something to collect the trash such a a tupperwear container or a small plastic bag and keep it in a centrally located area of the car.

Enjoy your decluttered car!

Simple Eat

Asian Dumpling Soup with Shiitakes

I found this soup in a Real Simple cookbook called “dinner tonight: done!” I like for my family to eat most meals at home, but I don’t necessarily like to cook so I am always on the lookout for dinner ideas that don’t require a lot of ingredients or time. I have made this soup quite a few times now and it’s always a hit!

Simple Read

6 Ways to Stay Simple and Sane with a Newborn

This is a great read of expectant/new mothers. I wish I had read an article like this before I had my first child. I was that pregnant lady out buying all of the things that you read about needing for a baby. He didn’t even like the baby swing.