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life + happiness

Feel Out of Sorts? These 11 simple tasks will help you get back on track.

Written by Cassie · April 28, 2020 · This blog generates income via ads · This post may contain affiliate links

Feel Out of Sorts? These 11 simple tasks will help you get back on track. | CassieRauk.com

Feel Out of Sorts?  These 11 simple tasks will help you get back on track. | CassieRauk.com

If you are anything like me, you have your fair share of listless days, especially during these pandemic days of uncertainty. I am talking about the days when you wander around the house and yard, not really getting anything accomplished. By the time bedtime rolls around, you feel crappier than before.

But there is hope!

I have a short list of things that I do on those day to shake me loose of my funk and I think they can help you too.

  1. Make your bed. Simple, but makes your bedroom seem tidy even when there is a pile of dirty laundry in the corner.
  2. Clean off our kitchen table and counters. Tables and counter are a magnet for clutter. Take a few minutes and put stuff where they belong.
  3. Clean out a drawer or cabinet.  Clutter makes you feel heavy, so get rid of some of your unused things.
  4. Wake up early(ish). You don’t have to wake up at the crack of dawn, but getting up a half-hour or so earlier makes the day feel like it has so much more potential.
  5. Help someone else. Pick up groceries for your elderly neighbors or ding-dong-ditch toilet paper on friends’ doorsteps.
  6. Make a list. I am a huge list maker.  And when I am feeling my most frazzled taking a half hour to write down all of the things floating around in my head makes everything seem brighter.  
  7. Delete unused files from your computer. You know all of those freebies you downloaded from websites and promptly forgot about? Move them into your trash.
  8. Clean off your desk.  This is especially important if you are working from home these days. Taking a few minutes to clean off your desk will make you feel more organized (even if the rest of your life is a mess).
  9. Adjust your privacy settings on social media.  Take 20 minutes to do a deep dive into your FB and Insta settings and make sure people are only seeing what you want them to.   
  10. Clean out your inbox. You know all of those unread emails that are plugging up your inbox? You are never going to read them, so just let them go. As for the ones that you do need to keep, tag them, and put them in folders.
  11. Tackle one nagging thing from your to-do list.  You know that one stupid thing that we need to do that we keep putting off. Take some time and run that errand or make that call. That one single thing will make you feel accomplished.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Filed Under: life + happiness, VIP

Pandemic Check-In

Written by Cassie · April 21, 2020 · This blog generates income via ads · This post may contain affiliate links

Pandemic Check-In | CassieRauk.com
Pandemic Check-In | CassieRauk.com

If you subscribe to my newsletter, you know I have been talking about how weird everything is. And that is putting it pretty mildly.

Since things are so weird, I thought I would interrupt the regularly scheduled programming and let give you an update on how things are going in the Rauk House.

Jesse and I are both considered ‘essential employees’ so the normal day-to-day getting up and going to work thing hasn’t changed. The fun new addition is the constant state of anxiety about getting the virus and passing it on to others.

I wash my hands so much they are raw, guys.

Other than work, our days have been pretty quiet. We have been working on projects around the house. And I have been using up some of my nervous energy by decluttering the crap out of everything. It started with the bathroom and has moved to the kitchen.

That is not to say that everything is all sunshine and rainbows. I cried in my car last week while listening to NPR, and I don’t know how much longer I will be working.

We are really just taking things day-by-day.

Spring is finally arriving in our little corner of Minnesota, and watching the grass turn green and hearing the birds chirp through the open window has been fabulous. With everything that is going on, it is nice to see that Mother Nature is doing her thing.

How are you all doing? What is going well and what is freaking you out (other than the obvious)?

Filed Under: life + happiness, VIP

Decluttering is not enough

Written by Cassie · April 7, 2020 · This blog generates income via ads · This post may contain affiliate links

Decluttering is Not Enough | CassieRauk.com
Decluttering is not enough | CassieRauk.com

I love Marie Kondo as much as anyone. I devoured her books when they came out, and love to watch her lovingly fold t-shirts on video clips and her show.

Not only did she teach me how to fold my shirts, but she also taught me that it was ok to let things go. I stuffed my homes full of items I bought on a whim, pricey items I purchased and never used, and sentimental family ‘heirlooms.’

But decluttering is only part of the answer.

The key to living a simpler life is to want less. And then buy less.

But that is hard. It is so hard.

Purging your closet of all of the clothes you don’t wear is excellent, but if you fill it back in with more clothes, you end up right where you started in the first place. It is disheartening when your forward progress pulls you around in a circle.

That is the nasty thing about decluttering that everyone seems to forget. You shouldn’t have to declutter your house every couple of years, and if you do, there is something else going on.

You need to want less.

How? How do you want less? That is the million-dollar question. And I am still trying to figure it out. Plus, I am pretty sure it is different for all of us. For me, it started with limiting my social media. I want a whole lot less when I am not looking at fashionable people in their stylish houses on Instagram.

I also take a look at my goals. If buying another pair of jeans is not going to help me reach my goal of staying out of debt, then I should pass. The same goes for my dream of a remodeled kitchen.

Now it’s your turn! How are you working toward wanting less?

Decluttering is Not Enough | CassieRauk.com

PS – Things I have done to simplify my life + How to create a morning routine.


Filed Under: life + happiness, VIP

How to stop spiraling

Written by Cassie · March 31, 2020 · This blog generates income via ads · This post may contain affiliate links

Things are crazy right now and everything is changing so fast it is hard to keep up. Let’s take a deep breath and talk about how to stop spiraling.

How to stop Spira

It is strange how everything changed so much in a few short weeks. Three weeks ago, I was with my husband at the beach, and right now, I am wondering how long I will still be working and when the virus will reach my community.

Everyone is out of sorts, anxious, and confused. And that is ok. But when you are really spiraling. Going from the New York Times to CNN to Facebook on a constant loop and cannot manage to make it out of bed or the sofa, I want you to remember one thing.

Stop focusing on things you cannot control.

You cannot control the virus. You cannot control the folks that don’t think this is real. You can’t control that your favorite coffee shop and book store closed their doors for God knows how long.

Instead, focus on what you can control and what is most important to you.

You and your family can do your part and social distance the crap out of life. You can go to the store and buy just what you need. You can order books online from that fav book store, and get yourself a huge gift card from the coffee shop.

This is tough. I know.

I am a control freak, so dealing with all of these unknowns is hard for me too. I am a gal who likes to sit down each more and map out what she is going to accomplish. But the new normal that we are living in currently makes that impossible. So if you are having a hard time letting go and letting the universe take the wheel (this is the game that I am playing now) may I suggest taking Emily P Freeman’s advice and focus on the next right thing. And right now, the next right thing is the next 10 minutes.

We will all get through this together. But until the bans and lifted and we can approach our neighbors without trepidation, focus on what you can control.

PS – When Everything goes nuts

Photo by Fernando @cferdo on Unsplash


Filed Under: life + happiness, self care + wellness

Spring Cleaning for the rest of us

Written by Cassie · March 24, 2020 · This blog generates income via ads · This post may contain affiliate links

Spring Cleaning For the Rest of Us

I love a tidy house, but I am not a clean freak. So I do have a few things I do each spring for a refresh! Let’s call it spring cleaning for the rest of us.

Spring Cleaning for the Rest of Us | CassieRauk.com

I love a tidy house, but I am not a neat-freak. Even so, when spring rolls around, I am usually ready to freshen my home up a bit. Even if it is just to get the smell of husband and dog out of the house.

If you are looking for a comprehensive list or an in-depth cleaning schedule, you are in the wrong place. Becky over at Clean Mama is your gal for that. But if you are looking for some simple thing that you can do to freshen up your space as the temperatures warm, keep reading.

Open all of the windows.

It has been a long winter gang. Open up those windows and let some fresh air into your place. This simple step goes a long way to refresh your space.

Smudge the whole house.

After I have all of those windows open, I walk around the house with my stick of smoldering sage, waving it around. Not only does it help refresh your space, but it also helps get rid of the bad juju. Smudging is a tad bit woo-woo, but I love the woo.

Wash and put away winter gear.

I don’t have enough clothes to make a full ‘putting away the winter gear’ ceremony necessary, but between Jesse and I, we do have a lot of winter gear. Now is the time to clean up those boots, wash those stocking hats, and clean those jackets. I store them all in a tote in the garage until fall rolls around again.

Clean the windows inside and out.

Cleaning windows is a pretty standard spring cleaning trope for a good reason. When the windows are clean, the whole house seems brighter. And all of that springtime sunshine can shine in.

Dust the walls, sills, and trim.

It is weird to say that I dust the walls, but my old house has an odd plaster situation going on, and all of those nooks and crannies get full of dust. So I give them a good once over with a duster. And while I am at it, I wipe down the trim and clean out the window sills.

That’s it! I love a clean house, so we don’t save all of the deep cleanings till spring. But there are a handful of things I do each springtime to get my house ready for the summer ahead.

PS – Shop your house first + Kitchen staples for quick meals.


Spring Cleaning for the Rest of Us | CassieRauk.com

Filed Under: goals + habits, life + happiness

When everything goes nuts

Written by Cassie · March 17, 2020 · This blog generates income via ads · This post may contain affiliate links

When Everything Goes Nuts | CassieRauk.com
When Everything Goes Nuts | CassieRauk.com
image from Inspire(d) magazine.

Like many others, I feel confused and out of sorts. Things seem to be spiraling out of control and there is nothing that I can do to stop it.

I think that is what bothers me the most.

I am going to interrupt this week’s regularly scheduled programming for something a little different. Here are a few links from around the web that are either helpful or fun.

14 ways you can help your community. via Fast Company

It sounds like we might all be spending a lot more time at home, so now is a good time to hygge. via A Beautiful Mess

Create a basket of comfort to help during times of uncertainty. via Tsh Oxendrider

Here are the dos and don’ts of social distancing. via The Atlantic

How about we all play work-from-home bingo? via McSweeny’s

Here are a few tips to help boost your immune system. via Deliciously Organic.

On a more serious note, here are 7 tips to make you more productive while working from home. via Fast Company

And a few tips of my own: turn off the television and stay off Social Media, go for a walk, listen to upbeat music, watch a fun half-hour sitcom, take a walk, drink lots of water, and go to bed early.

This too shall pass.


Filed Under: life + happiness

How to Pack Less

Written by Cassie · March 10, 2020 · This blog generates income via ads · This post may contain affiliate links

How to Pack Less | CassieRauk.com

Traveling with just a carry on is kinda scary. But it is totally doable but it does take a bit of preplanning. In this post, I shared how to pack less.

How to Pack Less

I did not come from a jet-setting family. We were farmers, and usually, that means you don’t get off the farm much. So when Jesse and I made the decison to get out and see things, and I started planning and doing research (like a nerd), I knew I didn’t want to be one of those people lugging around a massive suitcase with all of our worldly possessions inside.

I wanted to be one of those cool hipsters traveling with a backpack. And I know saying that you want to be cool is the first thing that makes you not cool, but a girl has to dream, right?

And the fact that I have a reasonably minimal wardrobe makes this pretty easy.

Packing for a long trip in a carry-on doesn’t have to be hard. All it takes is a bit of common sense, a hard truth, and a mindset shift. So let’s get started!

Check the weather.

This one should be fairly obvious, but I am going to throw it out there anyhow – check the ten-day forecast of your destination before you start to pack. While it might be a good idea to bring a hoodie or sweater for chilly nights on the beach but you certainly don’t need a down jacket and a stocking hat. If you are heading on a ski trip, a pair of shorts or crops is pretty unnecessary. Use your common sense.

Pull out what you want to pack, then get rid of half of it.

And then get rid of a couple more things. Seriously. You don’t need all of that stuff.

Use the 3 to 1 golden rule.

When preparing for a trip a few years ago, I read that you should pack three tops to one bottom and then mix and match. This little ratio has not steered me wrong once. It also means that in all but the longest trips I can get away with just packing one pair of jeans (assuming that I am wearing jeans for the flight).

Change your mindset

The first step in mindset change is to plan on wearing your clothes more than once. Pants and jeans in particular. It is also very likely that you may have to wash clothes (sometimes in the sink) or you may need to buy something when you arrive. Things happen. And it is impossible to pack for every occurrence or occasion. So don’t stress yourself out about it.

Whether you are heading out for an around the world trip or a weekend trip with your gal pals you can travel with just one bag. The first time you do it will be hard, but it gets easier each time. I promise!

How to Pack Less | CassieRauk.com

PS – What worked on my road trip + Simplify your travel.

Filed Under: life + happiness, out + about

I plan fun. And I like it.

Written by Cassie · March 3, 2020 · This blog generates income via ads · This post may contain affiliate links

I plan fun. And I like it.

Most of us need to plan our fun it won’t happen. If you are anything like me, you might end up spending your free time mindless streaming Netflix. It’s a bit nerdy, but it works.

I plan fun. And I like it.

About a year ago, my husband started a new work schedule. With this new shift, he works six days and then has three days off. At first glance, that sounds great, right?!?! A three-day ”weekend” each week! Sounds amazing!

This schedule also means that Jesse gets only one full weekend off a month, but his coworkers with cover him if something comes up. And I after over a decade at my day-job, I have PTO coming out of my ears. So I could easily take off time to do fun things during the week.

That first summer, we just winged it. We made no real plans. We did do a few fun things. But, for the most part, we spent our few precious days off together catching up on chores and mindless watching sitcoms on Hulu.  

That is when it dawned on me – unless I scheduled fun, it is not going to happen. So I sat down with my calendar figured out when our days off overlapped and made some plans and penciled them in.

Super sexy, right?  

That depends on you, I guess. But it is useful.  

I would love to be one of those spontaneous people that drops everything to jump into the car on a grand adventure with no pre-planning. But I am not that person. If I don’t have plans on a Saturday I spend the day watching Netflix and staring at Insta-Stories.

But with a bit of planning, we were able to check out restaurants, head out on a quick overnight stay in a cute town, and spent a few sunny fall afternoons checking out new breweries. All while tackling some remodel projects around the house.  

I feel a bit like Liz Lemon with her spreadsheets when I get out my calendar and start planning fun. But what can I say? I love a good spreadsheet.

If you don’t plan fun things to do, chances are you will not do them. I am not talking about creating a bucket list (although you can if that is your jam). I am talking about penciling in a drive to that fun cheese store on your next free Saturday. And since part of happiness comes from anticipating fun things, you will end up happier in the long run.

The warm, sun-filled days of summer are still a way off yet, so now is the perfect time to sit down and plan out some fun. Why don’t you give it a try?

Photo by Vicko Mozara on Unsplash


Filed Under: life + happiness

Let’s do the hard things

Written by Cassie · January 7, 2020 · This blog generates income via ads · This post may contain affiliate links

Let's Do Hard Things | CassieRauk.com
Let's Do Hard Things | CassieRauk.com

I am not one for New Year’s Resolutions, and you will not find me picking a ‘word of the year.’  I am far, far too contrary to do what everyone else is doing.

I do, however, love a to-do list and for the last couple of years, have followed Michael Hyatt’s goal-setting framework. Don’t worry, I am not going to bog you down with the details (if you are curious you can read his book Your Best Year Ever). And when my day job started to slow down for the holidays, I started looking toward 2020.

2019 was kind of a bitch for me and I spent much of the year wading through the shit-show that is probate.  I felt like I was just spinning my wheels. So I decided that in 2020 I was going to make some large strides forward.

And that means setting goals that require some real effort and moving forward on projects that scare the crap out of me.  For me, the biggie is that I am going back to school, which is something I have been on the fence about for years.  And since I have a competitive streak, I don’t just want to do well in school, I want to crush it.  

The rest of my goals (and there are 10) vary from setting up a regular date night with Jesse to wrapping up different aspects of my parent’s estate to starting (and refining) wellness habits.  They might not be ‘scary’ goals, but dammit, some of them are hard. And sometimes doing hard things scare me. Which is ridiculous, I can do hard things.  

If you set easy goals, while you will surely hit them, it will not be much of a challenge. And you are taking away a great growth opportunity for yourself.  

So, I want you to join me in setting hard goals for yourself in 2020.  Write them down and hang them somewhere where you will see them every day.  Think them over and break them down into manageable steps. Then get to work!

Let's Do Hard Things | CassieRauk.com

PS If you want to hear more about goals and how to achieve them (and from me in general) sign up for my newsletter. It is free, comes out weekly, and will keep you up-to-date on what is happening around here.

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Filed Under: goals + habits, life + happiness

Be Grateful

Written by Cassie · November 26, 2019 · This blog generates income via ads · This post may contain affiliate links

Be Grateful | cassierauk.com
Do what you want this Thanksgiving | cassierauk.com

Thanksgiving is upon us, American friends. That means a few days off of my day job, some family time, and avoiding Black Friday shopping like the plague.

While you are spending time with family, friends, or just your beautiful self I want to you take a minute to be grateful for how far you have come within the last year/month/decade.

I know you are probably not exactly where you want to be in your life and the road ahead looks scary and hard. And that is why it is so important to take some time to look back and see how far you have come.

You have accomplished both huge and small things and there is more success on the horizon.

Filed Under: life + happiness, self care + wellness

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Howdy, I’m Cassie

Rural Gal. INTJ. Voracious Reader. 8w9. Enthusiastic Eater. Questioner. My sarcasm is on point and I am loud for no reason at all.
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