Brenda's picks: Life tips and questions from the men of Shine

Hi everyone,

This week, I picked posts and comments from Manage Your Life and Parenting that contained strategies for making our lives easier and more fulfilling. My hope is that you'll discover some new and useful tips or at the very least feel encouraged to share one your own. :)

I also have two questions from our male Shine users. One should be a familiar sight as he's been a regular blogger in Love + Sex for some time now. The other has participated in many conversations, but this is his first official blog post on Shine. We love hearing the male perspective so don't believe anyone who tells you that Shine is "not a place for men"!

"User post: Thing guys wonder about in relationships" from Shine user Terry Marsh
"User post: Is she inheriting an "in-law" or am I "marrying" an eternal fight!?!" from Shine user Jason

First up...
"55 Things You Don't Need After All: A five-day challenge to jump-start spring cleaning" from Julie Morgenstern

Julie's "spring cleaning" series is just push I need to start cleaning up my life. Julie says, "Over the next five days I'll give you ten decluttering assignments (two each day). At the end of the week, you will have released 55 stagnant things from your life, creating cleaner spaces and room for new thoughts, adventures, ideas and experiences."

Here are a few of the great comments I pulled from Julie's post:

Shine user julie B
"This challenge is just what we needed and I'm more then ready for it. I've taken out nine pieces of clothing from the closet. Then I came across a wedding dress of mine that I had for twenty-four years in a garment bag. Why I saved it, I don't know, because the marriage was not good. Well, I did it. The dress went into the trash; did not want anybody else to have bad luck. It was a good feeling to let it go...I'm on a roll now!"

Shine user Vickie:
"My Mom passed away 19 months ago. This last weekend my brother and I started going through her life. It is difficult because I want to save everything, but I have found a solution. I am taking pictures. There will still be a lot of pictures to save, but in a photo album and not larger items taking up space in the closet or around the house."

Shine use Sarah
"A few weeks ago, I noticed that a local nonprofit was having a "wearable art" sale. I instantly realized that I had items I could donate -- pashminas I never used, earrings I never wore, etc. I ended up donating 17 items and it was so exciting and freeing."

Shine user Sharonhimes
"I donated some good books to my favorite local library. They are books I might want to look at again but I figure that if they are at the library, I can just borrow them from there and not have to dust them on MY shelves!"

I found this Parenting post from Shine user Charleangingles titled "User post:Is there any hope for a mother of five to have a fun and fulfilling life?" A few members of our community have already left some great suggestions and now we're ready to hear from the rest of you!

As always, let's be cognizant of our Community Guidelines and respect each other out there.

Thanks!
Brenda