Out of the house. Out of your life.


A friend was helping me clean out my cupboards the other day in preparation for renting out the house to fund my return to studying architecture.

"I never realised you were such a hoarder, " he said struggling down the stairs with three boxed crammed full of folder and papers.

"It must be such a weight off your shoulders," he continued, turning his attention to cleaning out my handbag. "Out of your house, out of your life life, " he smiled.

I had to agree. Seeing all the stuff I'd accumulated and diligently storied for years - just in case I needed it - leave the house felt incredibly liberating - freeing me up to begin life anew.

Out went the tatty boxes of paper. Out went the course notes I'd kept for 18 years! Out went over 30 years of photos, out went 40 years worth of CD's. Out went VHS's - too old or too tatty to play. Never mind the fact that technology has rendered them redundant. Out everything that no longer reflected my preferred future - out into the garage! Shifting things from A to B is a strict no, no according to some anti-clutter purists. Still at least it's a start - letting go is hard to do abruptly - what say I 'need them!" But just the fact they are out of sight helps them to be out of mind. It's all part of the letting go process and frees up space to let in new life affirming resources - like my yummy architecture and design books.

Clutter according to zen principals, is a stagnant feature in a room and consequently creates poor chi energy. This stagnant energy can lead to negative feelings, apathy and depression. Perhaps this explains the desire to purge the darkness of winter and embark on a vigorous spring clean - symbolically leaving winter behind and welcoming better, brighter days.


Creating simplicity and serenity

Simply. Enhance feelings of space and serenity by simplifying your selection of furnishings, objects and colour. Less really is more when it comes to creating life enhancing spaces.

A few of your favourite things - resist the urge to pack in all your life's treasures. A few well chosen favorites create more joy then stacks on things piled on top and in front of each other

Pile, Pack or Toss. Start room by room and bundle up everything into a central pile. Systematically sort into 3 piles - "love it, can't lose it"; "love it; but over it" "Don't give a damn." Chuck out, give away or sell things that no longer give you joy, pack up the over it things - if you don't miss then in 6 months-1 year then you don't give a damn and they can go. Give your love it, can't lose it things pride of place.

Eliminate. Edit your possessions vigorously. Throw away stacks of newspapers and magazines that you will never get around to reading. Clear out boxes of photographs - keeping only the choice shots

Affirm who you are. Make a conscious decision about who you are and who you want to be. What do you value? What do you care about? What affirms "you" - surround yourself with objects and furnishing that excite, affirm and inspire.

Get a clutter coach. If you lack objectivity or just don't know where to start get your a nag buddy or clutter coach. Make sure it is someone you trust, respect and "allow" them to oversee/manage the declutter process. I've done this for other people for years but recently I've allowed other people to give me a hand and it's truly awesome!

Create a soul space
Click here to find out how finding your soul colours can help you attract more abundance into your life

For more decluttering tips click here

Create your own Zen interior here

Labels: architecture, happiness

Costa Rica tops happiness, 'green living' poll



SAN JOSE (AFP) — Costa Rica is the happiest place on earth, and one of the most environmentally friendly, according to a new survey by a British non-governmental group.

The New Economics Foundation looked at 143 countries that are home to 99 percent of the world's population and devised an equation that weighed life expectancy and people's happiness against their environmental impact.

By that formula, Costa Rica is the happiest, greenest country in the world, just ahead of the Dominican Republic.

Latin American countries did well in the survey, occupying nine of the top 10 spots.

Australia scored third place, but other major Western nations did poorly, with Britain coming in at 74th place and the United States at 114th.

The New Economics Foundation's measurements found Costa Ricans have a life expectancy of 78.5 years, and 85 percent of the country's residents say they are happy and satisfied with their lives.

Those figures, taken along with the fact that Costa Rica has a small "ecological footprint," combined to push the small nation to the top of the list.

A 2006 New Economics Foundation study designated Vanuatu the world's happiest nation, with Costa Rica at second place.

Sociologist Andrea Fonseca said Costa Rica gives its citizens the "tools" to be happy, but cautioned that happiness cannot be calculated just by looking at life expectancy and environmental practices.

She added that the country's rise to the top of the Happy Planet Index "has a lot to do with social imagination."

Costa Rica has a peaceful reputation because it does not have an army, and is also known for its protected ecological zones and national slogan "pure life," she said.

Read more about this fascinating destination here

Labels: architecture, happiness

Today I received this lovely feedback and words of encouragement from a lovely artist friend of mine:


Hi Cassandra,
Just wanted to say hi and wish you all the best for the challenges you are presently facing : - )
You are one hell of a lady - clever and talented and very brave. Your energy seems boundless !
Warmest wishes for a smoother journey : - )

ps: wonderful news about finding your soulmate yipeeeee.....


It was so lovely to receive and so unexpected too. And as I replied below the timing was perfect:

Hi Sweet Pea

What a lovely email to receive:) Thank you so much - that was really nice and the timing is wonderful - your positive wishes have already reached out and connected with the universe and created good vibes for me.

On Thursday International publishers "Allen and Unwin" requested the full manuscript for my book "happy@work" - fingers crossed it finally gets published by a company with strong international marketing clout.

On Friday after much pushing my Bank finally agreed to a restructure allowing me to consolidate high interest debt into a lower interest loan - freeing me up considerably. Hard to be creative when finances are bearing down!

My love life is on the up - after a drought of mmmmmm.....would it be too exaggerated to say "all my life" - finally I feel as though I have meet my equal in body, mind and spirit.....

Last week I also found a lovely couple from Sweden - or they found me - to rent the top level of my home - further freeing me up to take on my architectural studies and retain my studio to live in rent free. They are a creative couple - he an animator working on Tin-tin and Avatar and she a florist

A month previous I found, after getting rid of yucky tenants, a wonderful furniture designer who is rented my old villa. He is sharing with a psychologist and landscape architect

And I have met so many creative, inspiring friends - a wonderful Dutch lady who makes personally tailored clothes for my Colour Girl clients, and a self-taught designer with a passion for zen architecture who has helped me transform my life in so many ways.

Last week I also connected with a lovely lady from the US who came to view the house and fell in love with one of my paintings - look at the lovely feedback she gave me -

“I am totally in love with your art. The little white painting over the dining table is singing in my heart still.



I was so thrilled that I found your web page! I would really like to know if the small white painting is available. If not, I'd like to look at any work that is.”
- Violet

“ I can’t wait to tell you: I moved the painting and Duro came into the room and screeched “oh my god, I love that painting. I want to see what else she’s done!” Then Mike, our host, came home and his eye’s lit up and he said “that painting – it makes the house look so great!.”


I feel like life is back on track! So thanks for playing a role, by wishing it for me, of bringing it all into being!

Create Abundance
So it got me thinking - how did I create this abundance in my life - and how can I pass this knowledge onto you.

Here's 7 ways that worked for me. Maybe they'll work for you too.

1.Accept help. You never know where help will come from but when you find it accept it gratefully,and graciously and act on their wise counsel. Recently I met a very wise lady - initially with a view to talking about architecture. While sharing a personal dilemma with her over a coffee I soon found myself in the company of a person who was not only able, but willing to help me. The advise and practical assistance she gave me transformed my life in ways I could not have dreamed off and enabled me to rid myself of issues that had kept me stuck for years. First I had to ask for help and then I had to act on it! Not an easy lesson for someone used to being the helper and self-helping when it came to my own life lessons!

2. Don't settle for less. Challenge bad behaviour firmly, and diplomatically, where ever possible. Put your own needs first and don't feel guilty doing so. Challenging bad behaviour can feel uncomfortable but it is worth it - you're worth it! If your confidence and self esteem could do with a boost first get some help herehere

3. Live with passion. Keep your eye on your goals and do what inspires you. Obstacles don't have to stop you - find a way around them. The timing may not be perfect but you can proactively keep your mind on your dreams and surround yourself with people, things, situations that inspire you. Don't know what you are passionate about? Find your passion here

4. Tap into your intuition. Listen to what you know, not what you fear. Fear is constricting, intuitive thoughts and feelings are expansive. Listen to life's whispers and the stirring of your soul. Tap into your intuition here

5. Create your life with your words, thoughts and feelings. Keep your mind on what you do want and away from what you don't. Staying positive is critical!

6. Love colour! Wear, smell, eat, touch colour and make it part of your everyday reality. Choose colours that uplift, inspire, motivate and ignite your sense of passion and purpose. My soul colours are orange, purple and gold - these are the colours that uplift and inspire me to action - they're also the colours that people say they love when I wear them. Find out your soul colours here


7. Don't just dream it - do it. Take action every day. Even five minutes spent doing something you love will transform your life. Recently I've been so busy getting my house ready to rent and getting bogged down in the daily grind that my architecture dreams have taken a back seat. So with the five minute passion plan in mind I multi-tasked. While organising files and paying bills I logged onto the computer and watched three short videos on Ted given by architects who share my passion for sustainable, organic, healing architecture. It was wonderful!

In the immortal words of one very inspiring co-creator:

"Great things are not done by impulse but by a series of small things brought together." Vincent van Gogh