Today’s episode of Spark Joy is part two of a three part series dedicated to closet joy. We’ll talk to three guests who are revolutionizing the way we view fashion and style. We’re going to learn how to be more with less from one of the minimalism movement’s veterans - Courtney Carver.

Courtney changed her life by simplifying it after a devastating diagnosis in 2006. She’s the founder of bemorewithless.com and minimalist fashion challenge Project 333. Her new book Soulful Simplicity was published by Penguin Random House. Carver shows us the power of simplicity to improve our health, build more meaningful relationships, and relieve stress in our professional and personal lives.

We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show.

While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast.

In this episode, you’ll enjoy:

• The documentary about Minimalism that featured Courtney's story

• How a health scare in 2006 led Courtney to explore her wardrobe to reduce stress and improve her overall well-being

• The origins of Courtney's personal challenge, Project 333, that focuses on paring down your wardrobe to 33 items or less for three months

• How Courtney connected her shopping behaviors to dissatisfaction in other areas of her life

• How tucking excess clothing away, out of sight instead of immediately discarding allowed Courtney to experiment with having a capsule wardrobe without evoking unnecessary stress

• How you may already be practicing Project 333 without even knowing it!

• Why you don't have to have exactly 33 pieces to simplify your wardrobe. (hint: there's no magic number!)

• How to handle laundry, occasional wear, and goal clothes when simplifying your closet

• How Project 333, KonMari, and frugality don't promote suffering or deprivation. The methods are meant to be helpful, stressless and value add

• The Be More with Less courses, virtual community, and Tiny Wardrobe Tour

• How dressing with less has helped those in Courtney's community lose weight and recover from depression and anxiety disorders

• Courtney's steps to minimalism for beginners:
  Dress with Less
  Write it Down
  Discard the Duplicates
  Declare a clutter-free zone
  Travel lightly
  Eat Similar Meals
  Have an Emergency Fund

• Why you have to have a good "why" to shape a compelling reason to change

• How Courtney followed Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover to get out of debt in three years and establish an emergency fund

• The importance of creating a clutter free KonMari Power Zone

• The future of Be More with Less

Gems:

• "I didn't know what enough was."

• "Your workout clothes have to workout."

• "I didn't know what I loved."

• "It's just interesting to really notice what you're actually wearing."

• "This isn't a project in suffering."

• "In the history of my life, a smaller size has never gotten me to where I want to be."

• "Choose clothes that fit you today."

• "I wanted one area for the family that would inspire us to declutter other areas."

• "Don't discount the tiny steps, because that's what big change is."

Courtney’s favorite tidying tip: Reset to zero.

What sparks joy for Courtney: Her daughter's golden doodle puppy Stanley.

To connect with Courtney Carver, visit Be More with Less and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

If you’re interested in Courtney’s book “Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More” she's made a free copy of Chapter 1 available for Spark Joy listeners.

You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home

You can find Kristyn Ivey at For the Love of Tidy

Special Guest: Courtney Carver.

Today’s episode of Spark Joy is Part one of a three part series dedicated to closet joy. We’ll talk to three guests who are revolutionizing the way we view fashion and style.

Dr. Jessica Louie is an entrepreneur, critical care pharmacist, and assistant professor. She is the founder and CEO of Petite Style Script and Find Your Script.

With a broad background of experiences, she centers her focus on sparking joy and inspiring confidence in life.

We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show.

While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast.

In this episode, you’ll enjoy:

-How Jessica became interested in KonMari and then went on to start Petite Style Script

-Along with fashion, Jessica is an advocate for pharmacists with her blog and website at: Find Your Script

-She found that focusing on fashion helped her convey her confidence and her competence in her field.

-Learn how Jessica went through the KonMari process and how the process was key in helping her discover her calling in both fashion and advocacy.

-Jessica’s take on capsule wardrobes and how she has made it work for her.
The work that she does in

-Her focus on using the clothing items you have more effectively and adding in your own personality to the decision making process.

-How Jessica sees the role of KonMari in developing a sense of style that brings you joy!

Gems:

“There were times when I just laughed out loud in my car while listening to Marie Kondo because it resonated so much with me.”

"I wanted to hold myself accountable for my shopping going forward.”

"I wanted other to own clothing that they love and that they invest in quality pieces because it’s really about quality over quantity.”

"This isn’t minimalism, I don’t talk about any definitive number of items to own.”

“I focus on people who are re-building their wardrobes after KonMari or after a major transition.”

Jessica’s favorite tidying tip: “Learning how to fold. It seems very simple but getting your clothes off your hangers and learning how to appreciate and fold them properly really makes a big difference, I think!”

What sparks joy for Jessica: “A canvas painting of New York City that is up on my kitchen wall exactly where I can see it. It brings make great memories of visiting New York and is very inspirational.”

To connect with Jessica visit Petite Style Script

Jessica is on Facebook at Petite Style Script on Facebook

Jessica's Twitter: P Style Script on Twitter

Here is Jessica’s info on Seasonal Capsule Wardrobes: Seasonal Capsule Wardrobes

On Jessica’s blog she offers capsule wardrobe style tips and a free kit for starting your own capsule wardrobe: Capsule Wardrobe Starter Kit

Each season Jessica conducts a virtual Capsule Wardrobe Challenge: Spring Capsule Wardrobe Challenge

And, Jessica is becoming a Certified KonMari Consultant. Yay, Jessica! Jessica’s KonMari Page

You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home
You can find Kristyn Ivey at For the Love of Tidy

Special Guest: Jessica Louie.