Marcia Francois's Blog, page 3

5 places I don’t want to be a minimalist (aka multiples make your life easier)

While many of us want to live simpler lives in terms of the possessions we own, sometimes it just makes sense (and keeps you more sane) if you have multiples of an item in your home.

I remember Design Mom writing about this in relation to her daughters and hairbrushes years ago which made me think about where I own multiples:

pairs of scissors – I have two pairs of scissors in my study, two in the kitchen and Dion and I each have a pair of bathroom scissors too. So useful for cutting open bags...

My habits and routines for exercise, healthy eating and photos – some work and some don’t

Sometimes it’s fun to consider other areas of life to see how those work or don’t work. I’ll share both to show you the difference.

ExerciseI like to exercise three times a week and feel most like myself when I keep to this rhythm.Whenever Spanish happens, I’m there because I’m paying for it and don’t like to waste money. I almost never miss a class unless I’m out of Johannesburg. Most years I’d get the highest attendance award.The one part of gym exercise that has been a solid habit for th...

Five Senses portrait of radiation therapy

On Wednesday when I was laying on the radiation table/ bed, I thought that I should write a Five Senses portrait so that I remember this month when it’s all over.

Here’s the background.

breast cancer awareness month

SightThe tree-lined jacaranda street as I drive to the oncology radiation unit.The friendly smile of the security guards.Sweat on the workers as they do their work in the heat outside.The smiling photo wall of all employees in the radiation unit.The big tree with all the button...

There are just under two months left of 2024; is there a point in still going after your goals?

I’ve heard this sentence a lot lately: “I’m so ready for 2024 to be over. I don’t even care about goals or …….” and yes, I get you. I am also ready to move on with my life.

In the work world I hear the opposite. I call it the end-of-year-crazy and my one coaching client said the same thing to me a few weeks ago (so in our focus group of two across South Africa and Australia, we already know it’s not only us). Everyone wants to squeeze a year’s worth of work into two months. Madness.

I have a f...

How to clean your iphone charger cable

As I wrote the title, I thought, “gosh, it feels like those Instagram ads for the cleanup apps”. Don’t worry; this is proper cleaning

Maybe it’s just me but my white cables and cords get grubby very quickly. Not really surprising as they’re on desks both at home and at the office, and since I have to dust and clean those desks… often… it stands to reason that the cords also need cleaning.

I use this product but I imagine that any bathroom cleaner will work well.

Spray some product on a c...

7 things we all have too many of

Sometimes we all need just a little push of motivation. That’s the point of this post; I personally need a little push when it’s so hot because all I want to do is lay on the couch and read.

Gift bags and gift wrap

I had two enormous bags filled with gift bags and I have decluttered it down to one. In that one small bag there are Christmas, birthday and a few general bags. I also gave some “little kid” gift bags to one of Kendra’s friend’s moms as they have two little ones so are probably g...

5 areas to practise completion vs consumption

We all already have many things in our lives and yet we keep wanting more, getting more, buying more.

I am talking to myself as much as I’m talking to you today. My areas of challenge are stationery and handbags. Thank goodness I do use my stationery and also Kendra considers my stash a “shop” from which to get gifts for her friends. Also, Yaga has been very useful for me to sell my handbags when I feel a hankering for something else.

Recently Emma Edwards (yes, the Broke Generation) said either...

20 15-minute small spaces to declutter and organise

I think with the diagnosis and all the medical appointments I’d forgotten that it is actually spring, a lovely time of year that I look forward to for a little kick-in-the-pants house action.

I’m a big fan of starting small to build momentum (you might resonate with some other reasons) so I put together 15 15-minute decluttering and organising tasks for us all to do. See how you go – do one a day and maybe on the weekends, you can do more an hour’s worth.

I like to set a timer and listen to a p...

I’m 50; 10 things I’ve learned about relationships

This is part 4 of the Things I’ve learned by 50 series.

Part 1 – time

Part 2 – organising

Part 3 – social media

Part 4 – goals

People first, then things. This applies for money, for time and for priorities. Some of our closest friendships happened because we always prioritise time with them even if it’s not the most convenient time. In the photo below, that was our anniversary but our friend was here in Jhb, unexpectedly for family stuff and we were thrilled that we got to spend time together....

Demerits and gold stars

Once I finish an audio book, I like to catch up on all the podcasts I’ve missed.

I finished The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange recently (excellent – 5*) and one of the podcasts I lneeded to catch up on is Gretchen Rubin’s Happier podcast.

Liz and Gretchen alternate at the end of every episode by giving themselves or others demerits and gold stars. They have shared before that this segment motivates both of them to do better (I agree!). If it doesn’t do the same for you, skip this piec...