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© Renee Benes
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The Big Stuff is my one stop shop for my weekly newsletter, minimalist lifestyle podcast, and Downsizing Series. Come hang out if you're ready to design a life that's bigger than stuff!
130 Episodes
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Our family has found so much joy in reconnecting to the outdoors in the last few years and today's guest made me start itching for adventure and fresh air a little bit more. Glen Van Peski is the author of the new book, Take Less, Do More, where he shares life lessons from his outdoor adventures on how to lighten your load in life and in your backpack. Together we discussed the beauty of nature, the lessons in letting go when it comes to parenthood, and choosing a life where our possessions don't take top priority.Buy Take Less, Do MoreInstagramTikTok Get full access to The Big Stuff at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
Today’s guest had me hooked when she told me she sat at a table with Victoria Beckham. My Spice Girl’s loving heart skipped a beat, and I was all ears as she told me she walked away from her successful fashion career in order to create her own styling business. Nicole Russo’s belief about fashion is that you don’t need a lot to have a good wardrobe, and that if you dress yourself right, you can totally change your life. Free Edit Your Closet Guide: https://www.letsgetyou.com/closeteditThe Blog: https://www.thefunsizedlife.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to The Big Stuff at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
It’s so easy to become overwhelmed by life’s problems. We can do deep dives into trying to uncover perfect solutions to our biggest problems, only to realize the solution is even more complicated than the problem itself. During today’s Part 2 conversations with Melanie Ann Layer, the Alpha Femme, she shares with us how learning to simplify our coping mechanisms can totally transform our lives — and save us a lot of unnecessary stress.Join my Substack: https://substack.com/@reneebenesAlpha Femme on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alphafemme/?hl=enInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to The Big Stuff at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
Do you think your biggest fears are designed to show you what you are capable of overcoming? What if the hardships we face can be something that remind us of just how resilient we really are? This is today's guest, Melanie Ann Layer's (AKA Alpha Femme) perspective on life and hitting rock bottom. Not only will Melanie encourage you to look at the hard times with a softer lens, but she'll also encourage you to shift the way you look at your mindset and how it operates so that you can start escaping some of your biggest mental blocks.Join my Substack: https://substack.com/@reneebenesAlpha Femme on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alphafemme/?hl=enInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to The Big Stuff at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
If you have teenagers like I do you have probably heard the term, "It's giving me The Ick." If you haven't heard this, welcome to the new slang...apparently it's a part of my vocabulary now. I'm just gonna run with it. Talking about minimalism topics like decluttering, organizing, and capsule wardrobes has been wearing on me for some time. Today I want to break down for you why talking about my minimalist lifestyle no longer feels aligned, and why I hope you might consider adapting a similar mindset in your own life. Whether we are addicted to shopping or are practicing decluttering, we can very easily give the stuff in our life way more weight and significance than it deserves and I'm so over it.50 Top Book Recommendations: https://www.reneebenes.com/booksThe Ebook: https://www.reneebenes.com/minimalist-lifestyle-guideThe Blog: https://www.thefunsizedlife.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to The Big Stuff at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
Shooting a kind text is a thoughtful idea, but did you know speaking the words out loud leaves an even bigger impact? Today I sat down with founder of the HiLU app, Emily Montgomery to talk about the power of the spoken word and how we can use it to build one another up. Send a HiLU: https://www.teamhilu.com Emily's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamhilu/ The Blog: https://www.thefunsizedlife.com My 50 Top Book Recommendations: https://www.reneebenes.com/books Get full access to The Big Stuff at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
The idea of walking away from minimalism and the online presence that I have built has been something that has been on my mind for a long time. Today it all came to me in one giant AHA moment...or did it? Here is how I have been taking small, bold, steps toward the calling on my heart and how it all finally caught up with me today. Decluttering and downsizing my life has helped create the space for this kind of change, but I'm realizing letting go of something else is really going to be the key to make my dreams come true... The Blog: https://www.thefunsizedlife.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to The Big Stuff at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
If you have ever dreamed of turning in your 2 week notice, and living life on your terms, then you're going to want to tune into today's episode where I sit down with Wayba founder and coach, Jean-Francoia Lappas to talk about burnout, leaving the corporate world behind, and finding purpose and passion. Remember, life is not a one size fits all. Different things work for different people and finding what works for us is the key to aligning with what we were always meant to do.Visit Wabya: https://wabya.com The Escape Plan: https://www.reneebenes.com/escape Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to The Big Stuff at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
This week I found myself struggling with a bath mat. For real. Even though I wasn't decluttering this particular item, I couldn't help but feel an emotional attachment to it which just reminded me of how painful the decluttering process can truly be. When we start decluttering our house, we can so easily think all we need is the right step by step organization process. The reality is that as we begin to create a clutter free home we just might find ourselves face to face with some hard emotional struggles. If you have a tough time letting go of sentimental items, or feel an emotional attachment to your things, tune in, I think you're gonna want to hear this!The Ebook: https://www.reneebenes.com/minimalist-lifestyle-guide Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to The Big Stuff at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
Life can feel so tough. Whether we are going through a new transition, we've had back to back setbacks, or it just feels like we're not quite living life the way we want to. Today I tossed out any scripts, or game plans for what to say, plopped myself on my bed, and plugged in my mic for a little heart to heart. You know I don't shy away from the hard stuff like grieving, overcoming perfection, parenting, or finding purpose. If you are in the need for a little slow down, heart-to-heart, real talk conversation today, I got you. Just press play.The Escape Plan: https://www.reneebenes.com/escape Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to The Big Stuff at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
What happens to a family when they are told their child may never see again? This is a fear that most parents never consider, but today I sit down with dad, Stephen Johnston to talk about what he did when it happened to him. When your son is battling a rare illness, there is a grieving process, a moment of acceptance and also a moment where you decide to control what you can. Stephen shares about his Navy Seal mindset inspiration that has helped him him take action, reminds us all to embrace each day, and shares about his mission to save his son's sight through his non-profit organization, A Race Against Blindness.Donate Today: https://araceagainstblindness.org My 50 Favorite Books: https://www.reneebenes.com/books Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to The Big Stuff at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
Minimalism was so much more than decluttering. It actually allowed me the space to completely redesign my life from the outside in. In today's episode I'm giving you a quick breakdown as to how clearing clutter and creating space has allowed me to spend more time with my kids, make passive income on my own terms, heal past traumas and all around live a more intentional, well-rounded life.The Escape Plan: https://www.reneebenes.com/escape Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to The Big Stuff at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
What if instead of just working to declutter our house we could focus on decluttering our life. If we practice more gratitude, will we be able to see the excess clutter that is weighing us down? In today's episode we'll dive into what it takes to not only clear clutter from your space, but to clear clutter from your life so that you can re-direct yourself in the direction you want to go. It's time to start making bold moves toward shaking free from things that are weighing you down, holding you back and aren't aligned with who you want to be. Let's talk about how to take a step back, look at your life, and decide what you want to stay and what has to go.The Escape Plan: https://www.reneebenes.com/escape Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to The Big Stuff at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
Have you ever felt like you were too old to do something? Feel like you let your dream pass you by? Think again! This podcast episode takes self growth to a whole new level by taking self development not only into adulthood, but into every stage after. Life doesn't end at 50, so we do we act like it does? Today I'm sitting down with author and award winning interior designer, Jeanne Collins. During our conversation she'll share with me how after a divorce, and job loss, she decided to go Two Feet In on her dream of starting her own interior design firm. Her method for going after what we want it simple: Be all in.Jeanne's Website: www.jermardesigns.com.My 50 Favorite Books: https://www.reneebenes.com/books Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to The Big Stuff at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
When our house feel cluttered, our to do list is long, and we are emotionally exhausted...it's tired to hear our own intuition. How does all of this internal and external clutter effect how in tune we are with our intuitive knowing and what can we do to create space to reconnect? In today's episode I will share with you how clutter plays a huge role in creating intuitive blocks and offer up some practical advice on how to start decluttering whether it's physical, mental or emotional clutter.The Escape Plan: https://www.reneebenes.com/escape The Blog: https://www.thefunsizedlife.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to The Big Stuff at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
Having a minimalist home, or decluttered space doesn't mean your home can't have a maximalist feel. When you are intentional with how you design your home, you can create a big impact with relatively little stuff. On today's episode, my guest, Zandra Zuraw, shares simple ideas on designing a space that feels slow, and simple while still leaving a major impression.Zandra's Site: https://www.slowstylehome.com Renee's Site: https://www.reneebenes.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to The Big Stuff at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
Practicing a minimalist lifestyle does not mean you have to swear off all of your possessions, never shop again and no longer feel joy from stuff. Our external environment has a very real effect on our internal world and being intentional about how we decorate our space can have a beneficial impact. In this mini episode I share with you the potential benefits and downfalls of a bigger home, and how to live a life of expansion in a way that works for you.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/50 Books That Changed My Life: https://www.reneebenes.com/books Get full access to The Big Stuff at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
I used to spend my days overwhelmed, burnt out, and with an endless to do list. This one small mindset shift allowed me to re-think the way I was spending my time and allowed me to free up more of my schedule. If you feel stuck on a constant hamster wheel, anxious about keeping everyone happy, and overwhelmed trying to keep up, this tiny mindset shift can help you unload so many of the burdens you are carrying around.Website: https://www.reneebenes.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to The Big Stuff at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
If you are killing yourself trying to be a perfect mom and are constantly worried about what you're doing wrong, or if you're making the right decisions, then pull up a seat, because we are going to dive into the real talk of why it's time to kill off the idea that any of us can be a perfect mom. In this episode I share some real-life troll comments that sprung me into action to speak up for my fellow mom, the 80/20 rule to adapt in motherhood and how to own up to the fact that none of us are doing this perfectly. From one flawed human to another, can we agree to give each other permission to simply let go?Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/50 Books That Changed My Life: https://www.reneebenes.com/books Get full access to The Big Stuff at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
I created a multi-million dollar investment plan as a homeschooling/stay at home mom. While I'm no investing expert -- and, in fact, barely made it through math class, I wanted to lend some insight into the books I used to make this big financial goal possible for myself and for our family. Statistics show that women are better investors than men and yet women are also the ones least likely to make the move to start learning how to invest. My hope during this conversation is to encourage you to re-think this. I know it can be scary, but believe me, if I can learn how to set up investment accounts, so can you!My 50 Favorite Books: https://www.reneebenes.com/books Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to The Big Stuff at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
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