Lynn Berger On How Simplifying & Decluttering Your Life Can Make You Happier
An Interview With Drew Gerber
Relationships- Surround yourself with supportive people that energize and appreciate you. Social support is one of our greatest stress reducers. When you are with people that energize you -you feel alive! Be with people that support your efforts. Like much of life there are bumps in the road. Enlist the support of your core group to simplify your life and increase your happiness.
We live in a time of great excess. We have access to fast fashion, fast food, and fast everything. But studies show that all of our “stuff” is not making us any happier. How can we simplify and focus on what’s important? What can we do to let go of all of the clutter and excess, and find true happiness? In this interview series, we are talking to coaches, mental health experts, and authors who share insights stories, and personal anecdotes about “How Simplifying and Decluttering Your Life Can Make Us Happier.” As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Lynn Berger.
Lynn Berger is a Career Counselor and Coach specializing in helping people make the most of their lives and feel fulfilled. In her position she counsels people how to effectively transition to jobs and/or careers, balance their roles and responsibilities and understand the choices before them. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Career Counselor and Coach she works with her clients to enhance their fulfillment and happiness by focusing on their priorities in life.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share your “backstory” with us? What was it that led you to your eventual career choice?
Like many things in life my career progression was a process that evolved based upon my interests and experiences. After college I worked in business and then came to realize that I wanted to work more directly with people and their relationship with work. I received a Masters degree in Organizational Psychology and worked in Human Resources and Consulting and found that more satisfying; yet, I then realized I wanted to work one on one with individuals and received a Masters degree in Psychological Counseling.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
Early on in my career (late 90’s) I was offered the opportunity to launch a website. At that point in time there were very few career professional with a web presence. I distinctly remember early on how my on-line presence enhanced my professional life. It was very exciting to have the opportunity to meet with people all over the world and have access to experiences and people I would never have come in contact with. My professional practice exploded. It was life changing. There was tremendous value to be one of the first to utilize technology to build my practice.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?
I am hosting show on public access TV titled “Lynn Berger Interviews Remarkable People.” The show inspires people since they hear from individuals that created extraordinary careers based upon their their motivations and desires. The show includes best selling authors, world class chefs, politicians, comedians, and many more. You can view the shows at https://www.lynnberger.com/lynn-interviews-with-remarkable-people/ and they are available on you tube.
Can you share with our readers a bit about why you are an authority on the topic of “How Simplifying and Decluttering Your Life Can Make You Happier”?
As a Career Counselor, Coach and Licensed Mental Health Counselor for over 20 years in private practice I have worked with many individuals to help them prioritize, simplify and de-clutter their personal and professional lives. In addition, I constantly work to prioritize, simplify and de-clutter my own life to be fulfilled and live it to the fullest.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the main focus of our interview. We live in a time of excess. We have access to so much. But studies show that all of our “stuff” is not making us any happier. Can you articulate for our readers a few reasons why all of our possessions are not giving us happiness?
Many of the things we buy and acquire are habitual and very few people are intentional about what they buy and accumulate in their lives.
On a broader societal level, how do you think this excessiveness may be harming our communities and society?
Excessiveness can make communities and society unaware of what they truly need and want to survive and thrive.
The irony of struggling with happiness in modern times is glaring. In many places in the world today, we have more than ever before in history. Yet despite this, so many people are unhappy. Why is simplifying a solution? How would simplifying help people to access happiness?
In order to simplify you need to prioritize what is most important to you and understand your values and what you need and want to make the most of your life. It also makes you appreciate what you DO have.
Can you share some insights from your own experience? Where in your life have you transformed yourself from not having enough to finally experiencing enough? For example, many people feel they don’t have enough money. Yet, people define abundance differently, and often, those with the least money can feel the most abundant. Where in your health, wealth, or relationships have you transformed your life?
Relationships and social support are key to one’s happiness. In all areas of my life (family, work, friendships) I have tried to enhance the strength of these relationships by nurturing them and appreciating them. For example in my career I have expanded upon and enhanced my professional relationships by joining professional organizations and becoming active and involved in them. it has had an enormous positive effect.
People, places, and things shape our lives. For example, your friends generate conversations that influence you. Where you live impacts what you eat and how you spend your time. The “things” in your life, like phones, technology, or books impact your recreation. Can you tell us a little about how people, places, and things in your own life impact your experience of “experiencing enough?”
One of my favorite activities is to walk in the park with my friends. My friends and I generate meaningful conversations that inspire me throughout my day. Walking in nature can increase your happiness and allow you to fully appreciate nature, friendships, and the world around you. It can elevate your mood and enhance your gratitude and appreciation in life.
What advice would you give to younger people about “experiencing enough?”
It takes time to understand your priorities so that you can best de-clutter and enhance your satisfaction in life. Seek out experiences, jobs and people that energize you and view them from the lens of what makes you happiest. Focusing your time and energy on these people, experiences and/ or jobs can help you establish your priorities It is difficult; yet, you need to let go of the people, experiences and jobs, if possible,, that do not support you in a positive way.
This is the main question of our interview. Based on your experience and research, can you share your “five ways we can simplify and declutter our lives to make us happier?”
1-De-clutter our homes- After being at home during the pandemic you might have noticed how cluttered your surroundings are. You can simplify and break down the de-cluttering project into small manageable tasks; as simple as getting rid of one thing a day. Some days it might be a more significant item but try to keep the momentum going.
2-Simplify your exercise routine. Choose the exercise(s) that reenergizes and refreshes you. It might be a walk, strength building exercises or a fun dance classes. You will feel stronger and happier. Strength builds upon strength and you will start to see the results and be inspired. It works!
3-De-cluttering aspirations-It can be beneficial to de-clutter goals and aspirations that no longer suit you. Over time our values and priorities change and we need our goals to match what is currently most important to us.
4-Organize your financial records and papers. Get everything organized in one place to budget most effectively and efficiently. You will be knowledgable about your current financial circumstances and make better financial decisions.
5-Relationships- Surround yourself with supportive people that energize and appreciate you. Social support is one of our greatest stress reducers. When you are with people that energize you -you feel alive! Be with people that support your efforts. Like much of life there are bumps in the road. Enlist the support of your core group to simplify your life and increase your happiness.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
I recommend everyone have a well-being check up once a year. Well-being, is a more holistic and comprehensive definition of overall health. Well-being means to maintain a thriving lifestyle and encompasses a number of elements of health including physical, emotional, social, career, learning, financial, community, and recreation. This meeting would take place with a trained professional inquiring about all areas in one’s life and then making sounds recommendations on simple well-being strategies to increase one’s satisfaction and happiness.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
-https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnberger/
-https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=lynn+berger+interviews
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.
About The Interviewer: For 30 years, Drew Gerber has been inspiring those who want to change the world. Drew is the CEO of Wasabi Publicity, Inc., a full-service PR agency lauded by PR Week and Good Morning America. Wasabi Publicity, Inc. is a global marketing company that supports industry leaders, change agents, unconventional thinkers, companies and organizations that strive to make a difference. Whether it’s branding, traditional PR or social media marketing, every campaign is instilled with passion, creativity and brilliance to powerfully tell their clients’ story and amplify their intentions in the world.
