The ThoughtFully Coaching Blog

Welcome to the Lighten Up! Blog by ThoughtFully Coaching

This is where I talk about my very real life in very real ways. I don’t pretend to be perfect or “all figured out.” I still face the same challenges—stress, self-doubt, overwhelm—but now I meet them with more clarity, compassion, and calm.

Here, I share stories, insights, and small shifts that help clear the clutter—mental, emotional, physical, and digital—so you can create more space for what truly matters.

Feeling stuck, overloaded, or out of balance? You’re in the right place.
Read on… you’ll feel seen, understood, and inspired to lighten up!

  • Dec 17, 2025

Question 6: Lighten Up! 50 Weeks to a Lighter Life

  • Melanie Cohen
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Not all clutter is about stuff. Some of it is responsibility you never agreed to carry. Week 6 of Lighten Up! asks a powerful question that helps you let go of obligation—without letting go of your values.

  • Dec 12, 2025

Getting Real About IBS (Because My Body Always Tells the Truth)

  • Melanie Cohen
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Living with IBS has taught me that my body always tells the truth — especially when stress, anxiety, and end-of-year pressure pile up. Here’s what this week reminded me about listening sooner.

  • Dec 9, 2025

Question 5: Lighten UP! 50 Questions To Declutter Your Life

  • Melanie Cohen
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This week we’re tackling the “just in case” mindset—the fear-driven habit that fills basements, closets, and mental space. Learn why we hold on, how to let go, and how community can replace the pressure to keep everything.

  • Dec 3, 2025

That Time a Migraine Aura Sent Me to the Hospital

  • Melanie Cohen
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In 2019, sudden numbness sent me to the ER thinking I was having a stroke. After a full day of tests, it turned out to be a migraine aura — something I’d never even heard of. Here’s what happened and how stress showed up in my body.

  • Nov 26, 2025

Question 4: Lighten Up! 50 Questions To Declutter Your Life

  • Melanie Cohen
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Separating sentiment from a physical item lets you honor the memory without assigning the object the job of carrying it. When we attach emotion to everything we own, our homes, and our hearts, we become weighed down by the past instead of supported.

  • Nov 12, 2025

Question 3 - 50 Questions To Declutter Your Life

  • Melanie Cohen
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We all outgrow pieces of our past — clothes from another body, books from college, photos of an ex. This week’s reflection helps you honor who you were, let go of what no longer fits, and make room for your next chapter.

  • Nov 5, 2025

Question 2: 50 Questions To Declutter Your Life:

  • Melanie Cohen
  • 0 comments

Are you keeping items, roles, or beliefs out of guilt, obligation, or someone else’s expectations? Learn how to apply this to gifts, heirlooms, commitments, and identities—and try a gentler version when sentiment matters.

  • Oct 29, 2025

Question 1 - 50 Questions To Declutter Your Life

  • Melanie Cohen
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What if decluttering wasn’t just about your stuff, but about how you feel? This first post in the Lighten Up! 50 Questions to Declutter Your Life series explores one deceptively simple question: “Does this make me feel good when I see or use it?” Learn how tuning into your body’s response can guide you toward clarity, calm, and confidence.

  • Oct 1, 2025

Why New Yorkers Have to Be Pickier About Their Stuff

New Yorkers don’t just live small—they live creatively. With apartments often a fraction of the size of suburban homes, every

  • Sep 3, 2025

Back to School Isn’t Just for Kids — It’s Time for YOU Too

  • Melanie Cohen
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Back-to-school season isn’t just for kids — it’s your chance for a reset too. I remember the chaos of those early September days when my kids were young: long work hours, endless supply lists, skipped workouts, and late nights. Looking back, I wish I’d slowed down and focused more on what really mattered. The good news? It’s not too late. With what I’ve learned, I want to help you clear the mental and physical clutter, reclaim your time and energy, and step into fall with intention.

  • Aug 27, 2025

It’s the Little Things That Hold Us Together

  • Melanie Cohen
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A giant screw on my floor taught me a big lesson: strength doesn’t come from dramatic changes, but from the little things that hold us steady. Whether it’s decluttering one drawer or starting with ten minutes of movement, small steps build lasting stability.

  • Aug 6, 2025

Aging Gracefully (And WIth Purple Hair)

  • Melanie Cohen
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Forget miracle serums and gold-infused nonsense. In this post, I’m talking about aging with self-acceptance, good skincare, purple hair, and zero apologies. We’ll laugh at the ridiculous anti-aging industry, get real about the fear of getting older, and celebrate what it means to grow into yourself—hooded eyelids, sunblock, and all.