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!

  • Nov 26, 2025

Week 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

Week 3:

  • 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

Lighten Up! 50 Weeks to a Lighter Life Week 2:

  • Melanie Cohen
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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

Lighten UP! 50 Questions To Declutter Your Life: Week 1

  • 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.

  • Jul 17, 2025

Saving Score And Women Business Centers

  • Melanie Cohen
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I’ve kept my business platform mostly apolitical—but this moment demands more. Federal cuts are threatening the very programs that helped me launch my business. Without SCORE and Women’s Business Centers, over 100,000 women-owned businesses could lose the support they need to survive and grow. This is personal—and it’s urgent.

  • Jun 2, 2025

Desert Dirty Dancing, Cassette Tapes, and Letting Go

  • Melanie Cohen
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In the summer of 1991, I was a camp director in a dusty desert resort, armed with mix tapes, a loudspeaker, and a whole lot of emotional baggage. What I left behind still tugs at my memory—and taught me a thing or two about clutter, survival, and starting over.

  • May 26, 2025

I Wasn’t Great at Sharing… Until I Was

  • Melanie Cohen
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From resenting a shared birthday in elementary school to cherishing a joint celebration with a dear friend and mentor, this story is about growing up, healing old wounds, and finding joy in connection. Melanie Cohen reflects on what it means to feel seen, safe, and supported — and how sharing, once a sore spot, has become something truly beautiful.

  • Apr 22, 2025

Why the Best Gifts Aren’t Things (But a Bottle You Labeled Yourself Doesn’t Hurt)

  • Melanie Cohen
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Why Experience Gifts Beat More Stuff (Especially When Whiskey’s Involved)