The Arner Adventures Podcast

We're moving into a tiny home, and the biggest surprise has been discovering how much stuff we'd forgotten we owned.

When you have plenty of space, or even a little extra space, it's easy not to notice, but planning for a smaller place makes you see all those hidden things. As we go through the process, we thought it would be helpful to share the first 10 things you should downsize before going tiny!

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Happy New Year! This week, we are kicking off 2026 with our word of the year, how we arrived at it, and what it means for us as we navigate the year. Perhaps you can take away some helpful tips from our process, or the word itself: alignment.

🔗 Links + Resources:

• Full Show Notes: https://arneradventures.com/word-of-the-year-for-2026/
• https://arneradventures.com/cozyearth/

💬 Let’s keep the convo going: Tag us @arneradventures...

We walk through the 7 steps we use to set intentions for the new year, rather than resolutions. This way, you can enter 2026 with a fresh, positive outlook. We hope these steps are helpful for you as you set your intentions for the new year. With the right mindset, possibilities are awaiting to unfold.

🔗 Links + Resources:

• Full Show Notes: https://arneradventures.com/setting-intentions/

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In this episode, we’re sharing why it’s okay to not have a list of grand achievements and how to embrace the simple (but powerful) act of getting through life’s challenges. Join us as we discuss redefining success, reflecting on small victories, and letting go of the pressure to keep up.

🔗 Links + Resources:

• Full Show Notes: https://arneradventures.com/why-your-year-didnt-have-to-be-perfect/

💬 Let’s keep the convo going: Ta...

The holidays are stressful; let's not kid ourselves. There are ways to reduce holiday stress, and one is holiday budgeting.

You can still have a joyous holiday season without all the holiday spending that gets out of control. You don't even have to live a minimalist lifestyle as we do. Stop thinking that using your credit cards for holiday expenses is normal, just to pay them for the rest of the upcoming new year. We'll ...

When you think of types of rest, your mind probably goes straight to sleep or maybe a quick nap.

While those are crucial, there's much more to rest than just catching Zs. Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, physician, researcher, and author of Sacred Rest, has divided rest into seven types, each addressing a specific area of life.

We talk about the types of rest and how to get them, especially during the holiday season!

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As minimalists, we are proud experts in handling unwanted gifts. If you are struggling with gifts you don't want, you have come to the right place.

Let's face it: we've all been there. You unwrap a gift, and it's just… not for you. Whether it's the wrong size, a duplicate, or just not your style, unwanted gifts can leave you feeling guilty and stuck.

But fear not! There are plenty of ways to handle unwanted gifts ...

If you think reclaiming your power and the holiday season don’t go hand in hand, listen to this episode. Each holiday season seems to bring unattainable expectations, the pressure to conform, and the feeling that one’s life and plans are all under someone else’s control. We're sharing an exercise we practice to have the holiday season we want to have. 🔗 Links + Resources:

• Full Show Notes: https://arneradventures.com/recl...

We used to treat Sundays like a warm-up lap for the workweek: laundry, inbox checks, meal prep, to-do lists. It felt productive, but underneath it all was anxiety disguised as ambition. Somewhere along the way, rest became something we had to earn.

It takes work to unlearn hustle culture, so we are sharing some of the habits we have created to live more slowly and rid ourselves of the hustle culture mentality.

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Wellness has become a marketing buzzword. It’s wrapped in expensive gadgets, glowing bottles, and morning routines that feel more like part-time jobs than self-care.

We’ve spent years simplifying our routines, and it’s taught us something we wish we had learned sooner: feeling good doesn’t have to cost a dime.

🔗 Links + Resources:

• Full Show Notes: https://arneradventures.com/free-wellness-habits/

💬 Let’s keep the conv...

Reaching 200 episodes of The Arner Adventures Podcast feels surreal. When we started, we had no idea where this journey would take us. We've shared stories from our travels, the highs and lows of leaving behind a 24/7 business, and the ways we've redefined success on our own terms.

This milestone isn't about looking back, though. It is about what's next. If there is one thing that defines us, it is choosing adventure...

Life is not just about big vacations or perfectly staged moments. The fundamental shift in how we experience our days often comes from slowing down enough to make ordinary tasks feel meaningful.

That is where the idea of romanticizing your life comes in. It is not about adding more to your plate. It is about seeing the beauty in what is already there, even in chores.

🔗 Links + Resources:

• Full Show Notes: https://arneradventure...

When Gerry first joked on the podcast about doing a whole episode about our toaster oven/air fryer, I (Shannon) rolled my eyes.

Who dedicates an entire conversation to one kitchen appliance? Well, apparently we do, because here we are.

The truth is, this little gadget has become one of the most used items in our home. It fits our lifestyle in a way we didn't expect, and since Gerry is such a big fan, it's time we give it the ...

Adventure has a reputation for being loud, fast, and filled with constant activity. People often picture bustling streets, guided tours, or adrenaline-pumping excursions.

What we have learned, though, is that adventure does not always require noise or movement. Some of the most meaningful experiences come when you step into silence and allow yourself to notice what is already happening around you. We dive into the power of silence o...

Travel and adventure are often portrayed as something that requires a considerable budget, but we have found that some of our best memories didn’t cost us a thing.

Whether we are at home in Beaufort or exploring new streets elsewhere, the experiences that stick with us the most are often the ones we stumble upon for free.

Living intentionally means recognizing that adventure is less about money and more about mindset.

🔗 Links + Resou...

You may not know exactly what the pull is, but often, you feel the sign. The sign is that something has to change. There are times in life when you cannot continue on the same path. We’ve been there.

Life doesn’t always hand you a giant flashing sign that says, “Time for a reset.”

It can be a creeping feeling you can’t quite put your finger on. It can also be a catastrophic mental or physical health issue. Again, we know this well.Th...

It's easy to romanticize the idea of escaping.

Book the flight, leave the stress behind, and start fresh in a new place. But what happens when escaping becomes more than a vacation?

What if it becomes the way we cope with everyday life?

This question has been on our minds because our own significant lifestyle change was, in many ways, an escape from our previous lives.

🔗 Links + Resources:

• Full Show Notes: https://arneradventur...