Category Simplify

A candid moment of a mother and adult son having a heartfelt conversation indoors.

My Son Moved Back Home…

Feb 13, 20264 min read

It’s amazing how quickly life can change. One minute, you’re enjoying a…

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I Became a Mom at…

Feb 13, 20268 min read

You watch a life loop unfold — someone who became a mother…

A joyful grandmother with her grandchildren in bed, sharing a happy moment indoors.

After Years of Babysitting My…

Feb 13, 20264 min read

Ah, family dynamics! Just when you think you’ve got it all figured…

silhouette of person in empty room

I Bought an Abandoned Storage…

Feb 13, 20264 min read

You won’t believe what happened when I decided to take a leap…

attic, pise, old attic, tile, light, mystery, door, attic, attic, attic, attic, attic

We Thought the Attic Was…

Feb 13, 20264 min read

Picture this: a sunny Saturday afternoon, the kind that practically begs you…

A red rose bouquet being arranged, perfect for romantic occasions and gifts.

How to Turn Trader Joe’s…

Feb 13, 20266 min read

They can turn a simple Trader Joe’s bunch into a florist-quality Valentine’s…

green and pink plastic container

Some Homeowners Put Pool Noodles…

Feb 13, 20266 min read

They notice simple fixes when a fridge feels empty or cluttered, and…

white window with curtain

Experts Say Opening Windows in…

Feb 13, 20266 min read

You can stop winter moisture from damaging your walls, windows, and finishes…

mom, daughter, baby, stroller, the park, stroller, stroller, stroller, stroller, stroller

One Mom Says, “I Think…

Feb 11, 20266 min read

You can feel shock, shame, and a strange relief all at once…

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One Mom Says, “I Accidentally…

Feb 11, 20265 min read

You’ve felt every minute of those long nights and tried more tricks…

About Me
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Madison Cates

Mom, Wife, Minimalist.

Join me in my journey to declutter my life and live a simply beautiful life.

Gallery

Split image from an Instagram reel: a mother rinses her daughter's hair in the kitchen sink, next to the daughter in a striped sweater getting her hair straightened
Split image: an infant sits in a brown rotating car seat in the back of a car with the caption 'Why I'm moving my baby to a convertible car seat', next to an empty gray and black child car seat installed in a back seat
Split image from an Instagram reel: a mother kneels to greet her curly-haired child in front of a mirror with the caption 'One rule I'm keeping forever.', next to her hugging her child in a doorway
Split image: a woman in an orange head wrap and patterned top lounges in bed with the caption 'GenX moms be like', next to a vintage black audio cassette tape on a white background
Split image: a hand lays strips of bacon on an electric griddle with the caption 'Breakfast for my 16 yr old & his girlfriend', next to two halves of a breakfast burrito on a white plate
Split image: a mother sits with her young daughter, whose hair is wrapped in a white towel, while a man combs the mother's hair, with captions reading 'It's your birthday, but no one can tell cuz you's a mom' and 'Your kids also brought home lice', next to a black pedicure chair beside a white foot bath
Split image: a first-grader with her face blurred by the creator poses on a doormat in a blue tweed jacket and shorts with a pink backpack and a 'First Day of 1st Grade' sign, next to a wall of pastel-colored school lockers
Split image: a woman with long brown hair in a white top talks to camera in front of a sage-green door, next to a close-up of the tips of dozens of colored markers
Split image: a mother glances at the camera from the driver's seat with a caption about her special needs son having a meltdown because she drove a direction he didn't want to go, next to an empty black leather car back seat