The 1% Rule
- Ellie Azerad
- Jul 29, 2025
- 4 min read
Hey Frum Minimalist :)
Today, we will be talking about the 1% rule and how it plays out in marriage.
But, before we start today's hock, I want you to know:
💬 FREE CLASS TODAY IYH!
I'm going live with Alisa Avruch from The Secret Spark for a chill convo and want YOU TO JOIN!
Less Mess, More Peace in Your Marriage🗓️ Tuesday, July 29 | 🕐 1:30 PM ET / 8:30 PM Israel
More details and FAQ below.
"I NEED TO CHANGE EVERYTHING!"
Do you ever feel like if you want to improve your life, you have so much you need to do?
I get it.
When you feel stuck or overwhelmed or disconnected, your brain goes to:
“I have to fix my tone.”
“I need to stop being resentful.”
“I need to declutter the whole house.”
“I have to start treating my husband and kids better, even when I’m exhausted.”
“I need a whole new system or a new personality or a new everything.”
And it’s too much.
So you freeze.
Or you yell.
Or you go on an all out cleaning and decluttering rage.
But here’s something I have read and now teach my students and clients:
You don’t need to do everything.
You just need to do 1% more than yesterday.
It’s called the 1% Rule, and I’ve seen it in so many books, like Atomic Habits, The Slight Edge, The Compound Effect.
Let me tell you how this looks in real life:
One of my students stopped trying to change her whole marriage, and instead started doing 1% more smiling when her husband walked in the door. That’s it. Just a smile.
One week later he surprised her by picking up her favorite chocolate on the way home. She told me she almost cried.
Another student had been begging her husband to help more, and nothing changed. I told her, forget him for now. Just do 1% more than you did yesterday.
She started resetting just the entrywayevery night before her husband came home. And a week later he said, “I noticed how good it feels walking in now. Thank you!”
Another client felt like her husband was totally disconnected. She wanted to scream, "Do you even see me?!"
Instead, she decided to do 1% more listening. To be a little more presence when he spoke.He started opening up more. She said, “I didn’t realize how much I shut him down before, just with my face.”
Here are some more examples:
🤎 One percent softer tone = one percent more connection and fewer arguments.
🤎 One percent less clutter in your bedroom = one percent more intimacy and calm.
🤎 One percent more margin in your day (I teach this in my classes!) = one percent more patience and sanity.
🤎 One percent more appreciation = one percent more emotional safety for both of you.
🤎 One percent more letting go of what you wish he’d do = one percent more peace and less resentment.
🤎 One percent more intentional about not taking your stress out on him = one percent more warmth and safety in your home.
🤎 One percent more respectful in how you ask for help = one percent more chance he’ll actually want to help.
🤎 One percent more open to connection—even when you’re tired = one percent more love and closeness.
🤎 One percent more treating him like a king = one percent more feeling like a queen.
This rule works because it’s doable.
And when something is doable… you actually do it.
Now here’s where this gets even more interesting:
Most women don’t join my course or read my book to “fix their marriage.”
They sign up because they’re drowning in clutter, overwhelmed with housework, or frustrated their family isn’t helping.
But what ends up happening?
Their marriage improves.
Dramatically.
Not because their husband suddenly changed…But because they changed.
They weren’t walking around angry all day.
They could breathe.
They weren’t overstimulated, yelling, resentful, bitter.
They got space.
They got peace.
And that changed everything.
I’ve had women write to me saying:“I didn’t even realize how much the stuff was affecting my relationship.We’re laughing more. I feel respected again. I’m not snapping anymore.”
I’ve seen this so so many times BH:
Decluttering makes marriage easier.Because it helps you feel more like yourself again.
Speaking of marriage…
Tonight, I’m giving a free live class with an amazing marriage coach:
Aliza Avruch from The Secret Spark.
We’re answering some of the top questions women ask us all the time about marriage, mess, and the frustration in between.
We would love to have you join!
FAQs
Q: Do I need Zoom?You can call in by phone too.
Q: Is there a replay?Yes! If you register by Tuesday, you’ll get access to the replay for a limited time.
Q: What if I stay LIVE till the end?You’ll get my ebook “What to Do If Your Husband Won’t Declutter” for FREE!(Normally $9)
Q: Do I need to be married to join?Not necessarily, but the focus is totally marriage-related.
Q: I have filter issues. Help!We’ve done our best to respond to everyone 💛 but at this point, we’re no longer able to help with filter issues today.If you're still having trouble, please ask a friend to help you sign up first. Once you're signed up, they'll be able to help you access the info.
I really hope you join us.
It’s going to be fun and super helpful.
Bring your iced coffee!
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