Living The Clean Code
Living in alignment isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention. At Proper Standard, we believe that true transformation starts when you bring clarity to every aspect of your life: your body, your mind, your environment and your energy. This is the heart of the Clean Code, our framework for creating a life of flow, purpose, and well-being.
The Emotional Process: Face It, Feel It, Heal It
Alignment begins with honesty. It’s about facing what’s not working, feeling the discomfort of change, and healing through intentional action. These three steps—Face it, Feel it, Heal it—capture the emotional essence of transformation. They guide us to acknowledge what’s holding us back, lean into the process of growth, and create lasting change.
The Practical Framework: Identify, Reduce, Eliminate
While the emotional journey grounds us, the practical application of the Clean Code helps us take actionable steps toward alignment. The framework is simple yet transformative:
Identify: Shine a light on the areas that need attention. Whether it’s toxins in your environment, harmful habits, or unprocessed emotions, clarity starts with awareness.
Reduce: Begin to let go. Reduce the impact of what doesn’t serve you, one step at a time. This could mean swapping out a chemical-laden product, creating boundaries in relationships, or minimising distractions.
Eliminate: Clear the space for alignment. When you eliminate what’s holding you back, you make room for flow, ease, and intentional growth.
How We Live the Clean Code
As founders, this framework isn’t just something we teach—it’s something we live. Here’s how we apply the Clean Code across its four pillars in our daily lives:
BODY
Elle: "Overcoming emotional and disordered eating has been a transformative part of my journey. Studying nutrition helped me identify foods that truly nourish me, reduce reliance on unhealthy coping mechanisms, and eliminate the patterns that didn’t serve my health. Small steps like meal prepping and mindful eating keep me grounded and aligned."
Tamara: "After recovering from a chronic injury, running has become a symbol of resilience for me. Clean living, mindset, and targeted movement helped me heal, and now I’m back to running marathons—two in the past year alone. Training reminds me to fuel my body well, reduce unnecessary stress, and eliminate habits that might compromise my progress."
MIND
Elle: "Journaling has been transformative for me. It helps me identify recurring thought patterns, reduce mental clutter, and eliminate self-doubt. Clarity starts in the mind."
Tamara: "I’ve learned to protect my mental energy. This means reducing screen time in the evenings and eliminating tasks that drain me, replacing them with practices that spark creativity."
ENVIRONMENT
Elle: "Creating a clean and intentional space is part of my daily rhythm. I’ve identified clutter as a source of overwhelm, reduced unnecessary items, and eliminated anything that doesn’t add value to my home."
Tamara: "As an interior designer, I know how much our environment shapes us. I focus on reducing visual distractions and eliminating toxic products to create a space that feels calm and aligned."
ENERGY
Elle: "I’ve come to understand how energy flows through my day. By identifying where my energy peaks and dips, I’ve reduced activities that drain me and eliminated habits that don’t honor my natural rhythm."
Tamara: "Energy management is about creating balance. I’ve learned to say no to what doesn’t align with my goals and yes to what nourishes me—whether that’s a walk in nature or a quiet moment to reset."
An Invitation to Align
The Clean Code isn’t about doing it all at once. It’s about small, meaningful steps that create lasting change. It’s about identifying what’s holding you back, reducing its impact, and eliminating what no longer serves you.
We’re here to walk this path with you. Whether it’s through your body, mind, environment, or energy, the journey to alignment starts with a single step. Let’s take it together.
