Weekly Simplicity Tips
By · CommentsI was starting to feel some nature deprivation here in Michigan in February. My husband and I went to Frederik Meijer Gardens. The sunlight streamed through all the glass warming us. And the green rejuvenated us.
We also got some natural light bulbs for my new office lamp, since my other lamp died. I feel more energetic in this white light.
- Manage your surfing and gaming time with a timer.
- Plan your Valentine’s Day:
http://www.mysimplerlife.com/blog/planning-valentines-day - Enjoy some stretches.
- Where are you doing more than you need to because of fear?
- Update or set an efficient morning routine.
- Shred paperwork you no longer need.
- Practice not interrupting people.
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Wanting to Add Some Lightness to Your Life?
2 opportunities:
1) SARK’s Awesome Anytime Adventure http://tinyurl.com/ybd46r3
2) Jen Louden’s Virtual Retreat http://tinyurl.com/yau23ok
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http://www.mysimplerlife.com/blog/the-shop
Sign up for the Declutter Calendar and Weekly Tips Here: http://www.mysimplerlife.com/decluttercalendar.htm
Are We Becoming Shallow?
By · CommentsThe other day my son said there isn’t going to be any cool inventions pretty soon because no one has the time to think or experiment.
Are we becoming a people that no longer has time to think? Just do, do, do?
I worry that without time for deep thinking, we will become shallow, only thinking about the basic things.
What do you think?
Honest Communication
By · CommentsThis is one of the greatest simplifiers out there.
My husband will laugh, if he reads this. For much of our marriage I would hide how I truly felt.
Husband: "What do you want to do this weekend?"
Me: "I don’t know, whatever you want to do?"
Or I’d get hurt and not tell him. Just seethe inside.
And it wasn’t just marriage. I’d say yes to requests I didn’t want to. Take on projects I didn’t have time for. And try to keep the peace at all costs.
Of course the costs are big: health, honest relationships and self-esteem.
How can we bring up the honesty quotient?
- Say no you can’t do that because you are already overextended, before you end up in a big project that is overtaxing.
- Ask for help. Admit you can’t do it all yourself. (If you are in a caregiving type situation this is a great site: Lots A Helping Hands )
- If someone is being nasty to you, ask what’s up. Questioning, but not accusing. It probably has nothing to do with you. This prevents a lot of hurt feelings.
- When someone asks which restaurant you want to go to, tell them.
- Don’t make the other party try to read your mind.
- Say, "I need 5 minutes of quiet, than I’d love to hear about your day," instead of zoning out, feeling annoyed.
- If you feel yourself hiding something, get to the bottom of that. Usually it’s out of fear and pride, but sharing can bring you closer to others.
- Let your boss know of a mistake right away, along with how you plan to fix it or prevent it from happening again.
- Ask for feedback and listen without getting defensive.
- Let others be honest with you without fear you will go ballistic on them.
- Be honest about what you appreciate in others. Don’t shy away from the compliment.
- Say no to the silent treatment.
- Know exactly where you are financially and share it with your spouse if you are married.
- Apologize.
- Don’t hide purchases from those you live with.
- Always remember that the goal is the relationship, not who’s right or who’s wrong.
Where do you want to up your honesty quotient?
I Wonder as I Wander
By · Comments
A Winter Hike
I used to wander all the time. Exploring what us kids called Monster Lake. Flowing through the Illinois prairie. Taking long walks along the sidewalk with no destination. Looking for new places. Taking hours at the browsing the shelves. Talking through the woods with no fear of getting lost.
It gave me a chance to think or just be.
I remember a few years ago when I was at a conference, wandering the streets of Chicago and spending hours at the Art Institute.
I rarely wander anymore. At least not alone. We often take the kids for hikes and other exploratory adventures.
But, not by myself. So I lose the inner exploration that happens with outer exploration.
Now it seems there always needs to be some sort of destination. Errands are bundled to save time. I am longing for the freedom to wander.
OK, down on my calendar for Saturday, Wander Time.
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This post was inspired by the GoVenture at I Love Life and was originally a journal piece. Photo by me.
It’s also about time to Plan Valentine’s Day.
Take some wander time at Jen Louden’s Virtual Retreat [Affiliate Link]
Weekly Simplicity Tips
By · CommentsToday I’ll be nurturing my sick daughter – whenever she wakes us!
This weekend I did my monthly planning, so I could include some fun things into my month instead of only scheduled have to’s. I’ve also been playing with the pattern of feeling overwhelmed even when the opportunities are good. So I am reframing them as ‘light opportunities‘ instead of overwhelming.
- Schedule break times.
- Tidy up and putter mindfully.
- Think of one monthly payment you can let go of to save more.
- What is an unnecessary activity you can reduce?
- Think of one way to make your kitchen more efficient.
- Put all your financial files and papers together.
- When you are with someone try to quit texting and talking on the phone.
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Wanting to Add Some Lightness to Your Life?
1) SARK’s Awesome Anytime Adventure http://tinyurl.com/ybd46r3
2) Jen Louden’s Virtual Retreat http://tinyurl.com/yau23ok
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http://www.mysimplerlife.com/blog/the-shop
Sign up for the Declutter Calendar and Weekly Tips Here: http://www.mysimplerlife.com/decluttercalendar.htm
When Life Isn’t Simple
By · CommentsOK, I have to admit, all of the sudden my life is not so simple.
Opportunities came and I took them. So now I am working on a couple speeches for a couple groups, planning a spring retreat, working with the declutter club, building a web site for someone and helping someone launch their book.
And for some reason Feb is the month we have dentist appointments all over the place, I need to go to the DMV, I’m making dinner for 28 robotics teens, and selling flip flops for my son’s all nighter. Someone mentioned planning for their graduation party in June and I started panicking. I’m supposed to start that already?
Then there is my work, family, friends, home and volunteering of normal.
So I have been doing lots of planning and thinking this weekend and came up with some ideas to prevent overwhelm:
- Remember that most of "too busy" is all in my head
- Keep the vision of why I want to do the things I decided to do
- Make easy meals and have my teens cook some
- Use something I did for a teleseminar for the speeches
- Get my haircut the day of the first speech so I don’t have to worry about my hair
- Make sure quiet time and exercise are first things of the day so my self care doesn’t fly out the window
- Take lots of breathing breaks
- Scheduled some fun/downtime
- Make sure I do my weekly and daily planning
- Keep deciding on the next right step to take
- Ask for help
- Let go of perfectionistic ideals
What can you do to prevent overwhelm this coming month?
Photo by Shawn Zlea
Tired and Weary
By · CommentsSo many people are tired and weary, mind never stopping, body not taken care of.
We are pushing and rushing. We see things and we want more and more. Forgetting what we have.
Our minds get caught up so much in what we think we need, in what we think we have to do, in maintaining all we have.
What if you came to your day with the idea that you have all you need. And that you have all the time you need for what you really need to do.
What if you don’t hold on to the trappings of your life so tightly.
Can you bring some lightness into your life today?
Photo by A Jawin
Weekly Simplicity Tips
By · CommentsI can’t believe how much has already gotten decluttered in the Declutter Group. Everyone is doing so well.
I had a renewing weekend of family, reading, movies and church. I hope you had a renewing weekend as well. If not, how can you make next weekend a renewing?
- Take mini breathing breaks throughout the day.
- Do things one at a time for an hour today.
- Keep all your bills in one place.
- Connect with an old friend.
- What can you do to make sure you are done with work on time?
- Plan your TV, don’t browse.
- Take a long, relaxing bath.
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1 open coaching spot
Having trouble decluttering, simplifying or finishing that project? Would you like one on one accountability and personalized help? Do you feel stuck somewhere and could use support to get through that? How would it feel to be able to move forward on that big goal?
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You can check out all my programs and courses here:
http://www.mysimplerlife.com/blog/the-shop
Sign up for the Declutter Calendar and Weekly Tips Here: http://www.mysimplerlife.com/decluttercalendar.htm
Assess Truthfully
By · Comments
What stands in a lot of people’s way of gaining a simpler life is they are lying to themselves.
"I have to put my child in all these activities or they won’t be able to get ahead and go to a good college." When it’s more likely fear that other people’s children will get further ahead than yours. Even though lots of activities never guarantees success and often undermines it.
"I can put this on my credit card and then pay it when I get the bill." When in reality you always only pay the minimum.
"I love my kids so I want to give them the best birthday party ever." When often comparing with the kids’ friends birthday parties often has a big part to play in it.
"I have to…" No, you choose to because you don’t want to deal with any consequences of not doing it.
"I really want to volunteer" is really "I wanted them to like me."
"I need it" is more often "I want it."
Telling yourself the truth gives you the opportunity to make real choices. You can have a conversation with yourself pushing back against the part of you that doesn’t want to see the truth.
What conversation do you need to have with yourself?
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Photo by Suzanna Reynolds
Creating a Check In Jar
By · CommentsI talk a lot about checking in with yourself with my clients. It’s hard to know if you are on the right path, if you never stop to ask questions.
If you don’t realize you are tired and stressed, it’s easier to chomp on that donut. If you never ask yourself what you need, how will you get those needs met?
I have a jar on my desk filled with questions to look at and ask every hour or two. Sometimes I use them throughout the day, other days I forget. But, it’s all good.
I got this idea from someone at Jen Louden’s Comfort Cafe. And some of these questions are from her Life Organizer. I cut up a few old cards and put them in a jar I had.
I love how intentional, conscious and aware checking in with myself makes me.
Breathe a few breaths. Take a question and read it. See what comes up for you and if there is any action for you to take or mindset you want to change.
Some questions to ask:
- Where is my heart right now?
- Are my expectations reasonable?
- Am I holding any tension in my body?
- What is my soul saying?
- What am I procrastinating on?
- How can I savor this moment?
- What is the next right thing to do?
- What am I feeling?
I created a pdf with questions I use. You can print it out on cardstock or paper and put in your own jar.
*update* Originally it was saved by using only system fonts, so people that didn’t have that font ended up with blurry lines instead. I have updated the file, so everyone should be able to see it now.
