Category: Clutter free

How I’m creating my daily routine & why having a routine can save us time

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Good morning readers!

I am writing today about my daily routine. Part of this is going to be blogging daily, so cheers to a fresh start!

Some benefits of creating a strong daily routine are:

  • Routine provides us with a sense of structure – you have order and organization in your life, you are in control
  • Building strong and healthy habits -repeating positive and rewarding actions daily helps you create healthy habits that will last a lifetime
  • Productivity and efficiency increase – being focused and organized helps you minimize distractions and concentrate on completing tasks (one at a time, not multitasking)
  • We become really good at what we do – repeating tasks daily helps us save time by not letting tasks pile up, and we don’t have to search for motivation because having an established routine means we act on autopilot
  • We start our day with clarity and calmness – writing out the thoughts that clutter our minds each morning by using the Morning Pages technique helps us start our day with clarity and calmness because we can focus on our priorities, not our “monkey mind” and scattered thoughts – because those have all been written down and released

 

Something that helps me work on solidifying my routine is having one list of things I want to achieve daily. I have this written in one place, and I have a daily checklist which I complete. I have previously had multiple checklists in different programs, and it simply creates more work, and hampers my efficiency in getting things done daily. Having to remember where I’ve written something creates stress and confusion, so I strongly suggest writing everything in one book, or using one app if you prefer electronic based lists.

This morning I just started writing my morning pages, while having tea and breakfast. If you don’t know what morning pages are, they are a brain dump of all of the cluttering thoughts in your mind. Getting these out on paper first thing in the morning helps you have clarity and prepare better for your day. So far, I absolutely love it! This process was created by Julia Cameron, and she describes them HERE.

Another bonus of having a routine is that once we have completed our tasks, we can spend more time working on other projects. I’d love to spend some time taking photography classes, or traveling more. I’d also like to complete my Healthy Habit Challenge program and Smoothie E-Book – I can’t wait to finish these so I can share them with you!

Even though you may not complete your checklist each day, keep going, because a step forward means you are a step ahead. If you didn’t even attempt to complete your list, you are falling behind and tasks are piling up. So, working on establishing a routine will help you reach your goals faster and more efficiently.

Daily actions help create long term-term habits – what are you working on today?

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Converting to Minimalism

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Last night I was visiting with a girlfriend of mine whom I have not connected with since Christmas. It was a really lovely visit.

We spent 2 hours at a local sushi restaurant and stuffed ourselves with delicious all you can eat sushi. We talked at length about relationships, her upcoming wedding and a bit about my life history that she never knew. I left the restaurant after feeling completely freed from my past, liberated for my future, and totally understanding the things that have been holding me back in life so I can make my present better. Mental speed bumps if you will.

During the conversation I had quite a few aha moments. The most important one has prompted me to write this post. In this particular moment, I realized that what I cherish most in life are the amazing experiences I have had. Travelling, meeting new people, trying new hobbies and finding my passions in partner dancing and horseback riding have been a few. I think back now, to how much I have wanted to keep trinkets or mementos from each of these experiences, and now I see many of them as clutter. Don’t get me wrong, I will certainly keep a few of them, but others I will let go, as they did not create the beautiful memories for me, the experiences themselves did.

What is a key chain or shot glass going to provide for me? How about a postcard, t-shirt or mug? They will be cute little reminders of my experiences for sure, but that’s about it. I’m ready to part with these things now, and to remember the experiences through photos or memories. I think letting these items go will be a huge step forward.

Belongings hold us back and tie us to our past. While remembering the past or treasuring keepsakes from family or friends can be good, we have no need to have our homes full of little trinkets or collections. What I realized last night is that eventually, all items are going to  break down or fall apart. So my question to you is this: Why spend your money purchasing items that you will later spend your time maintaining, for them to sit on a shelf and eventually break down? You will then have to spend more time to get rid of them. Personally I would much rather spend my money on another trip or life experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

It is with these thoughts that I go forward in completing my project of downsizing my home to be able to live simply and minimally. I finally feel freed from the guilt of letting go of my belongings and feeling like I had to keep old gifts and things I have bought. There is no need. Now I have the freedom to move forward, and cherish my current life without being held back by clutter. Each of our lives is a canvas that we hold the paint brush and palette of paint for……how will you paint yours?

I know what my canvas will look like going forward 🙂

 

Why Living With Less is Better

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Is it just me, or are you overwhelmed sometimes with responsibility, or clutter and owning too much, or expectations from your career or boss?

This fall has been so busy for me, sometimes I’m amazed I can find time to sleep. Which is why I have decided to change the way my life is running me being run by me. It’s not fun when life seems to be in control of us, when it’s us that need to be in control of our lives.

I am writing today to discuss the importance of Living With Less. This really is something that can change your life in so, so many positive ways.

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