Motivation
Late Again
I looked at the clock that morning as I was getting ready for work. I had more time than I thought. I could quick put a load in the wash.
By the time I got back up the stairs I had not quite enough time to get ready for work. I ate a granola bar while putting on mascara and lipstick. Forget the eyeshadow, no time! I felt my damp hair and grabbed a hair clip. It was my “no time to blow-dry” hairstyle. When was the last time I wore my hair down?
I forgot I didn’t pack my lunch and checked the kids’ lunches while I was in the kitchen. “No, you can’t have cookies and a donut, but no fruit.” I threw a Lean Cuisine in my lunch bag, knowing I would probably be hungry by 3:00.
Now to find my phone, purse, Palm Pilot, keys and remember to take my lunch. I looked at my watch. I should have left ten minutes ago.
After work, I am late for the doctor. Traffic was busier than I expected. I am getting agitated trying to get through traffic. The receptionist said she was wondering where I was. She thought I forgot my appointment and they went on to the next patient.
By the time I got out of the doctor’s, the kids were outside the school tapping their feet. They made little glares at me- You are late again! I had a tendency to make one last phone call or do one last assignment before rushing to pick up the kids. If I hit traffic, or trains, or forgot something inside I would not make it in time.
Lying in bed that night I tried to figure out what had happened. I thought I had planned my day well. Practically down to the minute. Maybe that was it. Not enough extra minutes. Ten minutes was all I would need. If I had planned on leaving for work ten minutes earlier I wouldn’t have put the extra load of laundry in. I would have been on time with blow-dried hair, eyeshadow and a good lunch. On days when my morning routine goes smoothly I would use that extra ten peaceful minutes to get my workday organized at the office.
If I had left for the doctor’s ten minutes earlier I would have no problem with surprise traffic. Plus, I wouldn’t have been late to pick up the kids. If I start clearing off my desk ten minutes earlier instead of making last minute phone calls, I would be on time to pick up the kids almost every day.
So I instituted my ten-minute rule. If I plan to leave at a certain time I move that time up by ten minutes. I haven’t been late to work or to pick up the kids in months. I try to make appointments ten minutes later than I think I can be there. Life seems to run smoother and I am less frazzled. That morning load of wash can always be done at night.
Are you making life more complicated then it needs to be? Are you involved in the important things of your life or are you consistently doing things you care nothing about? Do you feel burned out by the first day of the week? I am working on simplifying life this month. The thing to remember is to live simply is really to live by what you value. You pare down your life to what you think good living is. Here are some steps to take:
Decide what you want your life to be about? What is important to you? Keeping that in mind, will help you create a lifestyle that is personalized to fit you.
Are you involved in any meetings or activities you dread going to? Cross them off your list.
Does your house have too much clutter? If you get rid of just one trash bag of junk a week, by the end of the year you will have gotten rid of 52 bags of needless things. Be careful what you buy in the future. Try to get rid of 2 things for every one you bring in the house.
Life is complicated enough. Use routines for things like cleaning, menu planning, shopping, getting ready in the morning, etc.
Pare down your clothes to only clothes you wear and love. Pick designs and colors that complement you. Why wear clothes that make you feel ugly? If you buy an outfit because it is trendy, know in a year it will be in your declutter bag.
Simplify your decorating. Does every wall and every corner have to be filled with something? Sometimes we need empty space.
How about your recreation? Are you always going someplace, buying something, or eating out somewhere? Try doing things in nature, get together to play games or just talk, find hobbies like scrapbooking which has value in the future, make memories. TV is overrated. Live life, don't just watch one on TV.
Are you on too many computer e-mail groups? Only keep the ones that lead you to goals you are pursuing. What are other time wasters that keep you from doing what your really want to do?
Simplify your hair and makeup. Find a hairstyle that doesn't take a lot of work. Find out which makeup colors work best on you, and get rid of the old makeup that only makes you look so-so. Simplify weight loss by listening to your body. Eat when your hungry, stop when satisfied.
Remember, when you are simplifying, you are getting rid of things that aren't meaningful to you, to make room for a life brimming with joy.
Here are some further articles to help you on your quest:
Pracitcal tips to simplify your life
Simplifying articles by Elaine St. James
I just finished reading a passage in Sarah Ban Breathnach's Simple Abundance that we should change how we describe our housekeeping. She suggests instead of housework we call it homecaring. I just love that. It puts a much better perspective on cleaning.
Sometimes just the thought of doing the chores makes me tired. I get so unmotivated. That's when I have to change my thinking. I just think of how the house will look when I am done and how I will feel when it is accomplished. Often this is the only motivation I need. Of course, fast music doesn't hurt either.
I just heard a great idea that I have started using. Use the last 10 minutes of every hour to straighten up and put away what you used during that hour. This allows me to have a nice looking house at the end of the day without having to work for a long stretch of time. Plus the house is pretty neat most of the time. For instance in about five minutes I will be putting away some papers I got out during emailing, helping the kids put some of their toys away and washing up a couple of dishes. Now I don't have to go into a panic if someone knocks on the door. (Jonathan's teacher stopped by yesterday and the house was actually clean!)
