Sure, during my unfocused days I got some things done. But more often than not, I'd push the incomplete items to the next day and they'd end up floundering in my rolodex of thoughts. For a few lucky tasks, they'd get done eventually, but most of them never did. And what about all that apprehension hanging over my head day after day, thinking of all the things I was supposed to get done, but didn't? It can be a heavy weight to carry if you allow it to build. After having an overwhelming day of catch-up a few weeks ago, I decided enough was enough. I was going to rediscover my old, positive habits that kept me feeling centered, accomplished and calm. I went to Target the next day and opted for a $9.99 planner that's doing the job just fine. I also listened to a favorite podcast that a friend recommended to me a few years ago -- it always helps me get back on track and I revisit it often. Here are three, simple ways I'm staying ahead of the game so I can stay organized, sleep soundly at night and keep anxiety at bay.
No. 1 -- Create A Master Life List. Then Plan Your Days, Weeks & Months Ahead Of Time
That may sound like a lot, but the stillness that washes over me every morning when I glance at my planner, knowing exactly what needs to be done that day without a second thought...there's nothing like it. Start by making a "master life list" -- this is something I learned in a college entrepreneurship class. Write down every single thing you can possibly think of that needs to get done. Get it all out of your mind and on paper, creating one gigantic list. An all-encompassing life brain dump, if you will. You can also do this weekly or daily on a smaller scale if needed. Next, designate consistent days each week, month and quarter to stay on top of the consistent things so they never pile up. To give a few examples, for weekly items I scheduled studio work, conference calls, a laundry day, grocery day, etc. For monthly to-do's, it's things like tax reporting and bill payment due dates. And for quarterly, I added a routine closet clean out, car clean out, closet re-organization as needed, etc. From there, you'll just fill in your other daily to do's as they come.
A rule I've held myself to: if I don't get something done one particular day, it can't be rolled over to the next week. It has to get done over the weekend and stay within the week in which it was assigned. This rule has been paramount in helping my tasks stay on schedule and avoid accumulation. I also purchased some efficient matching sticky notes so I can make smaller, daily lists that can be viewed alongside my weekly/monthly to-do's and removed once complete. In case you're interested, these are my favorite pens. I use the black for every day items, red for payment due dates and blue for special occasions to help them pop.
No. 2 -- Find A Slow Evening Routine
Now that you've got your daily to-do's organized and completed, you can enjoy slow evenings of delicious dinners and some relaxation afterwards. I've found that intentionally sitting down to eat at night has been a great way to kick off evenings well spent. It doesn't have to be a fancy meal -- sitting down and eating take-away or left overs will do. But nonetheless, make it an intentional act. Set the table and light a candle. At our table, we chat about the day, manifest our future goals, and enjoy each other's company. After dinner, we usually give Meriwether a bath, let her play a little or read a book, and then off to bed she goes. From there, I've been enjoying listening to books on Audible instead of binge-watching television like I used to. My friends always recommend the best books. Currently, I'm "reading" Big Magic and The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. So far, I'd recommend both to you. One thing I'd like add to my evening routine would be a bath every now and again. That seems like such a nice thing to do before bed.
No. 3 -- Using Natural CBD To Calm My Mind and Fall Asleep
Beginning late last year, I started using a topical CBD salve called Relief Cream at night to help calm my mind and fall asleep. I put it on my temples, behind my ears, under my nose and sometimes on the bottom of my feet. You can use it for aches and general soreness as well, but one of their specialists told me about using it each night on the spots I mentioned. I've found over the last couple of months that a little goes a long way. It's been a great addition to my slow evening routine, especially after my nightly reading. For me, the idea of ingesting CBD oil made me a little nervous to start, so I began with the topical option. Now I take the capsules and daily drops regularly and consistently. I'm excited to see how it works for me after reading the reviews on their site -- I've only been taking them consistently for a few weeks, so I'll have to report back on how well it's working. For now, I'll put the ingredient information below in the topical Relief Cream I've loved using.
- Organic Full-Spectrum Hemp Flower Concentrate (500mg CBD) — Boasts anti-inflammatory properties while soothing, healing, and hydrating the skin.
- Arnica — Increases blood flow to injured, bruised or inflamed tissues, reducing inflammation and supporting the healing process.
- Menthol — Provides anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties with cooling effects. Members also love the scent for clearing their airways, managing headaches and boosting energy.
- Lavender Oil — In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, shown to be both antimicrobial and antifungal.
- Rosemary Oil — Natural anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties, may also improve dry skin by increasing its ceramide content.
- Shea Butter — Creates a smooth and soft barrier, it also boasts anti-inflammatory properties.
Once I got over shingles and truly started my year, implementing these things consistently have been helping my days go smoothly and I've been enjoying life more than ever. Having a balance of productivity, quality time and self care is essential to a well-rounded, happy life. It's truly amazing what small tweaks can do for your overall health. If you decide to implement any of these practices, let me know! I'd love to hear how it's going for you. As always, thank you for taking the time to read.
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