Positive Changes

Last week was back to school for us and the kick off of a new routine for me. For those of you that feared that I was hinting about not blogging any more, well that is in no way my plan! While spending a lot less time in front of a screen is a critical part of what I'm doing right now, I love this little corner of mine and can't imagine abandoning this space.

I spent the week before school started, trying to figure out what I wanted my days to look like. More and more I am realizing that I push myself too hard and don't give myself enough time for things I love. I started by making a list of things that are life giving and a list of things that are life draining. It probably won't shock any of you to know that while the life draining list was shorter, more of my time is spent on it. That has to change. I have to give myself permission to do things that give me joy if I am to be the best me I can be. That ever present to do list is NOT going anywhere. If I work night and day for a month there will still be stuff on that list. At the end of my life do I want to look back and say "I got everything done on my to do list"? No way! I want to say I laughed, I had fun, I was creative, I loved my family and friends well and I made a lovely home. Those are the things that are important to me.

Let's be sensible here. Things still need to get done and I am probably going to be the one to do them.  I am happiest when my house is relatively clean, errands still need to be run and I need to make exercise a priority. I don't know about you but, aside from yoga, exercise is not on my life giving list. However being in good health certainly is, so I know I need to make time for it.

It's only been two weeks but I am already feeling the shift. My new schedule looks something like this AM: exercise, cleaning, errands, house projects. PM: Choose something from the life giving list and do it. Without guilt. Period. I'm working out the kinks and still getting used to stopping my work at lunch time. So hard to do especially if there is still stuff on my to do list. I think of this as a practice and it will take me a little while to get it right. Today I stopped ironing before my basket was empty. It may sound silly but that was a big deal for me. I am a keep going until I'm finished kind of girl. Or I was. Now I guess I'm a keep going until lunch time and then do something fun kind of girl. I'll take that.

The biggest change I've made is that I have blocked off Wednesdays on my calendar for the next month. That is what I am calling my Sacred Day and I've already become fiercely protective of it. It is my day to spend as I wish with no obligations. Last week I spent the day cleaning and organizing my studio and redoing my inspiration board. This week I spent it finishing a book, writing and being creative. I'll share more about my Sacred Day soon.

I'm already feeling less stressed from making these positive changes. I'm keeping an open mind and a flexible spirit about all of it. I know this is all part of my growing need for simplicity. I'm feeling less overwhelmed with this new schedule and so happy to be able to find time for more of life's small pleasures.