in the Middle of Vacation - I've thrown out my list

Like most of us, I looked forward to having a break from my full-time role in the weeks leading up to it. I made plans.

I was armed with a long list of things I planned to accomplish, the people I wanted to see, creative tasks that sat on the back-burner while working and goals for my long free, I'm-so-spoiled days.

I'm not sure how you handle the carefree days of summer but I am surprised (why would I be?) how quickly the time goes by. My list of things to do still sits with very little crossed off and oh my goodness there are only a three weeks left. (Yes, I did say that I was spoiled.) I have had many laughs and coffees with my catch-up-with friends. How do you estimate the value of that?

An extra yoga class each week has been squeezed in to the day time hours, instead of racing racing racing to an evening class. Walking in the morning, smelling my neighbours cooking their bacon and puttering in their gardens has set my senses tingling.

Boho Jewelry ValueVillageDIY

A few trinkets have emerged, created while sitting in the dining room a glass of wine by my side, watching some "girlie" Fashion Friday show (recorded earlier that day). A few trips to Value Village to secure some discarded jewelry pieces that could be re-born, not quite on my list but fun nevertheless.

Should I be Productive or Could I just Play?

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I’ve given up trying to fit everything in, but somehow I do. 

I am not a lounger or a lay-on-the-sofa gal. I can squeeze in dusting (my most hated task) the bedroom in the few minutes it takes for the oatmeal to cook in the morning. I am consistently using my daytimer and can see that every spare moment has a line through it. 

It is me. Although if you knew me, and saw me function, you might feel that I am the most calm, relaxed person you know.

And guess what, I believe I am. I like to fill the spaces and that makes me feel good. I’ve decided that there is no need to apologize because it makes me, Me. It gives me comfort to know that the to-do’s are done. They are checked off. And this makes me happy!

pro·duc·tiv·i·ty

the quality, state, or fact of being able to generate, 

create, enhance, or bring forth goods and services

Could I play more, should I play more? Yes I’m learning slowly, and let’s not forget that this is what I often tell you to do! And yet…

One step at a time I am setting a new pattern to play a little more, I am Simplifying the tasks on my list to have more play time.

• When I meet my friend T. for a walk next week, I’ll have a chance to giggle with an old friend and still get my kilometres checked off my training schedule. 
• When I drop off my bag of donations to the Value Village store, I’ll sneak in a quick browse in the book section or through the hanging jewelry in hopes it will get the creative juices flowing for my next project. 
• I skipped my yoga class last Saturday (and only felt slight guilt) because it allowed me to stay home in the morning and cook and clean. I knew that the value of being relaxed for our friends to visit that evening would be good for my soul (and better for them too!).

Does playing and having fun come easily to you? Or were you raised to fill in the spaces?
(Click to Tweet)

Do you feel guilty when you Play instead of doing a Should? How do you deal with it? Please share your tips here or email to me if you’re feeling shy. See the About Me section to contact me.  

This Fast Company article tells us that taking a break will ease our boredom, allow us to retain more and help us reevaluate where we're heading. Wouldn't this add so much to our lives?

Do you feel guilty when you Play instead of doing a Should? (Click to Tweet)

Simplify - My Word for the Year

I love the word – Simplify. It has a gentleness about it that makes me think of quiet sunshine and ease of being. It makes me smile. It makes me feel like I have a secret power. I can say NO to excess.

My choice of word came about me gradually over the last several months. Perhaps, all the reading I have done from Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up to following Joshua Becker’s Becoming Minimalist helped gravitate me to this decision. But I believe that to Simplify our stuff, we need to Simplify our selves.

I believe that last year’s word Slow, instigated a natural flow and progression into Simplify. We have all heard the merits of simplifying our lives by this point, in a nutshell - less stuff, more money/time/energy to spend on the more important parts of our (often times) neglected selves.

This year will be about relinquishing and paying forward with materials (who needs all those extra flower pots?) and also about letting go of unnecessary feelings, habits, and… wait for it… people. Leading a Slow life last year, certainly made me appreciate each moment more, and to realize how in one instant of paying attention, our thinking can be changed. Listening was a big part of my Slow year.

Simplify - My Word for the Year

This year I look forward to embodying Simplify. 

Here are five ways I will Simplify this year, feel free to borrow any and try them on for size yourself. (As I learn, I will share so you might like to check back here about half way through the year.)

Gift giving. Spread the love I say. There is not much in terms of material comfort that many of us need. Please don't add to my load (unless I can eat it or drink it!). If you were to decide to give me a gift this year, I will ask you for your time. Let's just hang out, go for dinner, go to a movie, grab our cameras and running shoes and head to our so-close-we-are-so-lucky provincial park. Give me the gift of sharing some special moments.

Put something in the donation box or pass on to a friend. I noticed yesterday that we have just a few too many kitchen utensils. Anyone need a pizza cutter? Pay it forward, I know someone out there needs this pizza cutter and it is now packed into my Thrift Store donation bag which sits ready for stray not used items. It's just one thing today I know, but imagine 365 things emptied out of my home this year! Exhilarating!

The past is done. He or she meant what they said or did to you, don't pick up the phone, don't text. Release them to find someone who deserves them as a lover or a friend. Be the bigger person, it will feel great I promise. The Universe gave us a lesson, let's say thanks and move on.

Habits. Some things worked for me this past year, and some things didn't. I'm guessing that you are the same. Stop, remember, listen. I bought a plain black daytimer for this new year, it is marked into 15 minute increments. I have been known to forget that driving times can vary, I think that this little change will add some pleasure in arriving in a relaxed state to my yoga class. Keeping it simple and mindful, not trying to squeeze in one more thing should make each day a lot more enjoyable.

People we've outgrown (or have outgrown us). Oh, I know, this is a hard one. Start easy, I'll be choosing more carefully which grocery line I stand in, or which line at the bank. Some people make us feel wonderful by their cheerfulness and open heart. Others are struggling with their own learning. It is okay to recognize this and place some distance when needed. We don't need to feel bad because it makes someone else feel good. 

 

..and also, give good cheer to those whose path divert from us. Those who continue their      education, take leaps in their career, move away for better prospects. Wish them well, they have their  own journey to follow.


Let's be nice, our paths may cross again.

Simplify, my Word for the Year. Materials, Feelings, Habits and People. (Click to Tweet)

 

When Is Enough enough? 6 Simple Ideas to set you Free

Too much? Stuff.

What are you going to do about it today?

When is Enough enough? Or the bigger question, what is your enough? What are you giving up now for the day that you can enjoy what you have?

Recycle Pixabay

Why do we line up our assets as though they make us who we are? Why is it crushing when these "things" are lost by an act of nature or misadventure or divorce or even in a parking lot when you drop it?

How many times do we have to purchase online because it's a fantastic never-to-be-seen again offer? Trust the Universe you will see this happen again! How many pairs of white running socks do we really need?

Do we need Netflix plus many other options to quell our boredom?