"This is my experience on using the New York Times best seller, "One Year To An Organized Life" by Regina Leeds to enhance my quality of life and establish lifestyle routines. I admire her take on getting organized one week and one area at a time because I thrive on achieving little accomplishments in moments. I hope this inspires you to get the book, follow along, and establish your own lifestyle routines as well!"
- Cheli Njoku/The Cheli Experience LLC
Everybody today seems to be in such a terrible rush, anxious for greater developments and greater riches and so on.
So that children have very little time for their parents
Parents have very little time for each other
and in the home begins the disruption of peace in the world
Mother Teresa
I definitely feel this anxiety for “greater developments” coming from my daughter who is a high school senior. She works, she’s an athlete, and an active member/leader in various social and honor clubs. Time to her can be a thief and a tease. Even for those of us without school age kids, you can still feel that energy of urgency in the air when it comes to managing time.
So how do we respond to it?
I found inspiration in the authors “Habit of the Month” - replacing negative self talk with positive feedback and affirmations. Sometimes when tensions are high and we are faced with more responsibilities and challenges, we become more critical of our actions, our mistakes, and our results. Then the negative self talk starts to creep in.
Replace does words instead with constructive words. Words that can breath life. I liken this habit to counting your successes through life’s journey as opposed to dwelling on your failures.
For everything flowers from within of self blessing though sometimes it is necessary to reteach a thing it’s loveliness
to put a hand on its brow of the flower and retell it in words and in touch
it is lovely
until it flowers again from within; of self blessing
Galway Kinnell
From what I‘ve heard, it seems their is this ongoing gospel that the back to school month of September is associated with being overwhelming for the average household.
I can’t say I experience that personally.
Back to school month in my household is the month of August. My daughters are empowered to a certain degree so back to school responsibilities are definitely a shared task. For example, this school year my 17 yr old took on the responsibility to drive herself to the store and shop for school supplies as well as attend her open house day at school unaccompanied. I didn't have to review a class list or respond to any emails. She addressed them all.
You can buy your children all the latest gadgets and fashion trends that pleases them temporarily; but the gift of empowerment is priceless and everlasting.
I’ll share some tips below inspired by the author to help generate a more Zen flow of energy in your household as you approach each new month.
Create a Family Routine
This is not just isolated to assigning a wake up and sleep time.
Schedule a day of the week reserved for grocery shopping.
Give everyone in the house a task to own.
Who takes out the trash on Wednesdays?
Who loads and unloads the dishwasher?
Are you a one person household? Spread out each task over the course of the week so you’re not overwhelmed and still getting things done.
Prepare your meals ahead of time
Review your schedule for the following day
Pick out your outfit/uniform
Addressing this pro-active action steps will help your day start off on a more calm tone.
Forget Perfection
Perfection is the thief of creativity and peace of mind - in my opinion. You know why? Because it’s not achievable.
Its Big Foot.
But, you can get really close. Congratulate yourself on that. One way to steal your peace of mind is being that one member of the household or community who insists on handling every task alone because you believe you do it best. This is also how you deprive other members of your household and community the gift of empowerment. Allow team work in your life. Say yes to offers of help. Give yourself and others a chance to try, make mistakes, and try again.
Break Everything Down Into Steps
My high school senior is a very busy scholar and athlete. My favorite advice to give her when it comes to addressing her very busy lifestyle - Write It Down. That’s when the Magic happens. Give each item an assigned time slot in your day and create action steps. Respect the time you assigned to each task by not trying to multitask within it.
When you break your day down into a written schedule, you get it out of your head. In your head, it’s overwhelming. Written down, it’s actionable.
My daughter told me September is the month of blessings and I believe her.
She is manifesting.
She proclaimed something good and beautiful and works towards it. We’re already seeing the results. I challenge you to self - bless and adopt a Feeder mentality. Envision yourself successful in all your endeavors. Encourage empowerment in your community and always give thanks.
Live Well.