Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Trying to Simplify

My life has been a little stressful lately. And when I'm stressed I get cold sores. The holidays were the worst and in the month of December alone, I had more cold sores than I'd had in the previous 5 years combine! (I've only had one this month, so I guess I should be happy about that.) And on top of the cold sores I have a new ailment that shows up at the first sign of stress: intense upper back pain. It's awful. So now that I'm in the Primary presidency and after having two miscarriages I'm doing my best to scale back and reduce unnecessary stress wherever I can. I came across this list the other day (I did not write it myself!) and thought some of you might benefit from it as well. My lack of blogging helps with numbers 3, 4, 27, and 32. Enjoy and simplify :)

  1. Turn off your cell phone.

  2. Process email only twice a day.

  3. Go to bed early.

  4. Get rid of (or at least reduce) commitments that you do out of obligation.

  5. Create a weekly meal plan.

  6. Automate your finances.

  7. Purge as much unneeded clutter as possible.

  8. Keep your paper shredder on top of your recycling bin.

  9. Add items you want to a wish list as you think of them.

  10. Get a label maker or write labels out by hand.

  11. Set your clothes out for the next day the night before.

  12. Make your lunch for the next day the night before.

  13. Make time to catch up with an old friend.

  14. Just say no.

  15. Ask for experiences not things for your birthday and Christmas this year.

  16. Tell the truth.

  17. Keep your list of addresses and phone numbers up to date.

  18. Consolidate debt.

  19. Create an organizing system that works for you.

  20. Keep a bag for garbage in your car.

  21. Carry a notebook and pen with you where ever you go.

  22. Unsubscribe from emails, newsletters or RSS feeds that don’t provide value anymore.

  23. Apologize immediately when you realize you’ve done wrong.

  24. Enjoy the present moment as much as you can.

  25. Take time to really see the little things in life.

  26. Reduce the amount of TV you watch.

  27. Get outside.

  28. Create morning, daytime, and evening routines.

  29. Ask for help.

  30. Do things at home as much as possible (eat, date nights, entertain etc.).

  31. Don’t get caught up in other people’s drama.

  32. Let go of the self-imposed need to be perfect.

  33. Focus on a simple, but healthy, eating plan.

  34. Share responsibilities.

  35. Reduce your wardrobe to a few versatile items.

  36. Be positive.

  37. Start a gratitude journal.

  38. Finish old tasks before taking on new ones.

  39. For every new item that enters your home set two free.

  40. Want what you have not what you don’t.

  41. Revisit what you carry with you in your purse or wallet.

  42. Focus on one thing at a time.

  43. Store new garbage bags at the bottom of your garbage can.

List taken from Zen Family Habits.

8 comments:

Joni said...

Wow! I am sorry for the bad couple of months. I hope that 2010 is much, much better for you and with a list like that it sure will be. My favorite on your list is enjoy the present moment as much as you can. Thanks for sharing!

meg said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your stresses. I seem to get chest pain after I have been really stressed [it was only New Beginnings... but it threw me for a loop!] The getting to bed early is so hard for me, but I am praying for lots of help with it. #19 is always tripping me up, but I love the ones about routines. I am totally a routine girl, and when I tell people that Janie needs her routine, I usually mean MEG needs her routine!

this is a great list. thanks for sharing. Much love.

Curren and Marcee said...

Sorry you have had a rough patch:( Hope you are on the up swing soon:)

Katie McCaul said...

Love the list! THANKS:) hope it helps you...sorry to hear about the miscarriages and all the pain stress causes you. Congrats on being in the primary pres...but i bet it is a stress. good luck

Westons said...

Thanks for all the sympathy :) Things probably aren't as bad as I made them sound. But yeah, I wish I didn't have any responsibilities outside the home. Being a mom is stressful enough without any of the extras! I'll survive, but my blog may not :)

Grandmother Pennie said...

They say a "change is as good as a rest" so please keep your blog. It gives you a break and we love your posts. I have a back pain when I am really stressed. It started after I had my first and only epidural. It hurts so bad I can not move and I think I am going to pass out so I am so sorry. It is good your are trying to simplify. We should all try that. "Man is that he might have joy". Lots of LOVE, MOM

MIMI n' LINCOLN RULE!! said...

Glad you are trying to simplify. We always need a reminder to remember the most important things in life. Hope you're doing better these days :)

Cameron and BreAnn said...

Sorry to hear about the hard times. I hope things start looking up. Thanks for the list. There are many on there that I need to do! Good luck!