If I had a nickel for every time I heard someone say, “There’s not enough time in the day!” I would be, well, filthy rich.
When I was younger, I never understood that saying. I’d think, “well, there are 24 hours in every day and you couldn’t possibly have more things to do than what can get done in 24 hours!”
Oh, child.
THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS I WANT TO DO AND THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TIME IN ALL OF THE TIME TO DO THEM.
I’ve made a list. I call it my “Short-Term List.” I’m legitimately afraid of Life Lists (although I do have one…), so this is not one of those. This is a list of the things that I want to do this summer.
To be honest, my last post was a little bit of a downer. Since then, I’ve taken the time to create this list of how I plan to re-prioritize some things in my life. I know what you’re thinking — Lauren, you’re not really letting go of control here… Well, that’s just not me. I’ve always been the type of person to create my happiness and I can’t bear to sit back and wait to see what’s going to happen. I’m not completely going back on my word about letting the Universe take it from here. There are absolutely some things that are out of our control and we have to accept those things and let the Universe run with it. But, there are some things in life and in happiness that we can control, and one of those things is determining what is really important, like, really important, and focus on those things. Yes, there may be other things that we have to do no matter what, but if we prioritize, we may be able to control our happiness just a little better.
There are two ways people make lists or set goals. They either make the goals or accomplishments way too easy to attain, or they push themselves too hard and end up disappointed. I’d like to think my list is right in the middle – challenging myself but also setting myself up for success. We’ll see.
Short-Term List:
- Exercise 5 days a week.
- Cook 5 times per week (breakfast, lunch or dinner)
- Go on vacation. Like, a real vacation where I don’t check my phone or email for at least 5 business days.
- Write in my journal every week.
- Update TOBR (this fancy blog) every other week. Even if it’s short, or just some photos.
- Talk to my best friend every week (either on the phone, FaceTime, or through text).
- Talk to my parents every week (either on the phone or FaceTime/Skype).
- Work on giving The Boyfriend undivided attention during the little time we have together.
- Set at least 3 hours aside per week for reading (NOT on a computer and not blogs or websites. I’m talking books, people).
- Spend more time with my friends. Go out more, but do the things I want to do with the people I want to do them with. Release the guilt that’s associated with saying no.
I’m going to start here and see if I can reignite some balance and inspiration in my life. I’ll, of course, keep you all posted on my progress. My biggest concern is that trying to accomplish these items will ultimately stress me out even more. If I hit that point, it’s time to reassess…
Let’s do this!
Photo from vi.sualize.us.
I’ll help with the 3 hours a-day to read — no more computer in bed, just books.
WHOA! Not 3 hours/day. 3 hours/week! But, I like this plan. 🙂
Baby steps – haha. Will volunteer our eating abilities if cooking includes dinner parties or brunch… 😉
Sounds good! Brunch/dinner for sure! 🙂
I think I can help you with the vacation part! Ashley and I are still very undecided on location, but very decided on the need for vacay!! Plus, I want to come there at the end of summer to spend time with all of my fave San Francicscans.
YES PLEASE AND THANK YOU.
Isn’t it sad how we’ve gotten to the point where we have to make a point to talk to our BEST FRIEND?! I’m in that boat, too. But, it’s important and so worth it.
Good luck with your plans Lauren! 🙂
It is sad, but it needs to happen! Life gets in the way sometimes, so I’m trying to be a little more focused. We’ll see! 🙂
It’s all about the routines for a few of those x times per week! Something that really helped me was giving myself weird “guidelines” to motivate myself to cook/eat well/exercise/get off my internets, and eventually you don’t the guidelines because you build them into your day 🙂 Some that helped me were:
– Allowing myself only 2 meals “out” in a week – makes you cook more 😉
– Cooking a weekly Sunday dinner with friends, they bring drinks, I choose my more time consuming recipes or complicated dishes to cook for fun, all are happy and full in the end
– Creating an ENORMOUS list of things that I could do to exercise, some normal, some that were out of the ordinary. When I didn’t feel like running, biking, strength training, etc, I could walk, go hike, do yoga, climb… sometimes even just changing up how you get somewhere (e.g. I want to shop so I walk to the Mission instead of take the bus) helps, and then your feet and mind start to miss that down-time when you don’t have it
– Keeping a plethora of reading materials by my bed(magazines, reading books, design books, self help/do-it-yourself books, even cookbooks…which will help with the cooking goal!), and in the living room (so that I don’t get sucked into the other light up box, aka the TV, over reading)
Keep it up lady. You are one of the most driven, well rounded people I know on this planet, and I can’t wait to hear how it’s going. Also, when in doubt or having a tricky day, eat a piece of deeeelicious dark chocolate. Works like a charm for me every time!
Thanks for all the love and support from across the pond! 🙂
Well seems the topic is old so it is perfect for that question .. did the plan work ? if so, i’d love to know how 🙂