How much time do you waste trying to figure out what to wear in the morning? One tried and true solution is to set your clothes out the night before, but that doesn’t help if you draw a blank when pawing through your wardrobe. Apps like Outfit Planner and Style Book can help by taking photos of your clothes and putting outfits together for you to choose from. A little work up front for less thinking down the line.
Count Your 'Shoulds' For One Day
Get something like a golf stroke counter, or a piece of paper and pencil will do in a pinch. Every time you notice yourself saying or thinking the word ‘should’ give your counter a click. Keep this up for one whole day and see how often you use that one word. Why do this? Because every time you use the word ‘should’ you’re putting an expectation on yourself or someone else that isn’t based on logic or reason, just mindlessness.
Keep All of Your To-Do Lists and Reminders in One Place
Feng shui reminds us everything is energy, even words on a piece of paper. Spreading your notes to yourself all over the place creates cluttered energy. This then bogs down your productivity. Whatever your argument is for the way you do things now I ask that you try this without reservation for 3 months. Get one planner, notebook, app, or whatever and keep everything in one place. See what happens.
Use Your Senses to Visualize What You Want
It can be hard to get past the noise of your brain when you’re trying to figure out you really want in life. To quiet things down and get in touch with your intuition begin by finding a quiet place to sit for a little while. Close your eyes. Visualize the thing you are trying to decide. See each detail of it in your mind’s eye. What do you hear? What do you smell? What can you touch? Even notice what you might be able to taste. Pay attention to your responses to this picture and let your heart tell you what direction to go.
Resist the “Someday, Someone” Mentality.
Your kids don’t want your clothes. Your adult children do not want their old toys and clothes for their kids. That damaged item you keep saying your going to fix? If you haven’t yet, you aren’t going to. The second or third crockpot you mysteriously have in your closet? How often do you really cook that much at one time? Seriously. Let it go. If it’s out of date, toss it. If someone else could use it, donate or sell it. It’s time.
Drink Water First Thing in the Morning
We’re dehydrated from going hours without any liquid while we sleep. I always keep one or two bottles of my favorite flavored or sparkling water by my bed so all I have to do is reach for it in the morning. Starting your morning with water is also a great way to start front-loading your hydration into the first half of your day so that you sustain yourself until bedtime.
Donate, Toss, and Sell Your Decluttered Items as Fast as Possible.
The piles of stuff ready to go elsewhere can build up and create clutter of its own. Plus, you never know when you’re going to go digging around in there and undo everything you just accomplished by second guessing yourself and pulling things out. I find putting the boxes and bags straight into the way back of my car helps, then it’s a quick drive to drop it off at the donation spot or animal rescue.
Gain Control of Your “Monkey Mind” by Counting Colors.
The next time your brain runs away with you and your anxiety starts to take over, stop what you’re doing and begin counting the colors around you. Look at each item. See the colors in it. See the shades of blue, green, pink, etc. Notice how shadows create different colors. Notice the colors of objects reflected in windows. The number doesn’t matter so when your mind tries to run away again start up where you think you might have left off. Don’t forget to breathe.