The Balanced Life, Huntsville Alabama

When I think of our forefathers who founded this country, I consider how they must have felt trapped by the way things were run in their home country of Great Brittan.  In addition to feeling trapped, other words that come to mind are oppressed, afraid, emotional, and at times hopeless.  And yes, it’s true, I’m making a stretch here to connect July 4^th’s Independence Day to this week’s blog, but I wonder if many of us feel the same way (trapped, oppressed, afraid, emotional, and at times hopeless) by the chaos in our lives. 

I remember a time when my life was in a shambles and it showed in both the way I was thinking- fuzzy, indecisive, and confused- and in my home- cluttered, messy, and ugly.  My marriage was falling apart, I worked full time as a social worker in a demanding and low paying job, and had two little children to care for.  I often wonder how I survived those days and yet, it is crystal clear because I found survival skills inside myself I didn’t know I had.  I’d like to pass some of those along to you and challenge you to implement some of these tips which are about decluttering, organizing, and calming the chaos.

1. Declutter your space- Choose one closet or one small space and start there.  Once the space is decluttered and items thrown out or donated, it feels great!  If you can see your progress, it helps by producing endorphins that motivate you to keep going.
2. Know your why- Remember why you want to live with less stuff.  Knowing your why gives your decluttering purpose.  And remember, decluttering and organizing are two different things.  First declutter, then organize.
3. Start simple and lighten up- Start with junk drawer items, clothes that don’t fit, books you don’t read, and chargers that don’t belong to anything.  If it doesn’t have value or joy, get rid of it.
4. Organize your time- Once you’ve decluttered and celebrated your victories (yes, celebrated!), it’s time to get organized.  A to-do list can work wonders and replaces confusion and chaos with accomplishment and decisiveness.  Prioritize your list and cross things off as you go and you will feel productive.
5. Limit and designate social media time- It takes three times longer to complete a task when you stop to check Facebook, Instagram, and other social media outlets.  Complete the task first, then check social media.
6. A place for everything and everything in its place- Have a designated place for things like keys, cell phones, glasses, etc. This solution makes a big difference when you need to get out the door in the morning (or any time of day!).
7. Give yourself daily downtime- Lateness and forgetfulness may be signs that you need some downtime to restore calm and balance and to increase brain function.  Try 10-15 minutes a day of repetitive and mindful activity, such as coloring, meditation, or journaling.
8. Prioritize your health and well being- By doing so, you give yourself more energy, balance, and calm to get things done.  Yoga, gym workouts, eating healthier, and walking are examples of ways to take care of your physical health.
9. Create a “coping toolbox”- This is a basket or box that is chalk full of personal items that will calm you down.  Included in this basket may be things like: a stuffed animal, coloring book and crayons, journaling notebook, worry stone (small smooth rock to be rubbed when stressed or worried), spiritual material, meditation book, list of positive affirmations, essential oils like peppermint, a candle, and any other object that make you feel calm and able to focus.
10. Write a gratitude list- A gratitude list helps you focus negative energy into positive energy and can be life changing.  If you’d like, take out a piece of paper and list at least 20 things for which you have gratitude.  Get fancy and draw a picture of a big flower and write the things you’re thankful for in the petals.  Or jot down one thing per day and put it in a jar labeled simply, “gratitude jar”.  It works!

As we celebrate our country’s 240^th birthday this July 4th, take time to begin your life’s journey towards INDEPENDENCE and FREEDOM by decluttering and calming the chaos.  

If you'd like help finding peace in your own life, give me a call at 256-258-7777 x 102 or email me at holly@thebalancedlifellc.com.