May: A Month of Quiet Decisiveness

Can you believe it’s already May? I can’t! We’re five months in to 2011 and I’m thinking about my progress (or non-progress) on the resolutions I made a short while ago.  There’s always more work to be done.

April was absolutely nuts. I was busy almost every day. I’m determined that May is NOT going to be like that– because I started to lose my cool in the last week or so. Isn’t  it weird how personal time is a hot commodity, regardless of your relationship and life status? I don’t know about you, but I go a little crazy when  I don’t have quiet time to myself.

I’m all about being decisive and sticking to the plan for the month of May.  Sometimes, we spend so much time going back-and-forth through the “should-we-or-shouldn’t-we’s” and the “pros vs. cons” that we’re worse off for considering our options. We can waste so much time and energy deliberating over the costs and benefits of our decisions– that we end up stressed out and unable to do anything effectively.

Just the other day, I spent 20 minutes pacing around my kitchen, “tidying up,” while I tried to decide if I was going to go to a pick-up hockey game or if I should stay home for 2 hours and get my life straightened out. I ended up deciding to go at the last-minute– so I had to rush around, walking the dog, packing a snack, finding my keys, etc. I almost missed the game! Instead of just going for it and figuring everything else out later, I spent almost an hour worrying about all of the various “wouldda, couldda, shoulddas” and I still went with my original decision. What a poor way to manage life!

I’m wondering how my month might be more pleasurable and less stressful if I am decisive when making choices about how I spend my time and then stick to my plan. Sometimes things just don’t get done and I have to be okay with that too, however, cutting out time being wishy-washy may create more time in the end.

May Resolutions:

• Be selective about the activities I take on or agree to participate in
• Schedule in time for myself
• If I make a decision, stick to it as much as possible, but be flexible
• Make a realistic to-do list and follow it
• Spend 5 minutes each morning and night, going over what is ahead of me so I can be more organized

Spring Cleaning.

Even though it’s 30° outside, Spring is here and the world is starting to look cheerful again. It’s funny how seasons take on a physical and metaphoric presence in our lives. They both come to us and we follow them. They can be hopeful and romantic or oppressive and never-ending. Sometimes they are invigorating and renewing. Sometimes they signal more than just the passage of time.

Many people ritually Spring Clean their homes. I am an advocate of Spring Cleaning because, as a collector, I need to keep myself in check by editing down what I have, want, and can pass on. Spring Cleaning shouldn’t just be limited to tidying up your personal space. Mentally clearing room for new things should be included in our seasonal rituals.

5 Things You Might Forget to Spring Clean

1) Files On Your Computer

One of the advantages of saving items on your computer is that everything can be centrally located without taking up a large footprint. Like many people, I use my computer for everything and I admit that I am a habitual “saver.” Reference images, digital ticket confirmations, and  documents: I have a tendency to keep it all on the desktop or wherever it automatically downloads to.

Cleaning out irelevent files and duplicate mp3′s from iTunes may open more space on your computer. As convenient as the “Search All” feature is, it’s sometimes nice to know  that everything is in it’s place, even in a virtual world.

And the cleaning and organizing doesn’t have to be limited to your personal computer. You can also clean out your email or delete accounts for services you no longer use. I started having my professional emails forwarded to my personal/everyday account to alert me when I have new messages. For some people this might not be practical, but Spring Cleaning is about finding your own way.

2) Your Address Book / Cell Phone Contacts

I am not the model citizen for keeping my stuff maintained. I let many things go…for long periods of time. My brother’s last name, which is the same as my own, was misspelled in my phone for over a year.

The nice thing about updating your contacts is that it can be done while drinking your morning coffee or while waiting in a long line. Do you really want/need all the FB friends you have?

By taking a little time to go through a list of people you want to be in contact with, you can make space for those who you care about the most. I constantly miss important FB updates from close friends because some girl I met at a party keeps posting about every way she can style her hair. (Your FB newsfeed is almost sentient, you know. It’s manipulating you to interact with a completely different social circle because you “liked” something some moron said once– three weeks later, your a FBBesties with them).

3) Your Wallet

…And I don’t mean just the extra receipts floating around in there. I have a bank account that’s been open for 3 years, even though it’s only had money in it for 2. I need to close it. It’s a goal I have this week.

Some people regularly clean out their wallets. I do. It’s a small attainable goal that helps me maintain my sanity every month. But there’s a difference between cleaning out my wallet on a Monday morning and cleaning out my wallet for real. Stop carrying around $5.00 in change, some of which are Canadian pennies (which are doubley useless in a vending machine scenario).

Figure out which store-perks cards you want to carry around and put the other ones in your car or near where you keep your house keys. Buy 20 sandwiches get 1 free soda punch card? Make a commitment or get off the pot. No longer insured? Put that card in your circular filing system where it belongs.

4) Your Medicine Cabinet

There’s nothing worse than looking for flu medicine, only to find out that your out of band aids and your ibuprofen has been expired since the last presidential administration…and you’re also out of flu medicine.

Now, I’m not suggesting that you stock up on things you don’t need, but assessing your inventory is not a bad practice. You always seem to need something you don’t have– but what’s worse is thinking you have something when you don’t. My suggestion: buy a decent first aid kit. You can add or replenish as neccesary– but how many times a year do you use guaze?

5) Your Sock Drawer

Putting your clothes away is nice. Editing down your wardrobe is one better. Cleaning your sock drawer is next level nonsense that will crown you king or queen of Spring Cleaning. For some people, “the sock drawer” is symbolic of a different place (like the underwear drawer, the junk drawer, or the tool box).

Whatever catchall you use for your wayward goods, my advice is this: resist the urge to make this space your home for your “get-to-laters.” Get to it now. It will feel good.

Bonus) Your Emotional Baggage

It’s time to let it go. Whatever thing you’ve been hanging on to that still sits like a meatloaf in the back of your conciousness– it’s time to help yourself move on.

Write it in a journal. Go to a psychic or spiritual healer. Envision it floating away in a bubble. Figure out how you can make peace with your situation so you can forgive others or forgive yourself. Times are tough and more than ever we should seek to put out as much positive energy as possible. It sounds lame and new-agey (I know), but Spring is the time to move foward with new life. Doesn’t that sound so nice?

5 Ways to Hang Out on the Cheap

If you’re reading this blog, you’ve probably been in my shoes on a day like today. Picture this: It’s 4pm on a Friday– and not just any Friday, it’s PAYDAY Friday. You’ve been riding the bus on couch change and getting creative with the “back up” pasta in the pantry just to get to the end of the week (half a box of spirals with mustard and siracha….mmmmm). You have something like $6.42 in your bank account you breathed a sigh of relief yesterday when you realized your automatic Netflix charge doesn’t come through until after your direct deposit hits.

All of your pennies have been pinched but now, on Payday Friday, your dreaming up big plans for your recent wealth… until you list all the bills and things you have to pay for over the next two weeks.  All your idealistic hopes of “elevating your game” come crashing down with one reality check.

Shit adds up. With the quickness. I’m currently in this boat AND in the hole.

For your consideration, 5 cheap and practical winter activities with to be shared with friends:

1. $5 Family Dinner

Get a group of friends together and pitch in $5 each. Go to the grocery store and buy up cheap, un-fancy comfort foods that are quick to make and easy to share.

Some Ideas: Hamburger Helper, spaghetti dinner, chicken nuggets and tater tots, mac-n-cheese with hot dogs, breakfast scramble, breakfast for dinner, piergoies, frozen pizzas with your own added toppings, and the list goes on. Bonus if you have money left over for dessert or beverages. Double Bonus if you have leftovers to take home.

2. Skill Share

My friends and I often host craft nights where friends bring snacks and libations– though it doesn’t have to only be about crafts. Getting together to share your talents and your resources is always fun, especially when you are learning something new! If you aren’t sure what kind of activities might be fun to try out, consider learning something you’ve had an interest in but haven’t had the time explore. My friends and I are going to start doing small, DIY yoga classes (via youtube videos). Make sure that you keep your goals realistic.  Example: If you do a crocheting night, maybe pick a small project that can easily be accomplished by everyone in one night– this will keep your friends engaged!

3. Movie Marathon

Ideas for Movie Marathons: 80′s night, 90′s night, old Hollywood classics, teen films, your favorite movies from high school, horror, sci fi, epic trilogies, movies featuring one actor/actress/director…the list goes on.

Some Other Ideas: Make everyone dress according the the theme of the marathon. Buy plain popcorn and have everyone bring their own, unique seasoning. Make your movie-watching experience a drinking game. Build a giant fort of blankets and pillows and settle in.

4. Tour Your Own Town

Get together with a few people and do a tour of your town either in a car or by foot. Eat somewhere you would never choose to go, like you’re a tourist. Get some books out of the library about your town and use them as a guide. Take turns telling true stories about the locations you visit (“And this is where I was chased by angry dogs because…”) Have people brainstorm some of their ideas beforehand so you can make a rough map to save time and gasoline!

5.  Crock-tail Hour

Get your friends together, pool some money, and buy cheap booze, juice, and garnishes. Have everyone make up a drink on the spot OR let them plan ahead of time by setting some ground rules for what they can bring. Hold tastings. Vote for “best,” “worst,” “most creative name,” etc. (Kool-Aid is a great way to keep things cheap and delicious).

There are lots of other activities you can do with friends according to your collective interests but these are just some ideas to get started. If you’re going to give into winter hibernation, you might as well enjoy it.