So...since it's between lawn work season and snow shoveling season, I thought it would be a good idea to establish some kind of a regular exercise routine.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to exert myself physically. I just don't like getting up off of the couch to do it. It's easier when the lawn needs to be mowed, or the hedge needs trimming, or it's a beautiful day for a hike, but these days, when it gets dark at 4:30 and it's cold, my body only wants to eat carbs and hibernate.
I thought about what I suggest to people for creating an "orderliness habit", especially when they find themselves resisting or rebelling against the process and aren't doing anything at all: Don't make it your goal to be done. That goal is doomed to failure!
A more realistic goal is to create a daily practice. So, to begin, it's a good idea to do much LESS than you want to, like 10 minutes a day of sorting paper, or filling a box with items give or throw away. Play some of your favorite music--you get to choose: energizing or relaxing. Light a candle and maybe even some incense. Heck, pour a glass of wine. Whatever works!
I emphasize this next part: do not do any more than your allotted time, even if you're on a roll and feeling like you could go on all night. It's important to stop when you're enjoying yourself and wanting to do more. That way your brain will make positive associations with the activity. If you're having trouble doing even that small amount of time, make it less.
I know people who decided to start by sitting in an area for five minutes and regarding it silently. The real fight here is not the amount you accomplish, but that you show up for yourself every time. At first you might try to weasel out of it and make excuses: "I'm tired" , "Work was bad today, I deserve a break", "My show is on t.v. so I won't have time." Don't listen to that!
That "showing up" muscle gets weak from inactivity, but each time you use it you get stronger and it's easier to resist the temptation.
You can decide at the outset to give yourself a day off, say on Sundays, but do NOT allow yourself to skip days. If you do, NO making it up by doubling time the next day...just continue. Here's where an "accountability partner" comes in handy--someone to whom you can report when you're done that will tell you you're awesome. (Many professional organizers offer this service).
I know people who decided to start by sitting in an area for five minutes and regarding it silently. The real fight here is not the amount you accomplish, but that you show up for yourself every time. At first you might try to weasel out of it and make excuses: "I'm tired" , "Work was bad today, I deserve a break", "My show is on t.v. so I won't have time." Don't listen to that!
That "showing up" muscle gets weak from inactivity, but each time you use it you get stronger and it's easier to resist the temptation.
You can decide at the outset to give yourself a day off, say on Sundays, but do NOT allow yourself to skip days. If you do, NO making it up by doubling time the next day...just continue. Here's where an "accountability partner" comes in handy--someone to whom you can report when you're done that will tell you you're awesome. (Many professional organizers offer this service).
It usually takes about ten days of practice for a habit to begin to take hold, so aim for ten days in a row before you start to increase the time. This might take a long time, but that's OK. This habit could last for a lifetime! When you do increase the time, increase it in small increments... like 5 or 10 minutes a week.
This principle can be applied to just about any kind of a habit you want to establish; eating habits, a regular schedule for meditation, housework or exercise.
This principle can be applied to just about any kind of a habit you want to establish; eating habits, a regular schedule for meditation, housework or exercise.
Yep, that's my advice, and today, for the third day in a row I've done 15 minutes on the treadmill at no more than 3.0 mph while listening to some favorite old and new dance tunes. It's not much--yet--but it does burn more calories than watching "Dancing with the Stars" and eating corn chips, and I will add time, speed and weights gradually. Better yet, I am not dreading my next "workout" session!
To find solutions for your organizing challenges,
schedule a free consultation,
or have a conversation about your organizing needs:
Call Linda Palmer
at Create Order
Home Organizing and De-materializing Service
schedule a free consultation,
or have a conversation about your organizing needs:
Call Linda Palmer
at Create Order
Home Organizing and De-materializing Service
In the Milwaukee, WI and surrounding areas
262-784-3957
email: createorder1@gmail.com
On Facebook: Linda Palmer/ Create Order
