Happy Tuesday! It’s time for another edition of Tuesday Topics. This week’s Tuesday Topic: Tomorrow is National Simplicity Day. How do you simplify things in your life?. Remember to link-up with Kim and Zenaida and the bottom of this post.
This is a fun topic! I’ll admit, I didn’t know this day existed until a few months ago. I guess it’s true when they say there’s literally a national “day” for anything! Here’s a little more background on the day:
It’s time to get back to basics and celebrate National Simplicity Day on July 12! The holiday falls on this date every year to honor the birthday of Henry David Thoreau, who was born on this day in 1817. So read on for some modern-day tips on how to celebrate National Simplicity Day. As Thoreau himself said: “As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.”
When I was thinking about this topic, I thought about ways I try to keep my life simple, and it came down to one word – organization. I love to stay organized and hate when things are chaotic or out of my control. It dawned on me that being organized and sticking to habits, is the main why I keep my life as simple as possible. Here are a few examples:
Failure to plan and you plan to fail
I love this statement because it’s so true. I’ve been using a yearly planner ever since I was in high school (and yes, I still use the old school pen and paper planner because it brings me joy). i love to write out all my workouts, appointments, and reminders in my planner. Not only does it keep my organized, but it avoids any last minute issues (most of the time).
Sticking to a routine
Of course there are times that things throw off your routine, but sticking to my daily routine definitely helps to keep things simple. A morning workout, followed by a quick breakfast/shower, and then logging to work are the three things that I always try to keep constant during the work week. After work my routine deviates a little bit but normally consists of dinner, stretching, watching TV and/or catching up on email.
Tell Me: How do you simplify things in your life?
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Topic for next week – July 17th is National Lottery Day. What would you do/buy if you won the lottery?
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I definitely agree that organization and sticking with a routine help keep my life simplified. I keep to-do lists for things I might forget and have set days for doing certain chores so I don’t have to remember whether or not I’ve done them. For example, I water my houseplants on Thursdays, change sheets on Thursdays, catch up on paperwork on Friday afternoons, etc.
I love to write out to-do lists because it’s always so satisfying crossing off an item once it’s done, lol.
Exactly!
My life has kind of sorted itself out as my boys have grown and flown. It’s funny tho, when things come up and throw off my routine, I get overwhelmed. I do my best to stay organized and have somewhat of a routine. I’ve always been a meal planner, which definitely makes life easier and I use the reminder feature on my phone to keep me on track with important tasks and appointments.
I struggle with getting overwhelmed sometimes too when things go off schedule, but I’m trying to be better about rolling with the punches.
Like you, I’m old school when it comes to using a planner (kudos to the pen & paper method, LOL). I am a list-maker (again, on actual paper, not on my phone), so that helps me to stay on-task in getting things done.
Yup, I’m a total list make too. I know a lot of people use the Notes app on their phone for lists, but I still like to write it out, especially for my grocery stores lists.
Definitely need to keep a calendar… I have many but the one on my phone is the most important because it is always with me.
I also use the notes app for lists – books, tv, etc.
And yes routine.
I run 4x a week with one being long. Now I go to the gym 3x. And I blog Sun, Tues, Fri…
I love that you have certain days for running and the gym.
I do keep trying to declutter — because it’s such a waste of time when you spent 20 minutes looking for something! I’m afraid I’m not real good at it still.
I do have a morning routine (helps me start the day in a calm way generally) and an evening routine (helps me let go of the day & fall asleep easier).
I am on again, off again with planning. Just re- started doing a to do list this morning, as a matter of fact!
I’ve gotten better at decluttering over the past few years but I admit that it’s really hard!
I am definitely a planner and a creature of habit. I’m not sure if that makes me more simple or more complicated! LOL
I think it makes us more simple. At least that’s what I tell myself!
I’m the same – pen and paper planner/diary! I’ve been using that for years (early High School I’d say, maybe earlier!) but it is the one thing that keeps me organised and focused. We’ve had a bit of a lull at work in recent weeks which has thrown me off a bit – I think the change in routine has left me feeling a bit “off” – but working on establishing a new routine for this down period so I re-focus.
I can totally relate to a change in the work routine throwing things off a bit. Hopefully you will feel things get back to a more “normal” way soon!
I also thrive on routine. My morning routine is similar to yours. There are some things I do on the same day of the week (laundry on Saturday, etc).
Same! I usually did laundry on Sundays, but now I do it on Saturday mornings since I’m up early anyway and can never fall back asleep lol