How to get your life back on track

For the past few weeks life has been a little rough lately. I haven’t been super in touch with myself, my habits, and fell off a routine into a deep hole of binging TV shows. Although I’m glad I finally finished the 12 Monkeys (highly recommend if you love sci-fi and you’re not too sensitive about the pandemic thing), I really need to get my life back on track. So while I’ve been navigating how best to do that, I thought I would share with you what I’ve been trying to do to get back to feeling like my best self again.

Deep Cleaning

I love cleaning!!! I know some people hate that they have to clean because their space gets dirty all the time. I love a good evening pick up type clean. I love a morning lets-get-focused clean. But there’s nothing like a deep clean. Go through that closet. Assess your wardrobe. Go through your drawers. Donate clothes. Throw away old skincare/makeup products. Get clear on what you physically want in your life and what you want out of your life.

And then there’s the digital world. I will say I actually despise this kind of cleaning. I currently have 4, 536 photos on my phone, which is terrifying to admit because decluttering those is going to take a WHILE. But it’s so important to get clean and clear digitally because we spend a lot of time on our devices.

Cleaning is ultimately a clarity provider. We don’t always get clarity in all aspects of our lives but when our environments have given us space to get clear, that’s when the magic happens.

Do the things you don’t want to do

A big reason as to why we feel stuck is that we’re doing the things we want to do instead of doing things we don’t want to do. Let me explain. If you’re like me, you’ve spent a lot of time already this summer binging Netflix. But you haven’t created a plan for your podcast, collected a list of people you want to network with, or made a to-do list for personal items in your life.

*looks at myself and cringes*

Ultimately, the things that make us comfortable are going to help us grow. It may be easy to watch The Bachelorette, but working out or trying out a new wellness routine is going to be more beneficial for you in the long run. For me, my running list consists of researching an idea for a solo podcast while I wait for others to contact me back with help for my other podcast idea, definitely working on a way to spruce up the blog, and spending some time in prayer later on in the evening. Let’s get ‘er done!

The Yes and No List

I credit the one and only Annie F. Downs for this list, but I think it’s extremely helpful and something I want to do more of once I’m out of college and have more control over what I can say yes and no to.

The Yes and No List is a simple list listing what you’re going to say yes to for a particular time or no to. Annie’s team does this list at the beginning of the year for speaking engagements and interviews, etc. But I think anyone can use this list. For this summer, for example, I’m saying no to any more trips because I want to focus on building my routine and working on my personal projects alongside my internship. I’m saying yes to getting content for my podcast ideas, working on the blog, and working at my internship.

For the fall, however, my yes and no list changes. This fall I will ABSOLUTELY be saying yes to every trip I am offered. One, I miss traveling. And two, I’m going to have a huge bandwidth in my schedule to travel as I’m only taking 13 credits and I have 0 Friday classes. I am saying no to too many extracurriculars. I am only doing 2 clubs and then work outside of classes. Last year I was overwhelmed and barely slept, but now I know that I can get back on track and adjust my list accordingly.

I’d just advise you to look at your life and figure out what you can reasonably say yes to. But also what you absolutely need to be on guard to say no against.

Related Post: How to build a morning routine

Find an anchor – faith, waking up early, etc.

An anchor doesn’t have to be a boat anchor. It can be if you want. What I mean is what is one thing that can change the trajectory of your day of week. If you’re extraverted, a chat with a friend can light you up. If you’re religious, working on reading your Bible and prayer is a key thing for you. For me, it’s waking up early. When I wake up early, I find that I am energized. I have time to read my Bible and pray. I have time to exercise and treat my body well. I read. I go on walks. I care for myself SO MUCH BETTER when I am adequately well rested.

Everyone has an anchor. A habit that literally can push them to live them to live the rest of their lives well. Find your anchor and use it to get your life back on track.

Address a pillar of wellness daily – physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, social

There are (at least, in my mind) 5 pillars of wellness. Physical. Emotional. Spiritual. Mental. Social. When we care for these aspects of our lives consistently, we are our best selves. We’re reflective, we’re healthy, we’re firm in our character. Do one thing a day to address one pillar. Maybe one day you go for a long walk. Next you spend time journaling. Then you spend time in silence. Next, you read a good book. You hang out with your friends. It’s good to start with one a day. But usually without noticing it, you could be addressing several categories in one day. As long as you’re living in line with your Yes and No list, make an action plan and get back on track!

I hope this was helpful, friends, for those of you (like me) who’ve sort of lost their way. Take care of yourself and get back on track, it’s important!

Signing off,

Gigi

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