So let’s start with saying I am guilty of this myself.  Every new year I decide how I am going to organize my life differently.  I buy a new planner, I look at digital options and I dream of being highly organized. Life has lots of moving parts and honestly most of us are more organized than we give ourselves credit for but we always believe we can do better.

Here is the ugly truth.  There are only 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week.  We cannot create more time.  Is it possible that we have crammed too much into our lives?  Raise your hand if this fits for you?!  Yes, I have mine raised.

Pair Down and Let Go

What needs to go in 2019?  Top of the list are things that are being done out of obligation or because no one else volunteered at the staff meeting and you accidentally made eye contact with the boss.  Let it go, hand it over to someone else, it’s time for someone else to do it. Do you always host family dinners but find them exhausting?  Share the responsibility with another family member.  Setting limits is a positive way to save yourself and your energy.

Try something different

Last year I dabbled in bullet journalling but didn’t give it my all.  This year I will try again but with the goal of not being Picasso or Warhol in my artwork. It is okay for it to look like a primary school project, it is yours and no one else’s. Bullet journalling is nice because it isn’t one size fits all.  There are the basics that help you set things up but after that you can create pages to suit you.  You may want to add a habit tracker to January but in February it is a packing list and trip planner spread to keep you on task.  Even the New York Times has gotten on board with the idea of the bullet journal’s new to do lists. To find out more about the world of bullet journalling you just need to go down the rabbit hole of Pinterest or Instagram and you will find all the options you need.

Set Realistic Goals

Not only should these goals be realistic, they should be your goals.  Yes, not the goals you think you should have but the goals you want.  Choose 3 or 4 things that you can actually accomplish.  Maybe have some shorter term goals like cleaning out the hall closet or your car….no judgement here. Longer term goals can be things that you can complete by the end of the year. Stagger them so you are not working on them all at once. Break things down so they don’t feel overwhelming.

Make Time for Fun

While organizing your life it should include a bit of fun.  One of my goals for 2019 is that I will do something with a friend once a month at minimum.  As adults we get weighed down with things on our “to do lists” and we often don’t make time for fun. How about inviting a couple of friends over for a board game night or find a one off cooking class to learn how to make pho.  Whatever it is, schedule it in, fun needs to be on the agenda and won’t get there if you don’t have a plan!

Kimberley is the owner of Kimberley Gunning Counselling in Niagara

For appointments contact 905-353-5343 or email: kimberleygunning@yahoo.com