Embrace Yourself: Stop the Over-scheduling

This is one of the things I really need to work on this year. I tend to schedule out my days until there is no time left. Go to class, work, blog stuff, take Koda for a walk and to the dog park, take a shower, study, do homework. That's what my day looks like every day. But sometimes I realize that I just need to take a break and not schedule something for once. I need a break from my planner and that is what I want to do this year. But how do you stop over-scheduling?

Creative Habits
In my field, Interior Design, I have to be super creative. Overall, I'm a creative person. I'm a writer, I am an Interior Design major, and I just got a coloring book for Christmas (thanks, Kayla!) that I'm loving to color in. The brain needs time to just wander and be creative. For me, that could mean writing in my journal, sketching out some designs, or coloring in my coloring book. It can be counter productive, and honestly the exact opposite of this post, but sometimes you need to schedule creative time. Schedule in free time and do whatever you want for that block, or for the rest of the night. I like to get all of my tasks done for the day before 8PM so I have the rest of the night to relax, hang out with friends, and just not think about anything!

Be Thankful 
I have this thing where I'm "go, go, go" all the time. I was watching a video or something the other day where this woman had nothing to do. So she began just cleaning, and fixing things around her house. And that is literally me. I could have NOTHING to do and I will still find SOMETHING to do. That one dish needs to be done? ON IT. That book is out of place? On it. Counter has a small spill? Go it. One of my goals, and should be yours too, to be thankful. Sit back and think about all that you have accomplished, all that you have and just be thankful. Take the time away from your planner and schedule to just appreciate your life.

Simplify Your Life and Schedule
There are many things in our day that takes up time that we really aren't using effectively, or minimally. While I do appreciate a clean house, tidying up things that don't need it is a waste of time. (YES ALLY, I'M TALKING TO YOU.) If your house is presentable and you feel comfortable, I think that book can be out of place for the night while you relax. Are you commuting too far? Driving significant distances takes up a lot of your schedule. If you have an hour commute to work or school, you could be using that time to cherish your cup of coffee in the morning or read a few pages of your book. Like I mentioned above, I like to cut myself off around 8-9PM to just do nothing. Maybe I schedule in a beauty hour for myself (shower, face mask, nails, etc.) or some yoga, maybe even a workout. But these things are healthy things that are scheduled.

Other things to consider:

• I can't emphasize this enough: SCHEDULE DOWN TIME. Do it. It may seem counterproductive. But if you're like me and you live by your planner, it will ultimately guide you and help you. 
• Use your money wisely. The more you buy, the more you're going to have to clean, wash or keep up with! 
• Give yourself, and others space. Kayla and I love to be together, we're practically together 24/7. But we each have our alone time. I have the mornings while she's still sleeping. I go to bed at the same time as a grandmother and Kayla was up until 5AM so that's her alone time. We also have a spare hour or two when we're just separated. Whether I'm working out, walking Koda or shopping, she may be taking Koda to the dog park, playing video games or running her own errands. You need ALONE TIME. 
• Go digitally dark for a day. Limit how much time you're surfing the internet! 
• Say no if you want to say no. Don't say yes just because you feel obligated. You deserve to say no and feel confident in that.
• Stop trying to be perfect (HELLOOOO, ALLY, ARE YOU LISTENING?). While it's hard for me sometimes, I know not everything has to be perfect. Kayla always makes fun of me because whenever our friend comes over I'm like a crazy person running around trying to make sure everything is clean and nice. I don't need to do that because I literally keep it spotless most of the time! 

I hope you enjoyed the second post in the "Embrace Yourself" series. Let me know what you thought in the comments below! 

What would you like to see from this series? Leave a comment!

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