SIX STEPS FOR PLANNING YOUR SPRING PROJECTS AND SPRING CLEANING

                                    
 IT'S SPRING CLEANING TIME!

 Spring is the time of plans and projects.   Leo Tolstoy


Do you feel it? The desire to plan and then plant a garden, the urge to tackle the seasonal project of Spring Cleaning, the itch to de-clutter and reorganize, the delight in getting out the Spring colors in your clothing and decor. OK, maybe you're not quite feeling the desire to do the work! But you'd really love to get this stuff done! 

The work part of it can seem overwhelming even if it is something you want to accomplish. But you know how great you will feel when the work is done! Aside from hiring someone to do it all,  one of the best ways to get your Spring plans and projects completed without making it feel like hard work is to break it down into chunks. Do it in stages, a little at a time, over a period of time. If you haven't begun this rite of Spring ( or even if you have ) mapping a plan to complete your Spring projects is a great way to get started. Just having a plan helps you feel better!

SIX STEPS FOR PLANNING YOUR SPRING CLEANING AND SPRING PROJECTS


1) Make a list of areas that need attention

       Washing windows, cleaning curtains and draperies, organizing closets, de-cluttering, yard work etc.

2) Map out a plan to complete all your Spring plans and projects

          Some areas will need more time than others. For example, maybe you need a week to organize your clothes closets and change out your wardrobe but you could complete window washing in one day. Write down the days you plan to complete your list of projects. Spread it out throughout the whole season if necessary. Everything doesn't need to be done at once. 

3) Gather needed tools for projects

            To avoid unnecessary frustration when you begin projects, gather the needed tools and equipment you will need before you begin each project. Nothing is more frustrating that having a plan to begin something and then finding you need to make a run to the hardware store.


4) Get it done!

     No more procrastinating now! It's time to get the job done! Your planning and gathering of tools has given you your period of putting things off for a bit. It's time now to tackle that one chunk that you had planned on doing on that day!


5) Mix in a great attitude, some fun, and simple refreshing extras

          Make sure you begin your projects with a great attitude! Remind yourself of how great you will feel when the job is done! And add a bit of fun to your work! Play some favorite music, sing or whistle while you work, open up the windows and let that fresh Spring air in, have your favorite beverage nearby for a quick sip, light a scented candle to add fragrance to your task. Or do all of the above! Better yet, get some help! You might find a friend or neighbor who you could help in exchange for helping you. Take a day of washing each others windows together. Make it a window washing party!


6) Hire some help if you must

 If you can afford to do it, hire out the jobs that you really hate doing or just don't have time for.  Sometimes you just have to do it! Then you can spend more time on the projects you love to do. Not everybody can do this so if you are not one of them, refer back to steps 1-5.

There, now doesn't that feel better?

If you have any Spring Cleaning tips you'd like to share please leave in the comments section! Thanks!

NEW YEAR/NEW YOU

Christmas is over and already I'm thinking about my "New Year's Resolutions", though I prefer to think of them as "My desires for the New Year". I  love having new beginnings, fresh starts, inspiring ideas,  creative goals, and new desires  for the new year ahead ( OK sometimes OLD ideas but I keep trying! ).  I  like to find inspiring, creative, and lovely journals or notebooks in which  to write my new desires and goals as if I'm writing a book in which I will create a wonderful plan of what I want to be, do, and have in 2012 to make it THE BEST YEAR EVER! At least in those things that depend on ME! I DO realize that I am not in control of everything! ; ) For those things I CAN'T control, I ask for serenity.

The time between Christmas and New Year's is the best time for this creative planning so you're ready to begin when the new year rolls around. But you can start this new routine/habit/attitude ANYTIME so if you get a late start don't let that stop you! The important thing is that you BEGIN to assess where you ARE in life and where you'd LIKE TO BE so you can begin to make some changes. There's an old saying that if you DO what you always DID, you'll GET what you always GOT.  And even if you're happy with your current situation in life, you can always be a BETTER PERSON. No one's perfect so there's always room for improvement!

Journal with sweet bird for our birding friends...find here

Letter Writer shabby book found here

So where do you begin? I've found some fun journals on Etsy that may inspire you. They are upcycled vintage books that are lined for writing down your goals, desires, thoughts of what you'd like to do, be, and have in the year ahead. Check these out...

Find this lovely floral journal here

 

 

 

 

Collage/altered art journal...find here

 

 

 

Whimsical journal that also includes photos of nursery rhymes. Find it here

After you find something in which to write down all your ideas you are ready to begin. Start by writing out a description of the KIND OF PERSON you'd like to BE, the TRAITS you'd like to possess, how you would like to SPEND YOUR TIME here on planet earth, what you would like to HAVE, being as specific as possible. Write this in the present tense as if it is happening right now.

From this description, go through and make a LIST of the items you mentioned. This list is from which you choose what goals/desires you wish to seek after in the year ahead. You may not wish to work on ALL of them but we'll talk about that later. I'll go into more detail in the next few posts.

If you're one of the people who does not like to set goals, that's OK too. I can still show you how to have MORE of what you want in the year ahead so stay tuned. But DO find a creative book, journal, or notebook in which you can write down  your inspirations and thoughts.