Take time for yourself

It's spring. The new season brings new beginnings and new goals to reach for. But sometimes we get bogged down with all the things on our "to do" list that we forget to take time for ourselves. I got this article written by Hellen Buttigieg in a new homes magazine and I feel like sharing it because we all could use some tips like these:

Live in the moment. We have become a society of multi-taskers, but in an effort to be more efficient, we have robbed ourselves of the pure pleasure that comes from performing simple tasks. The next time you wash the dishes, fold laundry or set the table, focus only on the task at hand. engage your senses. Notice the fresh smell of clean laundry, the rainbow colours in the soap bubbles, the beauty of a table set with care. you'll feel less frazzled and more peaceful.

Let go of the "shoulds". Next time you catch yourself thinking guilt-inducing thoughts like, "I should go to the gym" or "I have to wash the windows" shift your perspective. Find a way to make the task more enjoyable so you can replace the should and have to with "like to" or "want to" or "could". re-framing your thoughts in this manner puts you in control because you are deciding to do the task out of desire, not criticism.

Put yourself out there. Life has a way of flowing effortlessly when we put ourselves out there. If there's something you've been wanting in your life, take one small action toward it and notice how other things fall into place. It could be a simple phone call you've been putting off, a book you've been meaning to read or a website you wanted to visit. Do it now and have faith in the power of taking the first step.

Tie up loose ends. Regularly schedule one hour a week to devote to tying up loose ends. These little "to-dos" take less time to complete than you think and yet, left undone; eat away at you, draining your energy and clouding your mind. If you finish in less than an hourm use the extra time to reward yourself with a special indulgence.

Eliminate catalogue clutter and enjoy mental freedom. Are catalogues piling up every flat surface in your office or home? If you've had them for over three months and still havent read them; it's time to take an honest look at whether they are adding value or complicating your life, drain your energy and rob you of peace of mind.

Make bill paying easier by synchronizing due dates. Paying bills can be time consuming and difficult to keep track of, especially if they are due at various times throughout the month. Consider calling all your creditors and have the due dates on your monthly bills changed to either the 1st or 15th of the month. Put a reminder on your calendar to ensure they are paid on time. Consolidating tasks saves time and mental energy.