I’ve always loved the week between Christmas and New Years. Things are calm, things are slow. There’s honestly nothing pressing or urgent to get done. Which means… plenty of time to align and refresh yourself for a new year that’s right around the corner.
Here are some suggestions for the ultimate productive week.
DIGITAL DETOX & DECLUTTER
Email. I’m talking about unsubscribing from those dozens of emails you get for sales and newsletters you immediately delete. I can’t function without a zero’d out inbox, so to help me do so, I have about 15 different folders: home, work, travel, banking, online shopping receipts, husband, friends, etc. Most of my emails get auto sorted into one of these folders, and other tasks that are yet to be completed / need following up on are left in my general inbox.
Phone. Any app that hasn’t been used within the last 30 days gets deleted — no questions asked. But more than that, what apps do you have on your phone that are counterproductive? In addition to deleting apps, sort them into folders so you’re able to get everything on ONE page! And finally, turn off all notifications (except missed calls and texts). I did this over the summer and let me tell you, it changed my relationship with my phone. No longer a slave to those little red and white bubble notifications.
Laptop. Organizing documents and photos. Moving things over to the backup hard drive. Creating much valued space on my computer.
CLOSET CLEANOUT
Rule of thumb is to toss or donate an item if you haven’t worn or used it in the last year (more on that here). But I’m not just talking about your clothes. I’m talking about ALL closets. Linen, coat closet, etc. Now is an excellent time to do a mini-spring-clean. Organize drawers or anything that has become cramped / getting a tad cluttered. My method of choice: The Kon-Mari Method!
WRITE OUT GOALS
Oh how I love writing out my yearly goals! I’m a firm believer that the only way to accomplish something is by writing it down first. I take goal writing seriously and typically devote several hours to it.
DECIDE ON A NEW HOBBY
Now is the perfect time to begin daily meditation, or try kickboxing, or learn the piano this year. A new year is a fresh start. It doesn’t have to be anything huge, or life changing — but pick something!
This year, I’ve decided is the year I’m going to dig into my genealogy — I want to learn about my families history and everything in between.
REVIEW FINANCES
How did you do this past year? How much money did you put away into your 401K, your emergency fund, your general savings account? How many large purchases did you make this past year? What are some areas you know you overspent in? What are your financial goals for the next 12 months? 3 years? 5 years? 10 years? These are all questions to begin thinking about. Pssst! Read more finical tips here.
GET A NEW PLANT
And this is just a fun little something I like to do for myself each winter, because it’s cold, gloomy, and what brightens up a space more than a succulent or a brand new potted orchid?
Make the most out of your holiday season! Wishing you all the best for Twenty Eighteen!