The Organized Life archives

A SERENE START TO THE NEW YEAR

Dear Subscriber,

The holidays are winding down. We’re coming out of the busiest, most pressure-filled time of year, that builds to an annual crescendo of shopping, exchanging gifts, sending cards, overindulging in sweets and great meals (and maybe a little eggnog)…not to mention traveling, receiving guests, and dropping into bed at night, exhausted. And to think -- we do this to ourselves every year!

If you’re like everyone else I know, you’ve been enjoying the break from routine but feeling a bit stunned at the craziness of it all. But there’s a way to enjoy the flip side of the “craziness”: those colorful, joyous and meaningful moments that have the best chance of sneaking up on you when you feel grounded and serene.

So here’s a strategy that I hope will help you emerge from the holidays refreshed. Simply put, it’s a way to “organize” yourself and make room for the important things in your life. And just in time for New Year’s, it’s also a way to give yourself a head start on next year, so you can approach 2008 from a place of serenity and resolve.

The Gift Of Time
No matter what time of year it is but especially now, give yourself the gift of 15 minutes in the morning that is yours and yours alone. This is often the only time of day when it’s even possible to have a few minutes to yourself, and I’ve discovered that it can make all the difference between feeling in control of your life, or not.

Whether you’re at home or traveling for pleasure or on business, this 15-minute interval can make all the difference in your approach to the day. It’s a time to gather your strength and bring yourself into focus.

I don’t necessarily mean that it’s a time to sit and meditate. In fact for many people – including myself and clients I’ve worked with – it’s a time for making your life look and feel a little bit more like you’d like it to before the stresses of the day kick in.

You may like to use your 15 minutes to enjoy a cup of tea, to meditate, to write in a journal. At home, it’s an especially great time to go into a “zen state” and straighten up around the house: fold laundry, tidy up the living room, or just put a few things away. My husband seems to go into a trance as he cleans up the kitchen each morning (yes, I am a lucky gal!).

When you’re on the road, rather than turning on the TV you might like to take the time to enjoy one of the magazine articles you’ve been meaning to read while you savor a cup of coffee or tea. Or go for a short walk around your hotel and check out the neighborhood.

An Essential Start to Your Day
The point is to define the time as yours. These 15 minutes will come to feel essential because they provide a stable base, grounding you for whatever the day brings. It’s similar to the principle of eating a good breakfast: a daily routine that provides nourishment and strength, and one of the easiest ways to take good care of yourself.

In addition to all of these benefits, defining a few minutes of private time creates boundaries and provides you with structure. For example, you’ll give yourself the greatest chance of success by making sure your family knows about your new routine.

So give it a try. You may want to start by getting out of bed a few minutes earlier than usual, or starting your “normal” day just a few minutes later. Sometimes it’s hard to change a routine by something that seems as “small” as 15 minutes, so you may even want to get a 15-minute hourglass, just to make sure you use the entire span of time.

I know you’ll discover that this time will change your outlook and ease your way into keeping your resolutions for the year ahead.

I wish you the very best for 2008.

Until next month, Happy Organizing!

Sincerely,

Ann Bingley Gallops
The Organized Life

p.s. I worked with with a team to give a fabuolus young mom a Total Life Makeover! Check it out in the December ’07 issue of Working Mother magazine!

DISCOVERY OF THE MONTH

One of my favorite discoveries this past year has been my subscription to Very Short List.  Each day I receive one recommendation from them of a very cool thing they’ve discovered on the web.  They provide a link to exotic foreign TV commercials, under-appreciated movies and books, sublime and ridiculous short videos and much much more. 

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!   Check it out!

ABOUT Ann Bingley Gallops

Ann is a Feng Shui and Decluttering Consultant in New York City, specializing in improving the energy flow and organization of homes and businesses. She is the President of the New York chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO-NY).

GETTING IN TOUCH

Call or write to schedule a Feng Shui or Decluttering consultation for your home or office in the New York City area.

And please drop me a line with comments, questions, or suggestions for future newsletters.

Ann Bingley Gallops
The Organized Life
646-382-3878
ann@theorganizedlife.net
www.theorganizedlife.net