The Rhythm of Life

In, out. Up, down. Energized, tired. Life is full of rhythms. Rhythms are even found in the seasons. It's a cycle of up and down with the summer being up and the winter being down. The spring and fall are the transition periods of moving into the next phase. We see the same with the moon. Full is up and new is down.

We currently live in a society that doesn't work with the rhythms. We push through the down phases and are often so exhausted we can't benefit from the up phases. Then life gives us a reason to pause, whether we want it or not.

I, myself have moved into a required winter phase. A winter phase is a period of rest. It's a place of reflection and nourishment. It's a period where the energies are lower and the nights are longer. If we were to live a life where we slowed down in the winter and truly used it as a time for reflection, we'd have so much more energy in the summer.

Even in my required winter phase, I won't be able to rest like I really need to. At work last Friday, I fell. I ended up in urgent care and finally a knee brace. My knee is currently diagnosed as severely sprained. We're waiting until swelling has gone down to determine if there is more to this than originally thought.

With an injured knee, I should be resting. I should be using this time to go inward and reflect as I rest my body. Since the accident, I have been doing this. The problem is I still need to feed my family. The doctor only said I couldn't work until the 10th. Oh, sure there are restrictions but guess where I will most likely be tomorrow and if I can't go, I'll go without pay. They'll set up a chair at the register and I really don't see how that can work, the registers are designed for standing work. I'll not be able to put my leg up.

This is how our society works. A person gets sick and unless they are so bad they can't move, they are at work. Our jobs expect it. One fellow employee came to work with Strep.  Not only was she not taking care of herself, but she was also infecting the rest of us. I don't usually get it but I got a little because my body has been so tired from work.

If we can, we need to be following the rhythms of our own bodies. If our body is tired, rest. Get your sleep, take it easy, choose reflective activities, etc. Stop pushing through and listen to your body. Sleep when your body says sleep. When you replenish your body, you will have the strength to do activities again. If you don't, it's because your body has been so overworked that it has gone into a phase of required rest.

Seasons. We have winter. This is the period of rest. I don't know about you but I feel like hibernating. Unfortunately, society has a different plan. We have one of the most beautiful and yet exhausting holidays right in the middle of winter for my part of the world. If you don't believe me, hang out at Hobby Lobby for a day. The number of people we have coming in to get an early start on their Christmas prep is astounding. Instead of resting, we're shopping, decorating, having parties and gatherings galore. Those gatherings are a big deal so they take a lot of work.

We move from these crazy holiday activities to the new year. Setting goals and reflecting on the old and new years are perfect activities but we aren't planning our goals wisely. Instead of looking at the seasons we're anxious to jump into our goals right away. We burn out because we're starting these major goals in the middle of the rest season.

In spring, we start to get some great energy. We get super excited and then we make a mistake. We do too much. Think of spring as the waking up period. Sure we have a lot of energy but it's not like we're in our most energetic phase. It's a transition season. We'll have a burst of energy followed by a need to rest. If we were to plan our activities accordingly, then we'd do a little more activity then we did in rest. We'd choose smaller activities to work with the small burst and we'd save the big activities for when we have a lot of energy in the summer.

Summer is a time of full-on energy. The days are long, most of us are getting our vitamin D directly from the best source. We tend to have more energy. If we have planned our new year's goals according to season then this is the time when we can get the majority of that accomplished.

We move into fall and we are in a winding-down stage of the year. We start to get a little more tired. The weather sends us indoors more. We're harvesting the fruits of our labor and hopefully storing for winter.

This cycle will happen to some degree no matter where you live in the world. You may not see a full-on winter cycle in your part of the world. You may be in a completely different cycle if you are in the opposite part of the world, Christmas in summer sounds great to me. Some places don't really have transition periods, they seem to go straight from one to the other. If you are aware of the seasons around you, you will be able to work with what you have.

Let's move on to a smaller cycle. This is the cycle of the moon. Most women know that they are affected by the moon. How their own monthly cycles fit in is something they get to figure out. A good idea is to track your own energy in relation to the moon. I was surprised to note that as we get closer to the full moon I have more emotional energy then I had when the moon was new. I hadn't realized how affected by the moon I really am.

If you can realize how you are responding to the moon, then you can plan your monthly activities to coincide with your energy. Big projects during the full moon. Reflective activities during the new moon.

Now, imagine if you took your daily cycles and planned that way. You'd sleep when it's time for sleep. You'd notice when you have the most energy and plan your activities accordingly.  You'd rest, even for a few minutes if necessary, when you are tired. Instead, we push through and then wonder why we get burned out.

Let's look at your homes for a minute. How can you apply these principles of rhythm in your home? Maybe it would be a good idea to set up a cleaning cycle that works with the moon. Smaller and more reflective tasks around the new moon and those big items around the full moon. Maybe you have a room that takes more energy to clean, choose to clean it during the full moon. When are the spring and fall of your day? Choose smaller tasks that don't take much energy to do for the spring of your day. Take a moment in the fall of your day to appreciate the fruits of your labor. Take these same principles and add them to every part of your life, to the best of your ability.

Once upon a time, the majority of society lived this way. We didn't have electricity and lamps weren't great to do work by so when the sun went down, people went to bed. They did less physical work in the winter and a lot of work in the summer. They lived off of the land and in harmony with the cycles of the land. In my ideal world, we're doing similar again. We're living in harmony with the rhythms of life.

What season is your life in? Are you taking full advantage of that? Me, I'll be resting as much as I possibly can.

Michele

House Intuitive

Healing homes and the souls who love them.

Organization Styles

When one studies a lot about the home and how it can serve you, one gets led to some interesting videos. I have really loved a couple and so I wanted to share them with you. One part of me says that is counter-intuitive and the other part of me says, it's not about who shares the message, it's about the message and getting it out there.

Today's share is about some of what makes people different. Sometimes, we read a book, watch a video, or see a person then we think, “Okay, I can do this.” After a while, we fail. Why? Is it something wrong with you? Absolutely not; you are great and wonderful the way you are. Is there something wrong with the system? No, it's a great system. The reality is, there are so many systems out there because there are so many different kinds of people. The system isn't right for you, or at least not right now. It's finding the right system for you, at the right time of your life.

I remember when I was doing the FlyLady system. I struggled like mad with the daily tasks, but I thrived on weekly tasks. I remembered how I had created a weekly laundry system for myself when my oldest was little. I was so good at following those weekly routines I had set. Why didn't I do so well on the daily? I would beat myself up thinking something is wrong with me.

It's not that there was anything wrong with me. It's just that I'm more of a bigger picture planner with a flair for spontaneity. I love to set weekly intentions that I then look at each day to see if there is something right for me to do today. I love weekly routines but when it gets more detailed like a daily, I get all locked up and do nothing.

Although this video is about organizing your home, I'm currently enjoying some changes to my time planning. Slowly, I've evolved a system that works great for me. I'll share that with you, just in case there are some things that work for you.

I use a dot-grid journal. I tried the bullet journal style of doing things, but it just didn't feel right for me. I loved writing and drawing in the dot grid, so I continue to use it. I love making a monthly spread and I have finally found some weekly spread ideas that I love. I had a recent change with an announcement from my church, so this is what it looks like now.

Each month, I create a monthly calendar and note the important dates. I then set a goal in four areas. A spiritual goal, a social goal, a physical goal, and an intellectual goal. I had been trying to do seasonal goals but even though I like the bigger pictures, this idea never quite sat right with me. I'd do great for about a month and then I'd start finding other things to do instead. For me, monthly is a great chunk of time to make a goal for.

Each week, I create my weekly calendar and note more detailed events. I have a couple of trackers but not many because I can get overwhelmed with those details. I look at each of the four monthly goals and ask myself what I can do on them this week. I don't really have a great routine going right now because my work schedule varies so much.

Each day, I create my daily spread. I have a monthly theme, Halloween this month, and I draw a little sketch each day. This is important for me because I love to look at what I did and often show off the cute little pics to my friends and family. It's so much easier to look back on my page and see the fun images which then encourages me to finish my daily tasks.

Here's where my planning gets even more detailed but not in an overwhelming way. I get in tune with my Higher Power and we plan some things for my day. I start with some questions. What can I do for my weekly goals today? I then go through seven areas asking similar questions. Sometimes I get a few things; sometimes I get “do nothing.” I find the more in tune I am when I plan these things, the more likely I am to get them done.

The seven areas are:

God. It's super important to start with your higher power. If you don't have one, get one. The higher self, God, the universe, a tree, or whatever. Something that you can have a daily council with. What can you do today to have an increase in that relationship?

Self. We can't take care of others if we are falling apart. Too often, especially for us women, we put others' needs before our own to the point that we break down. It's important to take care of ourselves. What does your body need today? What do you need to do for yourself today?

Sweetheart. I do this even though he hasn't shown up yet. I ask if there is anything I can do for this relationship. Sometimes there is, other times it is to remember that he is here for me. This remembering will bring him closer vs the doubt that would push him away. After the kids are grown and gone, will this relationship stand? That's why it is the first relationship after God and self. This is the person we love and want to be with forever so take care of it.

Family. It is up to you to decide who belongs in this category. They may be by blood and they may even be those super close friends. What can you do for this area of your life? Who do you need to connect with?

Friends and extended family. Again, this is an area that it is up to you to decide who belongs here. What can you do today for this area? We never know the impact we can have when we follow the simplest of promptings here. We could get our own answers or help a friend who was really struggling.

Community. This area is quite large. Have you noticed that we're working our way out, each area a little bigger than the rest? This area is your neighborhood, your workplace, businesses, church groups, other social groups, schools, etc. These are the people you have contact with in some way. This is where this blog comes in for me. What can we do for work today? What can we do for church? Who do I need to connect with?

The world. This one can be quite surprising. Sometimes, I get “simply shine.” Other times, I'm inspired to make a video, write a fb post, or even blog. I know that those often belong in my community area but it's not about pigeonholing things, it's about following the ideas that come. A world idea could be doing something with your family. That will then create a chain reaction that impacts the world. We just never know. What can you do for the world today? What is your reach, your impact?

As I have implemented this form of planning in my life, I feel more fulfilled. I may do things that are not on the list, I may do very little. Today was mostly a day of rest. My body needed it and so even though it was a day off, the list was quite small with a couple of areas having nothing to do. My goal is to tune in each day and ask. My Higher Power sees things that I don't, so who better to plan with?

Here is the video. She's talking about organizing your home and I hope you find great inspiration both from me and from her. I wish you the solutions you are seeking, the ones just right for you!

With love from my heart to yours,

Michele

House Intuitive

Healing homes and the people who love them.

Clutter, Clutter Everywhere

I have been decluttering for years. I've read a lot of books and I feel like I have a great grasp on the concepts.

From Feng Shui studies I learned that all of our stuff has energy. That energy affects us. Sometimes it's positive and sometimes it is not.

If we keep something out of guilt, that energy of guilt is stirred every time we see it or think about it. When I say see it, I mean every time your subconscious brain that takes in 10,000,000 times more information than our conscious brain can process sees it. It's always there affecting your subconscious.

The same goes for things that we keep because it reminds us of people. Sure, if that reminder lifts us up, then that's a great thing. If it reminds us of heartache, it's not the best thing. This is why after my divorce, I let go of my wedding dress. It was hard because a part of me thought it would be good to keep for my daughters. The reality was every time I saw it, I felt like a failure and a little hopeless about my future. I don't need those kinds of reminders.

When we let things go, the subconscious mind is free to think about other things. Energetically, you're also freeing up that energy to return in a more supportive way. I've heard of people releasing things and then having money show up. My girls release clothes and then somehow end up with just as many as they started with. 😏 I find that right after I release a bunch of stuff, I get a bunch of answers. The energy wants to support us but when we hold tight, it can't do that. Let your things go and you allow the energy to return in a supportive way.

From the FlyLady, I learned that sometimes we need baby steps. This is truly a concept for the overwhelmed. If you don't know where to start, just starting with a little is a positive thing. There's another concept out there that disagrees with this, but I'll get to the why of that in a minute.

Her use of rules and routines is super important. Not all of her rules make sense for me, but when they don't I can replace them with rules that do. No matter which system you use for decluttering, you must have some rules in place. An important one is putting things back in their homes after you've used them.

The FlyLady is about getting out of that funk. Getting dressed in the morning. Getting a routine in place. Getting at least something done each day. The first priority in the home is getting decluttered. Her system takes things a little slower than a big declutter. That's needed for some people. As she often says, "You can do anything in 15 minutes." She gives you a plan and a limit so you can keep the overwhelm at bay.

From Marie Kondo, I learned the value in doing the decluttering all in one go. I also learned the value of doing one category of things at a time.

Marie teaches what she calls tidying and doing it in one go. Really, she's talking about decluttering. Getting it all out at once. Don't drag it out. Make it an event. After that big event, you're left with daily maintaining. Putting things back after you use them. When you buy new, letting go of the old. You're left with regular housecleaning not decluttering.

When you do this, you have a huge sense of accomplishment. You can see the results and feel them right away. You're not dragging it out for years. Sometimes that daily declutter idea sounds great but then after a couple of weeks, you stop. Other times, you're decluttering less than you're bringing in. Other times, you just have so much stuff that a few things each day doesn't feel like it's getting anywhere. When you do it Marie's way, you don't have that dragged out feeling or that giving up energy. It's just done.

Another concept is the categories. I've heard some people complain about these. They like doing an area or a room at a time. I get it. I tend to like doing areas myself. The problem is we often keep things in multiple areas. We have bookshelves in 3 rooms or towels upstairs and downstairs. Let's not even mention where all the pens could get stored!

I've read other books and learned other things, but these are some of the biggest impacts.

FlyLady says routines and declutter first. If you can't follow the KonMari way. then if you spend a few minutes every day tackling the clutter it'll work. If you can take longer each day or better yet hire someone to help you be accountable that's even better.

Sometimes we have to work in layers. Maybe for a while, you follow FlyLady routines and for one week spend your declutter efforts in one room, followed by the next week in another room as FlyLady directs. After a while of doing this, you'll be able to take it another layer and work in categories like Marie says. Pull all of the clothes out from wherever they are. Pull out all of the books no matter what room they're in.

Sometimes we need to hire someone, paid or not. I think part of the success that comes with the KonMari method is for those actually working with her. She helps keep them accountable and gives them specific assignments. Some people find having a friend or group helps keep them accountable. Either way, when you have that accountability you seem to get more done in a shorter time. Some people need that money spent on a coach to keep them motivated. (If you're looking for one, I'm available for remote and possibly on location coaching. Schedule a consult.)

Wherever you're at or whatever level of effort you can do, remember there is great value in letting go of what doesn't bring you joy. More on that in another post. I think this one is long enough. 😉

With lots of love from my heart to yours,

Michele