3 Things You Can Do to be Happier in Just 48 Minutes
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source: Dawn Ashley
The following is a guest post from Michele of Get Organized Wizard:
Being organized has all kinds of benefits – greater productivity, saved time, less stress and more motivation, to name a few.
But some organizing tasks give you a happiness hit, too. What a cool bonus!
Here are three of my favorite organizing things to do – all guaranteed to put a little spring in your step and a smile on your face.
Just try them and see – and let me know if you agree!
1. Make your bed
I’m not talking hospital corners and 25 fluffy pillows, here. Just the covers pulled up neatly and the pillows fluffed will make a difference.
There’s something about starting the day with your bed made that tells your subconscious you’re ready to face the world, and that adds a little pep to your mood.
It’s a lovely way to end the day, too. How nice to enter your bedroom after the day is done, and find a nice, inviting bed waiting for you.
If you aren’t a regular bed maker, take 3 minutes today to try it.
2. Savor surfaces
People who’ve lived a long time with clutter invariably get a happiness boost when they uncover the surfaces buried underneath. They love the clarity, the order, the absence of chaos.
Another reason clear surfaces make you happier is that the stuff lurking atop surfaces can prompt unpleasant feelings.
Like worry over bills left on the counter. Irritation about dust on ornaments that no longer bring pleasure. Stress that you haven’t gotten around to fixing something.
If you have a surface that’s muddying your mood – perhaps a counter, coffee table, dining table or dresser – then make today the day you give it a facelift. Spend 15 minutes today getting rid of anything you don’t use or love, putting away things that have a home, and finding a home for things that don’t.
3. Exchange too much past and future for more today
If you constantly feel disorganized then ask yourself these questions:
:: How much of your disorganization relates to the past or future?
:: How much of your clutter is pieces of the past you’re clinging to – clothes, mementos, yearbooks and journals?
:: How much of your stuff is for a future that’s not part of your life today – sports or hobbies you’ll start one day, things you may need some time in the next century?
There’s nothing wrong with mementos or plans – both can add meaning to your life. But if these things are crowding out your life today, then you’re paying for them with happiness.
Instead, let some – or all – of them go, and make room for a little more of the present. Spend 30 minutes today clearing away the things in your life that are keeping your focus on yesterday or tomorrow, instead of today.
A 48-minute happiness prescription
So here’s my happiness prescription for you today:
* 3 minutes to make your bed
* 15 minutes to clear a surface
* 30 minutes to release past- or future-focused things from your life.
Take your happiness temperature after completing these steps and see how you feel.
But please don’t wipe the smile off your face.
Michele Connolly is the founder of Get Organized Wizard and creator of Design Your Life, a comprehensive e-Program for achieving your goals, organizing your life and being your best.
Great post, I agree totally with making the bed. Coming home after work to an unmade bed just rubs in the fact that there’s so much housework needing done!
Jade
Jade @ No Longer 25´s last blog ..Should I Have Started in January? or 365
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I agree with making the bed being possibly the most important 3 minutes of your day. Even if the day has taken it’s toll on you, it so comforting to see a nicely made bed – a picture of tranquility at the end of the day.
[email protected]´s last blog ..Organizing Lessons From The Kitchen
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I could not agree more! I live by these tenants and seriously attribute each of them to maintaining the modest level of sanity I have. Great post!
Meredith from Penelope Loves Lists´s last blog ..Assignment: Computer Desktop de-clutter, or, do this now, you’ll be glad later
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THANK YOU for the motivation today!
I chose to clean/declutter my desk which is the horizontal surface I use the most and is often cluttered. I got all the stuff put away or thrown away, then decided I might as well do the shelves above it.
And since I was doing shelves, I might as well dust them.
And since I was dusting, I might as well dust the desk and computer too.
After dusting the computer I notice smudges that would require windex. So out it came!
And since I was doing my computer screen, I might as well do the TV screen.
And since I had out the windex, I might as well get those cute-yet-annoying fingerprints off the sliding glass door.
I sure got a lot done just from cleaning my desk! Thanks again!
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Making the bed sure is a mood brightener for me. Now to just keep the table cleared off …
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I am a total convert to making the bed. I actually wrote about this on my blog late last year and called it “Feel good about your day… make the bed”. You don’t know how far I have come to write something like that. I used to be completely in the camp of “you are only going to sleep in it again…”. Being at home much more now (with children) has made me realised how important such a simple thing can be! I hope others are inspired too.
Julie´s last blog ..The “Good” Wife
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I hate when my bed is not made for the day. Sometimes if I couldn’t get to it that morning I will make it before going to bed. I know I’m a freak that way. I also do not like having my kitchen table cluttered with things. It just looks fresh and inviting when it’s cleared off. Great tips!
Rana´s last blog ..Honey do time!
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yes, I’d have to heartily agree that when all 3 of those tasks are conquered I DO feel quite a lift!
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