A Simpler Life - Habits

"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities".  

Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

I'm trying live a simpler life, also known as a life, so there's more room for the important things - Rev T, the Tubblet, other family, friends, God, stuff I enjoy.  Hopefully this will make me happier and more content.

A fortnight ago I talked about getting our mindset right and a few of the the choices we make in relation to shopping and spending.  This week's post, and the last in the series, is on  habits.  I'm focusing on time, with a short detour into health via making those good habits stick.

Welcome to a Simpler Life Part 2 ...

Multi-tasking

Trying to build a routine, not wearing myself out by attempting to do all the things ... Sticking to the task in hand increases focus and cuts down on decisions.  I'm a team of one. Simplifying my time has made my work easier as I'm not stressing about the the stuff undone.  (But I do have a very big list!)

Online time

Reducing the amount of time I spend with my face in a screen.  Unfollowing people and avoiding sites that don't give me joy.  So I can spend it doing something else.  With actual people.  Doing actual stuff.

Changing my online habits is really hard.  I use a computer all day at work.  At home, I blog, natter on social media and play games.  Changing means breaking long-ingrained habits.

There are some small changes that make a difference.  Picking up the phone or going to see someone instead of sending an email.  Taking regular breaks.  Even if it's just to pee!  Switching devices off during the day and after 9pm in the evening.  (Oh, 9:30pm now, better get cracking with this post!)

Sali Hughes recently wrote:  "For every hour spent reading fake news, watching Videos or gazing at other people's avosmash on toast, all of which we'll almost simultaneously forget, we are robbing ourselves of an hour's worth of meaningful memories".  I know, ouch!

Eating and moving

Despite my belief that coffee is a major food group. I'm trying to be more healthy.  Eating less, moving more.  I'm not going to make a big thing about this, but it's worth considering what you eat, where it comes from and how it's made.  

Making new habits stick

Even though I know what to do, even though I want to do it, I still stumble and fall.  Making new, better habits stick is hard.  Here are few things I find helpful:

• Making time and space for the new habit.  

• Telling friends and family, writing about it on your blog or finding a buddy.  Making yourself accountable helps me stay motivated and means I'm less likely to give up.  

• Removing or avoiding temptation.  People or situations.

• Celebrate the small victories.  Most changes can be broken down into smaller tasks.  Each time you complete one, celebrate.  It helps you keep on keeping on.

• Don't give up.  One day at a time.  Today may have been a bust, but tomorrow is another day. 

To conclude ...

Having created space, what to fill it with?  What does that look like on a daily basis?  Will that change our family life?  That'll take some thinking about, but it's exciting.

Thank you for reading as always.  Hope you're having a great summer!