Whenever I blog about something, I feel more accountable to do it...is that weird? Either way, these are some things in my life that I'm really striving to work on. Don't take these things the wrong way; my life isn't going down the tubes or anything, I just feel like I need to focus a little bit more!
Some of my guy friends started a thing called "Mensday Wednesday" where they hang out & do a little bible study/bro time thing. They came up with #CleanUpYourLifeWeek (leave it to a bunch of hipsters to hashtag anything & everything), and I wanted in on it. And in case you're not sure what a hipster is...see below ;)
Well since I can't go to "Mensday Wednesday" I decided to post my list on my blog...where better to do it, right?
Eat cleaner.
As most of you know, I'm a pretty health conscious person. But I have an issue with snacking. I skimp on meals and that leaves me grabbing little things here & there. And the little things are usually things that my body is better off without. So my goal is to eat lots of fresh fruits & veggies, lots of lean protein and to eat mostly natural stuff. I want to cut out most of the processed foods that I eat. I think this will help me feel better & look better...and who doesn't want that?!
Go to bed earlier & wake up earlier.
I'm a night owl. Plain and simple. I thrive & shine between the hours of 6 P.M. and 2 A.M. The only thing that I can think to do to fix this is to retrain my body. I used to wake up at 5:30 every morning for high school so I know that it's possible for me to wake up before 8:00 A.M. without feeling like death. So no more staying up until 3 in the morning lurking the Internet and trying to conquer my to-do list. OKAY? Okay. So if you see me tweeting after midnight (excluding on the weekend)...CALL ME OUT :)
Stop making so many impulse purchases.
Oh Lordy. This is a biggie. I don't shop too, too often but when I do it's like a "go big or go home" kind of thing. It's really not okay. From now on, if there is something that I want (not need) then my rule is going to be to wait 24 hours. If I still really feel the desire to get it then I'll consider it. If the cons outweigh the pros...I WON'T give in and buy it. DONE & DONE.
Make a schedule and stick to it.
I am convinced that my brain never shuts off. EVER. My mind is always congested with to-do list upon to-do list and I cannot rest until they are taken care of. That being said, I'm never all there - my mind is usually in 15 different places at once. So I want to create a schedule and stick to it. That way I can focus my time and energy on one thing at a time. No more putting stuff off to answer "just one more email." Time to get it together and use my time wisely...priorities, people!
Like I said before, nothing bad has happened...I just feel the need to revamp my lifestyle a little bit, you know? And let me just say, typing out this list really helped me. In fact I think it's safe to say:
If you want to get in on #CleanUpYourLifeWeek....tweet me with the hashtag, and I'll check out your post!
Oh and P.S. have you seen my new Facebook timeline cover?! Kristen did an amazing job didn't she?
love this idea! and that ecard...story of my life! haha in fact, that's what my boyfriend calls it when I'm in a sassy mood. Too funny! I've also been in the mood to change up my lifestyle so thanks for sharing this post! :)
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
http://fearlessandfrugal.blogspot.com/
What a great idea. I think that everyone could benefit with a little lifestyle spring cleaning.
ReplyDeletexo Teresa
www.delightfullydarling.com
i LOVE this idea! so awesome!
ReplyDeletei wish i would have read this BEFORE i went to the mall tonight. impulse buy city!!!!
ReplyDeletetotally on board with everything you posted!!
#cleanupcleanup #everybodyeverywhere
I feel ya on the impulse buy thing...I tend to try and talk myself into things that I think I need when I really don't need them. I like the idea of waiting 24 hours to decide about something to buy =)
ReplyDeleteSuch a good idea! And actually, I should just stick with YOUR list bc your wrote it so well. We can ALWAYS make room for improvement in our lives right? :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so good Jess - I WISH I could do most of those things (except the impulse buying - I think I'm a lost cause on that one, haha). Hope you and your sassypants have a great day :)
ReplyDeleteAnnie
The Other Side of Gray
I'm feeling this right now. I'm now paying the price for allowing myself to focus on other things sometimes. I'm really trying to use my planner for my lists and goals to keep me on track.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Is this this week? Because so far, I've been eating like crap. Sleeping like crap. And barely accomplishing as much as I used. I guess the fact that we downsized where we're living helps though. :)
ReplyDeleteLove this! I especially love the two rules about going to bed & impulse shopping...my problem with bed is that by the time we get my 4 year old in bed around 8:30, I feel like my night is just beginning so I want to stay up until midnight...but then when the 4 year old is up at the butt crack of dawn the next morning, it's not so much fun :(
ReplyDeleteLove this post though for real, and it's okay to revamp your lifestyle...you have to, b/c we fall into ruts and ruts are never fun!
Hey I'm right there with ya friend!!
ReplyDeleteJust last week I knew that I needed to re evaluate our spending as a family and the time we spend online/gaming.
When I first got married I had asked Tim about my purchases every time before I went ahead. To sort ask for his permission. Lol but I haven't done that in awhile. So I am doing it again and asked for a cash allowance weekly. That way I don't spend too much when it's cash! And it gets me excited to wait to buy some thing I was really excited for!
Good luck on the eating no processed foods. It takes months to get used to that lol
great post!
ReplyDeleteYES! Please cut out the processed foods. Stick with the whole foods, and it will make a world of difference in your life! I really didn't understand how much I know about a healthy diet until I read other bloggers' posts and think, "No! No! Don't do it! That's so bad for you!" Hahaha! I really want to write a post about my diet, but I need to compile my sources and studies to show readers exactly what happens when you consume aspartame, soy, excess sugar (even fruit!), meat (some if good, most is not), etc.
ReplyDeleteAnd the shopping thing? Well, when you have my bank account, it's never an option anyway. Really. Easy fix for me!
now that i'm back in the US i am really going to try to eat cleaner. i felt so much healthier in europe with less processed foods and chemicals.
ReplyDeleteWe are paddling the same canoe, my friend! I am in the midst of prioritizing my life - you may have seen my post last week. It's time. It has to be now. I'm like you - mind constantly churning and going in a million different directions at the same time (rather impressive if you ask me ;)). But I need to slow down because I'm not truly enjoying my life or the people in it, like I should be. So good luck, woman! You can do it!
ReplyDeleteGo sassy pants! These are awesome goals! Please share any healthy and "clean" snacks you come up with! I have a hard time with snacking myself, so if there are better (but still quick) options I'm always on the lookout! you are awesome Jessica! :)
ReplyDeleteI so want to try this. And love that e-card, hilarious.
ReplyDeleteLOVE this post friend!! first off high five to your boys for making a MENSDAY WEDNESDAY. They sound like they can do some blogging of their own with that kinda catch phrase ;)
ReplyDeleteI am totes on board with you... a snack-addict AND an impulse shopper. There are thing that all of a sudden out of nowhere, I'll be like I ABSOLUTELY NEED THIS AND LIKE NOWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.. I don't care if I have to spend my money for bills on it, I need it or I'd die!!
The important thing is that you acknolwedge these things and know you want to change em. Just remember... it takes a few days to learn a new behavior... but it takes weeks, maybe even months, to master it ;) You can do it though! FACT!
Yesss! I was practically fist pumping my way through this post. I'm focusing on so many of the same things!
ReplyDeleteFirst things first: hipster guy friends are the best.
Ok. Totally working on the eating cleaner too. Keeping a food journal is how I've been able to keep myself accountable and improve my eating (just don't talk to me about this week!)
Also working on going to bed earlier, because I'm sick of feeling like I drank a bottle of nyquil with my morning coffee. But I swear I get an epic burst of energy every night around 10pm. Ugh!
I've come a long way in my impulse buying. I gave myself a 24 hour rule too about a year ago, but I've kind of turned it into a 1 week rule. If I'm still drooling over it by then, I go for it. It's been a life saver! I actually have a hard time buying things now.
Don't even talk to me about a schedule. Can't even go there yet.
Ok. Sorry for the novel. Have a good rest of your day!
I think I want to join in on this wonderful hashtag!
ReplyDeleteAND... I had to leave with this joke I saw on twitter ... "how much does a hipster weigh?" --- "an instagram!" ba dum chhh
What a good idea! Mensday Wednesday...that's awesome! I just set my own goals for summer and it feels so good to start cleaning up! :)
ReplyDeleteHey Jessica!! Just wanted you to know how much I LOVE reading your blog and just seeing how CUTE you are! Most importantly, letting you know I nominated you for One Lovely Blog Pink Tree award! Go check out the post! Keep up the awesome work! :)
ReplyDeleteGood job girl! I eat five times a day (at least), so I have to choose healthy snacks. Luckily I LOVE fruits and veggies! I have been training myself to get up earlier in 30 minute increments and now I'm getting up between 6:30-7:00 with no problems. Still working on falling asleep before 11:00pm, but it's a work in progress!
ReplyDeleteI think I'll join you on the cleaning up life... i totally hear you on the going to bed early. I am such a night owl too... my bedtime is 2AM every night- it's exhausting in the morning! If I can get to bed before midnight it's an accomplishment. I'm finally done with my last bit of crazy classes tomorrow, and then I have five weeks to build my portfolio, so I'll have more time to focus on all of these goals. P.S. I totally love the sassy pants photo! hahaha
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post, Jess! I love all the ideas here, they are all so true!
ReplyDeleteLove this inspiration... I need to really work on some stuff too so maybe I'll join in on the cleanupyourlifeweek lol!
ReplyDeletei could for sure use some cleaning up in my life! going to give this a try. thanks for sharing!! :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I basically just need to print this off and hang it on my wall. We're so much alike, I'm not even joking…every single thing here is something I do! I am such a night owl and working from home gives me too much freedom to sleep in. I need to make a real "work" schedule. Really, just everything you wrote. I need to do it too.
ReplyDelete