It is often time during this month that I feel a bit hungover from September. September is typically the time of hustle and bustle with school starting, new schedules, the shift from summer to fall, and all the activities we are getting to. It feels heavy for our entire family. We go through waves as we adapt to getting everything done, but yet that leaves us going to bed late, and then finding ourselves even more tired the next day. Or we leave things off our list and get to bed on time, only to find our list even longer for the next day. Does anyone else get this way? By mid September, I often find myself in survival mode and anxiously waiting for this “phase” to be over, knowing that October will bring new changes for us. Over the past few years, I have been working really hard learning how to adjust to September, see what we need to change as a family, and then do a major detox and cleanse during October. When I say detox and cleanse, I am not referring to food, but instead referring to our home, our calendar, my computer, our family vision, my dream boards, etc. I am finding that the better I can manage my time and clear my mind from all the unnecessary distractions life gives us, the more balanced I become as a person.
So what are the things that I am doing? Before I start (about the last week of September) I first do a big cleanse in the office. This is where I get my Deep Focus work done. If my office is filled with clutter, I cannot get other tasks done efficiently. I am a big fan of Marie Kondo and her book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. If you are new to her style, then I would recommend following her steps in order as her method will help you emotionally let go.
Everything from our office is completely cleaned out. Every paper has a place, every drawer has a label, and I know exactly where everything is. There is no clutter on our desk and there is a place for our papers that need attention to be tucked away for easy access the next day. Clearing out your space so that your mind can focus on where it needs to be is HUGE! Once the office is cleaned out, I then take note of all the other areas around the house that need my attention and spread them out over the next few weeks on our calendar. Usually a manageable project is schedule for a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and larger projects may take both days, but it is all scheduled so that we as a family are on the same page.
The next process I go though is with The Beautiful Life Lab. I am not one to advertise programs. I personally get overloaded with all the advertisements of people wanting me to purchase their programs as it can be “life changing”. Ugh! As a family that is working to get out of debt, it takes a lot of convincing for me to purchase something that isn’t in our typical budget planning. Ange is someone that I have been following since I started with DōTERRA and she has inspired me on many other levels. When she came out with this program three years ago, I knew that this was something that I needed to do, as it already aligned with what I was looking for. Not only for myself, but also for my business, and for my relationships with my family and friends. She takes you through each step on how to detox your life and start creating the life you have wanted to live. She teaches you in depth how to eliminate all the distractions so that when you are working, you are completely in the zone. You will be amazed how much you can get done in an hour when your calendar is very clear, your inbox is at zero, your apps are all organized and set to one screen on your phone (notifications are also turned off), and you have time tracked a week of what you do. It is then that you begin the beautiful life. You see where it is important to put your energy into, what to take out, and what needs your attention. So as I am writing this, I am currently going through her program and cleansing everything out, and it is 1000% worth every minute of my time as it sets me up for very clear intentions for the rest of this year and into the next. If this sounds like something you need in your life, then I highly suggest purchasing this. It is a lifetime access so once you are in, you stay in!
So during this month I am cleansing my home and all the things around me. If you are not ready for this big cleanse, I completely understand. Take it into small steps and do one thing that does feel easy to you. Do you find yourself spending a lot of time on social media? Then I recommend watching The Social Dilemma, especially if you have kids. Do you find your fridge or pantry overflowing but yet, you feel like you are out of food? I recommend putting in your calendar a time each week to clean out the fridge and then do your grocery list. Do you find yourself running around all day taking the kids around? Maybe it’s time to find a friend and switch on driving or asking help from grandparents.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself to help you get started:
Where to I spend the most time?
Is this space bringing me joy?
What would I like for this space to bring to me? Better flow? Better light? More joy? Less clutter?
There are also so many 5-10 minute cleanouts that you can do that will make you feel really accomplished. Pick a kitchen drawer that has been bothering you, or only focus on your shoes in your closet, or maybe your purse or makeup bag could use a good cleanout. There is something about cleaning out and organizing that clears your mind and lifts you up. You may be surprised just how quickly it will change your emotions. You don’t have to purchase a single thing to change your environment. Look and see what you have and just simply moving some furniture around can help change and create a better mindset for you.
Sarah