Plans and Projects
“Spring is the time of plans and projects.”
– Leo Tolstoy
This year I am hearing from several sources that many of us are really tired of the restrictions we have put ourselves under during the pandemic. Gayle King said in a conversation with Oprah that, “It’s not just going to be 2023, it's going to be 2020-Me.” This is the year that she plans to do things that she wants to do personally and professionally—whatever that is.
Now I am not going to do anything that I think will jeopardize my health and safety but maybe we should be making this “the year of you”.
Work and Play
When we work on our household and business projects it is always a motivator to reward ourselves not only when we finish the total project but also for benchmarks along the way.
This April I plan on decluttering and deep cleaning my bedroom. This will include reorganizing and decluttering my closet and my dresser. The end tables will also get a decluttering and cleaning session. The bed, ceiling fan, and windows just need a deep clean.
As I complete the different tasks, I plan on giving myself some fun breaks. I have planned to:
· Have coffee with a friend
· Take in a play at a local theater with a friend
· Plant herbs in pots on my deck
· Sit on my deck and enjoy the birds and bumblebees
In May some of my fun things to do are:
· Visit my son, daughter-in-law, and two grands in Charlottesville
· Freshen up the décor in the entry hall
· Send out some postcards on the first week in May to celebrate Postcard Week
· Try out some new spring recipes
In June for fun, I plan to:
· Visit Rob’s family on Pawley’s Island
· Have a lunch with a friend
· Make some peanut butter cookies for June 12 National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
· Visit the Botanical Gardens
My challenge to you is as you work on your home and business projects you find some fun things to do that are in your comfort level. Take that trip if you can. Sit outside more and enjoy this time before it gets too hot. Connect with friends either in person or Facetime or a card. Let’s focus on some things that make us joyful in this three-month period.
If you recognize that you are struggling with setting up your projects or want some help or accountability in developing and working your organizational home maintenance plan or other projects, join Diane Quintana and me in our Clear Space for You virtual support group.
Jonda S. Beattie, Professional Organizer owner of Time Space Organization, and co-owner of Release, Repurpose, Reorganize. She is based in the Metro-Atlanta area. As presenter, author of four books as well as a retired special education teacher she uses her listening skills, problem solving skills, knowledge of different learning techniques, ADHD specialty, and paper management skills to help clients.
The timing for this is perfect, because today I did the first fun thing I've done all year, and honestly, the first fun thing I've done outside of Thanksgiving with my mom and sister since the pandemic began. A college friend was flying to a nearby city for work, and I drove up there so he and could have dinner on a on an open air patio. We walked in a park, meandered about and had ice cream, and caught up in ways that phone calls and texts don't allow. "All projects and no fun" has really been weighing on me, and while I may not come up with a list like yours, more fun breaks are definitely in order!
I love that you spelled out your plans for the next three months. I, too, have been planning and determining what my goals are for the coming months. We have two graduations(My daughter is graduating from college, and my son is graduating with his Masters) in the coming months, and I am ready to celebrate the completion of my goals. While we have some preparation to do, I am enjoying the process. Thank you for sharing!
I love the focus on joy you described. It was uplifting reading your list of the fun things you're planning over the next few months- some involve other people and some are solo activities. But I can see how each one will enhance the quality of your life and bring you more joy and happiness. One of the other benefits of listing them is you can increase your joy through anticipation of these experiences and also recalling them after. Triple joy- before, during, and after. Love this!