Let24 Archives -

I read somewhere long ago that blog posts should always have a photo attached. Ever since then, I’ve struggled to post just text. Even the text had to have a Pinterest worthy sharing type button.

Not today. Tomorrow, there will be photos again, I promise. If I’m not too exhausted to post after a 4 hour work day. No promises that there will actually be a post tomorrow. So I suppose I should say my next post will have photos again.

Today I’m off work and letting myself have a slow day as I go about completing a few tasks.

Things I’ve done so far today:

Cleaned up my email of unread messages and deal offers, unsubscribed from a newsletter that was too “go-getter” for my current state of mind.
Laundry
Slowly stacked my Christmas sweaters/pajamas/socks on a section of the bed to put away until next year
Unpacked the regular coffee cups and packed away my Christmas mugs
Put a few items of clothing in my donation box AND discovered a dress from long ago, forgotten in the back of the closet. It’s something I could easily wear to work/casually so I’m excited about it.
Taken a coffee break at the cat’s insistence.
Put away quite a few “hang to dry” clothes that’ve been dry for weeks
Let myself use the Swagbucks points on myself. (I ordered a Google play card for my silly phone game)
Fed the birds
Brought the recycle bin back up from the curb

Not a bad list of accomplishments prior to noon for an unrushed day off work. And not a timer in sight!

Why I’m No Longer Using A Timer for Cleaning

Back when I first started blogging with my So Not Organized blog I was always singing the praises of using a timer. And almost all in on the Flylady system. Remember I even tried it again not too long ago as a 31 Days project (I don’t think I made it the full 31 days).

However, I’ve made the most amazing discovery recently. I do better at the tortoise pace in the race than that of the hare. Setting a timer stresses me out. While I don’t mind jumping from task to task while cleaning/organizing so as not to get bored, sometimes, I want to finish my project and not stop when an arbitrary timer tells me to do so.

Plus, it all gets done in the end no matter what pace. And if it doesn’t, believe me the dishes/laundry do indeed wait for any man/woman in the end.

And Now A Quick Short Rant

It’s the time of year when the all the organizing/cleaning blogs, actually all blogs that aren’t simple day of life ones, want to sell me subscriptions and systems. And they always try to hook you with that free download. Sometimes the downloads are nice and sometimes they make me roll my eyes (probably because I’ve been around long enough to go, they got me…this is common sense!).

I get that these bloggers are trying to run their blogs as a business and make money (I think that’s what did in the personal blogging day to day connections we all crave but that’s a rant for another time) but seriously, unless Hoarders is setting up cameras outside your door, you do NOT need to spend almost $100 (or more) on any systems that tell you how to clean your house/plan your meals/organize your life.

Just do a bit of Internet research/trial & error and find what works for you and your family.

*rant over*

How I’m Spending the Rest of My Day

Getting dinner together (need to marinate pepper steak)
Going for a walk later (I hope)
Putting away a bit more of the lingering Christmas
Reading in my book (The It Girl by Ruth Ware, really good so far!)
Doing whatever other housekeeping tasks catch my eye
Keeping an eye on the weather (looks and feels a bit promising for the first snowfall of 2024)

How are you spending your Thursday?

The past few years, I’ve been making a list and usually not checking it twice. The second number of the year became the number of items on the list. Except in 2021 when my year was less and I made a more sensible list that still mostly didn’t happen.

Twenty four items just sounded like way too many things this year. Plus, I could make a list of 24 things, carrying quite a few over from 2023 and tell you right now the items on the list I’d likely accomplish as well as the things I would not. For example, my reading goals. If I put read 100 books on my list, I’d do it because I love to read and am always reading anyway. On my phone while waiting on things, before bed, to put off doing other things. I just love to read. I could put quit eating sugar on the list (again) and I’d waste my time as I have a sweet tooth. Putting that on there would just want me make sugar that much more (side note, I’ve been doing quite a bit of reading/following of accounts on intuitive eating).

A Different Idea:

So, instead of the same old things, I decided to approach my list a bit differently this year. It still is a list of 24 but I divided it by 2. I’m just picking two areas of focus for each month of 2024. Does that mean it might be a bit vague and against all the advice and rules as such for goal setting? Yep. Do I care? Nope. If all that works for you, go for it! Doesn’t work for me so I’m doing something different. Is one right and the other wrong? I don’t think so. We all have to find what works best for us and I have a feeling this is going to work really well for me. Hopefully.

My 24 Areas of Focus for 2024*

January: Clearing and Cleaning

February: Love and Understanding

March: Health and Happiness

April: Growth and Travel Planning

May: Dreaming and Career Choices

June: Relaxing and Resting

July: Home Improvement and Organization

August: Friendship and Connection

September: Education and New Beginnings

October: Nature and Nurture

November: Gratitude (duh) and Grace

December: Joy and Peace

*Subject to change after January

More on January’s clearing and cleaning focus soon.

Thoughts Leading To My Word For The Year 2024

As often happens, my word just came to me. Actually, it’s been there all along in song I suppose.

A few weeks ago I watched Frozen again when it popped up on regular tv. I still stand by the opinion it’s really not that great of a movie (the second one is actually much better, I think). One thing I can’t deny is the song “Let It Go” and have I had it stuck in my head ever since? Of course, even this morning, it was going through my head.

The truth is I’ve been struggling with my word choice because I wanted to take the year to focus on taking care of myself, resting (last year certainly had its stressful moments), having my turn, figuring out what was next. Then, I’d struggle because that all seemed so selfish, self-care briefly entered my mind as a word but again, it felt selfish. I am not allowed to be selfish, something that while I probably am just that, I’m also terrified of being that. Here, I’ll wait while you go what is she talking about or go grab some aspirin for the headache I’ve just given you with this paragraph.

What do those two paragraphs up there have to do with each other? They led me to my word of the year.

My word for 2024: Let.

This is the year I want to:

Let it go: the guilt, the negativity, the clutter, the things that are not bringing me peace
Let God: trust his timing, let him be the guide, give up the control a bit (this will be a struggle for me, I already know)
Let it be: this goes back a bit to a 23 list item of accepting that I am not responsible for the ill will and conflict of others
Let myself ask, speak, and feel: another struggle, however, this year, I’m letting myself ask for help when I need it, letting myself let my feelings be known (if it matters), and letting myself feel (I struggle with withdrawing and shutting down when emotions are heavy and if you’re wondering, that’s not always the best way of coping)
Let myself have permission: time to allow myself to do the things that bring me joy and that I need to do to take care of myself with less guilt (guilt-free is the ideal)

Let’s see where this little word with so much great power shall lead me.

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Did you choose a word for the year? Are you a list/goal setter for the new year? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Letting Myself Post Without A Photo