A Simple Summer

My summer plans have grown exponentially over the last couple weeks. I have a 40 hour per week job babysitting and a bunch of things I want to do. It has become so overwhelming with my plans, my parents plans, preparing for college, hanging out with friends, and my friends plans that I have no "time" do just take it all in. So I broke it all down and summed it all into simpler plans.


My current summer plans/goals:

• Construct another blog
• Write an ebook
• Write everyday
• Vacation with my family
• Babysitting
• Climbing
• Work on personal goals/habits

I feel that most plans are limiting. I still have a few things here and there I have scheduled. For example: I am going rappelling in late June. But I don't have anything scheduled that will take up a vast amount of time. I am now free to work on goals and habits. I am also free to schedule last minute things. I can also do more routine things like working out, or going climbing. Not only did I free up my commitments, I removed future stress from my summer.

Review 2010

The other day, I decided that I needed to reflect on the year. 2010 is coming to a close, and I've done some pretty important things.

A short list of what I've done:

• Fully recovered from my spinal fusion surgery. I have scoliosis, and in October 2009, I had to get some of my vertebrae fused together, and got two metal rods inserted along my spine. After a year of restrictions, I am now fully recovered.
• Cut out a lot of my commitments. I feel so much better now that I am not spending time and energy doing things that I don't enjoy.
• Got back into rock climbing. One restriction I had from my spinal fusion surgery was not being able to climb. I am able to climb again, and I love it!
• Started this blog! With over 500 views so far, and with only existing for less than two months, who knows how far this blog will get in the whole year of 2011.
• Started a twitter. It's a great way to socialize and get information out.
• Started a tumblr blog. I started it for my own personal use and documentation.

2010 was full of other accomplishments, and I know 2011 will be too!

Simple Living: Part 3

Commitments: we all have them. They eat away at our days, weeks, even free time. Most of the time, there isn't any particular reason you are involved. That "spark" is gone, and you have no interest anymore. 

A couple things come to my mind when I hear about this. Either quit, or get enthusiastic! 

I recently edited a lot of my commitments. Not only did I free up my time, I got myself more motivated in my other commitments. Now that I have more time on my hands, I can use it to either work on my goals or my hobbies.

"Simplifying my life" like this has opened my eyes. Here's what I recommend you do:

Make a list of all your commitments. Create categories (work, school, sports, hobbies, etc).

• Work: all those hours you need to log can add up.

• School: do I need to say this? Homework, projects, and so forth. And you can't get rid of this commitment!

• Religious: a lot of people are involved with churches, or maybe you go to a service weekly.

• Hobbies: you might run, or play an instrument. Guess what? That's a commitment too.

• Home: besides all the regular family things, you have the stuff that needs to be done at home.

• Online: There are so many things that glue your eyes to the computer: email, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Google, blogs, and etc. Limit your time on each. It will help. No need to check every ten minutes. (It will be there later, don't worry!)

Ask yourself: What value am I getting out of this? Would my life be worse without it? Does this affect any of my goals? Is it a life priority? Try to limit only a few in each category when you are done.

This can get deep, and challenging.

Try to cut them out temporarily. See how you are after a week of edits. If you like what you're seeing, cut out more. You may feel guilty, but if it isn't helping you get to what you want, why stay?

Remember that it's what is important to you when other people try to pressure you into something. Don't fall into a hole you can't get out of.

Doing this personally has been life changing. I am now only focusing on certain things. My calendar isn't flooded with meetings, appointments, and such. I am able to work on goals, hobbies, and being with friends and family. You will be thankful for simplifying your commitments, I sure am.