live simply.

After being overwhelmed by everything that will soon happen, I've decided to simplify. I researched various websites on how to simply my life. My favorite one thus far is called Zen Habits. If click on that link, scroll to the bottom, click "all of the posts" and see what applies to you. I'm in the process of de-cluttering my life. Ha! I look around my tiny studio and see so much things- hung, on counters, tables, chairs, etc. I read this article from Zen Habits as seen here. It's an in-depth post with 72 different ways to simplify your life; within each suggestion there is an article linked expanding on the idea. All of my adaptations stem from Zen Habits below. However, if you want to read something quicker check out "18 ways to live a simple now" or "10 simple ways to live a less stressful life."

After getting advise from these various sites on how to de-clutter my life, I decided to give it a-go. I went through my things: clothes, art, pictures, movies, you name it I went through it. I brought it down stairs in the common area. I received complements such as, "This is amazing! You saved my life I needed acrylic paints." or "This is the best selection of things given away EVER! Good luck on your move!" I can hear one of the women running up and down the stairs going through all of the things!

 I love giving back to the community. We are all very interconnected. After making multiple trips down stairs with five paper bags full & a hamper full too, I was finally able to take a look at my new and improved studio. I feel lighter and everything seems brighter too. I know before I move I will be getting rid of more things. I think I did an excellent start today. *pats self on back*  

 Something else that is random! When I went through my things I found a letter to myself to be opened five years later. I was supposed to open it shortly after my birthday. Whoops! Haha. Oh. How young at heart and mind I was. So much has changed since then... Shakes head. WOW! My one goal was to finish my B.A. Ha! I'm pretty close at finishing my B.A. but not finished. I really like how my younger self told me to accept myself unconditionally and don't allow other people opinions disrupt or change who I am. *snaps, 22 year old Kim* Now I must sit down and write another letter to myself for the next five years.

One of the suggestions was to find five things that you love and focus on that. I picked  ten. I love a lot! This is my top ten: I love my fiance Bay Bay & Cheddar; I love cooking/eating; I love interpreting; I love dancing; I love taking baths. I love spending time alone. I love biking. I love art. I love helping/being supportive. I love to travel.

I'm going to practice "doing nothing" for five minutes everyday. When I state doing nothing, I mean no distractions (electronics, people, cats, etc.) with my eyes closed for five to ten minutes. After the ten minutes are up, I can doing things again. 

Before I go to sleep I am going to focus on my breathing- inhaling and exhaling. Sometimes it takes me a while to fall asleep.This will help me sleep better and be ready for the next day. 

I'm going to adopt my friend Taylor's notebook idea. He carries around a notebook everyday. In this very notebook he writes down his projects, things that pop in his head, etc. I'll use the same concept and transfer these notes to a "to do" list or the MIT (Most important tasks) list.

My one goal for this month is flossing everyday. I am really bad at flossing on consistent basis. This will be my goal for the month. Also, if there is something Bay & I want we can put it on a list, wait 30 days, and figure out if we really need it. ;)

As far as my MIT's, I will be limiting those to three: one will be concerning interpreting and the other two will be related to homework. This is going to be a challenge for me because I haven't been doing any "to do list's" for some time. I am adopting this routines (morning and evening). Let's see if it works! 

Morning:

1. Wake at 7:30 a.m.
2. Drink water.
3. Set 3 Most Important Things (MITs) for today.
4. Fix lunches (Bay & myself).
5. Eat breakfast, read.
6. Exercise (run, bike, swim, strength, take ched for a walk, or yardwork) or meditate.
7. Shower.
8. Wake future wife at 9:30 a.m.

Evening:

• pack lunch (for yourself and future wifey)
• get your clothes (and other gear) ready
• check your calendar
• plan your MITs
• review your day
• wash any dishes, clean the counters
• pick up so that you’re greeted with a clean house in the morning
• set your alarm
• read yourself to sleep