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Last week I started a series coined Monday Meditation. The point is to bring a different idea to reflect on each week, with an associated action to take to live the meditation out, and ultimately start simplifying my life. I hope this will become a journey we can take together, as each week we can share our experiences with last week's meditation, and open the week with a new meditation in mind.
Last week I wanted to begin by thinking about my wants and desires vs. what I truly value. I lived the meditation out by not buying anything discretionary. Some of the ways I took action on this? By automatically deleting any "deal of the day" emails (Joss & Main, One King's Lane, Groupon, you name it), by not spending time perusing the catalogs received in the mail, by not succumbing to my itch to drop by the drugstore to pick up a new nail polish. And you know what? This was extremely liberating, and thus is the launching pad for this week's meditation.
You see, I discovered the more I found ways to limit my time spent perusing things I want, the more time I freed up to spend on things worthwhile. I also found it was almost an instant de-cluttering of the mind. Rather than thinking about things I'd like to add to my wish list, I had "mind space" freed up to think about anything else. And this payoff was greater than the punishment. While at first I felt I was sacrificing, I soon discovered it was just the opposite. And that got me thinking... what other things could I cut out of my daily routine to free up space in my mind (and calendar) to focus on other things more worthwhile?
And that is the topic for this Monday Meditation. What do you do nearly every day (or every week) that when you stop and think about it, it really isn't that important to who you want to be, and how you want to live your life? Maybe it's surfing facebook, or watching a bad reality TV show, or catalog surfing and finding items for your lust list, or recipe surfing and being too picky about weekly meal planning (eh-hem, this is totally me).
I plan to limit my time on social media (unless it is strategic use for blogging) and apply this time to activities like reading and yoga. Give it a shot with me. Every time you reach for that remote, or mouse, or catalog, put it down and do a replacement activity you find more worthwhile. Or collect the time saved throughout the week and do a replacement activity that adds up to this total time. I'll report back next week, with a new meditation in hand.
I'd love to hear: What is one item you spend time on which isn't worthwhile to you, and what could you replace it with?
10 comments:
Great thoughts! Mind clutter can sometimes just as bad. I'll try and put down the remote with you this week and get out and walk. Hopefully the temps willstill be mild. ;D Have a great week.. I enjoy reading your blog too!
Maureen
Oh man...I REALLY need to do this. But I may just wait until the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Reunion parts 1, 2 and 3 are over before cutting out my reality television ;)
Ugh...that would be my lust list...for sure. I'd love to replace it with eating but that might not be a win-win situation. I guess working out could work...boo, ha!
I love these posts you started. A few months ago, I cut out my daily Starbucks habit. And while I complain that people don't make coffee at work, my wallet thanks me. And I don't miss it. I get it once a week on Fridays now.
I've been trying to cut back on my discretionary spending too. Normally, I'd love nothing more than to shop on a Sunday. But yesterday, I didn't do it. My closet is already overflowing with things I don't wear. Instead, the hubs and I took Finley for a long walk, we worked on home project and we cooked dinner. It was much more fulfilling!
Keep it coming!
Surfing Facebook! Or just generally wasting time online. You know another crazy one, redoing my to-do list. I should replace that with actually crossing something off it! :)
Great post. I've been thinking about yoga or meditation lately. I think it would help de-clutter my mind. Which I need!
I always feel like work gets in the way of my free time, so ... :)
http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88
Good point. I feel like I spend way too much time in front of the computer whether it's work related or not. Trying to cut some time off. xoxo
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I would probably cut out Facebook. It's such a time waster! I would replace it will the stack of unread books that is collecting dust on a shelf. And perhaps more "quiet" time.
i definitely need to be better at managing my time, especially when it comes to those things of distractions such as the tv, magazines, facebook, twitter, and my bloggy. thanks for the reminder :)
xo TJ
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