do what you love Page 20 of 82
Making time for the things you love
Now our #MakingTime series is over, we have done a little calculation: If everyone who took part took on board even a couple of the 31 time-saving tips we shared and saved just 5 minutes a day, over the next year, they would collectively save nearly SEVEN YEARS! That’s a lot of extra time for doing what they love.
Time is precious. Minimise the time you spend on things that aren’t taking you towards your dreams, and spend the rest on things you love! For anyone who missed Making Time you can sign up and start anytime here: https://dowhatyouloveforlife.com/makingtime
#MakingTime Day 31 (the last day!)
“Giving, loving, caring, empathy and compassion, going beyond ourselves and stepping out of our comfort zones to help serve others – this is the only viable answer to the multitude of problems the world is facing… From the depths of our compassion, we can free ourselves of all that limits our imagination about what is possible.” – Adriana Huffington in Thrive
As we come to the end of our 31 days of Making Time, it feels like the perfect time to create a gift of thanks. So today…
Your Day 31 Making Time challenge:
For one hour… make a gift for yourself or someone else
There’s something really special about homemade gifts. They’re by far and away the best kind of present to give and the best kind to receive.
The simplest things, like a photo album or scrapbook of memories, cookies you’ve baked yourself, a CD of meaningful songs, a blank recipe book filled with your favourite recipes, your own framed artwork – a sketch, painting, poem, or short story you’ve done – can mean so much more than anything you’ve bought.
Take one whole hour to make something special for yourself, or for someone you love. What would you love? Or what would that special someone really appreciate?
Find somewhere peaceful where you can sit without being interrupted and create, create, create! As you make it, think about why you think so much of that person, and what you are grateful to them for. If you are making the gift for yourself, this is the time to give yourself a virtual hug.
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New to Making Time? Start at the beginning anytime here.
#MakingTime Day 30
Just one more day to go so make the most of creating space and time for things that make you feel alive!
Your #MakingTime Day 30 challenge:
For 30 minutes… turn off all the technology in the house and do something alone or as a family.
“We’ve started stopping thoughts half-way down their track. We’ll be thinking something, and then ‘beep beep’ or ‘ping’ and off we go, our almost-formed thought left discarded. Thoughts – and discussions – need to go to one place, then the next place, then the next… and finally on to an idea. It isn’t an express route. Sometimes it takes a lot of turnings to get there.”
– Frances Booth in ‘The Distraction Trap’
Technology can be incredibly distracting. TVs, mobiles, laptops, ipads… everywhere we look there’s some electrical device vying for our attention. If we’re not careful it can dominate our lives, interrupt all our conversations, and stop us connecting properly to those we care about. It also stands in the way of allowing our ideas to fully evolve.
Today turn off the technology and tune into yourself, or if you have a family, the kids. Go for a walk and have a picnic in the woods, make a time capsule, go swimming, cook a three course dinner, create self-portraits – or draw each other, have a board game and jigsaw day, get outdoors and do some gardening – the possibilities are endless!
It needn’t cost a thing and we guarantee you’ll go to bed happier for having a truly amazing, action-packed day of fun. And your brain? Rested and protected from digital distractions, it might just give you some of your best ideas yet…
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New to Making Time? Start at the beginning anytime here.
Making time for your passions – a shared story
Paula Joerling is a freelance illustrator from Atlanta, Georgia, whose designs are primarily used for the gift and tabletop industry. Paula works primarily in watercolor and collage and often incorporates fabric, stitched paper and any beautiful objects she find into her art. Here she explains why she loves working for herself and shares the secret of making time…
The desire to work for myself probably started in grad school. I hated that I had to be there between certain hours and on certain days, I didn’t mind the work, it was the schedule that got to me. Sub-consciously I knew that a life of regulation wasn’t for me and I better figure out how to keep my freedom. Fortunately I was creative and recognized that this was a possible outlet.
It’s difficult to put into words what it means to get up in the morning, walk the 10 steps to my studio, and create all day. Although there are deadlines and I work pretty much seven days a week, I am in charge of my schedule. There’s no time clock, no office politics, no cubicle and no one telling me that I can’t sing out loud. It is pure heaven, it really is; just typing these words puts a smile on my face.
Coming from a long line of creative types, I come by my abilities naturally. My grandfather taught me to paint and my grandmother taught me to sew and knit. When a holiday rolled around my sister and I were commandeered by my mother to make a plethora of decorations, cards and gifts, some of which I still have.
I don’t think it ever occurred to be in anything but a creative field of some sort and although I have always freelanced in creative jobs; I got started rather late in life as an illustrator. Sometime around my college years I began to suffer from anxiety and had a horrible lack of confidence. Thinking back on this always saddens me and I wonder if things would have happened a little faster had this not been the case. If I could go back in time and give myself a gift it would be a big basket of confidence. Confidence and faith in yourself are really the two most important things that a person needs in this field. I am happy to report that I now possess these two gifts in abundance (perhaps at some point I did time travel).
The most difficult part of being a freelance artist is financial. You are never quite sure when or how much money will be coming in so you have to be pretty frugal (my husband is also an artist so neither of us has an unvarying income). Nevertheless I would choose this creative lifestyle over financial stability any day.Making time for everything now I run my own business can be challenging. Here are five things that help me make best use of my time so I stay focussed and on track…
1. Set intentions
At the start of each week I make a list of everything I’d like to accomplish in the week ahead. I don’t beat myself up if it doesn’t all happen but I try to stick to it as best I can. I find it helps to set goals and give myself deadlines.
2. Make a plan
I always have a plan to help me achieve my goals for the week ahead. Some people might call this a “schedule” but I don’t like that word! As I blog, have an online shop and use social media for promotions, I have a time slot to do these things in so that I’m consistent.
3. Know what is distracting and use it as a motivator
Most creative people are easily distracted and I am no exception. I tell myself that only once I’ve accomplished x, y and z can I look at Facebook or Pintrest, or check my emails or do anything else that I know will distract me.
4. Know when to take five
If I’m getting frustrated because something isn’t going right, I stop and do something to clear my head. I have a swing in my studio so I’ll often jump on that to relax. Laying on the floor and staring up at the ceiling works well too.
5. Just get going
Sometimes starting a new project – drawing, painting, writing, whatever it is – can be daunting. Especially if fear creeps and we start to doubt ourselves . The way I beat this is by starting to research or drawing out ideas. I keep in mind that I can always start over. Works every time.
Top tip!
I can’t live without the sticky notes app on my computer. I have notes that remind me what needs to get accomplished daily, weekly and longer term. There’s nothing more satisfying then deleting notes as I complete tasks.
Everyday I learn more and get better at my craft. I hope that I can keep doing this on my own terms and that my best days lie ahead of me. My hope is that I can find a way to inspire others to take a deep breath, move beyond the fear and do what they love doing.
[Images courtesy of Paula Joerling. To find out more about Paula visit her website here]
Are you doing what you love?
#MakingTime Day 29
“Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn” – Gore Vidal
Your Day 29 Making Time challenge: For 29 minutes… get a haircut, paint your nails or do something else to change your appearance
Sometimes changing the way we look can alter our outlook on life and shake up our perception of ourselves. Small changes can have a big impact when it comes to updating our appearance. Try one or more of these simple makeover tricks (some of them are more for the girls, but there are some for the guys too!) …
– See a new you! Fashion glasses will make for a fun new work look.
– Electrify your eyes: Swap your usual brown/black eyeliner for bright liners
and eye shadows to make the your natural eye colour stand out, or try coloured contact lenses.
– Lashtastic: apply a couple of individual long lashes to the outer corners of your eyes to create a bold, confident, everyday look.
– Do your hair differently: try a new style, change the side you wear your parting, swap the hairspray for a headband or invest in some big Velcro rollers to give it extra oomph! Or for the guys, try some product in it!
– Be bold: take a walk on the wild side and use a bold red, coral, or pink lip colour to glam up your look.
– Unveil new nails: Instead of oval-shaped tips painted in pale-pink polish file your nails straight across and then round off the corners and paint in a colour you love.
– Accessorise: Invest in a new pair of gloves and a matching scarf, a new belt for that little black dress. A few small updates can have a big impact on how you look.
– Top it off: A stylish hat can instantly change your attitude – try a fab fedora or printed bucket hat to add instant chic sentiment.
– Try a new perfume or aftershave: Switch up your scents to mimick your moods and try perfumed lotions or mists for more variation.
– Add colour: Ban yourself from wearing black for a day and see what difference it makes.
Ask yourself: How do you feel? Has anyone commented on your new look? Do you like what you see when you look in the mirror?
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New to Making Time? Start at the beginning anytime here.
#MakingTime Day 28
“Keeping my eye on today is all I’m capable of. And today I think I’ll go for a run.” – John Bingham
Your Day 28 Making Time challenge:
For 28 minutes… Go for a run*
Running is a fantastic metaphor for life because you get out what you put in.
Six reasons to make time to get out there and start running today…
1. Feel slim in your skinny jeans… every mile you run burns approximately 100 calories.
2. Save cash: no expensive gym membership required.
3. Happy hormones: running endorphins give you a natural high.
4. Memory boost: exercise keeps your mind sharp, help reduce symptoms ofdementia and protects against Alzheimers.
5. Improved self-esteem: running makes you feel positive, boosts your energy levels and gets your skin glowing.
6. Sleep better: running results in better sleep.
*If you can’t run for some reason, why not use today’s prompt to get you doing 28 minutes of other exercise? The important thing is to move!
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New to Making Time? Start at the beginning anytime here.
October’s Happy List is here!
On my happy list this month… a beautiful shop display in London which has inspired me to get outside and make the most of my garden.
Each month we share a free downloadable ‘Happy List’ as a place for you to capture the things – big and small – that have made you smile and feel inspired each day. Get yours here.
Have an awesome October,
Rachel
#MakingTime Day 27
Is your closet in a mess? Is it overflowing and yet you only wear a small percentage of the clothes you have? Do you have things that you know don’t fit, that aren’t your colour or that make you look or feel older? If so, it’s time for a cull! Get ready, get set, get organised!
Your Day 27 Making Time challenge:
For 27 minutes… blitz your wardrobe
Having a good clear out means that you’ll be left with things you truly love and want to wear. And when you can actually see what you’ve got you may even find yourself mixing-and-matching more and creating outfits that look brand new.
Psychologically, the satisfaction we get from getting rid of the old makes total sense. Things in excess, like clothes, are burdensome and stress us out. So if you’re into fashion and see it as a means of self-expression: having a closet filled with clothes that aren’t our style is literally restraining our ability to express ourselves. It’s fine if your closet is close to bursting, as long as everything in there reflects your style.
So today take 27 minutes and follow our three-point plan to making peace with your closet…
1. Pile up: sort your clothes into the following piles: 1) To keep – ask yourself: do I love it? Is it flattering? Is it the image I want to project? If it’s a “yes” to all three, then it’s a keeper. 2) Sentimental: if you wore it for a special occasion or it reminds you of a good time but you know you’ll never wear it again, ie your wedding dress, fold it in tissue paper and store it. 3) Needs altering: fix any holes, add buttons, sew up hems, etc 4) To go: Sell designer or branded items on eBay or Etsy, do a car boot sale, charity shop or recycle bank the rest: knowing that your clothes are going to help others is something to feel very good about.
2. Get organized: designate zones in your wardrobe so it’s easy to get to everything you need: sort by occasion (work clothes, weekend clothes, evening clothes) or by garment type (i.e. dress, suit, skirt, blouse). Within each section, arrange the clothes by colour. It looks neater and makes it easier to assemble outfits.
3. Create space:
- Invest in wooden hangers, which don’t damage your clothes.
- Hang clothes by item with small gaps between so dresses together, trousers together etc.
- Within these categories, group by function: work, casual, evening.
- Use a compartment garment hanging organiser in the wardrobe for underwear, socks, vests and T-shirts.
- Fold scarves and pashminas over a hanger so you don’t forget about them.
- Store jumpers and fitness wear on a top shelf or in a box chest to create more space.
- Screw a key rack on the inside of the wardrobe door to hang necklaces.
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New to Making Time? Start at the beginning anytime here.