The way we organize our environments and prioritize our time commitments is all about identity. Sometimes it is based on how we want others to perceive us, sometimes it is how we think about ourselves subconsciously and sometimes it is deeply rooted in our core values and principles if we have made those conscious. When we identify and work from core values and principles, our organizing systems and time management have the most soul-satisfying and lasting results.
If you are feeling a need to reorganize and re-prioritize your spaces and calendar, start by making a list of your values and principles. Examples could be “learning,” “friendships,” “family,” “recovery,” “peace,” “health,” “community,” “ecology,” “travel and exploration,” “financial security,” “fitness,” and so on. Principles might be “moderation,” “honesty,” “faith,” “service,” “freedom,” “democracy,” and others based on your upbringing or spiritual beliefs.
Keep this list with you and periodically review it to assess whether or not your daily habits, schedule and environments (home, car, office) are in alignment. Once you’ve identified your values and principles and brought them to the forefront of your consciousness, you will probably identify major changes or minor tweaks you could make.
If “peace,” “family,” and “friendships” are high on your values list but your calendar is so crammed with work commitments that you are constantly rushed and unable to spend quality time with family and friends, then determine whether you are being really honest about your values and, if you are, then find ways to change your schedule to reflect that.
If “minimalism,” “contentment,” and “financial security” are on your list but you can’t stop clicking “Shop Now” on Instagram ads, decide whether or not you can delete the Instagram app or at least set parameters on how and when you use it. Take advantage of ways to prevent the one click purchase feature and other tricks to slow down impulse spending. Remember, clutter and chunky credit card balances begin at the point of purchase.
A couple more examples: “Health,” is on your list but you haven’t deep cleaned the refrigerator in months and you hate to cook in your cluttered kitchen so eat pre-packaged, processed foods “Beauty” is on the list but you haven’t yet hung any of the art that has been piled against a wall for months. If such scenarios feel familiar, set aside at least a day a week to tackle these kinds of tasks. Making time to clean, organize and decorate your home to reflect your values gives such a confidence boost that you make up for the time spent with increased effectiveness and energy on all the other days.
Make this process a fun game of inquiry into your best self—forget about guilt and shame because your home or how you spend your time hasn’t reflected the most awesome version of you in the past. Take one of your value words and journal about how you might add more of that to any activity or space.
Peace is a really powerful word to think about right now; can you add piece by not having your phone in the bedroom at night? Can you add some peace by cleaning out a bathroom drawer so that your morning routine is more seamless? Or set your alarm half an hour earlier so that you have time for a meditation practice in the morning or just some wiggle room to not have to rush to your first appointment of the day?
Enjoy this process of living with more intention and look for opportunities to incorporate your values into all kinds of things—the food you choose to purchase, the clothes you choose to wear, the music and media you consume. I’ll continue this idea of value-based organizing with more practical ways to apply it in an upcoming column. Peace out!
Note: You might have noticed that one vowel and one consonant has changed in my byline. I decided to make this year about two things: lightening up (literally and metaphorically) and identity. Changing my name was a big symbolic shift I’ve wanted to make since early 2020 and I finally braved the lines at the County Clerk’s office (there were none) and downtown Napa parking (also a phantom problem, go figure) to make it a reality. A couple thousand dollars and copious official documents later, I feel lighter and more “on purpose.” As writer (and inspiration for my new name) Aldous Huxley might say, it’s a Brave New World.