I adore how easy and effortless it is to display your hats - who doesn’t love accessories doubling as decor? Here are all the tools you need (minus a stool) to display your hats, plus some inspiration from Pinterest & links to my favorite Lack of Color Dupes now on sale (4/21) for only $34!
As someone who is constantly the overachieving perfectionist I, like many folks in this category, get burnt out and disappointed- fast. No matter how many things I check off my list for the day or how much time I spent with friends and family (read: the stuff that actually matters) it is never enough.
When I was scrolling through Pinterest late at night recently I came across this quote and it really got me thinking. What if everyday I do wake up and do all that I can? What if I have always been doing that? If so- isn’t that enough? Even if I just do my top three most important tasks - isn’t that enough?
The answer is yes- it is enough. In fact, doing all that you can is more than enough. What isn’t as simple as that is rewiring that brain and body to realize it too. At so many points of my life I have made to-do lists as long as CVS receipts determined to get them all done. Even when I accomplish half of it- I have this overwhelming feeling of guilt and get caught in a mental go-round of “I’m a sucky human”. Recently, this has really been getting me down, but, with the help of more reasonable to do lists and the support of my partner, my day’s have gotten not only more productive BUT are filled with reminders that waking up and doing all that you can IS enough.
Make Your List (then edit the heck out of it)
When I typically make my to do list’s they are everything and tend to look something like a cvs receipt. In reality, this helps me jot all my thoughts down but ends up making me feel like poop at the end of the day. Taking the advice of our Lord and Savior Jenna Kutcher, I have started to prioritize this list so my to-do looks a little more like a top three.
Not only is this prettier- giving me the creative time I crave- it also makes me take a hold of the reigns and get it together. At the end of the day when I tackle these Top Three (doing the one I hate the most first) I feel SO accomplished.
Time Yourself
While adding the time frame can be a lil extra and possibly anxiety inducing depending on the human, it helps me chunk out time. If I give myself 30 minutes to separate laundry and throw it in the wash, its pretty likely I will actually do it (and not get caught up on Snapchat) A plus is that logically I can do math and see I do not, in fact, have 40+ hours in a day so my tasks must be in a certain time frame. I especially like timing tasks as a mini competition with myself. Given my competitive and perfectionist nature, putting myself on the clock to execute a task, no matter how boring or awful, I haul ass to get it done- house chores will never be the same once you establish a PR.
Pass the Buck
When you’re looking at your to-do list, how much of it is really yours to bear? I get it- I’m the one between my partner and I that gets emotional and competitive when the other picks up a chore I was going to get around to. I mean seriously- is everything you are putting on your plate really supposed to be yours? The answer is probably not. Sister, you were not meant to be Atlas. Look at that list and see what can be outsourced. A key part of folks like us getting ok with not being gunners 24/7 is asking for help often and asking for it kindly. It will feel weird but it helps take some stress of and builds relationships (win win!)
CELEBRATE!
In all honestly I totally think full-blown-in-the-mirror affirmations are pretty out there and I certainly am not 100% comfortable with them. HOWEVER, I will say acknowledging your accomplishments in quality and NOT quantity at the end of your day or list makes you feel good! I try to sit down every night or at the end of my to-do list and really take in what all I got done. What seemed like so much got done and taking the time to feel proud and accomplished is essential in re-wiring that brain of yours to be proud and not linger on the things you could also do. There are no gold stars in real life- let it go and be proud that you did the damn thing!!!
Even with all these tricks and tips I still find myself peed off that the day only has 24 hours in it (seriously- so rude!) But, beyond that irritation I have been able to find more pride and worthiness in what I DO manage to accomplish on my list. That’s not to say I don’t struggle sometimes, but, I’m trying- and that’s sort of the point, right? I hope you find these tips and tricks helpful in taking on that to-do list and rewiring your sense of accomplishment- you got this!
I’d love to hear your own tricks and tips in the comments for tackling both the to-do list and the mindset! Thanks for reading!
As someone who lives for organization and creative outlets each one of these little creative keepers helps me stay on top of things and have some fun. While it may have taken a few breakdowns post grad to realize how important a creative outlet was for me, this realization and utilization of these goodies has really helped me thrive.
One. Staedtler Pens
As part of a graduation gift these amazing pens have helped me stay organized and make doodling even more fun! All 20 colors make color coding my personal and work to-do lists a breeze and super stinkin cute. These also have become my favorite to use in my planner and with my content doodles and sketches.
Two. Kate Spade Daily Deposit Journal
While I have always loved Kate Spade, my love for the Daily Deposit style journaling is pretty new. Scrolling through blogs I came across Macy McNeely’s Daily Deposit journals and thought I’d try it out for myself. In essence, the Daily Deposit focuses on channeling gratitude and positivity towards yourself, your partner, your faith or just about anything else. Personally, I’ve used this type of journaling to Deposit gratitude, memories and positivity about my partner. I plan on continuing this until about October when we celebrate our anniversary but so far it has served as a really helpful breath of gratitude and positivity everyday I would highly recommend. It’s not until you carve out a moment every day for gratitude you really see how perspective shifting positivity can be internally and in your relationships.
Three. Concept Planner
I’m pretty sure I came out the womb with a planner because I truly can not remember not using one. From the fun Lily planner to sleek Kate Spade, I finally shifted to my current planner. Once I was post grad and realizing I needed more creativity in my life, I wanted to try out bullet journaling. As fun as the doodling seemed, I just did not have the time to do everything I saw on Pinterest and started searching for a more customizable yet blank planner and this was the jackpot. Truly intended for creative project managers, each month is drawn out with completely blank squares and each week has plenty of room for jotting down schedules, goals and still have room for fun doodles. So, I may not have been able to nail it on bullet journaling, I’ve been able to create a modified version that's fun and functional.
Even though this cutie Kate Spade Bees Knees mug doesn’t hold my schedule, creative pursuits of daily deposits it’s holds my number one motivator and fuel: coffee. I have made progress from my college caffeine addiction, but at least a cup a day (ok… more like three) keeps me sane!
Our Lord & Savior: Pinterest
Like many creatives I try to find inspiration and trends on Pinterest. When getting into blogging and editing and whatever other creative venture is next, I have spent hours of pure joy discovering rad prints, super cute outfits and witty content. Even though I’m always on the lookout for more platforms of pure creativity, Pinterest will always be #1 in my heart.