Well, the SHIFT has begun! (Not sure what I’m talking about? Check out my word of the year post and linkup.)
This week, probably because I’m currently on an at-home holiday from work, my shift in attitude seems to have been focused on my surroundings. I’ve been working on being diligent about taking care of little tasks that affect my level of contentment – things like…
- putting dirty dishes in the dishwasher immediately instead of leaving them on the counter
- sorting and tossing junk mail and recyclables into the appropriate bins instead of allowing them to pile up
- picking up after myself instead of leaving my in-progress projects in messy and precarious stacks around the house
…and generally doing my part to keep the place tidy and clutter-free. PLUS, thanks to a timely nudge from the YOU-app yesterday, I even cleaned out the fridge. Yes, yes I did!
Now THERE’S an accomplishment!
I’m sure the changes I make in 2015 won’t ALWAYS be about housework-type stuff – I certainly have other things in mind that could use an attitude shift in the days to come! – but I must admit, it’s rather nice to start a fresh new year with a couple of bursts of organization. And the great thing is that nothing I’m doing is particularly onerous or time-consuming – in fact, taking care of the little things right then and there means that I save a tremendous amount of time and annoyance over the long run, so it’s a winning situation.
Now, there are a couple of shelves in the basement I need to SHIFT in order to reorganize our pantry supplies… so off I go!
How is your word of the year working for you?
Please share!
Twitter: systemsavvy
January 3, 2015
AWESOME, Laurel! I find I can think much better when my surroundings are clear! Plus, the “weight” I feel when I walk into the kitchen and see dirty dishes in the sink is so discouraging – and so unavoidable with just a few minutes of FINISHING! Loving your word for the year!
Lisa Mallis recently posted… How Do You Set Your Goals?
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 3, 2015
Yes, exactly! I’m so glad I chose this word and am starting to put it into practice.
Laurel Regan recently posted… The SHIFT has begun!
Twitter: BatteredHope
January 3, 2015
I am glad to see you are making the SHIFT. I think we talked about this when you read my posts about organizing and also one about not procrastinating. IT IS WORTH THE EFFORT — pays off big time in the end. Good luck with keeping up the good work
Carol Graham recently posted… Heartbreaking Obituary For Our Beloved Dog – R.I.P. Texas
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 3, 2015
It really is worth it. So glad I’m heading down this path!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The SHIFT has begun!
Twitter: HollyJahangiri
January 3, 2015
Who’s that shifty looking woman over there? (No, really, that’s a compliment! Really!) Well done. I need to do everything on your bullet list up there. But hey, I walked 3.4 miles earlier! That’s a big one on MY list. (I never promised a clean house. It’s not even on my 2015 resolutions. I’m sure my husband wishes it were!)
Holly Jahangiri recently posted… Decluttering: Use It or Lose It
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 3, 2015
I didn’t walk at ALL today, so I am impressed by your achievement! I think the next thing on my SHIFT list is get off the couch and walk, even if it’s just a circuit around the block.
Laurel Regan recently posted… The SHIFT has begun!
Twitter: HollyJahangiri
January 3, 2015
It was especially nice to get outside and walk in the sunshine after being mostly cooped up indoors and in the gray haze of rainy days since 12/29. The weather was cool and perfect for a brisk walk. I signed in to MapMyRun and let its little wizard do its thing – I told it I thought I was up to about 3 miles, wanted to head east, and it did the rest. I printed out the map and explored some of the neighborhood east of mine, and parts of mine I’d only driven past. All the while, I just enjoyed the scenery, the sounds and smells, and my quiet thoughts. At one point, I passed an intersection that smelled strongly of a very nice pipe tobacco. Seems odd, since there was no one around. I saw birds and their nests, now that most of the leaves have fallen off the trees. I found a little creek. Took some photos. Got some much-needed exercise. Very nice. And very helpful towards my fitness goal – the one “non-negotiable” goal on my list for 2015!
Holly Jahangiri recently posted… 1000 Words + a Photo
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 4, 2015
Sounds absolutely wonderful! I have Map My Walk – I wonder if it does the same sort of thing? I’ll have to check it out!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + January 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Twitter: snarkymommawith
January 3, 2015
Good for you. I am still struggling to get my blogging done in time along with the other stuff I have to do. Now I remember why I didn’t do this earlier in life. Organized is not my middle name.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 3, 2015
There are just so many things to do, and so little time in the day!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The SHIFT has begun!
Wow, that is great. Organization has always been my downfall, especially where it concerns paper, which, in my world, mates and reproduces! I will try to follow some of your suggestions before I drown in a sea of paper…
Alice recently posted… Bringing history to the community…
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 3, 2015
I totally hear you… paper has a way of multiplying, that’s for sure!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The SHIFT has begun!
Twitter: CarrieAnnTripp
January 3, 2015
Well, I FINISHED several things yesterday, but I’m struggling a little with distractions today. I just now managed to finish the blog post that I started at 8:30 this morning.
I’m super proud of you for all you accomplished today. Those are some of the very things I need to finish.
Carrie Ann Tripp ( recently posted… Trading Goals & Resolutions for a Calling
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 4, 2015
Isn’t it amazing how long blog posts (and blogging in general) can take?! I’m not sure people realize what a time-consuming venture it can be! Thank you for your kind words. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + January 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Twitter: suzyq1810
January 3, 2015
An interesting word but does make sense after reading your post. Will look forward to your shifts.
Suzy recently posted… Yearly Resolutions or Themes?
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 4, 2015
It’s definitely different from the ones most people are picking – but it suits where I want to go!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + January 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Wow, cleaning the refrigerator–that’s a biggie. I haven’t done that in a while but I remember feeling good about it the last time I did it! Good for you for getting these little things done! As for my word–CREATE–today I wrote a blog post, practiced the Zentangle patterns Betweed and Paradox, and did some work on the prayer shawl I’m crocheting, so I think that’s pretty good!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 4, 2015
Sounds like you’re well on the way to making your word work for you!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + January 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Twitter: bcinfrance
January 4, 2015
It’s amazing how tiny details like dirty dishes and piled up junk mail can mess up our wellbeing. Good luck with your shifts!
Betty Carlson recently posted… Exploring in my own back yard: Bertholène 1
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 4, 2015
Very true indeed! So nice when those things are taken care of regularly.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + January 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Twitter: FranceneStanley
January 4, 2015
I need a shift nudge like this. I spend more time planning what I’ll do in the morning than achieving any of my goals. hehe.
Francene Stanley recently posted… The power of social networking.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 4, 2015
LOL, I know what you mean!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + January 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Twitter: Boomeresque
January 4, 2015
Project to finish today—-cleaning and reorganizing my desk. Now that I’m a tangler (thanks to you), I have more stuff!
Suzanne Fluhr recently posted… In the Grand Scheme of Things
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 4, 2015
Oh, I totally hear you – I need to figure out a way to set up a studio area, as my tiny little office just isn’t cutting it. Not that I want to work in the basement, but it’s the only place with any space left for storage!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + January 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Twitter: luxganzon
January 4, 2015
Now, that’s a great way to start the year. Fresh new start. Clean slate. Cleaner surrounding. 🙂
Have a wonderful 2015, my friend. 🙂
Lux Ganzon recently posted… Never Settle For Second Best
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 4, 2015
Yes indeed! I hope I can keep it that way. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List + January 2015 Gratitude Linkup
Twitter: nabanita21
January 6, 2015
Awesome Laurel…These small SHIFTS make the big difference and they are not so hard to follow as well no?
nabanita recently posted… #MicroblogMondays:Illusions of Change or maybe not
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 6, 2015
Not too hard at all! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 36
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