Bored of Your Hobby? Alternative Hobbies to Consider

September 13, 2017 by Angie Leave a Comment

There comes a time, when your usual hobby is no longer exciting enough. This doesn’t mean you’ll never find the need to experience it again, however, it does mean you need an alternative to fill the void before you fall back in love with what you once loved. In the meantime, it’s an optimal time to seek a new hobby. Discover something else you could equally love (or enjoy even more than the previous). Here are alternative hobbies to consider.

Doga

If you’re a proud owner of a pooch, then look for nearby Doga classes. Enroll, and bond with your loveable pup while staying fit through the practice of usual yoga. You’ll meditate, stretch and be taught the usual poses of yoga, while gently massaging your dog and creating a long-lasting bond and greater harmony with them. Not only is this a fun and unique alternative to yoga (and any other sport), but it’s perfect for those who usually enroll in yoga and need a change in pace.

Photography

Maybe you’ve always loved taking photos on your phone’s camera, and you’re wondering how to improve your photography skills, or perhaps you’ve always enjoyed exploring and hiking through nature. Whatever the case, taking up photography as a hobby can keep you occupied while allowing you to brush up on any pre-existing photography skills you may already possess. Invest in a proper DLSR camera if you’re interested in landscape or portrait photography, and consider the art of digiscoping if you wish to capture wildlife in their natural habitats – for the latter, check out Phone Skope for any digiscoping equipment.

Write

Go to a café, order a coffee and bring out a notepad and pen. Jot down characters who come to mind and allow events to unfold. Create a plot, narrative and twists and turns your readers would never suspect. Once a brief plan is in place, take to your laptop and start writing. Of course, the art of writing a novel or short story can be difficult and lengthy, and perhaps you don’t intend to show anyone your creation. It’s about taking the time to write to unleash your inner creativity, and creating new worlds and interesting people. Have fun with writing, and maybe, one day, you’ll reconsider and publish your work of art.

Rock Climbing

Head to your nearest rock climbing center and take to the ropes! Not only will rock climbing get your adrenaline pumping, but it will also improve your strength, core and hand-eye coordination. The thought of climbing up high might make you anxious, however, rock climbing is incredibly safe when done properly. It can also be a way to fight such fears and help you expand your comfort zone. Ask a friend to come with you, and learn to climb, abseil and anchor together. If you’re going solo, then look for a place which has auto-belays. Many rock climbing centers will also have a room for bouldering. Plus, when your confidence has increased, and you’ve got a taste for the sport, you can try mountaineering.

What hobbies would you like to try?

Angie

Angie is a coffee-fueled writer, artist-wanna-be, and over-worker who currently resides in a tiny fixer-upper near Salt Lake City with her boyfriend and 70lb rescue pittie. She works full time in Customer Service/Computers, part-time in retail and fashion, goes to school part-time on and off, maintains this and another couple of blogs, as well as volunteers with rescue dogs. In her free time, what little of it there is, she likes to read, play nerd games, craft and create art, and spend time with all of the awesome people in her life.

http://www.mysocalledchaos.com

The Importance of Learning Throughout Life

August 25, 2017 by Angie Leave a Comment

In our early lives, a big focus is placed on learning. We learn how to walk and talk, we learn social skills and develop interests of our own; we make our way through the education system and learn more and more about facts, figures, letters, numbers and more.

However, once we complete our formal education, be this school, college or university, our development is widely regarded as being complete. But is this true? Once we graduate and leave school, do we stop learning? The answer is simple. Of course we don’t!

The Importance of Learning throughout Life

We are all learning new things throughout our lives. Whether or not you realise it, every day you are introduced to new concepts, facts and theories, causing you to think about them as you work to develop your own individual response to what you have discovered. We also learn new things at work, from our friends and family, and from the media. Put simply, learning is happening all around us, every day.

But Why is Learning so Important?

Lifelong learning offers a unique way to develop your interests and progress further in life as you pursue the knowledge of what matters most to you. Whether it is learning to play an instrument or getting to grips with fascinating scientific or historical facts, learning throughout our adult lives needn’t just be limited to the bare bones of what you absolutely have to know.

Learning is an Opportunity

Instead, learning should be seen as an opportunity, an experience to get out there and try your hand at something new. Everyone has things that they wish they’d had the chance to do throughout life – why not grasp the chance with both hands and tick something you never thought you would achieve off your bucket list?

Of course, this sounds great in theory, but many of us find that the daily tasks, chores and demands of adult life can all-too-easily get in the way of allowing us time to do the things that we want to do. From long working hours to endless household chores to looking after kids and pets, these are all parts of life that require our attention each and every day.

Make Time for Me Time

However, it is vital to make time in your busy schedule and set aside some time within each week that is dedicated solely to you. ‘Me time’ offers the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and destress, giving your mind and body a break as you spend some precious time doing only what you want to do and mentally preparing yourself for the upcoming week.

Whether you prefer a nice long soak in the bath, an evening spent reading or curled up in front of the TV, or just taking some time out to spend on your personal hobbies and interests, ‘me time’ can provide many different benefits when it comes to your overall well-being.

Me Time Can Be Learning Time

But why not use this time to focus on learning a new skill? Self-development doesn’t just have to be about education and trying (and, more often than not, failing) to teach yourself something new. If you want to try your hand at a new experience but constantly finding yourself lacking the time or motivation to teach yourself, it may be time to put your doubts aside and really focus on learning something new. For example, Curious Vitae offers the chance to learn new skills without taking up too much time – it’s the perfect way to fit learning seamlessly into your busy lifestyle.

Are you feeling inspired? Contrary to popular belief, you are never too old to get back on the bandwagon and try your hand at something new. Lifelong learning can be an incredibly worthwhile and rewarding experience – the perfect way to enrich your life.

How are you learning throughout life?

Angie

http://www.mysocalledchaos.com

Beauty & Self-Care Tips To Help You Feel Good About Yourself

June 30, 2017 by Angie Leave a Comment

Beauty comes from both the inside and out. Ultimately, it’s up to you how you want to look and feel.

It’s not always easy to find your self-confidence, but it’s your job to build it. See beauty tips to help you feel good about yourself.

Look Good for You

Beauty is whatever you create. Get ready each day for you and be happy with how you look. Pick clothes that compliment your body and make you feel like a superstar. There’s no reason to try too hard. Keep it simple and wear your hair and makeup how you think it looks best. Put yourself together based upon what you find attractive. Of course, look to the outside world for cues and tips, but the decision is up to you at the end of the day.

Get in Shape

Get out there and start breaking a sweat. Exercising is healthy and will make you feel excellent inside and out. Working out is good for your mind and body, so it’s important for you to make time for it. Getting in shape is a bonus to achieving your daily exercise goals. Participate in new activities and challenge yourself. You’ll be beautiful while you’re exercising and when you’re all done.

Eat Right

Cook food that’s healthy for you. Let food make you feel beautiful. Your mind and body will thank you later. Eat superfoods and meals that bring you energy. There are also slimming pills for women to jumpstart your weight loss program and help you reach your goals. Take them to compliment your new eating habits. You’ll feel good about yourself and your confidence will increase when you exercise and eat right. Do research and find foods that you think taste good and deliver nutritional value.

Attend to Your Mind

Exercise your mind too to feel beautiful. Read a book or practice stress management activities. Make time for a combination of resting your brain and challenging it with new activities. You’ll be a better person and your personality will shine when you’re relaxed and not stressed out. Practice gratitude and be thankful for what you do have in life. Head out into nature and enjoy the beauty that’s around you each day. You’ll feel better about yourself when you take time to breathe and appreciate the world around you.

Smile More

Being beautiful is as easy as smiling more. Let your smile shine wherever you go and spread peace and love to others. Become the person others want to be like because you’re welcoming and compassionate. Let your beauty show through your smile and personality. Others will notice and appreciate your cheerfulness. This entails getting enough sleep and taking care of yourself so you’re in the right mood to be you. Connect with and inspire others through your confidence and energy.

What are your favorite self-care beauty tips?

It’s important to be yourself in every situation. It’s not always easy to feel beautiful, but there are ways to improve your chances. These are beauty tips to help you feel good about yourself.

Angie

http://www.mysocalledchaos.com

Life Passing By Too Quickly? Five Ways to Slow Life Down…

May 12, 2017 by Angie Leave a Comment

Today’s modern woman is one that wears many hats – career professional, mother, daughter, caretaker, wife/partner, friend, and many more. Juggling so many different hats and roles can certainly have time feeling as though it’s speeding by, with one day blending into the next in a blink of an eye. Sometimes you can feel pretty desperate to slow life down…

So how can you slow life down? Obviously we can’t stop the clock, but is there a way to have those days feel a bit more stretched out, giving you more time to enjoy yourself? These five tips/techniques may just be the answer you’re looking for.

Don’t Spread Yourself Thin

How many times have you said yes to a task or project that you really don’t have time to do? You know that by saying yes you’ll be spreading yourself incredibly thin, and placing a lot of pressure on yourself. Well, it’s time to start doing less , and learn to say no.

In order to be successful at this technique, you also need to learn how to cut through everything and find what is really important. Focus on the tasks that absolutely need to be done, and then don’t stress the rest of it. There should be no guilt by having nothing to do other than relax and take a moment to sit down.

Move at a Slower Pace

What better way to slow down life than by you actually slowing down. This means getting dressed a little slower, eating your meals a little slower, spending more time on conversations, and slowing down when you drive. By taking a life a little slower, it also gives you the opportunity to start appreciating the little things that you would typically miss while you’re in a rush.

Enjoy the Outdoors

Typically, when people find themselves at a busy point in life, the last thing they allow for is time to get outdoors and enjoy themselves. Just because you’re busy doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to have fun. Time outdoors to soak in the sunshine, the fresh air, share a laugh with friends while sitting on the patio, enjoying a bike ride with the kids; these are moments that will feed the soul and give you that fresh spark of energy.

Take Time to Chronicle the Moments

Instead of walking around being attached to your smartphone, why not put it down and replace it with a great quality camera. You can step into the role of amateur photographer and start chronicling those special and unique moments in your day. You can even start to carry your camera with you so you’re prepared whenever the moment strikes.

The FujiUserwebsite is a great source of information when it comes to learning how to capture that fabulous shot, allowing you to hone your skills.

Pick Up Reading

Whether you used to be an avid reader or you’ve never really felt you “had time”, reading can be a wonderful activity that calms the mind and the soul. Even if you only give yourself 15 minutes before bed, it will still have a positive impact.

How do you slow life down?

Finding ways to slow down life allows you to start enjoying it more fully, and ensure that it doesn’t just pass you by.

Angie

http://www.mysocalledchaos.com

May Goals 2017

May 1, 2017 by Angie Leave a Comment

April showers bring May flowers… I’d like to say that time is flying by, but in reality time is crawling for me now that I’m pregnant… I think it’s because I’m just dizzy/nauseous all of the time and counting down the days until I’m out of the first trimester and can hopefully start feeling better in the second… Fingers crossed I do feel better in the second trimester, I can’t take much more of this… Anyway, it’s time to set some May Goals… And to be kind of lenient with myself for them.

Goals Recap

I was going to do a recap, but it appears I haven’t set goals since February… So… Oops! I did have my big set of yearly goals, and I could recap those, but let’s be honest-I’m behind on them horribly. I just haven’t been well enough to do much the last month or so, and before that I was crazy busy with two jobs.

May Goals

So here we go. Keeping in mind that I’ll be gone for a week or two near the end of the month, and I’m very sick/nauseous, here’s what I feel like I can get done this month…

Home Goals for May

Get my garden started. We’re finally getting the lawn mowed down and I bought two kits to make garden boxes, so I feel like I can at least get the garden started this month in a few steps.
- Dig up the grass where I’m putting my garden.
- Set up my garden boxes.
- Buy soil and fill the garden boxes.
- Decide which plants to plant, and how to plant them.
- Buy plants and get them started.
Trim the rose bushes… Really it should have been done already, but they’re going to be out of control if I don’t take care of them.
Weed the walkways/garden areas.
Get caught up on laundry.
Clean/organize my bedroom.
Clean/organize the upstairs.

Blog & Business Goals for May

Post more regularly on the blog.
Get the blog brought back to me, with better direction.
Figure out a new sponsorship program.
Get caught up on mailings. (So sorry to those waiting on a package!)
Work on my FTC statements and be better at transparency.
Update my sidebar and pages.
Start working on inventory for my new home business. (More info coming soon…)

Health Goals for May

Start incorporating more physical activity at least 3 days a week (and step it up once the nausea subsides.)
- Walk the dog.
- Yard work.
- Intensive cleaning.
Have my first OBGYN appointment (May 8th!) and hear the baby’s heartbeat.
Take my prenatal every day.
Drink more water.

Other Goals for May

Fly to Georgia and help Melanie Grace deliver and care for her baby girl.
Finish booking my return ticket from GA.
Plan the work booth for the Pride Festival.

What are your May goals?

Tell me in the comments or leave me a link to your goals post!

Angie

http://www.mysocalledchaos.com

5 Surprising Ways to Combat Anxiety

April 27, 2017 by Angie Leave a Comment

It is believed anxiety affects approximately 40 million adults over the age of 18 years old in the United States. That is 18% of America’s population.

5 Surprising Ways to Combat Anxiety

While it is a treatable disorder, it has been reported that only one-third of people receive treatment to help them overcome the common mental illness. We are therefore looking at five surprising ways you can combat anxiety.

Paint, Doodle or Use a Coloring Book

Anxiety has a way of locking people into a cycle of repetitive thoughts, with many people fearing they are unable to escape their worries. That’s why you should either paint, doodle or concentrate on an adult coloring book, as you can focus your attention on something else, rather than the worries that are seemingly defining your life.

If coloring, painting or doodling isn’t your thing, do something else that keeps your hands and mind busy. For instance, you could play a board game, decorate the home or play your favorite sport.

Chew Gum

Now this one is surprising. One 2008 study discovered that people who regularly chew gum reported lower anxiety levels. It is believed the act can help lower your body’s cortisol levels while providing mental stimulation. Also, you will feel calmer if you chew the gum quickly. It’s worth a try.

Medical Marijuana (Where Allowed)

Back in 2010, Harvard Medical School researchers stated they believe the drug could reduce a person’s anxiety. Therefore, using vaporizers for cannabis could help, as it can act as a sedative in low doses and improve a person’s mood. What’s more, it can help to suppress nausea and alleviate pain, which is why it is commonly used to treat chemotherapy side effects.

Stroke a Dog or Cat

Did you know that the simple act of stroking a cat or dog could help to reduce your anxiety? Having a pet can prevent a person from feeling isolated and alone, while providing more structure to their day. Dogs and cats can provide a calmer environment for the owner, so can reduce their risk of a stroke or heart attack. If that’s not a good enough reason to buy a new pet, we don’t know what is!

Have a Relaxing Bath

Warm water can aid relaxation, which is why many people often enjoy a bath after a long, hard day. If you don’t have a bathtub, place your hands in warm water to combat the anxiety you are feeling. It can be an effective way to treat the disorder at home. So, the next time you’re feeling a little anxious, place your hands under a hot tap or enjoy a nice, warm bath. You might notice a difference to your mood.

How do you cope with anxiety?

Anxiety can have a significant impact on a person’s health, as well as their personal and professional lives. So, it is good to know there are millions of people just like you are living with the disorder, so you’re not alone. Speak to your doctor if any anxious feelings persist so that you can take back control of your life.

Angie

http://www.mysocalledchaos.com

The Mayhem Busting Magic Of Organization

April 3, 2017 by Angie Leave a Comment

Life consists of moments of impact. You know the ones; those massive moments that everything has been leading towards. These are the big ones, and they bring big stresses. Staying organized is always important, and never more so than when you’re facing such hurdles. Turning to organization in your hours of need will take the situation from stressful to shining in a few easy steps. And, it’ll ensure you approach the hurdles on the best possible footing. Here are a few of the biggest stresses you will face, and how organization can help you every step of the way.

Organization in Marriage

Marriage is a pivotal moment of impact in anyone’s life. It’s when you join with another person in the most complete way possible. ‘What could be better?’ you may wonder. What could be more stressful, more like. Never will you have so much to plan. That’s why it’s important now, more than ever, to turn to your organizational skills. Knowing what’s happening, and when, will save you having to stress. Use to-do lists to make sure you’ve got everything covered. Start at the beginning by thinking about wedding invitations. At this stage, you’ll need to write your guest list. You’ll also need to consider whether you want to make custom wedding invitations, or get a professional to do it for you. It’s going to be hard to move forward with your plans until this part is out the way, so jump the hurdle as soon as you can. Tick it off your list once you have an idea of numbers, and move onto the next job. It may seem like the list is neverending. If you feel overwhelmed, return to your list and see how much you’ve already achieved. Wonderful wedding days are planned one step at a time.

Organization and a New Job

Organization can be a huge help when you have a new job. You’re trying to make a good impression, and you’re not going to do that if you seem scatter brained and unreliable. Get organized to make sure you show the best side of yourself. Take a notebook along for your first few weeks, and write down anything you think you might need to remember. Keep this with you at all times! Think, too, about writing out to-do lists for every work day. This will ensure you always know what you’re doing. It’ll also mean you never miss a deadline, which is crucial.

Organization When Moving House

Moving house is a biggy. The stress stakes don’t get much higher than this. Organization can save you a lot of worry. Get organized with packing to save yourself the last minute rush. Write down which order you plan to pack. Make a list, too, of anything you may need to keep aside. Take it one room at a time, and tick off each room as you go. That way, you can start packing early, without worrying. Set aside the items on your list to ensure you’re not caught short when you need something!

When does being organized help you most?

Angie

http://www.mysocalledchaos.com

Staying Organized While You Study for Your Online Degree

March 22, 2017 by Angie 1 Comment

Online degrees are a great way to pursue the advanced qualifications you need to progress in your current career, or obtain the credentials necessary for embarking on exciting new opportunities. However, since you’ll be studying in your spare time (which you may not have a great deal of) it pays to get yourself organized before your course starts, so you aren’t left racing to catch up as you work towards that online degree.

Before You Commit to a Course

Make sure you have the time to devote to your studies without burning out. Most degrees need around 10 hours of your time each week, but some courses like the online masters in gerontology offer the option of studying in an accelerated program. You may need to devote more hours to the course if you hope to obtain your master in gerontology in the 18 month time frame.

Remember, you have to fit the course in around your work and family commitments, and while 10 to 15 hours might seem doable to begin with, once reality sets in and you’re exhausted at the end of a busy day with 2 hours of study still to go, you could run into problems.

Go Through Your Course Schedule As Soon As You Receive It

Once you’re enrolled on a course, the first thing you should do is set aside some time to go through the syllabus and start planning out your work load. Which books and other written materials do you need to read and how long will that take? How many pre-recorded lectures are there, when can you make time to watch them? What time do you need to organize away from work to attend live class sessions?

Make Good Use of Apps

While paper wall planners and notebooks are handy, they aren’t the best way to stay organized with an online degree. For one thing, you can’t take them out and about with you while you run errands, and for another they can’t make noises at you to get your attention!

An app on the other hand can be with you 24/7 and it will notify you when you need reminding about the paper you’ve pushed back all weekend, or the live class that’s starting in five minutes.

Evernote

Evernote is a great choice. You can set up schedules, turn any list into a to-do list with notifications, tag notes so they’re instantly available when you need them, store pdf’s you need to read, make voice notes about those pdf’s, dictate essays and set up IFTTT (if this then that) commands to move work where it needs to go to next.

Germ

Another great free app for those who like to break tasks down into small parts is germ.io. Set up your workflow, add in due dates and you’ll be in organized heaven.

Are you working on your online degree?

Completing your degree will take a lot of your time and dedication, but on the day you graduate with your shiny new degree, you’ll realize that it was all worth it. Get organized, plan until you’re sick of planning and you’ll have the best chance of success.

Angie

http://www.mysocalledchaos.com

Life Updates from January + February Goals

February 13, 2017 by Angie Leave a Comment

Hello lovelies, how was your January? Mine? Crazy. But with the way my life is, how could it be any other way? It couldn’t. Crazy begets crazy begets crazy, and so on and so on. Man, it feels like I’m stuck in a never-ending cycle of “busy” and I’m getting more and more exhausted each day. Something has to give, but honestly? I just don’t know what yet… Anyway, we’re here today to talk about goals… Specifically to recap my successes and failures in January, and set a plan for February Goals. We should also touch base on my yearly goals too…

January Recap & Goals Progress

Whew, January flew by, didn’t it? Or maybe it dragged on waaaaay too long… I can’t decide, but I do know I’m glad it’s over. It was politically stressful, exhausting work-wise, and of course it’s that one month of the year where I feel like my depression/S.A.D. kicks in hardest. But, there was some really good stuff in January too, and since I didn’t post a life update last month, I’d like to do a little one here.

Memorable January Happenings

Here are some of the best things that happened in January.

Fun Bus and Wendover Fun

The night before New Years Eve, my friends and I hopped on board the Fun Bus to Wendover to join our dear friends Katelyn and Callie for their bachelorettes party. If you’re not familiar with the Fun Bus or Wendover, you’re likely not from Utah… Haha, it’s about 90 minutes to the small border town of Wendover Nevada from Salt Lake City, so it’s a popular destination for those who want to get away for an evening and party or gamble. Thus, a whole business has boomed when it comes to Wendover, including the Fun Bus-a charter bus that runs regularly and can be hired out for things such as group events.

Basically, you catch the Fun Bus and they drive you out to Wendover for the evening. It costs about $20, and you can drink and play games the whole way down, spend a few hours in Wendover, and then they drive you home so you can sober up on the way back. They also include fun things like coupons for the buffet, a free drink, etc. Katelyn and Callie’s fun bus was probably the most fun I’ve ever had on one, and the evening was great. I drank more than I have in a while, and Josh and I wandered around (because neither of us are big gamblers) while our friends tried their hands at table games. It was a blast, but I learned that I’m basically super old now and I would have liked to have headed back at midnight instead of 2AM.

Callie & Katelyn’s Wedding

On the 6th, my dear friend Callie married Katelyn, the love of her life. I was so lucky to be one of the few invited to the wedding, and it was probably one of the best weddings I’ve ever been to. The ceremony was sweet, the food delicious, and there was dancing and an open bar. It was marvelous!

It was an absolute blast, so much so that Chris and I both went home and talked about it and obsessed about it for weeks after. “Remember how much fun that was?” “Remember how adorable they looked?” “That photobooth was a fantastic idea!” We felt very blessed to be included in their special night, and there was just so much love.

Melanie Grace, Travis, and Grayson

I can’t believe I didn’t get any photos, but Chris and I were lucky enough to get to spend an evening with some of my dearest friends who were in town for a super-short (too short) visit from Savannah. We hung out at the hotel and had dinner with Melanie Grace, Travis, and their little one (who I was able to give holiday presents to in person) for one short but really fun evening. I love them so, and I can’t wait to see them in a few months when I head their way.

Rose Gold Hair

I Changed My Hair

I made the tough decision to part with my purple hair. Seriously, it was a tough one. I LOVE having purple hair, but part of me felt like it was time to start thinking about grown up decisions like possibly switching careers (I have made no decision towards that yet, and am probably staying put for a while still), so I felt like I needed more grown up hair in case I decided on job interviews. I was struggling with it though, and had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do other than I wanted to go lighter.

My stylist Jamie did a FANTASTIC job though, and I’m in love with the rose gold blonde she acheived. It’s so pretty!

January Goals Recap

Okay, let’s get down to how I did on my January goals… Not well…

January Home Goals

~~Pack up and put away Holiday decor, move it out to the garage~~ – SUCCESS!
Organize the living room closet to hold games and craft/art supplies – In Progress (I just haven’t had time to finish…
Move kitchen table into the living room – FAIL (still in the works)
Move grandma’s hutch from her house to mine, set it up in the kitchen – FAIL
Clean out Fridge/Cupboards – FAIL
Organize cookware and drawers/cupboards – FAIL
Deep clean the kitchen – FAIL
Deep clean the Living Room – FAIL
Find all the plants new homes – In Progress
Organize shelves, unpack boxes of books/decor stacked in the corner onto them – FAIL
Hang some decor on the kitchen and dining room walls – FAIL
Move A/C window unit & Packed Pool out to the garage – FAIL

January Blog Goals

Finish new design updates – In Progress (mostly done, just a few changes left…)
Write & schedule out new and awesome posts – In Progress
~~Put together a killer monthly giveaway~~– SUCCESS! Go enter the HUGE Planner Supply Giveaway!
Figure out my 2017 sponsorship program changes – FAIL
Get back into the groove of blogging – In Progress

January Work Goals

Suck it up and figure out how to be happy at my day job – In Progress
Work less at my part-time job – In Progress

January Finance Goals

Figure out my budget and how best to stick with it – FAIL
Start the snowball effect to pay down some debt – FAIL
Set a strict no-spend budget – FAIL
Leave 80% of my LLR Facebook groups (I have to stop buying it) – In Progress (I haven’t bought any, but I haven’t gone and left groups yet…)
~~Start listing more things to sell in my dejunking process~~ – SUCCESS (still have more to go, but getting there.)

January Life Goals

~~Read/listen to at least 2 books~~ – SUCCESS! I listened to 3!
~~Have a great visit with Josh before he heads back to Canada~~ – SUCCESS!
~~Have a great visit with MelanieGrace and her family~~ – SUCCESS!
~~Attend Callie and Katelyn’s wedding~~ – SUCCESS!
Visit my grandmother more often – FAIL. I only saw her once. 🙁
Visit my parents’ for my mom’s birthday or for my parents’ anniversary – FAIL
Get my planner set up and in use – In Progress… Set up, but I’ve been bad about using it.

So yeah, so far I’m failing at my yearly goals too… I need to get my crap together.

February Goals

Okay, it’s a new month. It’s a short month. I’m already way behind… I think that means I’d better take it easier on myself this month and set myself up for success in March, but I still have a lot to do. I set up a yearly plan and now I’m behind schedule on it.

February Home Goals

Finish getting January’s organization/cleaning goals
- Move Table from Kitchen to Living Room
- Move Grandma’s Hutch from her house to mine (and into the kitchen)
- Organize all shelves/cupboards/drawers
- Organize Living Room Closet – Games and Craft Supplies
- Desk Area – Clean and Organize
- Deep Clean
Finish February’s Organization Goals
- Clothing
- Closet
- Shelves
- Drawers
- Deep Clean
Start setting up a desk/workspace area for creativity (desperately need one!)

February Blog Goals

Finish new design updates
Write & schedule out new and awesome posts
Figure out my 2017 sponsorship program changes
Think about new direction and rededication

February Work Goals

Figure out a better morning routine to be more successful with arriving on time/early to work

Retiring The Monthly Goals Linky

I’ve been struggling the last few months to post it on time (I mean hello, it’s 10 days into the month now and I’m just getting to these goals) and I haven’t been able to visit all the participants as much as I’d like either. When my linkytoolz account came up for renewal I decided not to renew it… For now, I’m going to retire the Monthly Goals linky, but continue to share my goals nad progress, as well as look for yours as well. Please feel free to link to them in the comments-I’d still love to see your progress!

What are your February Goals?

Angie

http://www.mysocalledchaos.com

When Life Gets You Down, Get Organized!

February 3, 2017 by Angie Leave a Comment

Let’s be honest; life often goes wrong. We all have an idea of how our lives are going to be, and more often than not, that’s not how things work out. For those of us who love being organized, it’s a nightmare! You spend time on one plan for your life, only to find yourself starting again. The good news is that you can also use your love for organization to pick yourself back up.

How Getting Organized Helps During Tough Times

There are few problems that organization can’t solve. All it takes is a little ingenuity. Here are a few of the problems you might face at some point in your life. These tips should give you some idea how to turn your organization skills to each one!

Unemployment

Whether you’re fresh out of university or have lost your job, unemployment is horrible. It throws you into uncertainty. You won’t know whether you can make your rent, or whether you’ll be able to eat. The trick is not to let that knowledge get on top of you. Finding a job shouldn’t be difficult if you approach it right.

Getting Organized while Unemployed

To avoid panic, it’s worth having savings behind you. This is something anyone can do at any time and will make a huge difference when things get tough. You can also turn your organizational hand to the job search. Think of your search as your career. Be proactive. Set out an action plan. Set aside days to search online. Think, too, about searching out and about. You could even arrange days where you phone potential employers. Being proactive is the best way to secure your next job!

Break Ups

A break up is never nice. Whether you were married, living together, or dating, it can leave you feeling lost. You made space for that person in your plans, and have to adjust to the fact they aren’t there anymore. Plus, you have to deal with the technicalities of the breakup. This will be easier if you were dating and had no ties. If you were living together or married, there’s more to consider.

Getting Organized in the Midst of a Breakup

Write a list of everything you need to think about to give yourself a guideline. Think about whether you need a divorce attorney. Do you need to contact your landlord and let them know the situation? Make note of everything, and work through the list. Having something to focus on can make the painful process easier.

Money Problems

Money problems can cause massive amounts of stress. Organization can be the best way to pull yourself out of the hole. If you’re struggling to make your money last, or if you need to set aside a certain amount, organization could be vital.

Getting Organized During Financial Struggles

Working out how much you need for bills, rent, and food can make it much easier to ensure you have enough each month. If you need to save for whatever reason, set yourself a savings plan. That way, you’ll know when you’ll have enough money. Having a set date will allow you to breathe easier.

How does being organized help you?

Angie

http://www.mysocalledchaos.com