Good morning and happy Monday! Yes, Mondays can be happy – especially when on my to-do list this morning I have ‘share Jamie’s guest post.’ I’ve decided to ask some of my favourite people and bloggers to visit Let ME Out!! this month and talk about their intentions for 2016. I know there’s been a lot about intentions and guiding words all over the internet for the past few weeks, but as you know, in the Let ME Out!! community it’s always a good time to talk about creating joyful lives.
I started this blog to provide you with insight and suggestions for a more creative, authentic and kind way of living. And today’s guest, Jamie Khau of Styling the Inside, is a shining example of authenticity. She is currently a Notable.ca nominee for best blog in B.C. for her work around creating a life that ‘feels good on the inside.’ I hope you take a moment to visit her blog or say hi to her on social media via the links provided after her post.
And now…here’s Jamie!
Making resolutions can oftentimes lead to disappointment, especially if the resolution is unrealistic. For this reason, I’m setting intentions rather than resolutions for 2016. One of my biggest intentions for this year is to do less and focus more. Last year I spent a great amount of time ‘doing’ however, because I became so busy with everything I was ‘doing’, I ended up feeling distracted, overwhelmed, and ultimately depleted.
In order to instigate this change in my life I’ve been saying the phrase DO LESS FOCUS MORE. A mentor of mine texted these words to me one day; they immediately resonated and have now become my mantra.
Oftentimes we get so caught up in being busy. This busyness in many ways makes us feel like we’re on top of our game and conquering the world. Consequently, this “I’m doing everything” status can create distraction, loss of focus, and unwanted stress.
Moving into 2016 I’ll be using these guiding words to ultimately help me stay focused on my top priorities which align with my values. Using this “Do less, Focus More” mantra will help me stay positive, and keep things in perspective when I feel pulled to do more.
My top priorities this year include putting my self and self-care above anything else. Saying no to things without making a long excuse as to why I’m saying no, and trying to avoid the guilt that comes along with this. In addition, I’ll be working on managing my time more effectively.
All of these things will help me de-clutter and calm my mind, which will in turn help me feel good on the inside. At the end of the day, this is my number one intention: to create a life that feels good within. If what I’m doing isn’t making me feel good on the inside, then it’s probably time to re-evaluate.
That said, I highly recommend using a guiding word, mantra, or phrase to help you instigate the changes and intentions you’ve set for 2016. Meditate on these words, write them down, hang them up, heck you can even “Instaqoute them!”
These powerful intentional guiding words can be impactful, and using these words to help us shift our thoughts can lead to positive change in our lives.
Wishing you all the best for 2016.
