The Great Disconnect

I’m getting myself back together. I feel like January hit me like a train and has drug me straight into March. Are you kidding me? Can it be March already? In a town where “winter” means temps in the 50s, this year we’ve had temps in the teens, snow, an epic ice storm and an earth quake. All of these events happened in the dark, and by that I mean, we lost power … a lot. We spent many a night by the fire.  Kids have been out of school more than usual. (Not to mention the husband has been home too!) Needless to say, my safe schedule that keeps me sane has been thrown for a loop. But life is still moving. God is still working. And I feel like I’m trying to catch up.

Having said all that, my blog has been the one to suffer.  I mean, I can’t write or post if the power is out, right? Honestly, as much as I’d like to blame all of the above, it’s me. I’m still trying to figure out why I’m here. But rest assured, although I haven’t been posting, I’ve been working. I’ve been researching and I’ve been planning. So, today, I’m going to give you a peak at my attempt to organize my life.

If you have ever sat across from me and tried to plan anything, you’ll see me drag out my extra-large Moleskine weekly planner. Why in a world of electronic organization do I still carry a planner? I’m a pen and paper girl. I like to see everything right in front of me. I like to check off my lists and see a big page of scratching and feel like I’ve accomplished something. And I don't like to worry about hitting the wrong button and loosing all my hard work.

 

 

So Friends, here is a list of what I've learned about myself and why I'm addicted to Moleskine Notebooks.

1. I have to have everything written down. If it's not written down where I can see it, it does not get done. Period.

2. I can not have a "fancy" planner. If it's too pretty, I feel like I'm going to mess it up and I never write in it. If I don't use it, its useless right?

3. If I see an entire months worth of appointments, I get overwhelmed and shut the planner. I can only handle one week at a time.

4. I need lots of space for a list of everything that needs to be done. I can't use categories. I'll spend too much time trying to break my tasks into categories that I never actually get around to doing them. (Ask my husband)

5. It has to lay flat, but it CAN NOT be spiral bound or in a binder that can open. I abuse my planner. It goes where I go. Spiral planners come undone and tear apart.

5. I am also slightly addicted to Post-It notes. I have recently learned how to print on them!

Coming to this realization: The 12 Month Weekly Notebook Diary/Planner works best for me. It's a bound notebook that lays flat, has one week per page and a lined "notes" page per week. The soft cover is flexible enough that can take a beating and the paper is thick enough that my pens down bleed through!! I AM SOLD!

I write any day specific plans on the left side. I keep a running list of things that need to be done that week on the right side. I've printed out a small "quick month view" and taped it to the top. I printed a "day specific" Cleaning List on a Post-It. I use the Post-Its for anything that regularly repeat so that I don't have to rewrite each week. So far, this system has worked for me for the past two years. I absolutely love it!

Moleskine also makes great journals. Because of all the reasons I listed above, I also have several Moleskine journals. They are just so easy to use and easy to carry around. If you haven't used them before, I can testify that its worth the cost. They are not cheap, but the durability and ease of use are worth it.  I use one as a prayer journal. I use the other as a place to put ideas. You know, sometimes and idea comes to you and you have to write. I don't carry around my laptop, but I always have my Moleskine!

So Friends, I'm getting myself together. I'm getting my family, my yoga practice and my blog organized. I'm learning how to keep all the things that are important to me in my life. And in my life in such a way that does not completely overwhelm me. Starting in April, I should have a regular schedule down for the blog. I should be posting at least 2 times a week. That is my goal. I'll be posting about yoga and food and faith. Those things make up my life, they make up my family.

I plan to post weekly about yoga, poses and techniques and why its beneficial. I plan to post about food, what we're eating and why. But most importantly I plan to post about what God is teaching me. I hope that you'll join me, because I'd love to hear about your life too. Remember Friends, its all about conversation.

See Ya Soon!