Something that can be super time consuming but so helpful for me is going through the files on my computer. I have so many things that I don't need anymore, are pointless, or just taking up storage. These can head to the trash and no longer cause any clutter on my laptop. Another quick thing, empty the trash on your computer. When you delete something it hangs out in there until you empty it, just taking up space! For the stuff you don't want to get rid of but don't need in your face, folders. I use folders within folders within folders. I usually start by saying Personal, School, College, and Trips. I can sort everything into those and then divide the stuff up from there. Each school year gets a folder, then each class with in the folder. Each vacation gets a folder within the trip folder. This also makes it so much easier when it comes time to find something.
A super simple thing I do when each season changes is to update my desktop background. I usually look on Evelyn Henson's website or on Pinterest. I love to have a cute and colorful one that makes me happy each time I look at it. Here is the one I am using right now. Its an older Evelyn Henson one that I found on Pinterest. I think it is so cute and a nice reminder to be happy and grateful each day.
One of my biggest pet peeves is having email notifications. Each morning I go and delete or read the emails I received. However, the ones I save become useless after a certain amount of time. Right now I am taking about 30 minutes to just get rid of any old emails that I don't need to save so there is less in there. I'm usually a more is more, but when it comes to my laptop and emails it is Less is More. This seems very tedious but it is totally worth it in the end.
Something I did yesterday during my plane ride to Arizona was deleting apps. I always download apps that I think are cool but stop using after a week. I think I deleted around 10 or more apps. It made it so much easier to find my favorite apps and no longer be overwhelmed by apps I no longer use. I think simplifying the amount of apps and other stuff on our phones makes us feel less attached to it as well as no longer feel the need to be on it every 10 seconds. Honestly, they are just apps and if I really miss it I can always re-download them.
I always forget to do this because I love my planner. Somehow I forgot it this week; I blame it on the 2 am wake up and 5 am flight. This gave me a good time to update my phone and laptop calendar with important dates to my life. I use my planner when ever I can but sometimes I need my phone to remind me that my Aunts birthday tomorrow or that a big college application is due. I also try to get rid of things I no longer need on my calendar like my old work schedule.
I love social media, not really posting on it but more seeing what everyone has been up to. I know that social media can be really bad for my mental health by constantly comparing my self to the life they choose to show on the internet. Right now I am trying to unfollow people I don't care about or make me insecure. I also try to only go on it when I am in a good mood instead of using it to feel worse. Social media is great and amazing but I think we all need to take it with a grain of salt because usually it isn't real.
I am using this time away from home to really take a look at my beauty routine. Right now I only have the "essentials" but this it 2 large makeup bags filled with makeup and skin care products. Half of that is stuff I don't use but convince my self I might need. I am making a pile of all the stuff I have used on this trip and a pile of the stuff I haven't touched. The pile of the untouched doesn't need to be thrown out or anything crazy (I am such a girly girl and love my beauty stuff) but I can realize that I don't need it with me at all times.
Finally, I am using this time to reflect on the past year. I am trying to see what I really do need in my life and decide what things can go. There are things I need with me at all times like my phone, debit card, license, chap stick, and deodorant. On the other hand, I don't need to have 3 granola bars, my laptop charger, and 13 different colored pens. This goes for other things in my life as well like I need to call and text my mom every day, but worrying about Snapchat streaks with people I barely talk to? Nope.
With the new year so close, I hope you go into it with goals and clarity of how you will handle it. For me, organization leads to a clearer head and simpler life ahead of me. What I have shared are just a few of the things that help me find my goals for 2018. Happy New Year!
