When I say margin, I mean create more of it. Margin in my schedule made today possible. A few weeks ago, I wrote about the importance of reducing our activities and commitments. I was moved by this quote “Show me your calendar and I’ll show you your priorities.”
Today I spent the day skiing with my son and some friends. It was a beautiful day on the slopes. Sunshine, blue skies, good friends, exercise…. I’m still smiling as I think about our day. It was an undistracted day doing something I love with my favorite snowboarder. 🙂
We actually planned this trip with just a few days notice. The weather looked great, favorable ski conditions and the kids had just a half day of school. Knowing this, I planned ahead with a different post for today, but tonight I felt inspired to share this instead.
On Day 7, I challenged you to eliminate at least 1 activity that did not align with your values. Today’s trip prioritized nearly all of my values. When the invitation arrived to go skiing, it was easy to say yes. The fact is, I had already said no to many other things. Not necessarily with the intention of skiing instead, but with the goal of free space on the calendar.
I create margin in my schedule by using the word no. “No” creates room for unplanned fun and spontaneity. The smile on my son’s face when we spend the day together is worth it every time.
So, it’s been almost two weeks since the first schedule challenge. Did you think about your values? Did you remove 1 activity? Is it making the month easier? Did it help life feel simpler? If you have no idea what I’m talking about, start by re-reading it and check out today’s challenge.
Decluttering Challenge Day 25
- Once a month, give your kids time off from an activity. They will appreciate having some ownership in their schedule. Just a one day break can boost their dedication and commitment.
- Schedule a family day off. Set the example. Start out slow with coffee and cartoons. Keep family members close and recharge with an event-free weekend.
- Revisit the family calendar. Add up the hours of scheduled activities per week. Add in school hours/work hours. Consider how many hours you sleep or should sleep. Budget in time for house cleaning, meal prep, grocery shopping etc. How much free time is left? What percentage is that of the total hours in a week?
- Stop feeling guilty about unscheduled time. Did you know that a standard 1-inch margin on paper is 37%? How does your current free-time-margin compare?
Not enough margin in our week is exhausting. We have lost the ability to appreciate blank space and the simple beauty that margin can bring to a piece of paper. Let alone what it can do for our health, well-being, and relationships.
What fills your calendar? How do you keep margin in the week?
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