I’ve been struggling this week – struggling with a schedule of many wonderful things, but perhaps too many things. Instead of writing the room-by-room decluttering series I intended to write, my brain is grappling with “the busys” – too many appointments, time commitments and “to-dos”. How do I prioritize? How do I choose? What do I eliminate? I’ve spent the last 9 months successfully decluttering my physical space and the last 3 months successfully transforming our monthly budget, but managing my time – this is the next big challenge – a challenge my readers will get to see unfold in “real time”, so to speak.

As I journey through this process, I want to share ideas that are providing me with the motivation and inspiration to forge ahead in a society that often rewards and encourages us to “do it all” and “have it all”. I’m fast learning to accept that I cannot “do it all” or “have it all”. I have to make choices – tough choices. Why is it worth it? These tough choices will lead to a better life. As Greg McKeown states in his book Essentialism, “Less but better” – that is my goal: to do less and allow what makes the cut to be better.

Below are two resources that I’ve found invaluable as I navigate budgeting my time. If you’re finding yourself overwhelmed by your own schedule and list of “to-dos” – take a look – they offer a new way of thinking and manageable suggestions to get started making your own life “Less but better”.

 

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown 

In all honesty, I’m still in the process of reading this book, but at only 63 pages in (of 246), I’m already thinking differently and learning how to identify and choose what is essential for me – it will also help you decide and choose what is essential for you.  As a minimalist, I give great thought when bringing in a hard copy book that will fill up space – this one has earned a well-deserved space on my bookshelf.

The Life Altering Practice of Making Cuts: by Courtney Carver of Be Less With More

This article helped make eliminating items from my schedule seem more manageable.  I’ve already eliminated one thing from half the categories listed.  Thinking about this process in bite size pieces is incredibly beneficial.  I’m already noticing the positive impact.  I can’t imagine how amazing the result might be after 3 months!

 

Removing the clutter from my schedule will no doubt be a challenge – in part because there are many things on my schedule I may not immediately consider clutter.  Nonetheless, there are only 24 hours in a day and in order to make things better, I must choose only the the most important items and cut the rest.  Despite the difficulties that will lie ahead in this process,  I’m actually proceeding with a sense of optimism – not because it will be easy,  but because I know the results will be as gratifying and rewarding as those I received after clearing away the physical clutter.