Bring It On, 2021!

Happy New Year! Now that we have locked the door and thrown away the key on 2020, it’s time for a fresh start.

Now, you may be thinking, the world isn’t that much different than it was before January first, so it’s not like the problems or challenges you were facing last year just vanished.

So, what do we mean by a fresh start?

The new year is very empowering in the sense that we have this generally accepted ritual of closure and renewal, and the best place we can clean, is on the inside! The past year, many of us have had to spend a LOT of time with ourselves, so this is the perfect time to look at how we can make shifts to help us find new forms of enjoyment, positivity, and passion in our lives regardless of the events going on in our world.

Small Shifts for Better Mental Health

Find those little things that are super easy but that you might skip and challenge yourself to do them! Here are a few of the easiest tweaks you can make to your day to improve your mindset and your focus.

• Stand outside in the sun – The days are getting almost imperceptibly longer, and the most absorbable form of Vitamin D comes from the sun on our skin. Even 15 minutes with only your hands and face uncovered can boost your mood and help balance your circadian rhythms. Bonus points if you go for a walk for some movement!

• Open the windows – We’ve been having super mild weather, so open up the windows and let a breeze roll through your house. It’ll leave you feeling refreshed and breathing easier, especially if you’re feeling cooped up or unfocused.

• Set routines that feel good – Whether that’s getting up from the desk for an afternoon walk, scheduling a regular phone call with a loved one, or simply setting a reminder to go to bed a bit earlier; find the small routines that you know will add up in the long run to a better you!

A Clean House is a Calm Mind

Ok, so that isn’t the real saying, but it should be. Or maybe it’s just us who find that our clarity of thought and our home cleanliness seem to be completely correlated? We’ve got some tips for efficient cleaning so the mess doesn’t stack up during your busy week and you can keep your sanity.

• Empty the Dishwasher – We know, we know. Everyone hates this chore, even though it actually only takes 5 minutes! Emptying the dishwasher first thing in the morning while you make coffee means that everything can go straight in all day, which means that in the evening when you are tired you can simply turn it on and go to bed.

• Give Yourself 15 Minutes – Do you remember that kids show, The Big Comfy Couch? Every day, she set a timer and tidied up the mess she made. We might not be able to get the whole house done, but just 15 minutes each weekday adds up to over an hour of tidying each week that you’ll thank yourself for.

• Start a Donation Box – You got a cute mug for Christmas and now the cupboard won’t close… maybe you don’t need 30 mugs? As you go about your normal routine, each time you come across something you don’t use or rarely use, put it in a box for your local goodwill, thrift shop, or society for families in need. Helping others is a huge mood booster! Suddenly need something you donated? Borrow it from a friend instead of buying a new one.

It sounds so easy when it’s on a blog, doesn’t it? In reality, changing habits and maintaining motivation can be hard, so remember to ask for help. Most of us don’t ask for help nearly as much as we could or should; even though we would be happy to give it should someone else need us. Whether that’s having a friend be an accountability buddy, or booking us to clean the house so you can focus on other things, asking for help builds connection, and we all need that in our lives!

We love cleaning so you don’t have to!

Your Friend, Anna