3 Goals That Will Help Me Get My Life Together

So if you’re anything like me you have an issue with self control. At least when it comes to food and shopping and avoiding responsibilities. While nothing would make me happier than to continue eating everything I see that has been doused in grease, shopping every day and throwing literally all of my belongings on my bedroom floor at the end of the day, I know that I can’t go on like this much longer. It’s true that having a busy schedule can make the things that we deem less importance start to fall apart, however, sometimes all you need is to take some time to reevaluate and reorganize. So that’s my plan. Here are the three necessary readjustments every girl should make when life starts getting out of control.

1. STOP EATING ABSOLUTE GARBAGE AND FIND A WAY TO EXERCISE
I just got back from a trip where I literally ate exclusively unhealthy and fattening foods while I was on it. Soup dumplings and pizza and cheese everything. I’m not kidding, I made sure to incorporate cheese into every meal. I was pretty successful. Add all of the beer and wine and it’s surprising I’m still able to walk, let alone breathe. Okay, okay, I’m being a little dramatic, but still. I ate a lot. And even though I’ve been home for two days I am still in vacation mode. Because eating a bag of cookies from Ms. Field’s and an order of carne asada fries is a suitable meal, right? Basically I’m in desperate need of some vegetables. Eating out can become second nature and seems so much easier. Just grab something quick to eat and while you’re at it, make it greasy and satisfying. The problem with this is that most of foods you’re consuming do not give you the energy, protein, or nutrients that you need to be at your best. Also, it’s a real wallet drainer. My first step at getting back on track is marching myself down to Trader Joe’s and buying some groceries so I can begin bringing my lunches with me to school and work again. I definitely suggest creating an old school list before you go because otherwise you’ll find yourself trying to figure out how to make a meal out of a box of waffles and spicy mustard. Buy foods that you can actually create a meal with, and that will be easy for you to take with you. I’m a big fan of apples, grapes, and carrots for snacks, and quinoa and steamed veggies for lunch. I try to eat a lot of smaller meals throughout the day to kick start my metabolism and give me energy all day long. The other half of this is obviously figuring out some way to squeeze some exercise into my schedule. I have a gym membership and it has become the biggest waste of money because I literally never go. Never. Which seems ridiculous because you would think having to pay for it each month would be enough motivation but apparently not. Every time I go I am immediately intimidated and start to panic and ultimately just get one of the tasty smoothies that make me feel super healthy and then I leave. It’s embarrassing. So I’ve decided to let go of this image I have in my head of myself where I go to the gym everyday and run five miles and am really impressive. Clearly that is not going to happen. So it’s time to cancel my membership and try something different. I’m thinking of signing up for this boot camp class I use to take a few years ago. There’s something about people forcing me to exercise and making me feel guilty when I don’t that really gets me moving. My main point here is that if what you’re doing right now for exercise is not working for you, maybe you just haven’t found the right activity. Experiment!

2. DROP YOUR CREDIT CARD AND STEP AWAY FROM THE REGISTER
Listen, I get it. In fact no one gets it better than I do. The rush of adrenaline when you see the words “Your purchase is complete!” on your computer screen, the thrill of telling the cashier “Receipt in the bag is fine”, and the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment when you watch the price drop as the cashier enters your coupon codes. There’s nothing like it. However, there is also nothing like checking your account balance and feeling your stomach sink as pure terror washes over you. Not fun. The good news is that that feeling of doom is totally avoidable! Admittedly, I really enjoyed myself in New York. Like, I really, really enjoyed myself. Now that I’m back to reality it’s time for me to get my finances back in check. Not eating out anymore (see number 1), cutting down on the unnecessary shopping and creating my budget for the next few months will save me (and my wallet) from further pain and suffering. Creating a detailed game plan for how I’m going to pay off what I put on my credit cards, while paying my monthly bills and saving for holiday fun is going to be a huge help. Just take thirty minutes to write it all down, with dates of when you’ll be paying for everything and before you know it those scary balances will become less and less intimidating every week.

3. CARVE OUT TIME TO CLEAN UP YOUR CAR/APARTMENT/OFFICE
Life is already overwhelming and stressful enough without your personal spaces being yet another source of anxiety. There is nothing more soothing than getting home after a long day and walking into a clean apartment. Unless you love clutter and trash in which case I don’t understand you at all. It kills me to see my room a total mess. But even so, I’m not always in the mood to put all of my laundry away immediately, or unpack my suitcase, or even hang up my jacket on my coat rack at the end of the day. I’m lazy is my point here. But I can’t live like this forever and I am currently living in trash can. I have bags of garbage everywhere, bags of clothes I’m giving away, bags of clothes that I need to put away, shoes, hair care, mail, just STUFF everywhere. Literally my mail is on the floor. I just drop it on the floor. Come on. That’s absurd. I’m currently in the process of redecorating my room (expect a post soon!), so I have a lot of work to do. But my first step is to take a look at my schedule for this week and give myself a task for every day so by the end of the week my room is in much better shape. Trying to attack the whole beast can be intimidating, but by breaking it up into smaller tasks (like breaking down my huge pile of cardboard boxes that are a result of my online shopping problem) I feel much more capable. Eliminate clutter, deep clean, and maintain organization. Easier said than done, but I’m working on it.

Hopefully after I focus on these three goals I’ll be able to get it together before the holiday season comes and swallows me up. If you work in retail you know exactly what I’m talking about.

What are you doing to make your life easier? Tell me in the comments!