Wow, do I have a hard time posting regularly or what? I missed two or three weeks of the 52 Weeks of Me Challenge...my life being out of balance was an excuse for a while, but we are creating a new life....a new normal....since Hubs got the job (I think I mentioned that here). But one thing I learned while out of balance was how being organized could help you out....and I am trying to carry some of that through to the "new normal." Let me share with you what might be a bit quirky...weird...awkward....but I have found it to be a relief....
First, let me share a quick story. At a previous job, a friend shared that she makes a wardrobe calendar every month. She has a cheap calendar she keeps in her closet and for every day of the week, she writes what she is going to wear. She was always well dressed and probably had a huge closet. She didn't want to wear the same outfit twice in a month. That's not really my style. But I took her idea and tweaked it while I was staying with my aunt....I designed a system for my work wardrobe. See, I was trying to slim down my wardrobe, and it was a New Year's Resolution (inspired by Project 333). Staying with aunt, I had limited space. Commuting an hour or so to work, I had limited time in the morning.
My system went a little like this: I had 5 pairs of work pants....each of those pants had two different coordinating "tops" (sometimes a blouse....sometimes a blouse with a jacket). That makes 10 different work outfits. If I worked 5 days a week, that'd be fairly easy to simply rotate...right? Well...I work 4 days a week (holla!). But I came up with a chart so that I rotate those 10 outfits. Without the chart, I'd get lost...so I look at the chart and see what day it is and which outfit. Since I washed my clothes at home, then brought them to my aunt's house....I took it a step further. Since most of the time you can wear clothes at least a couple times before washing, I timed it so that I'd wash two pairs of pants a week (along with the blouses that need washing, underclothes, and night clothes). That took just some simple designation in the closet for "worn before" and "just washed"... I also ironed less to get it ready for my trip back to my aunt's house....hung it, ready to just put on after my shower in the morning. And a final touch....I only wore two pairs of shoes. In the summer, I had a flat sandal and a sandal with a bit of a heel. A couple of my pants are fairly long and I need that bit of a heel. So the pants for the day dictated which shoes to wear.
This may sound a little OCD or quirky....but I rather enjoyed the system and am carrying it over to the new house. I did switch to closed toed shoes since the weather is changing....and honestly, I haven't done my ironing on the weekend since I have a bit more time in the mornings. But that is only a day or so a week that I need to do that. It is really freeing not to have to think about what to wear. I've rather enjoyed this little system, and I am not a naturally organized person.
Now, what in the heck does that have to do with "me time"? Well...by having this system in place....even when life was crazy and hectic...I was able to have some "me time" to drink coffee, journal, and do a little reading. Little bits like that helped to keep me somewhat balanced while my life was out of balance. That balance is something to be treasured.
Taking care of me helps me to be well (mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually)! So, I want to continue with the challenge through the end of the year....well....I want to continue with it forever, even if I don't blog about it. So....head on over and check out what others are doing for their me time!
