I am in the
process of simplifying my life.
Too many things are competing for my attention.
I’m sure you can relate to the
feeling of burnout from too many emails, invitations, newsletters, and
frankly-too many choices.
We have
more choices now than ever before.
And it’s exhausting.
So I’m getting rid of diversions, time
suckers, and obligations that don’t feel good anymore.
I’m ditching things that
are not necessary, not helpful, and don’t bring me joy.
The first
casualty is my email in box.
I’ve been receiving four emails a day, two for
each email address I use, from Bath and Body Works- for I don’t know how many
years.
Really?
Am I going to miss out on some sort of soap or lotion offer that
is going to rock my socks off?
I
doubt it.
How about Bloomingdale’s
where I bought a gift online two years ago, and have since been treated to
daily updates and offerings?
Nope.
Even worse is the American Muscle Car
company that has been inundating me with emails since I bought my son specialty
car head lights for his Mustang.
This is CRAP!
I do not need to hear from that place again until next
Christmas!
So I went on a
wild unsubscribe binge and took no prisoners.
I unsubscribed to newsletters
from colleagues that I don’t read, restaurants I don’t frequent, stores that I
bought one item at and consequently am deluged with emails for the rest of my
life.
I did hear a little fearful voice in my head say, “Hey, what if I miss
something?” I calmed myself by
thinking… I can always re-subscribe.
If I find that I am missing some amazing
information or sale offer, I can easily get back on the list.
If my newsletter
produces any angst for you, unsubscribe!
I will get over it!
I’d rather have
fewer very invested readers than a ton of people that aren’t really interested,
and can’t even remember who the heck I am.
Since my inbox
hatchet job, I cannot believe the how much calmer I feel.
I had no idea how
distracting looking at those extraneous messages was, and that each one was
making me a teensy bit anxious by showing up regularly, asking for some attention.
It’s so important to lessen the
stimulus that bombards us in a negative way.
So, when you are done
unsubscribing from junk emails, go on to ditching magazine subscriptions for
mags you don’t read, put your phone number on the Do Not Call registry for telemarketers,
and scroll through your DVR and stop recording shows you don’t watch.
When you’re
really on a roll, go through one drawer in your house and ask your self these
questions…
Is it useful?
Is it beautiful?
Does it bring me joy?
If the answer is
no to all of these questions- get rid of it.
Donate it to an organization that can use it.
Think of it
like Woody in Toy Story.
He wants to be played with and loved.
When Andy got
too old to play with Woody, he gave him to a little girl who would love him,
rather than keeping him in the back of a closet to collect dust.
Do that with your stuff.
We’ve all got things that are
weighing us down, and taking up mental or physical space.
Just start with one
thing, and see how you feel.
Now if you’ll
excuse me, I am going to attack the tragic wreckage that is my toiletry cabinet
under my bathroom sink.
If you don’t hear from me for a while, come looking for
me- it’s scary under there! Happy simplifying!
