Hit Unsubscribe!

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!