Quick backstory: Eleven + months ago, I received an email that delivered a cherry on top of the icing on a 15-year cupcake of loss, adjustment, loss, adaptation, loss . . . Well, I think you get the picture. For over seven months, I struggled almost as much as I did when I first became widowed fifteen years ago. But four months ago I decided to step back from things — from almost everything; over the next few weeks, I experienced (for want of better word) a major shift in how I view myself, those around me, and life in general. And now I’m ready to move on. Whether you know me in “real life” or just here and/or on social media . . . if you’ve read previous blog posts . . . I hope you’ll see evidence of that shift.
“Reset”
Last winter, a friend shared with me how every Saturday morning, before the kiddos get up, she and her husband do a household “reset”. They fix a favorite beverage; she brings her day-planner and he his ipad to the table, and they spend about 5 minutes reflecting on how the previous week went . . . what went smoothly, the things that could have gone better, and the occasional out & out fiascos.
They spend the next15 minutes or so talking about what they need to do that day to make the coming week a positive one for their family. They look at the appointments on the calendar, tasks that need to be accomplished, etc., and they arrive at a general plan for the day and coming week that is both doable and flexible.
One component of their weekly plan stood out to me. After dinner every Friday night, they (with the help of their kids) “clean out” the pantry and refrigerator. They check and remove leftovers, questionable fruit and veggies, empty boxes (you know, the ones “nobody” left in there!), etc., and then quickly clean up any messes and tidy things. Then they make a grocery list as a family. When they get home from their Saturday-morning grocery run, they quickly clean and prep the fresh fruit and produce, and do all possible meal prep for the week, and put everything away — sometimes as a couple, but oftentimes as a family. Their kitchen is now reset for the coming week.
The weekly “reset” concept appealed to me, and about 4 months ago I began playing around with it, eventually arriving at something that works beautifully for me.
I now look forward to early Saturday mornings . . . a mug of tea, household binder, and ipad . . . reflection and planning.
I’ll be sharing more (both here and on social media) about my weekly reset in the weeks & months to come, I’m sure.
What about you? Is your life a bit crazy and chaotic? Do you feel like there are things you need to get a handle on but you don’t know how to begin?
Maybe a weekly reset would be a place to start.
What do you think? How does a weekly reset sound to you? Share your thoughts here and don’t forget to join me on Facebook & Instagram (Patti Miinch on both platforms) and join in the conversations there!
