First, please excuse my extended absence. That was not the plan. Computer issues, minor surgery, a wedding planning, and well, life, has rather overwhelmed my time. Hopefully, I am back to my normal.
The bonus here is that my plan works. Each time I test its efficacy and its timely effort, it works. It is a multilevel plan for life that works for me, for 40+ years. Each and every one of us needs to define our needs and customize the plan to suit our lives. I will share my way and you can formulate your plan as you wish.
The plan for me is daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance of the living space. It also includes three annual stocking-up shops at a big box store. The weekly shop is included as well. Fresh food is essential to a healthy diet. We will discuss everything from seasonal and holiday decor to clothing purchase, use, and storage. I have a dear friend who is very limited on closet space. Each season, warm to cold, she bins up her seasonal clothes, has her son haul these bins up the hill then stack them in an outdoor storage shed. Are the closets really that small or does she have too many clothes? Is there a better way to utilize the space she has? We will think about that.
Since food is so important to all of us, we will start there. I have another blog, HERE, where I have published some of our favorite recipes. I try to add something as I come upon a new or test a recipe several times to be sure it is shareable! For example, this cottage pie has been made so many times, even my neighbors have been turning out the lights when they see me coming!
First things first, YOU. In order for any of us to take control of our lives, we have to prepare. As Marla says, wash your face, put on your shoes. I tend to work into my day more slowly these days. I don't have a job to rush to, I can enjoy my mornings. However, the basics still apply. I dress casually and comfortably every day. I will not go out in public (emergencies excluded from this rule) without being "turned out" for public exposure. The pandemic fostered sloppy behavior. Lounging about in PJ's, never wearing shoes, eating too much, all contributed to a lifestyle that was not only unattractive but unhealthy as well. I was determined not to go there. Because I needed to greet deliveries as well as family who stood on the porch and waved hello in the early days, I was absolutely determined to maintain my lifestyle.
How this translates for me is really rather simple. Of course, the morning toilette is essential. Bathing, oral care, and clothing appropriate for the season is first. My clothing, in the home, tends to be sort of a uniform. I wear comfortable jeans or knit pants with an elastic waist, a t-shirt or blouse, shoes with a hard sole. I have arthritis in my feet and supportive shoes help alleviate the discomfort. Cool weather brings out the socks as well. My shoes are considered house shoes. These are not worn in public. It keeps them clean and in good repair. Right now I am mostly wearing Alegria's, they are a slip on T-strap, actually 4 years old and still going strong. The other is a pair of Charix mules. A slip on with a smooth leather insole, they are a bit flat and probably not going to be a regular. I find them too flat, I will work on that.
As a child I witnessed the women in my family and their practices. One of the die-hard rules my mother followed was to bathe, change to clean clothes, do the hair and make-up at 3 pm each day. My father would be home at 4pm. She told me that since he worked in an office with notoriously attractive women, she had to be her best self when he came home. She was a stay-at-home mother, known as a housewife then. I sensed there was a level of insecurity in her and in our neighbors because they considered their status to be diminished when they left their pre-marriage employment.
While the circumstances in my life are entirely different, I put my best face forward every day. The difference is likely that my facial cremes etc. have a high SPF! They key to maintaining my clothing, long-term, is the lowly apron. I wear one every day. This one is my favorite because there is no tension or weight on my neck. I have many traditional chef-type aprons that tend to be worn the most. It protects my clothing while doing food prep and cooking, I need the pockets, and I tend to make or purchase happy colors and prints for this essential. So, now I am dressed and ready to face my day. I keep a traditional calendar on the back of a door that leads to our lower level, I also keep the same on my phone. The door calendar is mostly for my husband, he is not a tech person. I always preview that weekly agenda on Sundays. I am ready for the week. My lists are done, I am not rushing about, willy-nilly, worried about the little things. Next post: my Monday routine.
Comments
Post a Comment