When you open your calendar, whether it is a digital calendar or a paper planner, do you feel peace and calm or do you feel overwhelmed? Do you even have a calendar or do you try to hold it all in your brain and find yourself missing appointments and deadlines?
Merriam-Webster defines calendaring as a transitive verb meaning “to enter in a calendar.” Seems pretty simple then why is it so hard?! How does calendaring fit into a Wellness Wednesday article? Well, let’s go back to our friend Sally and her Mom.
Last week Sally began using a capture tool and she rocked her ASB presentation because she remembered that it was a date specific event. Mom forgot about the deadline to sign and notarize documents and now has to pay a re-drafting fee.
Sally defined her capture tool (you can read about that here) and also decided how she was going to manage date and time specific events. She likes her paper planner but loves her Google Calendar because she can set reminders. Sally decided to use Google Calendar for all of her events or tasks that have to be done on a specific date. When she reviewed her capture tool notes she new she had to enter “ASB Meeting Presentation” on her calendar and then set the calendar to remind her the day before.
“Clutter doesn’t just occupy the house in which you live, it occupies your mind.”
Calendaring allows us the opportunity to effectively organize our time which calms the mind. Author, Avina Celeste, says that “Clutter doesn’t just occupy the house in which you live, it occupies your mind.” When you open your calendar and are faced with a borage of notes, reminders, journal entries or whatever else you jot down so you don’t forget, that takes up brain space, also known as cognitive overload.
Here are 3 simple ways you can effectively calm your calendar and calm your mind.
Define your calendar. There is no right or wrong here but you need something so your brain doesn’t have to use up energy remembering it all.
Only enter date and time specific events or tasks on your calendar. We can talk more about projects and routines later but for now, keep your calendar only for calendar items.
Review your calendar every morning and again every evening. This simple habit can ensure you stay ahead of appointments and due dates and allows your mind to settle as you rest for the evening. Everything is in it’s place, now your mind can rest.
Our goal in Wednesday Wellness articles to learn ways to calm and destress so our energy and effort can be spent where it is needed the most. If you’re interested in learning more, come back next Wednesday or reach out to Suzi Tasker at the District Office, to suggest topics you would like to learn more about.
Happy calendaring!