September - Take a Bliss Break

6 Tips to Get Back to The Basics
Photos by Jeffrey Williams, JAW Dropping Photography

Summer is officially over. The kids are back in school, the weather is getting cooler and Labor Day is behind us. After flitting all over with kids and spouses it's time to get back to business. No more sleeping in, working from the pool or camping in the back yard. It's time to get organized and get going, without forgetting to take a few Bliss Breaks!

By this time of summer, I'm usually very happy to get back to my routine. Over the course of the last few weeks I really got sucked into summer. We spent a lot of time "Staycationing", entertaining and hanging out. We especially took time to enjoy nature and started walking more than we have in a long time, appreciating the balance, the ying and yang of life.

In a post on the Becoming Minimalist Blog,Bill Gerlach said,"Nature does not want. The natural world lives in balance. There is no greed for more. Nature uses only what it needs to thrive in the most basic yet amazing way."

Taking my cue from the natural world before I dive in to work, I'm getting back to the basics, through balancing my time and work. Yes, I'm getting more organized. Below are 6 tips I found to help me along the way:

Organize First - then go shopping for what you need. Purge and donate items you haven't used in 6 months or more. Once you have everything in place, purchase any storage or filing items you need.
Set your timer - to manage your time wisely. Before you begin any task, think about how long it will really take and set the timer. Allow yourself ample time to complete the project.
Choose a calendar system - one that works best for your specific style. Today's cell phones have wonderful tools that can synch with Outlook, Yahoo, Google and more.
Write down the 3 most important tasks of the day - and stick with it until they are complete. Once you know the dirty work is done, the rest comes easy, and with less stress!
Say "NO" more often - You don't have to do everything. Be more selective about what meetings you schedule, what events you attend and how often you pitch in to help.
Take BLISS Breaks - Take breaks often to enjoy the moment. Stretch, get a cup of tea, walk around the block (or office), read something uplifting or positive, meditate. Did you know you can close your eyes, breathe deep and meditate in just minutes? A simple 1 to 3 minute meditation can truly enhance the quality of your day. (Of course, a 20 minute meditation is even better!)

As the leaves begin to turn to vibrant shades of yellow, orange and red, I'm appreciating the view from y office window and the cool, crisp air blowing in. It's a lot different than sitting at the lake, but just like nature, I'm going with the flow.

Whatever you are doing this fall, honor you and your space by getting a little more organized. Get back to nature if you can and carry your bliss with you so you're ready for a spontaneous Bliss Break anytime.

Bliss ON!

P.S. Click Here to download a free copy of The Blissness Plan -
The perfect resource for adding more bliss to your life!

Blisstory Question

Describe a scent that brings you back to your childhood

I grab these questions at random. How fitting that I opened to this question in the book as I come off my two month/summer hiatus from blogging. This time of year brings so many activities and scents that take us back to our childhood; from flowers and rain storms to fireworks and beaches; oh the smell of Coppertone. What really calls me back is a campfire. It doesn’t get any better than sitting around a campfire roasting marshmallows for S’mores or the smell of coffee and bacon cooking over a camp stove.

Michigan has so many great getaways that include fire pits. One of my favorites was Sleeper State Park North of Caseville on the beaches of Lake Huron. We’d camp at the park or stay at a cottage down the way. There was always something to keep us occupied whether swimming, fishing or hiking.

Another fav was Lake Superior State Park at the top of the Upper Peninsula on Lake Superior. The water was so cold you could barely slip you foot in, but fresh fish cooking over the open fire was worth it all. We’d be up at the crack of dawn out on the water for the “catch of the day”.

Sit down, take a few minutes, and let yourself go back to that blissful place in your youth….Summer!

Summer in Michigan, even better! Make it a staycation and remember to “choose bliss.”