Life likes to throw the weirdest situations my way. One day things will be okay, the next they’ll be incredibly chaotic, and then everything will be fine again. It’s a messy little sequence that constantly has me on my toes. I’ve found that small changes in my life have made the chaos more manageable, and I’d like to share a few of them regardless of how on-the-nose they may be.
Getting Enough Sleep (But Not Too Much)
I’m a sleep fiend. Very few things are better to me than getting cozy in my bed. Wrapping up in a soft blanket, holding a stuffed animal or two close to my chest while my cat snuggles next to my head? Absolute bliss. Sleeping too much throws me off my rhythm though—I end up lethargic and my stomach hurts the entire day. The same thing happens when I don’t sleep enough. Finding the delicate balance of just enough sleep is a lengthy process (and one that requires discipline at that,) but one that’s incredibly worth it. You get a better understanding of your body and find ways to navigate your nights that are beneficial to you. You also can shape your morning and nightly routines around your sleep schedule, making life a little more organized.
Cleaning Once a Week
Cleaning has honestly become one of my favorite things to do each week. Because I’m a full-time student with a part-time job and extra club activities each week, my room’s cleanliness is the least of my concerns. Every Sunday I turn on music, start my laundry, and get to tidying up my room. I’ll focus especially on making sure my desk is cleaned up and my bed is made, as those are the two things I end up using the most. Having a physical reset each week ends up helping substantially.
Listening to New Music Frequently
I struggle with monotony. I love when things are new but struggle with long-form content like T.V. shows or podcasts. If I commit to something, I want to make sure I can stick it through until the end, and something I can easily do that with is music. New albums are generally less than 90 minutes long and are a fun way to express yourself. It can also be a fun way to get to know your friends better—try asking someone you’re close to what their favorite album is and give it a listen. By doing this, you get a better understanding of who they are while potentially finding new music to enjoy!
Of course, none of these are complete fixes to the chaos life brings. They’re little band-aids that make things more enjoyable, organized, or interesting. Obviously, some patches work better than others, but as long as you’re doing your best, that’s all that matters.