With the big life transition that we are all facing right now, it has been an important time to reflect on how we want to live on a daily basis. What makes us feel good, what do we want our surroundings to look like? Given that we are being quarantined in our own homes and, for most of us, turning our homes into temporary schools, offices, and safe zones our homes have taken on new roles.
This is a great time to do some much needed purging and spring cleaning. Making our surroundings clean and peaceful is so important right now. It can be difficult to let things go, but once you do the time and money you will save is worth it!
Get your family involved. Kids love a challenge and organizing can be turned into a game. Turn on music and see how many toys they can put away before the song is over. Create fun around getting and staying organized and you will be giving them the gift of a life-long skill.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo (CLAMS eBook link, CLAMS eaudiobook link)
Outer Order, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin (eBook link)
The Clutter Remedy: A guide to getting organized for those who love their stuff by Marla Stone (eBook link)
Clear the Clutter, Find Happiness: one-minute tips for decluttering and refreshing your home and your life. (eBook)
Real Life Organizing: clean and clutter-free in 15 minutes a day. (eAudiobook)
Organize for a Fresh Start: embrace your next chapter in life. (eBook)
On The Point with Mindy Todd this morning we discussed books that might inspire you to set a few resolutions for the New Year, or make you decide that there was no need to make a resolution. As Virginia Woolf wrote in her diary on Friday, January 2nd, 1931: “Then — well the chief resolution is the most important — not to make resolutions. Sometimes to read, sometimes not to read. To go out yes — but stay at home instead of being asked. As for clothes, I think to buy good ones.” Vicky Titcomb, of Titcomb’s Bookshop joined us for this show. The show was pre-recorded, so if you would like to share any of your favorite books on New Year’s Resolutions, please leave a comment and we will add it to the list!
Vicky’s Picks
The Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Make Your Bed: little things that can change your life … and maybe the world by Admiral William H. McRaven
George Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior
Forks Over Knives — the cookbook: over 300 recipes for plant-based eating all through the year by Del Sroufe
Gmorning, gnight!: little pep talks for you and me by Lin-Manuel Miranda; illustrations by Johnny Sun
Wherever You Go, There You Are: mindfulness meditation in everyday life by Jon Kabat-Zinn
Little Book of Mindfulness: 10 minutes a day to less stress, more peace by Dr. Patrizia Collard
TBC30: 6 steps to a stronger, healthier you by Michael Wood
The Yoga Deck by Olivia H. Miller
1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: a life-changing list by James Mustich
What Good Should I Do This Day?: a journal inspired by Benjamin Franklin
Jill’s Picks
The Diary of Virginia Woolf, Volume Four, 1931 – 1935. Letter from Friday, January 2nd, 1931.
How to Be a Better Person by Kate Hanley
Almost Everything: Notes on Hope by Anne Lamont, particularly chapter eleven, “Food.”
Food & Life by Joël Robuchon and Dr. Nadia Volf
Letters of Wallace Stevens selected and edited by Holly Stevens. See journal entry for December 31, 1900.
The Anthologist by Nicholson Baker
The Year of Reading Dangerously: how fifty great books (and two not-so-great ones) saved my life by Andy Miller
A Calendar of Wisdom: daily thoughts to nourish the soul Written and selected from the world’s sacred texts by Leo Tolstoy
This Year I Will: how to finally change a habit, keep a resolution, or make a dream come true by M. J. Ryan
Selected Letters of Dylan Thomas, edited and with commentary by Constantine Fitzgibbon. See the letter of 25 December 1933.
Listener Picks (We weren’t live, but we still have some listener suggestions!)
You Are a Bad Ass: how to stop doubting your greatness and start living an awesome life by Jen Sincero
BONUS!
Self-Help Dewey Numbers To Use When In Your Public Library …
Aging and Longevity 155.6719
Anger 152.47
Anxiety 152.46
Assertiveness 158
Codependency 155.9
Empathy 152.41
Emotions 152.4
Fear 152.46
Forgiveness 155.92; 179.9
Grief 155.937
Habit Breaking 158.1
Left and Right Handedness 152.335
Meditation 158.12
Memory 153.12
Perfectionism 158.1
Rejection 158.2
Relationships 158.24
Relaxation Exercises 155.9042, 158.12
Self-Acceptance 158
Self-Esteem 158.1
Self-Help Techniques 155.264
Self-Hypnosis 154.7
Stress Management 155.9042
Time Management 158.1
Worry 158.1