Eight days into 2015 and I have to say that I am really loving it! I don’t know what it is but things are different. Maybe the fact that my house has been clean since December 19 (that’s right, 20 whole days!) helps. Well except for my bedroom, but nobody is perfect.
I also feel lighter on the inside. It’s like I flipped an internal switch when I decided to focus on being happy and positive and boy is it working! You can even ask my husband, he’s quite astonished. Setting my goals for 2015 was a good start and I am really looking forward to seeing what this year brings.
On that note, here are my #3ThingsThursday this week:
1. Notifications
Earlier this week, just on a whim, I decided to turn of all the notifications on my phone except for IMessages and FB pm’s. I noticed that no matter what I was doing, part of my mind was on the phone. As soon as a notification popped up, I had to check it immediately, regardless of the fact if it was important or not. And really, that’s just not necessary.
I still go into my phone and regularly check my notifications as it is part of the work that I do, just not instantaneously. I know if it’s really important, I will get a call, text or FB message. It’s actually kind of calming to not have them popping up.
2. Shopping Challenge
I’ve written right on my blog, in the about me section, that I love a good bargain so it’s kind of perfect that I am teaming up with Coquitlam Centre for their Best-Dressed-For-Less Blogger Campaign. My challenge is to buy an outfit for each member of the family for under $150! I am pretty sure that with all the deals going on, I will totally rock it! The sale starts tomorrow and I can’t wait to start shopping. I will blog about how I did and the outfits I found. Wish me luck!
3. Puzzles
And to completely change the subject, puzzles have resurfaced as a popular activity in our house. Lately, many afternoon have been filled with covering the floors with puzzles and I have to admit, I’m enjoying it. It brings back memories of when I used to make puzzles with my family, the biggest one being a dining table-sized NKOTB puzzle. (For those that aren’t fans, NKOTB stands for New Kids on The Block.) Amazingly, there is still one of those vintage puzzles on sale on Amazon!
Those are my 3 Things Thursday. I’d love to hear about yours. All you have to do is write a blog post about three things you want to share from your week. Grab the badge from the top of my post. Make sure to link back to either myself, Salma at The Write Balance, Raj at Pink Chai Living or Nisha at Love Laugh Mirch. Then click on the linky below to add your post. It’s that simple. I can’t wait to read your post!
Happy Thursday 🙂
When I saw the boy band I thought I they looked familiar and yes they’re them! And of course I’m brought back to memory lane and “I’ll be loving you forever” is the background on my mind. Love NKOTB too!
Jo of saycheesycake.blogspot.com
Drop by anytime 🙂
Gotta love NKOTB! And I will stop by 🙂
What a wonderful start to a new year for you. I’m happy for you. I guess I’m feeling lighter too, for some reason. Of your 3 things, my favorite is the jigsaw puzzle. I’ve done a lot of them in my lifetime. A lot of them were with my mother and I have fond memories of that. I used to go through periods when I just did one after another. Couldn’t get enough of them. Thanks for reminding me. Peace
Hi Salma,
That is great about being focused on being happy. It does make a huge difference, doesn’t it? You know what they say – A Happy Wife Makes a Happy Life 🙂
That is awesome you took off some of those notifications from your phone. They can be so distracting and takes away from quality time with the family if you are not careful as well as stops you from being able to concentrate on the task at hand.
I am looking forward to hearing more about your shopping challenge. I am definitely interested to see how that turns out for you. Keep us informed! Great idea about the puzzle also. That is truly good quality time with the family.
Looks like your 2015 is starting off perfectly. I wish you a very happy and prosperous year my friend. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for your comment Nate. 2015 has really been a breath of fresh air.
Inspiring blog. Thank you.
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Salma
I understand exactly what you mean by notifications. It’s interesting how I’m reading this early Friday morning but while I was doing my work on Thursday – blogging, emailing, etc I put my phone on airplane mode.
I know it’s a bit extreme because then NO one can reach you.
But I really didn’t want any distractions.
And it’s such a peace to know that you can work and not hear – ping, ping , ping, ping, ping.
Thanks for sharing your three things.
That’s good that you have found something that works well for you Hilary.
Hmm I think I need to turn off the notifications on my phone too! It gets really distracting.
It really does!
Isn’t it strange the way an attitude can change the way our body and mind feel? Often one deep breath can achieve lightness inside. I love looking through racks of clothing at a sale, although I haven’t done so this year.
It really does make a difference!
I don’t own a mobile phone, so the annoying buzz of constant messages doesn’t affect me. However, the main line phone is flashing about a missed call and it’s wearing out the battery. Hehe. There’s no getting away from modern life.
Lol, that is very true Francene.
I like the thing about muting notifications on the phone. That is the best thing to do and just leave the message channels from which really important messages come through. Like you the nature of my work requires me having to do that.
Since adopting the mute, I find that I cover more ground with my work and I look forward to a very productive year ahead. Thank you for sharing.
It really does help productivity.
So glad to hear that you feel happier and lighter this week Salma! I keep very few notifications on, on my phone and also have my email set up so it only comes in when I refresh, not automatically. I feel like that lets me focus on the task at hand rather than feeling like I have to respond to every message.
PS: I LOVE puzzles but sadly none of my kids or my spouse are in to them. I think I might go out and by myself one for some me time after reading your post!
Changing the notifications has been great. And you should totally re-engage your love of puzzles.
Hi Salma,
Always enjoy your posts 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by Joan.
Hurray for you on a great start to 2015! Mine has not been so great – still carrying some baggage from 2014, but hoping to set that down soon and forget about it!
I’ll have to look into your “3 Things Thursday” a little more. Thanks for sharing! Like Joan said, I always enjoy your posts! 🙂
I hope your 2015 gets better soon!
Great idea about the notifications! And really glad you’re having a fabulous start to 2015! I’m sure it’s going to be a great one for you and your family. Especially in your new outfits 🙂 Can’t wait to see what you come up with! Have fun!
It has been great so far Taslim. Thanks!