I can’t believe it is day 18 of self-care month already! Only 12 more days to go, well done for getting so far, you should be patting yourself on the back 🙂
When I went to counselling one of the things that we had to do in order to progress was to set some goals. This gave us all a purpose and a reason for moving forwards when the counselling had finished. I can’t really remember what my original goals were, they have probably changed quite a lot since then. Cont…
In my Leonie Dawson workbook that I filled out at the beginning of this year there was a page called
12 Zen Habits (From Leo Babuta at Zen habits.net)
They are all pretty useful and zen and go as follows
I think we can all pretty much agree that these ‘Zen Habits’ are worth thinking about as we go through our days. In fact I have them stuck on the wall in front of me right this very second look
My favourite one is number 1. I actually do use this one every day now. Having 3 MIT’s is great because it isn’t overwhelming. It its an endless to do list. It is just what actually matters to you the most on that day. Sometimes there is time for more. Some days I have achieved my MIT’s by 11am and I have the rest of the day to frolic..or whatever. I take 5 minutes every morning to figure out what the 3 tasks are for that day that i definitely need to do. If i think of 4 i have to choose which ones are the most necessary to my day.
Todays MIT’s for example are
Today is pretty standard actually. Often my 3 MIT’s have something to do with self-care (appointment-actually for hypnotherapy) something for my business (today-write blog post) and often something to do with studying because there is basically always something I really need to do for that.
Other days, I know immediately that My number 1 priority is self care. Sometimes my MIT is actually to find time for a quick nap, or a bath, or just to read alone for a while. On days when I’m not feeling that great I know that that needs to be taken care of first.
Some days it is to do something fun with my family, to visit my grandma, to clean something, to business plan, to organise something for charity, to find time for yoga or a walk or to write in my journal if I haven’t done that for a while, to create something if i haven’t done that for a while.
You get the picture. I need to sit down each morning and actually give myself a few minutes to think about what the day holds in store for me and how I can work out when to do my MIT’s.
Why don’t you try it? Could you list 3 MIT’s today?
Peace out,
Imogen x
P.S.
Have you signed up for self-care month? Free daily emails throughout June with self care tasks in for every day! Sign up here
Happy first of the month/April Fools Day!
I love the start of a new month, its like a mini new year, a bit of a fresh start if you need one.
At the beginning of every month I review my goals, as advised in the Leonie Dawson workbook. And I set goals for the next month from my workbook. I sit down with my calendar and work out a budget for my money for the month. I make any appointments I need to for that month and I make time to be ready for any birthdays and parties that I have coming up with regards to presents and cards. I check that everything in my calendar is in line with what I have in my diary and work out my study planner for the month.
Sitting down at the beginning of every month to organise myself makes my time less stressful and more productive. It normally take a couple of hours maximum and is worth every second of that time. Give it a try and see how much smoother and more rewarding this month is for you.
For any more help and ideas contact me at imogenjhope@gmail.com
Peace & love,
Imogen x

Well I am back online finally. Now I intend to do more with this blog and make it into the network of helpful tips, ideas, and advice on how to balance your life and make space for all the wonderful things you dream of doing but feel like you never have time for. Like, for example, myself-working on this blog, running my house, looking after 2 children, doing a degree, creating and looking after myself. All very important aspects of my life!
I’ve said it before but I don’t think I can ever say it enough. Routines are there as guidelines. Do not allow it to control you. Let it be flexible. If something comes up that you hadn’t planned DO NOT WORRY, just get on with it and come back to your routines when you can. When you keep on top of things that you need or want to do the odd day where you don’t follow it won’t make as much impact on how much you can get done.
I reworked my daily routines last week as it is something that needs doing often when my life changes regularly. I have vague distinctions between days because of different commitments etc. And my version has a lot more specific detail but i’m sure you don’t actually need to know what days I wash my hair or paint my toenails etc! (Yes, I am that organised! If i don’t plan toe-nail-painting I will never do it!) But, anyway, here is a basic version of my weekdays.
7am-8:20-Getting ready for school/put a load of washing on/school run
8:45-10am-Wash up breakfast pots/cleaning tasks for the day (will include how i separate cleaning tasks through the week on another post)/Tuesdays I nip to the shops or market for any bits I have run out of
10am-11:30-Usually go out with baby to My grandmas/playgroup/park/swimming/the library
11:30-Lunch
12pm-1pm-Blog/craft while baby naps
2pm-Exercise, usually hula hoop, yoga, Pilates just at home
3pm- 3:30-School run/homework
3:30pm-5pm-Play games/play in the garden/read together
5pm-7pm-Eat tea/clean up/watch TV
7pm-7:40-Getting kids ready for bed and getting them to sleep.
I will post specifics about evening routines on another post. This is a really important time (especially for parents of young children) to look after themselves, to relax and to create things for themselves. Sometimes studying or work runs over into these times but thats ok. As long as we get some time to really do what it is that makes us who we are or who we want to be.
If you need any help creating your own routines then please contact me via the contact page or email imogenjhope@gmail.com, I would love to help you.
Have a gorgeous day,
Imogen
I have always been a big fan of goals, and lists. So a list of goals is obviously right up my street. When I got the Leonie Dawson Create your amazing life work book at the end of last year this was the part that I was the most excited about filling out. And it is sooo motivational. I haven’t ever felt motivation like it if I’m honest. So I thought I would share some of the goals I have already completed which is just amazing.
So far this year then I have completed 21 out of my 100 goals. A lot of the other ones I have started already and will continue to do throughout the year or until they are complete. It feels good to review the list and go back to it to see how I am getting on with it. From the silly, to the personal, to the huge life-changing things. Its good to know that when I write these things down it is the start of their manifestation.
I really don’t think I would have done half of them if I didn’t have the workbook. I would recommend the workbook all day long to anyone basically.
Imogen x
imogen j hope 