Perspective & How You Choose to See it
The agonising hum of a drill, X10 project build survival hacks & letting go of what you can’t control
I can’t say for certain when I became this relaxed about a house -project. Said, no one ever. It’s hard to say when I decided to not continuously clean-up after the builders, but yesterday was the first day when all I did was brush up dust and decided to try and roll with it (famous last words — I know).
Anyone that knows me, knows I like my life very organised and tidy. Chaos does not have a place in my day to day and I always like a plan. So, when all of the new kitchen units arrived yesterday and were stacked sky high and across every area in the kitchen/dining/living area – my heart did sink a little. But and it’s a rather big but, I didn’t feel stressed or overwhelmed because I decided to go with the flow (you heard it stated here first). This is that bit that I was describing before, when it seems like there is no progress awash the mess, wires, exposed walls, sawdust and planks of wood everywhere but it’s actually when things really start to take shape and pull together.
Rather than let the chaos loom over me like a black and unwelcome cloud, I’ve taken a different perspective and stance, by recognising I cannot control the uncontrollable. Leading nicely onto my X10 project -build survival & sanity hacks …
The things I have done to minimise stress on our build are:
1) Staged packing is a big win
Gradually decant items from cupboards into stacking crates and plastic boxes for items that can’t go into crates.
2) Plastic tubs with lids are essential
Using plastic boxes with lids for breakfast items and cutlery etc, makes access easy, as things are sorted into categories and therefore on hand for mealtimes.
3) A gift from heaven: Reusable cups
Using a reusable cup throughout the day for seamless top-ups and drinks that last longer, has been a gift from heaven. Not only am I then using less in terms of cups etc, but it’s less washing-up, less boiling of the kettle (better for the environment) and it’s more convenient whilst working from home in and on my business.
4) Seek inspiration: Recommended viewing
Shows that I admire that have inspired my organising have been: The Home Edit (Netflix), Dream Home Makeover (Netflix), Sort Your Life Out (BBC) and Instagram accounts for Dilly Carter of @declutterdollies and Stacey Soloman @staceysoloman (whom are both on the show) on space hacks and general DIY tips.
5) Find perspective & thinking space
Allowing myself the thinking space when a challenge arises that needs to be overcome. Where a situation doesn’t present itself with an immediate solution – not everything requires a rapid fix and the benefit of thinking time even for 24hrs can make all the difference to ideas but also to your perspective.
6) Know when to take time out
At the end of the working day, if my head is feeling fuzzy, full & exhausted — I know I need time out. It’s important, in these moments, for me to give myself quiet time, to ensure I don’t pass on those feelings to others in the house.
7) Exercise regardless
Whatever the mess at home, I continue to go to my weekly Zumba classes to pound out the negative and to welcome the positive feeling of sheer euphoria afterwards. Good for sleep, good for your mental health and good for your body health too.
8) Find joy in the small, ordinary things
When I need perspective, I just take a walk out or look out of the car window if I’m on a college run, and take in the sky, the birds, the trees and the ebb & flow of people going about their daily life. I also enjoy my morning coffee and the small chats with my family because life is people and the special people in it that you share your time with.
9) Set clear boundaries
Being strict with working days and times and driving boundaries to respect the activities outside of the business & your downtime. Making time for the things & the people that matter.
10) Diarise everything
Diarising what is happening, both in my business and on the build to coordinate better working availability & time management saves my brain & my sanity. Although this isn’t a new hack and one I have shared more than once before, I can’t be more in favour of a physical diary as well as using your phone one – especially if you’re sharing online diaries with other people.
Final words on staying sane: Recalibrate & reset
When we’re stressed out and feel like a rabbit caught in headlights, our thoughts can become muddied and less clarified than perhaps they might usually be.
To me, if everyone else in the house is okay, then I am okay. If the balance is upset then I do feel the need to readjust and reset – to recalibrate and to find a way to restore what we can and to all move forwards together.
My business works on organisation but not every part of life can be the same, especially where you are waiting on others or the action of someone else or an organisational body.
There are times and situations in life that are beyond rhyme or reason and it’s only with time does the burden, challenge or emotional weight become bearable, manageable and more able to live with, whilst coming to terms with what that might mean for you and others.
I’m usually sunny-side up most of the time but sometimes those metaphorical rain droplets will appear — when it gets to the stage where I feel I’m at boiling point, I usually see that as a sign to step away and seek a little solitude. For now, however, I’m prepping at my portable table station (collapsible camping table) and relishing once again having a study to work in/run my business from (with noise cancelling headphones).
Why not sign up to be the first in the know of my behind the scenes business & life chats — you’ll get access to my archives and receive my weekly content exclusively before anyone else..
NB: Thank you to my teenage, creative & autistic son for his work experience assistance in creating eye-popping graphics for me and you the reader. He’s just about to finish year 1 and still loving learning how to create artwork for business with me & his passion of music. We’re off to an exhibition at his college and an awards ceremony shortly. (Watch this space for details)
Subscribe to The Copy Shop
For more Copy Shop Insights & Tell All Tales, stories, topical and noteworthy conversations, beyond the copy curtain approaches, know-how tips, random facts and news about the news, wordy subjects, people, business, culture, values and life — why not sign up to instantly receive all future lengthy thoughts, essays and threads where you can share your hot topics, opinions & challenges with me Amber Smith of Simply Amber Lou Business Copywriting Services here in the comments along with what podcasts you’re hungry to listen to at the moment and what you are digesting in terms of reading be that non-fiction or fiction books right now.
You can also find and connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
About Simply Amber Lou
Simply Amber Lou business copywriting services was founded by Amber Smith and is the home of business copywriting, content writing, course creation, copy power hours, copy packages, bespoke & bolt on services and copy audits, guided business copy teaching programmes, notebook designs and writing consultancy.
Our aim is to help business leaders to define their online voice and grow their audiences by writing sharp, smart and captivating content with over 20 years of professional business expertise.