Hello! Today I want to talk to you about 5 lifestyle rules that not only do I swear by but they have completely changed my life.
Let’s jump in:
- Budgeting- as it relates to savings
What I do: I set my budget up by how much I’m going to put where. I know how much my bills are each month and I know exactly how much I’m going to save. That way I know what’s left over each month for me.
How this has helped: This has created discipline in my financial life. I have been able to work toward some lofty financial goals so far and it has reined in my spending. It has allowed me to see what I can live without and enjoy the things I do spend my money on more.
2. Applying a color scheme to my wardrobe
What I do: I took a look at my clothes and saw that I tend to gravitate more towards a certain color and I also looked at my most worn pieces. I picked three colors to concentrate on and decided to stick with mostly solids. I removed everything else from my closet.
How this helped: This has cut down on the time it takes for me to put together an outfit and it has helped me realize what my personal style is. This has taken the guess work out of what looks good together or is this going to be comfortable. I have a curated closet of items I like and know look good on me. I feel as though I am no longer a slave to trends and I’ve refined my style to exactly what I like and what’s me.
3. I eat the same thing for lunch everyday
What I do: I know you’re asking yourself why would you do this? Doesn’t that get boring? Let me clarify: I do this at work during the week and I do it with salad. Yes I’m eating a salad everyday but it’s not the same salad everyday. I switch up dressing, toppings, and protein i.e. meat.
How this helped: Salads are extremely versatile, easy to prepare, easy to transport, and inexpensive. So even though it seems like the same thing everyday it’s really not. Plus this takes the guess work out of what I’m having for lunch and keeps me from unhealthy alternatives like fast food.
4. Washing the dishes before bed
What I do: If there are dishes they must be washed before I go to bed that night. I try to clean as I cook so the dishes don’t pile up on me.
How this helped: In the morning especially on the weekdays my main focus is getting ready for work and out the door. It’s nice coming into the kitchen and not seeing a sink full of dishes. Also it eliminates the anxiety I carry with me all day knowing I have to come home and clean up after I’ve worked all day.
5. Treating myself everyday even if it’s small
What I do: I try not to keep sweets in the house because it’s unhealthy and I have no discipline in this area but what I do like to keep on hand are chocolate chips. I keep them in the freezer and that’s my night time sweet snack. It’s something that is completely for me and something I can look forward to at the end of the day. Or playing a song that I love on repeat during my commute to work and singing at the top of my lungs.
How it helped: In my opinion treating yourself should never be an occasional thing because you should enjoy life everyday and treats are apart of that. So many people and women especially don’t take time for themselves in any area of their life. It’s so focused on others (families, friends, co-workers, etc.). We often times are burdened with being the care givers and care takers but never stop to think who takes care of me? Take care of yourself! Treats come in all shapes and sizes. It can be something you indulge in each day like a sweet treat, listening to music you love, dancing around your house, taking a long bath each night, watching your favorite shows each week, enjoying your favorite meal each week, etc. Whatever it is make it special for you. This has slowed me down and allowed me to value myself in the context of self love. I do these things for me because I love me. Love is not something you can leave to others exclusively, at the end of the day I’m all I’ve got, so I’m going to love me, cherish, me, and treat me.
Live it. Love it. Style it.
TheStylishLife 