Decor, Discipline, and Maybe even a Scented Candle🍂🕯️

 Good morning, reader! I feel a mindful essay coming on! Grab a coffee and maybe a notebook, because this essay has some numbered bullet points! 

I have been thinking about discipline a lot lately. I feel like it goes hand in hand with attention span, self-awareness, and ambition. Is it becoming more and more rare? They say with smart phones, everyone's attention spans are diminishing. I have noticed this with myself sometimes. This is not a judgement- just an observation I've made about myself and the world around me. And I want to refine it for myself. I want to be disciplined so that I can live my dream life. 

I am dedicating this post to 3 ways to be more disciplined in a world that has little to none. So, let's begin!

1. Why do you want this?

I believe you should first recognize why you want to achieve something. Is it for your health? Is it for your career? Maybe it's less extreme than that. Maybe it's for your home to be decorated for Halloween. Whatever it is, figure out why you want this goal to be completed. Figure out why it matters and remember that throughout your plan to complete the task. 

2. What is the outcome if you don't?

This is kind of like the reverse of #1. We were focusing on why we want to do something, which would most likely be a successful outcome. But what would happen if we didn't complete the task? Do we end up with a serious health setback? Do we drop out of college and have a major college debt to pay? Or possibly worse, is the house half decorated-half disaster from all of the decor being spread out everywhere?! I'm only kidding about that being worse than the first two scenarios-but the sentiment rings true. I think we spend too much time looking at the positive outcomes if we do something as opposed to the possible negative outcomes if we don't. And it might not be good vs bad. It may only be good vs nothing. Which is something we need to weigh out. Is it worth the trouble?

3. How can you realistically do this?

Now I am huge fan of Atomic Habits by James Clear. He breaks down ways to have a successful life filled with great habits. I won't go into much detail about the entire book, but one thing he mentions is that we have to set realistic goals for ourselves, otherwise, it is just too far out of reach. We aren't going to be able to run 5 miles right off the bat. But we can start with a half mile, then 1 mile, and so on. If it means setting a few mini tasks to get started, then so be it! Whatever you are trying to be disciplined at, make it manageable for yourself. 

In no way is this a simple follow-the-recipe and you'll get everything you want! It is going to take effort. It is going to use your discipline muscles. The only way to get better and stronger at it is to keep using them. Keep being disciplined. In your diet, in your work, in the gym, everywhere. When you go to Target for dinner groceries and then you notice the seasonal aisle, and suddenly your cart is full of pillows, 3 candles, dish towels, a rug, and two lamps, use your discipline muscles! (well, maybe leave the candles, because you know you're going to use them)

If you really do have your notebook nearby, try answering the three questions for yourself. You might be surprised with what comes up! Self-discipline is a skill we will be grateful for refining. It will benefit us so much, and it may even set an example for other people. Acknowledging the consequences of actions, looking at the bigger picture, thinking ahead- these are not bad things.

I hope this post is encouraging to you! I hope you're able to become more disciplined so that you can live your dream life! ✨

I will see you next time!

xoxo