Do you open your closet and fall against your back beneath a pile of clothes? Do you take hours to find that top you want to wear? If yes, it means your closet is full of stuff you don’t need; and you need to declutter.
However, I do know that decluttering can be a struggle. I mean how often have you taken out, and put back clothes in a conflict? So, the point is, decluttering requires letting go. And as they say, letting go is not easy. Nonetheless, it’s important if you want peace. If you want to attack your whole house, I encourage you to read Marie Kondo’s book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. When I read this book the first time, my life completely changed. I found so much more space in my home and felt so much better about myself. I often revisit the principals and do my decluttering at least once a month. Let’s get started on a very easy, but also difficult area, your clothes. Here are a few tips I use often when I’m decluttering and deciding what to keep and not. These work well with anyone in your family, even the kids.
How to Declutter your Clothes
1. Separate the clothes you frequently wear, and those you don’t
Letting go of clothes requires a tough heart. But before you must get to that, how about starting easy?
So, the first step is to segregate the clothes you frequently wear, and those you don’t. The first batch is definitely the one you won’t have to let go of. While for the former, you know you have to. If you have seasons and want to start with clothes you haven’t worn all season, like sweater or jeans or dresses, this makes quick work.
Now the logic behind this segregation is, it won’t be much of a struggle with clothes you don’t wear and you don’t care about. These are the ones you can let go of easily. If you haven’t worn them all season, they go right into the pile, especially if the seasons are about to change. However, sometimes even that can be troublesome. If the struggle seems familiar, you might want to follow the next step.
2. Separate the ones that are worn out or those that don’t fit you anymore
Worn-out clothes – those that look old and ragged, or have threads pulling out, buttons broken, with tears- are easy to let go because there’s no reason to keep them – making the first lot that you can get rid of, easily.
Next, coming to those clothes that don’t fit you anymore. You might be tempted to keep them on a pretense that you’ll get back in shape. I often do this with workout clothes that are too big but still in good shape. I always think about how much money was spent on them and try to wear them again, even if they are falling down when I try to run. It’s honestly more frustrating and I always take that clothing item off, sometimes mid workout, and put it in the donate pile, because it’s so annoying. But I’m not going to gain the weight back or lose the muscle I have so I won’t fit into them again. You need to ask yourself the same, will you commit to a routine where you can wear them again, or not? Would you be able to exercise regularly? Would you be able to eat clean? Are you committed to achieving being able to wear the item again?
Be honest with yourself here. If you think you cannot fit into them again – let go. If you think otherwise, separate those clothes and give them a one-month timeline. During this month, you have to exercise, eat clean, and try to reduce the fat no matter what. If you manage to do that, feel free to keep them. If not – you know what to do.
3. Know where to donate your clothes
Kindness feels good. Sometimes when you know you are donating your clothes to those in need, your heart gets bigger. In other words, you let go without much of a struggle. So, if you want to seriously let go of clothes, and want to help someone, talk to an orphanage or social services regarding clothes donation. Once you do that, clothing donation would seem like an obligation (It’s a good thing).
Here in Arizona, there are drop off boxes for shoes, clothes, household items, books and similar items that benefit local charities. I feel better about taking my items that are still in good shape to these places because they do get a second life with someone who can use them. Obviously, if the clothes are stained or not in good shape, I don’t add them to the pile. Other items I take to Goodwill because they don’t fit into the above mentioned categories.
4. Ask yourself all the decluttering questions
Decluttering can be a struggle, but it can become fairly easy if you ask yourself the right questions. Here is the checklist.
“Do I really like this piece of clothing?”
“Do I wear these kinds of clothes?”
“Would I really have them altered?”
“Is there going to be a party anytime soon, where I can wear it?”
“Am I not letting it go because it’s in good condition, knowing that I don’t wear it?”
“Am I not letting go because it created a hole in my pocket?”
“Does this item bring me joy?” — Marie Kondo question
Once you ask these questions, it’s a no-brainer that you have to be honest with yourself. Nonetheless, if you are conflicted about the last two questions – trust me there’s no use in creating unnecessary space even when it’s in good condition. If you are donating, someone can use it. Secondly, if it was expensive, it’s in the past, you cannot get the money back, so there’s no point in holding it either. And if someone can use that expensive item and actually enjoy and use it, it’s serving them better than sitting in your closet collecting dust and taking up space.
This deserves another section because it’s something sensitive. Sometimes you don’t keep clothes because you think they’re in perfectly good condition, or you wasted money on them, but because those clothes are souvenirs of moments or people. Holding onto these items can mean you are not moving on.
So, ask yourself, “Is it the right thing to do?” “What are other ways I can remember this person or moment?” Sometimes, you can look in your phone and find a photo of the clothing item, the person or experience, and keep the memory that way versus the clothing item.
It’s you who has to make the call.
Lastly, Make it a routine
You might want one piece of clothing really bad this month, but a few months later, you might even forget about it because you wouldn’t like it anymore. It’s human nature – we get bored and tired of things, especially clothes, that’s why we keep buying new, not because we own fewer of them.
So, it is highly suggestible to evaluate your clothes every now and then, make it a routine. Trust me, decluttering cannot be a one-time process, because of the same reason mentioned above, and because we own too much. We change, clothes change, as do the seasons. It’s important to remember it’s ok to change and want different things, just remember to sort out your closet as much as you change your mind.
Nonetheless, once again, to make it easier, you need to ask yourself all the right questions. (The ones I listed above, in the previous section) and answer honestly.
Hey there, do you find decluttering hard? Feel free to share your views and ideas with us in the comment section.
It’s no secret that road-tripping the Southwest is considered a love affair for desert lovers. Home to a vast array of varried landscapes and drool-worthy scenery, this region of the United States has a little bit of everything to offer visitors.
If you’re currently planning your first visit to this stunning region, it might be overwhelming to plan the process. Seriously, with so many astounding destinations to choose from, how do you even begin narrowing down where to go?
Here’s a little reality check for you: One single trip to the Southwest isn’t enough to even start scratching the surface. The good, news, though? You’ll become addicted to traveling the region. And will definitely start plotting a return as soon as you get back home. Which is how I ended up moving from Indiana to Arizona back in 2013 :).
From Moab’s awe-inspiring desert charm to the never-ending sand dunes of White Sands National Parks, these are the 6 places you need to visit in Southwest USA to tackle on your road trip!
6 Places You Need to Visit in Southwest USA
1. Moab, Utah
Ever wondered what a trip to Mars would look like? Even though visiting outer space isn’t a possibility (yet), a visit to Moab is as close as you can get to it. Think enormous sandstone spires towering high above the sky, weird rock formations lining the panorama, and red rock canyons decorating the scenery to get a pretty good idea of what visiting Moab’s national parks is like.
Whether you’re keen to tackle easy trails to get a taste of what hiking in the desert is like or you want to challenge your legs on a serious backpacking adventure, what makes Moab one of the best destinations for first-timers in the Southwest is the fact that it’s got a little something for everyone to enjoy.
From going in search of natural arches at Arches National Park to doing some serious backcountry hiking in The Needles District at Canyonlands or trying your hand at rock climbing, there is no shortage of bucket-list-worthy things to do at this magical desert haven.
2. Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
Ancient petroglyphs spread all over the place, red sandstone rock formations illuminating the valley, and an epic landscape coated in hues of pink, red, and orange? Yes, please!
Set in the heart of the Mojave Desert, Valley of Fire is home to 46,000 acres of red Aztec sandstone. Which make the entire landscape look almost like it’s, well… on fire.
Even though its name may not make it sound like the friendliest place to visit, Valley of Fire State Park actually happens to be one of the best destinations for first-timers hiking in the desert. That’s because most of the trails here are short and sweet.
Choosing what trails to take depends on your interests. But for the best petroglyph sightings, the Atlatl Rock Trail and Mouse’s Tank Hike are superb options. If you’re feeling more up in the mood for some seriously striking vistas, the Fire Wave Hike and the Rainbow Vista Trail are both guaranteed to get your mouth dropping right to the ground.
If you’re not too keen on hiking, though, that’s cool! You can always check out the park’s main highlights by driving down Mouse’s Tank Road. Which provides some of the top viewpoints in the park so you can check out the highlights without having to break a sweat.
3. White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Although small, White Sands National Park is home to a vast array of epic sights and fun things to do. Set in the heart of the Tularosa Basin, this national park is home to 275 square miles of wave-like dunes of gypsum sand. This makes it the world’s largest gypsum dune field. Fun fact: Unlike regular sand, gypsum sand doesn’t get very hot. Which means it’s perfectly comfortable to walk barefoot on the dunes at White Sands!
During your visit, make sure to walk on the Interlude Boardwalk to discover the flora and fauna of the area (yep, you wouldn’t expect it in the desert. But lots of animals and plants call White Sands their home, including foxes, bobcats, and porcupines).
Another super fun thing to do while visiting is to buy a sled and host a sliding competition with your travel buddies. Before you leave, make sure you also book a spot at the Sunset Stroll. Which is a ranger-guided walk where you’ll get to learn all about White Sands’s unique geology. As an added bonus, the program is timed to finish at sunset. Which will give you the chance to get a breath-taking view of the sun disappearing into the mountains.
4. Sedona, Arizona
A long, long time ago, geological forces cut rifts deep into what we now know as the Colorado Plateau. As a result, Sedona’s incredible landscape was formed. Desert spires piercing right through the clouds, striking river canyons. And labyrinths of red rock formations are just a few of the sights that make Sedona such an awe-inspiring place to witness.
During your visit, don’t miss out on ticking off a few of the hiking trails on the menu (there are more than a hundred of them on offer), camping (or glamping, of course) under a billion stars, and get your nerd on by visiting a few of the museums in town to learn all about Sedona’s history and heritage (The Sedona Heritage Museum is an absolute must in your itinerary!)
5. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Tucked high above in the cliffs of western Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park is one of the most unique destinations to visit in the Southwest, especially if you’re keen on learning about the native history of the area.
Even though no one really knows what led to the collapse of the area’s society way back in time, today, you can learn all about Ancestral Puebloans by exploring the ruins they left behind.
Don’t let its small size fool you. Bryce Canyon may be one of the tiniest national parks in the United States, but it still has plenty of wonderful things to see and do.
Hoodoos (also known as fairy chimneys) are the staple of Bryce Canyon, and the best way to see them is by bearing the famous Queen’s Garden to Navajo Loop trail. Even though it’s not actually very long, this hiking trail will have you winding your way through rock tunnels that look out of this world, pine forests so beautiful you won’t believe, and the iconic sandstone hoodoos that look as though they belong on an entirely different planet.
If you’re not too keen on going on a hike, though, Bryce Canyon can also be explored from the comfort of your car. Grab your keys and drive all the way down to Rainbow Viewpoint. On the way back, go slowly and stop at the 13 viewpoints on offer, all of which are guaranteed to leave ooh-aah-ing.
I hope this list of the best destinations in the Southwest helped you plot the perfect itinerary for your visit. Honestly? An entire lifetime would not be enough to tick off every place in your bucket list, but these destinations are a wonderful way to start getting acquainted with the area (trust me on this one: you’ll definitely be back for more Southwest adventures!)
Y’all, I’m the first to admit that anytime someone tells me they used x,y,z site for getting this or that done more efficiently, I will head straight there to check it out. I have to know for myself! Yet, I don’t ever take the time to actually use and learn it because I’m onto the next best thing someone else recommended. And then my list of things to do, like this blog post, end up getting lost in the shuffle. It’s who I am and I’m doing my best to own it and change. If you are like me or maybe not as easily distracted as me, here are a few tips we can all use to help avoid online distractions.
How to Avoid Online Distractions
Many people are still working and schooling from home, and much like the beginning of the pandemic, everyone was getting so much more done and had more time on their hands than ever. People had time to explore and discover new things online, and our news was the only thing being updated. Our only recourse was to check social, and news feeds all the time. As we start to see a shift, people will still work from home, and meetings may continue online post-pandemic. Here are a few of my tips to avoid online distractions so you can keep your productivity and focus on what you need to do.
Identifying Your Distractions
Let’s start with the most challenging part in eliminating your distractions, and it’s identifying what they are. When you try to work, take note of the things and ideas that keep your focus away. Is it a Facebook group discussion, sale online, an abandoned online shopping cart, or trending Twitter topics? Whatever it is, please write it down, and once done, look at your list and evaluate how to reduce or eliminate them.
Disable Notifications while Working or Studying
Pings and buzzes from notifications can easily distract you. There are ways to minimize their effect on your productivity. Silence the unnecessary notifications to stay focused. If it is on your phone, disable it before you start to work, the same with computers and other gadgets—close distracting websites. One of the most distracting notifications comes from messenger apps and phone calls. It’s better to turn it off in the meantime or hide it somewhere far from your work area.
Set a Time Cap for Online Sessions
Take screen breaks. To increase productivity and avoid feeling burnout, create a balance between your online sessions and taking breaks. Destressing is essential but make sure that you are within a specific schedule. Perhaps, set it to a specific time, maybe 20 minutes for every hour work time. Spend it to stretch, grab a snack, drink coffee, or dance with your pups or kids.
Don’t go beyond the time you spend on breaks. Return immediately to your work to keep your routine on track and to keep you efficient.
Ask a Friend to Keep You Accountable
Seek accountability by asking someone to help you fight online distractions. It could be a friend, a sibling, or a roommate. Let them keep your phone while you’re working, or create a co-working area where you hold each other accountable to finish your work. Another way is also doing it online through a video call. You can study or work together while on Zoom. Just make sure to be true to your accountability goals.
Setting Aside Time for Answering and Reading Emails
Find ways to manage the time you spend answering and reading emails. How? Turn off email notifications. Allot time to clear up your inbox. A well-categorized inbox can lessen the time you spend scrolling through it. Organize and use folders for this. Use automated filtering. Lastly, set a specific number of minutes, and schedule an hour in a day when you can do an email task. So, create an email system that works best with your work schedule.
Changing your Workplace
If noise-canceling headphones are not working for you, relocate to another area conducive for working. Your workplace is a huge factor in your focus level. It covers inevitable external distractions like interruptions from other employees or your family. Keep your door closed, clear the clutter before you start working or studying, and evaluate how your existing workplace affects your productivity. If you are still struggling, make sure to check out this blog I wrote to help you keep the distractions at bay when working from home.
Using Anti-Distraction Apps
While the worldwide web is a place to work, it’s also where significant distractions come from. There’s just a certain allure to current socializing technology like our favorite social media platforms, games, and many more. So, one of the best ways to combat online distraction is to use another technology against it. Build discipline with the help of anti-distraction apps that keep you stay on track. These apps will hopefully help you build a better routine.
Best Anti Distraction Apps
Here are some of the focus apps that surely help to avoid getting distracted. These are tools that give options as far as distraction blocking apps is concerned:
Works on all your devices at the same time, so you can block your computer and phone and iPad all at the same time and not be distracted by a different device. Minimal cost of $9/month for all devices or you can choose yearly for about $3.50/month. (Personally this is what I use)
The Pro version is a one time purchase of $39 and you have it forever. Impossible to get out of the blocker once you start until the time is seen through or specific task is complete.
Free browser extension but it is only available for Firefox, so if you want to use other browsers to distract, you can do so.
Hopefully this helps you free yourself from the digital distractions we all find ourselves getting into, and you find on of the anti distraction options helps you become more productive. Afterall, we all have the same hours in the day, and it’s important you make the best use of the most valuable resource – time.
Spending your vacation in a different place can make you feel alive, stress-free, peaceful, and most importantly, glad that you exist to experience all the pleasures of life. In short, traveling can give you a lot of epiphanies that might have a tremendous impact on you. You can have memories that last for the rest of your life.
No doubt that some places can leave you a lot more than memories, but pause, think – what are the things you’re leaving behind? How can you impact the places and the people who live in the place? Are you making a bigger impact on their environment than your memories?
Don’t fool yourself saying – Nothing. The impact of your choices is significant upon several people. That’s what ethical traveling is about. It’s about being mindful of your choices and their consequences on other parties.
For instance, you might love to go for an elephant ride, but did you ever wonder as to what it does to the animal’s life? If you think about it, you’re only encouraging animal abuse without realization.
Ergo, the takeaway is that ethical travel is being conscious and considerate while making travel choices. So, if you want to follow the righteous path, here are a few tips that can help.
10 tips for ethical travel
1. Support local businesses
By availing services of big international brands, you are only making the rich richer. Not only that, you are contributing to an increased carbon footprint. Wondering how?
Every demand that these international brands get, is followed by excessive exploitation and consumption of natural resources – such as fuel for transportation.
Having said that, opting for local services – such as dining in a local restaurant, and shopping from local markets would, etc. – this will be a relatively sustainable choice. You’ll be also aiding such ventures financially. Not only are you supporting the local economy to continue for future generations to enjoy, you also often times get to live and experience the location like a local, my favorite way to travel.
2. Use resources consciously
Traveling doesn’t mean you get to use resources limitlessly. You might not be charged for extra consumption but you will definitely consume resources excessively that we do not have in abundance, to begin with. This includes your hotel’s AC, TVs, lights, and other items such as paper napkins that are produced by cutting down trees.
Our first experience with this was when we traveled to Mo’orea for the first leg of our honeymoon in 2015. We had to insert our room key into a slot by the door to have the electricity come on otherwise it didn’t work. It made us more conscious of the energy we were using and reminded us that when we left the room, everything would turn off. This was our cute little hut! –>
Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.
3. Embrace local culture
Everything is not about money; it’s about respect that you owe to the culture you are a part of when you are traveling. Embracing local culture might not affect you tremendously, but it will, to the locals. They will not only be happier, and smiling, but they will be aided financially if you are supportive of their culture.
So, every time you are traveling, have a taste of the culture you are in. Even if it is as simple as trying their authentic dishes, going to tours, engaging with them, or indulging in cultural activities.
4. Respect the wildlife
Sometimes it can be a tug of war between respecting a culture and respecting the wildlife. In that case, go with wildlife. For instance, in some cultures, camel rides, elephant rides are considered integral, but they are also animal abuse – you can’t support that, can you?
5. Look what you can give out
When you are traveling, it’s a great idea to give tips to those who serve you. You can of course support them financially – some would need it. However, be mindful. Don’t always give out money as some would misuse it. If you can, try to give out food, or clothes to those in need in that scenario.
6. Learn the language and respect the culture
Perhaps learning the local language would not be beneficial for you. But it’s okay. You can simply learn the language out of respect for the culture. With all the technological advances, downloading an app to help you translate or even learn the language of the place you are visiting is very easy. It even helps people, like my husband, who hasn’t ever spoken a word other than English to understand at the very least, what they are eating.
7. Be mindful of somebody’s privacy and convenience
I know meeting different people, being a part of different cultures can be exotically exciting; but being mindful of people’s privacy is equally important. You cannot do things at your convenience – this includes clicking photographs of people without their permission, bargaining beyond a limit, asking locals for favors they might not be up for.
8. Book tours
When you want to know about a culture, tours are your best shot. Thus, if you decide to take tours, go for local operators or family-owned companies to make sure the funds can be used by the local community.
A great way to experience the local culture is by booking with a local, and you can do so even easier than before with AirBnB Experiences. I myself am a host for AirBnB on the housing side. There is this whole other side to AirBnB that lets you pick from photo tours, cooking classes in the culture, painting, and other experiences depending on the location. We visited Oahu in November 2020 right after they reopened and found a cute couple who took our family photos for Christmas. It was really easy. They made the recommendation of the perfect spot, the right time for sunset, and were photographers so we got professional photos in an authentic spot, like this one here –>>>>>>>
9. Buy souvenirs
When you buy souvenirs, you do more than just taking a piece of memory with you. You support local artists and vendors that need the money more than you can realize.
Our favorite souvenirs to buy are wine, coffee, honey, chocolates, nuts, and actual things we can consume and enjoy back at home with family and friends about and share about our experience when we were traveling. It helps bring a sense that those around us were also included in the travel, and creates a memory for them. Not just a t shirt or stuffed animal that they will soon grow out of.
10. Be polite to the locals
Politeness is an underrated quality. Nonetheless, it is what you should do when you are engaging with locals. While you are at it, it’s equally essential to watch your body language than words and tone. Sometimes, even when you don’t intend to, your body language can make you look different. That’s the last thing you would want, right? So be mindful of every word, and every expression.
Before we leave,
Cheers to you if you already follow these tips and identify yourself as an ethical traveler. If you do not, it’s okay as long as you’re willing to make a change. Remember, it’s important to ensure you are leaving the place you visit as good or even better when you leave than when you arrived. We want travel to be sustainable and ethical for years and generations to come, so make sure to keep that in mind when traveling.
Zoom meetings after Google meetings are the new office setup today as the pandemic put the world in topsy turvy, and staying at home has become a new norm. Many switched to working from home since the pandemic began, and seasoned remote workers who’ve been working from home even before the pandemic. Most days, I’m thankful that I get to work from home, with my husband and kids nearby, that I can sleep a little longer, listen to whatever music I want, dress up in more comfortable clothes.
However, working from home challenges your self-discipline because it can be easy to lose focus, stay off course when no one is looking over your shoulder. Let me share tried and tested tips on how your readers can create a structure and discipline themselves to separate their business/work from their personal lives and be more focused and productive while working from home.
How to Stay Focused Working from Home
Come to think of it, and when you can’t compartmentalize your professional life and personal life location-wise, it can get to you with distractions and a confused mindset. If this is something that worries you too, here are some tips that work for me, helping me stay focused while working from home.
Have a dedicated workspace
Although working remotely gives you access to your work anytime, and its flexibility is considerably helpful, it’s still essential to set up a home office or at least a dedicated workspace. It helps you stay focused and gives you a working mindset. I used to have an office and desk to work from, but would often find myself working in the kitchen or at the table because that’s where the kids were. And my desk became a catch all that never saw much work. So I moved it to another property and now work from the kitchen counter where I bring out all my work items when I’m working and then put all of them away when I’m done. It helps me create a space and time to work versus always having a place to catch everything and try to dig out when I want to work.
Stay off social media
I can easily get lost in the social media wonderland that is Pinterest and forget my tasks. To some, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok have this rabbit hole effect. Before you know it, you’ve consumed a considerable amount of time perusing your social media. If this is becoming too distracting to you, it’s better to stay off by turning off your notifications or use apps that help avoid getting distracted by social media. I do the same thing for my phone — all notifications are off all the time, otherwise it gets time consuming and distracting easily.
Have a morning routine
Productively structure your day by establishing a good routine. Eat your breakfast, meditate, water your plants and set a specific schedule for that. How you start your day is critical in how the rest of it will serve you. Stay on schedule and do something in the morning to boost your drive for the entire day and start with the most crucial task.
Set boundaries
The truth is, when you have kids at home, setting boundaries can be a challenge. So, it’s essential to talk about it with your partner about having a system and schedule so you can both work and find the right rhythm of spending enough time with your kids. Your Zoom parties with your friends can wait. Respect your office hours even if you’re working from home and do more leisurely activities after.
Create a schedule
First off, learn what you need to focus on for the day. Make it visible; perhaps use an actual calendar on your work desk, or you can also use an online scheduler that helps you organize your tasks. Every day, before you start your day, check your schedule, what your priorities are for the day, and your impending deadlines. It is precisely to get you to focus on your list and find yourself time for scheduled breaks.
I live and die by my calendar on my phone, because it reminds me when to pick up and drop off my kids, what other events and appointments I have, and can recur as often as needed. I don’t have a visual calendar, but one on my phone that I can share with my family and let them know when I’m not going to be available. Figure out what works for you and stick to that.
Automate as much as you can
Utilize technology to its best abilities and by that, I mean automate. Pre-schedule whichever you can like emails and social media posts, automate your billing. The plan here is to keep your back-office tasks running smoothly, especially those that are repetitive, routinely, and has step-by-step processes. I love to use Planoly for my social posting, Zapier to connect things automatically that happen over and over again, Hostaway for my short term rental communication, and Google Home to remind me of things I ask with a simple voice command.
Know when to clock out
One of the habits that’s so difficult to break is clocking out on the dot. It sometimes gets in the way of your personal life. It’s tempting to use your extra time for something you need to do for work like a family dinner or coffee date with friends just because your work has become accessible to you geographically. Train yourself to create that barrier and clock out as scheduled. It is also helpful to keep you from crashing and burning.
Enjoy your breaks
It might sound foreign to you but enjoying your breaks is very productive. Break times are like resets, and it keeps your mind fueled with zest to work. However, you need to be careful and figure out what schedule works for you best. Find that balance and make your breaks worthwhile by maybe drinking your coffee, reading a book, playing a quick game with your kids, or munching on your favorite chips. The important thing is to enjoy your break so you can come back refreshed and ready to get back on task asap.
Use the right tools
The right tools are your work from home lifeline. If your workspace has the proper lighting and location, your desks and chair are ergonomic, your wifi is high-speed, and your laptop works smoothly, then there’s a big chance that you can do your job seamlessly. It’s essential to be comfortable enough to think and finish your task with ease.
Also, know that every day might be different as well when you are starting out working from home. Some days, the weather can affect us more than others, sometimes our space might need changed up a bit, while others are perfect days where nothing distracts. Having patience is important. Don’t expect to get it all right the first time, make mistakes, try out new routines, and tools, and figure out what works for you.
other words, you let go without much of a struggle. So, if you want to seriously let go of clothes, and want to help someone, talk to an orphanage or social services regarding clothes donation. Once you do that, clothing donation would seem like an obligation (It’s a good thing). 
as close as you can get to it. Think enormous sandstone spires towering high above the sky, weird rock formations lining the panorama, and red rock canyons decorating the scenery to get a pretty good idea of what visiting Moab’s national parks is like. 
coated in hues of pink, red, and orange? Yes, please! 
Tularosa Basin, this national park is home to 275 square miles of wave-like dunes of gypsum sand. This makes it the world’s largest gypsum dune field. 
incredible landscape was formed. Desert spires piercing right through the clouds, striking river canyons. And labyrinths of red rock formations are just a few of the sights that make Sedona such an awe-inspiring place to witness.
in the Southwest, especially if you’re keen on learning about the native history of the area. 
plenty of wonderful things to see and do.
work, take note of the things and ideas that keep your focus away. Is it a Facebook group discussion, sale online, an abandoned online shopping cart, or trending Twitter topics? Whatever it is, please write it down, and once done, look at your list and evaluate 
taking breaks. Destressing is essential but make sure that you are within a specific schedule. Perhaps, set it to a specific time, maybe 20 minutes for every hour work time. Spend it to stretch, grab a snack, drink coffee, or dance with your pups or kids. 
increased 
TVs, lights, and other items such as paper napkins that are produced by cutting down trees.
some would need it. However, be mindful. Don’t always give out money as some would misuse it. If you can, try to give out food, or clothes to those in need in that scenario.
need the money more than you can realize.
to set up a home office or at least a dedicated workspace. It helps you stay focused and gives you a working mindset. I used to have an office and desk to work from, but would often find myself working in the kitchen or at the table because that’s where the kids were. And my desk became a catch all that never saw much work. 
tempting to use your extra time for something you need to do for work like a family dinner or coffee date with friends just because your work has become accessible to you geographically. Train yourself to create that barrier and clock out as scheduled. It is also helpful to keep you from crashing and burning.
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