The Projects Page
themedalist
Posts: 3,218 Member
Theme: Greater Happiness
Challenge: The Projects Page
Chances are there is something you’ve been meaning to get to. A project that you know needs to get done, but is time-consuming and given the urgency of kids, grandkids, jobs, school, and other commitments and obligations, these projects get sidelined and tagged for “when you have time”.
The problem, of course, is there is never enough time for a deep dive into a time-consuming, stressful, “Where do I even begin?” project. Nope, it just won’t happen if we wait for two weeks to magically open up in our calendars. But that doesn’t mean we have to keep putting these projects off. Let’s carve out a little bit of time this week, maybe 15 minutes a day, and just get started. Often the biggest and most stressful hurdle is just getting started. So let’s start!
This week’s challenge was suggested by @MadisonMolly2017 and seconded by @PackerFanInGB, who both want to tackle the mountain of photographs they’ve accumulated over the years that need culling, tagging, and organizing. Cleaning and organizing projects are good candidates for this week, but there are many other possibilities as well. Have you been thinking about a career change, or changing your life in some other substantial way, and need to carve out some dedicated time to explore what’s out there? Let this be the week!
No, you likely won’t be able to wrap up your project this week. But if you set aside 15 minutes day this week to get started, and then commit just an hour a week thereafter (maybe 20 minutes a day, 3 times a week?), by the end of 2018 you’ll have spent 20 hours on your project. You may have completed it, or it may be well underway, but one thing is for certain: you won’t be stressing about it anymore!
Because this is a multi-week effort, we’re going to keep this challenge open beyond this week as a place to share ideas, support, encouragement, and resources.
Please tell us about your project and let’s support each other and get these projects DONE!
Let’s make it a great week!
Challenge: The Projects Page
Chances are there is something you’ve been meaning to get to. A project that you know needs to get done, but is time-consuming and given the urgency of kids, grandkids, jobs, school, and other commitments and obligations, these projects get sidelined and tagged for “when you have time”.
The problem, of course, is there is never enough time for a deep dive into a time-consuming, stressful, “Where do I even begin?” project. Nope, it just won’t happen if we wait for two weeks to magically open up in our calendars. But that doesn’t mean we have to keep putting these projects off. Let’s carve out a little bit of time this week, maybe 15 minutes a day, and just get started. Often the biggest and most stressful hurdle is just getting started. So let’s start!
This week’s challenge was suggested by @MadisonMolly2017 and seconded by @PackerFanInGB, who both want to tackle the mountain of photographs they’ve accumulated over the years that need culling, tagging, and organizing. Cleaning and organizing projects are good candidates for this week, but there are many other possibilities as well. Have you been thinking about a career change, or changing your life in some other substantial way, and need to carve out some dedicated time to explore what’s out there? Let this be the week!
No, you likely won’t be able to wrap up your project this week. But if you set aside 15 minutes day this week to get started, and then commit just an hour a week thereafter (maybe 20 minutes a day, 3 times a week?), by the end of 2018 you’ll have spent 20 hours on your project. You may have completed it, or it may be well underway, but one thing is for certain: you won’t be stressing about it anymore!
Because this is a multi-week effort, we’re going to keep this challenge open beyond this week as a place to share ideas, support, encouragement, and resources.
Please tell us about your project and let’s support each other and get these projects DONE!
Let’s make it a great week!
5
Replies
-
Monday...a fresh start! Let's get MOVING!
Please post your Monday workout here:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10637806/move-it-monday-weekly-challenge
2 -
So I already put a project on my list for this week before seeing this challenge. Lol. I have a whole bunch of clutter that needs to go into storage or to good will or something. My goal this week is to get it out of my house! I have a few evenings all to myself this week so I think I might do it then!
And I already did my yoga video for the day!5 -
Thank you. I need to tackle my file cabinet. I will dedicate 15 minutes to it every day this week.4
-
I have what we call the storage closet in our apartment and things just go in there and we often forget what is in there. I will make that my challenge as I try to get to it twice a year. Its time to decide what is donatable and what should be kept.2
-
On the theme of "Greater Happiness" - I would like to recommend a book I got from the library and just starting reading: Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence by Rick Hanson. The author explains that our brains are wired to learn quickly from bad experiences, but not so much from good ones. "It's an ancient survival mechanism that turned the brain into Velcro for the negative, but Teflon for the positive." The author, a neuropsychologist, explains how we can override the brain's default programming and build new neural structures for happiness, confidence, love, and peace.
My project was to get in a half hour of reading everyday that has nothing to do with my work. So I am going to continue with that... but this challenge also made me think of another project that has been sitting around for four years waiting for completion. I plan to tackle that three days each week for an hour at a time, and that should get it done by the end of September.
Thanks for another great topic!4 -
I was enthused by this idea when we first discussed it, but today all my fears came up around the photos...and I really didn’t want to do it. I didn’t want to be surprised by photos of family members who have died, former friends who I’ve lost touch with, images of me at higher weights most of my adult life...but I have been working lately to retrain my brain from feeling loss or regret or shame to WOW what great people I knew, with FB I can find & reconnect with old friends, and to forgive myself for not being able to lose weight and get in shape before (except for two short time periods.)
So, I set my timer for 15 mins and grabbed a stack randomly. A poem, Photos, & postcards from a great trip to Australia, a priceless photo from a Mother-Son Dance I’d forgotten... That took 10 mins, so I grabbed a large container from top shelf (decided to work top down) & went through our baby shower photos - my mom looked SO happy, there were a sequence of photos of my husband, me, and my SIL all cracking up - priceless! 15 morning n timer went off but I was having so much fun (Amazing eh!?!) that I set it again for 10 mins. On to a stack of early baby photos - Precious... found the best photo of me from my early work years!! And one when I got thin around age 30- Loved it! Priceless photos of an extended family trip when he was 2-3 months. Gorgeous landscapes & priceless photos of family members -all looking so young.
Stopped & packed up the remaining when timer dinged.
25 minutes & honestly, it could not have gone better.
I write all this in case any of you ate feeling the way I had.
I will do 15 mins a day through next Sunday.
Thank you @themedalist. I can feel the healing that I will receive by doing this.6 -
Hugs @MadisonMolly2017 ! I am proud of you.2
-
@MadisonMolly2017 , that is so great!!
My project is sewing. I have a bunch of projects and I haven't done any sewing at all this summer.
I'm making skirts for my granddaughters' birthdays (Aug 25 and Sept 24). I've got the August skirt finished, but I want to embellish a pocket with her favorite character - Prince Sidon. I also repaired my favorite workout shirt and a hoodie my daughter got on a trip to Boston. I did more than 15 minutes, but this is my last week before classes start, so I'm enjoying the longer time. Still, if I'd do 15 minutes a day, I could knock out these types of projects regularly instead of letting them pile up. I also have some sheer curtains that need to be hemmed.
Thanks for the great challenge @themedalist3 -
I have to clean the windows in the sun room, inside and out.I've been putting it off for a while.
1 -
Forgot to do photos yesterday - eeps
Off to do at least 20, which will bring 3 day avg to 15 minutes.1 -
These are terrific projects! I intended to also work on organizing photographs, but another project took hold. I want to keep moving forward with decluttering, so this week I’m focused on the bathrooms. Wow, who bought all this stuff?2
-
@themedalist
I find bathrooms SO FUN to declutter!!!
Enjoy!
Photograph Update
Aug 13: 25 mins
Easier & more enjoyable than I thought it would be!
Aug 14: forgot
Aug 15: 55 mins (35 mins ahead) Found Very Precious Photos & find I’m not grieving when I come upon one of someone who passed. Just SO grateful to have photos of them/happy times.
Also uncovered many previous birth/early year photos of our son, again, so grateful. So sweet.
The only thing that still trips me up is my own self-talk when I find a photo of myself. But I’m catching what I say to myself & finding new words, “Wow, you look happy” “What a great mom” etc. It helps that I am thinner than I was then now. It’s mostly regret that I was unable to figure this out sooner. Moving in!!!
Finally, as I uncover these precious photos, I’m beginning to actually consider making some albums or Shutterfly books...considering scanning...these need to be shared with other family members!
For now, I’m organizing them by year as Narie Kondo recommends... but Immopen to better methods...help!
Aug 16: optional
Aug 17: optional
Aug 18: min. 10 mins
Aug 19: min: 15 mins
I decided to let myself “bank” minutes...to keep it fun/let myself finish a box of them
5 -
I was on vacation this week and just got a chance to read this. I am going to spend 15 minutes per day tackling photo clean up!
I also need to declutter the bathroom, so continuing with that challenge too. 😊2 -
1 project complete. Birthday skirt #1 finished. Pockets pattern matched and Prince Sidon is swimming with the other sharks.
8 -
I did not do my project this week. Just thinking about it gave me anxiety. I have to tackle it and I keep saying that every time, but I just don't want to start. I need to put into practice the 5 second rule concept from Mel Robbins. I need to open the file cabinet and start de cluttering. Just open it and do it, make myself do it. I will do better.2
-
Project Tackle Photographs
@prgirl39mfp I know *exactly* how you feel. I *really* didn’t want to do this. You are right; the hardest part is starting.
5-second idea is great (hadn’t heard it!)
I use the “look through files & find something you can recycle/shred”... even 1 thing a day will result in 30 in a month, 100 in 3 mos, 365 in a year!
Project Tackle Photographs
Week one:
Aug 13: 25 mins (+10 mins ahead)
Easier & more enjoyable than I thought it would be! I couldn’t decide where to start, so I told myself to just grab a stack. This is now my GoTo Method!
Aug 14: forgot (-5 behind)
Aug 15: 55 mins (+35 mins ahead) Found Very Precious Photos & find I’m not grieving when I come upon one of someone who passed. Just SO grateful to have photos of them/happy times.
Also uncovered many previous birth/early year photos of our son, again, so grateful. So sweet.
The only thing that still trips me up is my own self-talk when I find a photo of myself. But I’m catching what I say to myself & finding new words, “Wow, you look happy” “What a great mom” etc. It helps that I am thinner than I was then now. It’s mostly regret that I was unable to figure this out sooner. Moving in!!!
Finally, as I uncover these precious photos, I’m beginning to actually consider making some albums or Shutterfly books...considering scanning...these need to be shared with other family members!
For now, I’m organizing them by year as Marie Kondo recommends... but I’m open to better methods...help!
Aug 16: (+20 ahead)
Aug 17: (+5 ahead)
Aug 18: min. (-10 behind)
Aug 19: min: 45 minutes (+20 ahead)
I went through a stack & a shoebox of photos from 1997-1998. Happy Times: glad I have the photos I kept. But that’s when I was at my heaviest. But I do look very happy & I now have a Before Photo. I actually took it to mirror & looked at it & then me. I actually don’t look like the same person.
I decided to let myself “bank” minutes...to keep it fun/let myself finish a box of them
1st week: 15mins x 7 ✅ +20 in Bank
Aug 20
Aug 21
Aug 22
Aug 23
Aug 24
Aug 25
Aug 263 -
Beginning Project: Tackle Photographs
Phase I: Photos on laptop / iCloud
August 20:
August 21:
August 22:
August 23: Pass - surgery day
August 24: Pass - Day 1 Postop
August 25:
August 26:
Step 1. Begin by going through photos saved on my laptop. Save good and delete unnecessary "what the heck was I taking a picture of" photos. Try to at least pinpoint who it is and what year and name them.
Step 2. Go through photos saved on external hard drive, following same rules as in Step 1.
Step 3. Go through photos saved on iCloud, following rules of Step 1.
Step 4. Go through photos on iPhone & iPad, following rules of Step 1.
Phase II: Photos in boxes downstairs...more to come.
P.S. I agree that this photo project is extremely intimidating! I just don't know where to begin. That's why I outlined the steps above. I have to start somewhere, right?3 -
@PackerFanInGB Yes, it is intimidating!
I decided to begin with the non-digital photos, but I like your plan a lot so I’m saving it for when I *gulp* decide to do the digital ones!
For the boxes of photos:
Supplies: rubber bands, pen, sticky notes
1. Grab a stack of photos in processing envelopes, look through, discarding fuzzy, bad, boring, and/or duplicates or “near duplicates”
2. Label envelope with month/year
3. When more than two, rubber band them together or place negatives& photos in the 1st envelope, adding sticky note “Summer 1998 Atlanta Trip”
4. Repeat 15 minutes a day.
5. After a while, sort envelopes chronologically in boxes.
After going through all pre-digital photographs, I will tackle digital...but I’m going to stick to 15 mins a day; I don’t want this to swallow my life!
I found this:
http://www.teacherbytrademotherbynature.com/2016/12/my-konmari-journey-digital-clutter.html?m=1
Best to you! Good luck with your surgery!2 -
-
Project Tackle Photographs
Week one: 15mins x 7 ✅ +20 in Bank
Aug 20 45 mins ( +50 in Bank)
Found more priceless photos - 2003-2004
Aug 21 (optional)
Aug 22(optional)
Aug 23(optional)
Aug 24
Aug 25
Aug 261 -
MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »@PackerFanInGB Yes, it is intimidating!
I decided to begin with the non-digital photos, but I like your plan a lot so I’m saving it for when I *gulp* decide to do the digital ones!
For the boxes of photos:
Supplies: rubber bands, pen, sticky notes
1. Grab a stack of photos in processing envelopes, look through, discarding fuzzy, bad, boring, and/or duplicates or “near duplicates”
2. Label envelope with month/year
3. When more than two, rubber band them together or place negatives& photos in the 1st envelope, adding sticky note “Summer 1998 Atlanta Trip”
4. Repeat 15 minutes a day.
5. After a while, sort envelopes chronologically in boxes.
After going through all pre-digital photographs, I will tackle digital...but I’m going to stick to 15 mins a day; I don’t want this to swallow my life!
I found this:
http://www.teacherbytrademotherbynature.com/2016/12/my-konmari-journey-digital-clutter.html?m=1
Best to you! Good luck with your surgery!
Thank you both for the good luck wishes and the steps you are using for your nondigital photos. I like that plan! I hope you don't mind if I "steal it". I'm still not sure how I'm going to tackle the photos in boxes all mixed together with no order, no date, no reasoning, no names, etc... I can't even think about it without feeling my heart start thumping harder. Ugh. 0 -
1
-
PackerFanInGB wrote: »MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »@PackerFanInGB Yes, it is intimidating!
I decided to begin with the non-digital photos, but I like your plan a lot so I’m saving it for when I *gulp* decide to do the digital ones!
For the boxes of photos:
Supplies: rubber bands, pen, sticky notes
1. Grab a stack of photos in processing envelopes, look through, discarding fuzzy, bad, boring, and/or duplicates or “near duplicates”
2. Label envelope with month/year
3. When more than two, rubber band them together or place negatives& photos in the 1st envelope, adding sticky note “Summer 1998 Atlanta Trip”
4. Repeat 15 minutes a day.
5. After a while, sort envelopes chronologically in boxes.
After going through all pre-digital photographs, I will tackle digital...but I’m going to stick to 15 mins a day; I don’t want this to swallow my life!
I found this:
http://www.teacherbytrademotherbynature.com/2016/12/my-konmari-journey-digital-clutter.html?m=1
Best to you! Good luck with your surgery!
Thank you both for the good luck wishes and the steps you are using for your nondigital photos. I like that plan! I hope you don't mind if I "steal it". I'm still not sure how I'm going to tackle the photos in boxes all mixed together with no order, no date, no reasoning, no names, etc... I can't even think about it without feeling my heart start thumping harder. Ugh.
Here’s how she did her printed photos:
http://www.teacherbytrademotherbynature.com/2016/09/my-konmari-journey-sentimental-photos.html?m=1
You know, I’ve actually been wondering to myself how important the dates are, actually. We put so much energy into that, but maybe we should just go through & pick the ones that make us HAPPY! The ones we pick up & hold to our heart, saying “OMG so precious, cute, or omg that was a fun time!” I thought of this idea a few times. Spending 15 mins on three packs of photos & when I woke up
This morning, I realized there were probably 2-5 real amazing photos.
In some ways, this approach will be easier with digital. You find one you love, put a heart on it, then throw it into a Shutterfly or similar.
Thank you @PackerFanInGB you helped me figure this out.
My plan:
1. complete the printed photo culling (to save space in home) 15 mins a day.
2. Then with them all, go through selecting my Favorites-Perfects.
3.Place the rest in a box in attic.
4. 15 mins a day, go through digital photos. Starring Favorite-Perfects.
5. Create Shutterfly Albums.
6. Move all digital photos to back up hard drive.
Will take a few years most likely, but I’m enjoying my memories. And I can spare 15 mins a day.
Don’t think of the whole job- just 15 or 10 or 5 or even one minute a day!!!
Hugs.2 -
MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »PackerFanInGB wrote: »MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »@PackerFanInGB Yes, it is intimidating!
I decided to begin with the non-digital photos, but I like your plan a lot so I’m saving it for when I *gulp* decide to do the digital ones!
For the boxes of photos:
Supplies: rubber bands, pen, sticky notes
1. Grab a stack of photos in processing envelopes, look through, discarding fuzzy, bad, boring, and/or duplicates or “near duplicates”
2. Label envelope with month/year
3. When more than two, rubber band them together or place negatives& photos in the 1st envelope, adding sticky note “Summer 1998 Atlanta Trip”
4. Repeat 15 minutes a day.
5. After a while, sort envelopes chronologically in boxes.
After going through all pre-digital photographs, I will tackle digital...but I’m going to stick to 15 mins a day; I don’t want this to swallow my life!
I found this:
http://www.teacherbytrademotherbynature.com/2016/12/my-konmari-journey-digital-clutter.html?m=1
Best to you! Good luck with your surgery!
Thank you both for the good luck wishes and the steps you are using for your nondigital photos. I like that plan! I hope you don't mind if I "steal it". I'm still not sure how I'm going to tackle the photos in boxes all mixed together with no order, no date, no reasoning, no names, etc... I can't even think about it without feeling my heart start thumping harder. Ugh.
Here’s how she did her printed photos:
http://www.teacherbytrademotherbynature.com/2016/09/my-konmari-journey-sentimental-photos.html?m=1
You know, I’ve actually been wondering to myself how important the dates are, actually. We put so much energy into that, but maybe we should just go through & pick the ones that make us HAPPY! The ones we pick up & hold to our heart, saying “OMG so precious, cute, or omg that was a fun time!” I thought of this idea a few times. Spending 15 mins on three packs of photos & when I woke up
This morning, I realized there were probably 2-5 real amazing photos.
In some ways, this approach will be easier with digital. You find one you love, put a heart on it, then throw it into a Shutterfly or similar.
Thank you @PackerFanInGB you helped me figure this out.
My plan:
1. complete the printed photo culling (to save space in home) 15 mins a day.
2. Then with them all, go through selecting my Favorites-Perfects.
3.Place the rest in a box in attic.
4. 15 mins a day, go through digital photos. Starring Favorite-Perfects.
5. Create Shutterfly Albums.
6. Move all digital photos to back up hard drive.
Will take a few years most likely, but I’m enjoying my memories. And I can spare 15 mins a day.
Don’t think of the whole job- just 15 or 10 or 5 or even one minute a day!!!
Hugs.
You know? You are absolutely correct! I've had those boxes for years and only look at them when I clean the basement or move. How many do I really need to keep? I'm going to do this too. Thank you. You have helped me come up with a plan for something I've been too overwhelmed to think about for years!
Good luck!
2 -
@PackerFanInGB
Oh, I would never have thought of it if you had not posted.
It’s a game changer for us both!!
Such a difference to look for what we LOVE rather than being full-time archivists!! The reason I also didn’t tackle photos for years: I want to LIVE my life, not document it!
We’ve got this!3 -
Project Tackle Photographs
Week one: 15mins x 7 ✅ +20 in Bank
Aug 20 45 mins
Found more priceless photos - 2003-2004
Aug 21 15
Aug 22 15
Aug 23 15
Aug 24
A friend is bringing a jewelry armoire (tall, small, and not very deep) to me Sunday that she no longer wants. I was telling her about my 2nd jewelry pass...
So, I spent today doing a 2nd big pass at our closet. Looks much better, got rid of some clothes that are too big, two blouses that fit but are us flattering & unable to be altered, and lots of miscellaneous things. Put on a lot of labels. Found a box of “thin” tops that I had saved — they are now hanging up for me to use!! When I was done, my friend texted to say they’re coming tomorrow!!!
I also cleaned off dresser, bookshelf, and desk in bedroom!!
Then, I spent an hour decluttering my desktop on my laptop.
A good, fun, productive day!
Aug 25 (+5 in Bank)
Aug 263 -
On the theme of "Greater Happiness" - I would like to recommend a book I got from the library and just starting reading: Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence by Rick Hanson. The author explains that our brains are wired to learn quickly from bad experiences, but not so much from good ones. "It's an ancient survival mechanism that turned the brain into Velcro for the negative, but Teflon for the positive." The author, a neuropsychologist, explains how we can override the brain's default programming and build new neural structures for happiness, confidence, love, and peace.
My project was to get in a half hour of reading everyday that has nothing to do with my work. So I am going to continue with that... but this challenge also made me think of another project that has been sitting around for four years waiting for completion. I plan to tackle that three days each week for an hour at a time, and that should get it done by the end of September.
Thanks for another great topic!
0 -
My project was to get in a half hour of reading everyday that has nothing to do with my work. So I am going to continue with that... but this challenge also made me think of another project that has been sitting around for four years waiting for completion. I plan to tackle that three days each week for an hour at a time, and that should get it done by the end of September.
Half hour of reading daily - I have done and actually exceeded that, which is making my vacation much more enjoyable.
That OTHER project - not started yet; I think I should be able to make some forward progress on it this coming week.
1 -
On the theme of "Greater Happiness" - I would like to recommend a book I got from the library and just starting reading: Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence by Rick Hanson. The author explains that our brains are wired to learn quickly from bad experiences, but not so much from good ones. "It's an ancient survival mechanism that turned the brain into Velcro for the negative, but Teflon for the positive." The author, a neuropsychologist, explains how we can override the brain's default programming and build new neural structures for happiness, confidence, love, and peace.
My project was to get in a half hour of reading everyday that has nothing to do with my work. So I am going to continue with that... but this challenge also made me think of another project that has been sitting around for four years waiting for completion. I plan to tackle that three days each week for an hour at a time, and that should get it done by the end of September.
Thanks for another great topic!
@mxchana, I read this book about a year ago and it has stuck with me. It makes sense that our tendency to look at things negatively has prehistoric roots (there could have been a tiger lurking in those bushes!) but yes, it doesn’t serve us very well now. Our thought patterns, positive and negative, are very much habits, which means we can change them if we want to. It isn’t easy and it doesn’t happen overnight, but it is possible.
Thanks for recommending this book!0 -
MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »Project Tackle Photographs
Week one: 15mins x 7 ✅ +20 in Bank
Aug 20 45 mins
Found more priceless photos - 2003-2004
Aug 21 15
Aug 22 15
Aug 23 15
Aug 24
A friend is bringing a jewelry armoire (tall, small, and not very deep) to me Sunday that she no longer wants. I was telling her about my 2nd jewelry pass...
So, I spent today doing a 2nd big pass at our closet. Looks much better, got rid of some clothes that are too big, two blouses that fit but are us flattering & unable to be altered, and lots of miscellaneous things. Put on a lot of labels. Found a box of “thin” tops that I had saved — they are now hanging up for me to use!! When I was done, my friend texted to say they’re coming tomorrow!!!
I also cleaned off dresser, bookshelf, and desk in bedroom!!
Then, I spent an hour decluttering my desktop on my laptop.
A good, fun, productive day!
Aug 25 (+5 in Bank)
Aug 26
@MadisonMolly2017, I still intend to make progress on my photography pile in the next few months, so I really appreciate the legwork you and @PackerFanInGB are doing now which I know I’ll benefit from. Great job decluttering too!1
This discussion has been closed.