Are you taking care of yourself by spending time doing things that bring you joy and make you feel calm and centered? Do you have a place in your house where you do these activities? I was just kidding in the title about being "more productive" while relaxing, but you really might enjoy the space and use it more if it were better organized.
You might have a craft room, or a reading nook, or even the area around a bathtub that you've created as a special space for "me-time." For an example, let's focus on a spot that almost everyone has for relaxing– a nightstand or bedside table.
Whatever your space is, first "Outline your plan." (Read in my book or see our multimedia tutorials in our membership program about our O.R.D.E.R. process for approaching projects.) Think through the functions of what you'll be doing there, and then think through what you'll need for each and gather these items together. In my example, these functions are:
- Reading books: books, bookmarks, sticky notes, highlighters, and pens
- Reading and clipping magazines: magazines, clipping blade, accordion file
- Watching television: remote controls and my special dorky prism bed spectacles
- Doing puzzles (crosswords and Sudoku): mechanical pencils and puzzle books
- Journaling/writing: pens and journals, pads of paper to write down ideas
- Grooming/comfort stuff: nail files, hand cream, lip balm, matches & candles
- Sleeping/napping: eye mask, ear plugs
Next, get realistic about the books you’re actually reading, pare down the magazines, and throw away the tissues, candy wrappers, and other little bits of trash that might be there. Take the dishes back to the kitchen.
If you have remote controls, consider using some Velcro on the backs of those and sticking them somewhere nearby to conserve tabletop space and keep them handy by the bed. If you do this, put the “prickly” side of the Velcro on the furniture and the soft side on the remote, so that when your remote is on the bed or your clothes it doesn’t snag anything.
If you don't have a lot of storage space in your nightstand furniture, you can use one of the bed pocket products that are out there instead. These cloth sets of pockets are secured between the mattress and box spring and hold lots of odds & ends easily. Search online for "bed pockets" or "bedside organizers" to find a selection.
If you found that trash was a problem for you, maybe you need to place a small trash can here. Analyze other needs you might have overlooked. Find homes for the items you need and get all set for some serious relaxation! What are your favorite ways to get some time alone? What spaces in your home do you use to help you find balance? Share in the comments!
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I’m all for the private relaxing space! I have my little nighttime ritual, so yes, nail files, buffers, creams and such are in the nightstand drawer. No eating in the bedroom, so garbage is not usually a problem.
I live in an old lakefront home, so my bedroom is teeny-tiny. There isn’t room for a waste can. I allow myself to have one book or magazine on the bed. I used to have piles that would sit there and never get read. Just one is much neater, and actually gets read.
Thanks Lorie!
If there’s one thing at which I’m productive…it’s relaxing! It’s the rest of my life I have to work on
; ) Thanks for the tips!
My home office also has my scrapping table with all the supplies neatly tucked in various containers. Use to be my “joy space” until my SO moved in. Now it is all office space until we can convert one of my children’s bedrooms into an office for him. I keep reminding myself that it is all part of blending two families. Have not scrapped since he moved in…he is so worth it though.
Genny
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