One key lesson I've picked up about sticking with New Year's resolutions or any goal is that success rarely happens overnight. Over the past few months, I've made a conscious effort to cross off several major items from my long-term to-do list. I wanted to share the approach I took before the New Year rolled in. Instead of falling into the same patterns of excuses and repeated problems, I decided to take real action and craft solutions that actually worked.
Closet Clean Out
My Problem
I felt overwhelmed, couldn't locate anything, my space was chaotic, and I lacked inspiration.
My Solution
I scheduled a recurring appointment on my calendar to declutter my closet every three months. Sure, there are a few items I'll never part with—like my wedding dress—but many pieces were just taking up space. When I finally got down to it, I cleared out a huge amount: clothes that no longer fit, items from past seasons, things I'd forgotten I owned, outdated pieces—you get the idea. Afterward, it felt like a true breath of fresh air! My closet had room again and became a source of inspiration. Plus, keeping it tidy is much easier now that it's not bursting at the seams.
Working Out
My Problem
I wanted a consistent workout routine and to make it a priority, but my hectic schedule made it hard to find time.
My Solution
First, I blocked out time on my calendar. Many people—myself included—wait for motivation to strike, but that rarely happens. Adding workouts to my schedule made it feel official because I could physically see the time set aside. I treated it like an important meeting, and even when I didn't feel like it, I showed up. For about a year, I was waking up at 4:30 am to exercise at least three times a week! It's all about making time. When that early wake-up call started wearing on me, I invested in a Peloton, and it's been a game-changer.
I had heard fantastic reviews, and I loved the idea of getting an intense workout at home. I can squeeze in a quick 20–30 minute session while the kids are still asleep or napping, which is super convenient since I'm not wasting time commuting to and from the gym. Yes, it's an investment, but when you compare cost-per-use to a gym membership, it pays for itself! (Full disclosure: this isn't an ad—I bought it with my own money and genuinely love it, so I wanted to share.)
If an at-home machine isn't in your budget right now, there are plenty of excellent free workout videos on YouTube to help you break a sweat.
Creative Brain vs. Business Brain
My Problem
Switching between my business mindset and creative mindset made it hard to focus on any single task.
My Solution
I recently started using a technique called 'time batching.' It's a productivity hack that helps with organization and efficiency. Basically, you group similar or related tasks together in your schedule.
Now I'm more intentional about filling my calendar by keeping creative days and business days separate. This allows me to focus deeply on one side of my brain and give it my full attention.
