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Hello Hive!

If I were, to sum up, the first three weeks of 2022 in a few words, it would be: *"Sick in bed and read."*  Little did I know, I devoured an entire list of books I wanted to read in my Kindle. It just happened. 

I thought about writing something else today but somehow I just kept going and a supposed gardening post ended up being a "To Simplify" List. 

 *Go to what makes You happy*. To delight in and explore a subject just because. To Simplify had been a theme that the new year seem to imply. 
In today's post, let's de-clutter the headspace. 


###### Self Care - Deactivate what no longer serves you. 

I deactivated my FB, thus freeing up space, something that was an impossibility to do many years ago because of the business, but now that the business is gone for good, I am grateful to be able to cut ties and dissolve that. 

I'm not saying that's how things should be for everyone. You do you. I'm sure you have your reasons. 

The truth was that the real relationships and connections that I have are present in my direct messaging list and phone contacts, so if I intend to catch up with anyone, I could just pick up the phone, write an email or perhaps meet up in person. 

My Instagram account remains active because I have contacts that I could only reach there. Have you deactivated any app or social media recently? Why is it so? 


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###### Bullet Journaling

I shared this on [Instagram,](https://www.instagram.com/p/CY-aNUNJZrc/) "It had become a personal tradition to create a bullet journal or a BuJo before the start of the year. My siblings exchanged Christmas gifts by asking what we wanted and my brother sent me this dotted blank journal as a present. I was ecstatic to start it even when we had no power due to the [typhoon](https://peakd.com/hive-194848/@discoveringarni/minimalism-lessons-learned-after-surviving-the-super-typhoon-and-other-unforeseen-catastrophes).

The creative process of carefully writing down each number and line was a mindful exercise. There was no rush. Just the enjoyment of every stroke. When it felt right to stop, I pause for the next time I intend to pick up and continue. I gave myself an hour daily to work on it from 4 pm till it was too dark. Slowly it began to take shape.

It is going to be a work in progress until the year-end because I purposely wanted it to grow differently or expand as the need arises. Each format need not be the same as the previous month's. I intend for the journal to be flexible and accommodate what could be written down. Just like these pages, 2022 is a year of simplifying and Be-ing. " 

Here's a Previous Post on How to Create Your Bullet Journal in case you might be interested:

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|[Create a Minimalist Bullet Journal](https://peakd.com/hive-174578/@discoveringarni/create-a-minimalist-bullet-journal)| https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/discoveringarni/23wgTrTNVnu31AbRQ9Abr3u9pPjRHUvSBGmd6sDdy9AHhTtrLeKeyMXhKy1DVj5i2wNEp.png|



###### Make Time for Meditation 

To walk barefoot on the grass and admire the Hibiscus shrub every morning were habits I picked up last year. This gentle act of feeling the earth under my feet as I smile and admire its leaves and flowers became a calming meditative practice. Forest bathing and being in nature help keep calm and quiet. Throughout the day, wherever I am, it helps me to pause and breathe.


###### Goals & Intentions

Hello life, let me be your blank canvas.

As a workaholic in my previous life, I couldn't imagine I would read the words I'm typing now. Work then was my identity. My previous life had always been about goals and I used to be pretty vocal about it. There was always something to chase, something to improve, something to work towards, and if only I could reach back in time and hug my previous self and tell her, *"It's okay, you're enough. There's no need to prove anything."* It makes me wonder if I would have listened and understood. 

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/discoveringarni/23y8qeuoSXkmRJymYqnJjtEhHUfUC41sCFCUhznAnk3ebEBqzLriQJZoTBiU5fy9B6i6L.JPG

I saw a glimpse of that part of me in 2021, burned out. Overwhelmed with stress rooted in fears I had to work through. 

There is nothing wrong with setting goals for as long as we don't identify with it, that a silent agreement had been made, regardless of the outcome, there is unconditional love for the self. 

For this year, I have a few intentions and plans which I will never share because I am a firm believer in *"Do Not Share Your Intentions with Anyone."*  

I noticed that when I did share plans with others in the past, they lost their power and potency so they ended up not happening at all. If ever they did take place, it took a lot of willpower to accomplish them. 

I thought it was a sheer coincidence at first until it happened more and more, thus reading further on the subject. Studies led by psychology experts had been conducted that reveal [It's better not to tell anyone who you want to be if you want to succeed](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ulterior-motives/200905/if-you-want-succeed-dont-tell-anyone) the same way [Your Aspirations can be Shared but Only with The Right People](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190903084051.htm)

To avoid that, I'd rather let the result reveal itself, let my actions speak. Or walk the talk that sort of thing and share the outcome when it's done. 

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/discoveringarni/23vsWmUpfJT7nyR7eC9HdvGoeoZEB1UtUVjabiwxrK4sUPi5F25EuvsWgCX5P6mgpNw3H.JPG

###### Connect and Listen More

Ha! My old self would have spat out her coffee to read this and hear the comment an acquaintance said to me recently. You see, my old boss enrolled me in a special workshop called, *"The Art of Listening."* Not only once, but twice including the sequel workshop. (Of course, I took the hint Lol.)

I used to be afraid of silent pauses. Being in Sales, I felt the need to keep talking. 

How often do we run what we need to say in our heads instead of being 100% present, actively listening?

To participate in profound conversations where there is an exchange of ideas, knowledge, and thoughts, we gain a lot more when we listen. It's a great practice to give our undivided attention, to nod and smile when necessary, to listen not only to the words but also to appreciate the silences in between. Throw back questions about what they said while listening to opinions without judgment. 

There are a lot of talkers but rarely listeners so being the latter will be quite an experience. A perfect balance of talking and listening is a nice gift we can give to each other.


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###### Go and Do More of What You Love

This brings us down to engaging in activities that we love may it be a mindful exercise, sports, music, writing, drawing, or rediscovering an old passion. Anything that lights us up and be in the flow. We've been watching old french classics recently, comedies mostly and laughter is absolutely the best therapy! 

When the chatterbox mind keeps blabbing away with these incessant thoughts, watch it, observe, and say, "Sssh...can I get back to you later?"

Do you have a particular habit that helps clear the mind? How do you keep a positive headspace? 

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###### "I am an old soul who simply loves coffee, who finds joy and beauty in both tangible and the unseen."  

[@discoveringarni](https://peakd.com/@discoveringarni)

<sub> Curiosity and imagination lead to unexpected experiences. Interested in Nature, Places, Roads Less Traveled, Minimalism, Authentic Living, Anything French, and International Cuisine. Feel free to follow her, re-blog, and upvote if you enjoy her content.
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