Take it from me guys. The queen of lazy days and procrastination. ESPECIALLY in the summer. The minute school let out, I’m pretty sure I spent a full week just catching up on TV shows, YouTube videos, Netflix, etc. and barely moved. To be fair, that’s how I recharge. I’m an introvert and for the last three weeks of school I barely had any time to myself besides to sleep. Which isn’t a bad thing! I just need that time alone to do my own thing to recharge, refuel, and feel rested. So anyways, I let that time to myself continue after that first week. Which again isn’t bad but also isn’t very good. I get to the point where I feel like a slob and feel lazy so I’ve created a system for myself so I continue to be productive! When I’m in school, I’m always doing productive school related things but in the summer it is more difficult.
- Create a day-to-day To-Do list
Now doing this physically on a piece of paper is probably the most effective way to do this one. Typically, every night before I go to bed, I make a mental list of things I would like to get done in the next day! I never make a to-do list ahead of the next day generally because it overwhelms me. This helps a lot because it helps me stay productive but not stressing or over-loading myself!
2. Exercise routine (and drink water)
My mom and I go to the gym together. My mom is my best friend and she helps motivate me while I motivate her! Even when we don’t actually go to the gym I try to do some exercises by myself or something active because it just makes me feel good. When I don’t exercise, my body feels sluggish and just not good. I love the feeling after working out. Not only have I done something productive but I often feel led to do other productive things after! Also, drink sufficient amounts of water. I struggle myself with this one y’all (Dr. Pepper is my weakness). But water does make me feel really good after I drink it. It’s refreshing. Sometimes I buy those zero cal fruity flavored ones so I can have an actual taste of something. I don’t know how healthy they actually are but its enough for me!
3. Tidy ANYTHING up
I am also the queen of letting my room get pretty messy. Other areas of my life like my computer, school stuff, planner, etc. are really organized but when it comes to my room…. I don’t know. I’ve taken it upon myself to clean the entire room piece-by-piece this summer. I’m gonna start in sections, like my desk, and go through the whole thing, then move on to the next. Organize my school materials and other stuff so it’s all neat and tidy. Having a clean space makes your head feel less stressed and more motivated to do things. At any rate, it makes you feel calmer and happier!
4. Declutter something
This kind of goes with #3 but declutter. I know I know, getting rid of things is hard. I hold on to things for the dumbest reasons. But after awhile, I realize I don’t need or don’t actually want half those things. So take stuff out, give it to your sister or best friend or somebody who wants it, sell it, donate it, etc. I like to read and have got a sizable collection over the years. I realized there were a bunch of books that I didn’t like on the shelf so I took them off to sell or give away so I can make room for new ones! It doesn’t have to be much but just a little bit makes you feel good.
5. Do something YOU want that you have been meaning to do
Being productive doesn’t always have to be boring! Sometimes being productive is doing the thing you want but you keep putting it off. Try that new recipe! Read that book! Pick the guitar back up! Finish the scrapbook! Define productivity in your own terms. Make it suitable for YOU!
Bonus tip: Relax!
Taking care of yourself IS productive! Remember to take care of yourself. Take a nice long bath, put a face mask on, do your nails. Whatever is relaxing to you, do it and ENJOY IT!
A lot of these tips can be combined. I like to do at least one menial productive task with at least one fun productive task. The numbers aren’t always even but one of at least each keeps my mood and mind happy! But also, don’t feel like they all have to be done at once. Cater to what works best for you and figure out what you like! Did these tips help? Do you have any tips for productivity? I would love to see! Feel free to comment!
xoxo Ariana
