This is the third article in a four-part series on decluttering your life.
An overcrowded schedule can prevent you from fulfilling your purpose and serving others well.
“I encourage people to take a good look at how each task on their schedule is connected to their highest, greatest good and ultimate purpose,” says Angela Buttimer, MS, NCC, RYT, LPC, a licensed psychotherapist at Cancer Wellness at Piedmont.
Signs it’s time to say no
“Decluttering your schedule can be scary. Sometimes it means saying no to a friend, facing your fear of missing out, or letting go of an obligation you’ve had for years,” she says.
Here are some signs it’s time to let go of an activity on your schedule:
1. You dread the task.
2. It drains your energy.
3. You are only doing it to please someone else.
4. It isn’t connected to serving others well.
5. It isn’t helping you grow.
6. It isn’t the best use of your talents.
7. You don’t have enough room on your schedule for what truly matters to you.
What matters most to you?
When you say yes to one activity or responsibility, you are saying no to something else. Write down the most important priorities in your life. When you look back at your life, will you be pleased with how you invested your time?
Use this awareness to say yes to what matters and let go of what isn’t a priority right now.
For additional decluttering tips, check out the rest of the series: