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Throw "Should" Out the Window and Holler "Good Riddance!"

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Casual Uncluttering LLC
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I don't know what to say right now. The "We're Here" and "Take Special Precautions" posts from companies as far-ranging as The Container Store and Lyft are just annoying. I can't help most of my clients because they are cautiously self-quarantining. Most of my family is on the East Coast. My friends are limiting their contacts.

 

So maybe I can get people to smile. Right now is a spectacular time to throw "Should" out the window. There are of course "Musts" which all we drudges still have to endure - dishes still gotta get washed, bathrooms probably still need the occasional scrub. WHOOPIE ABOUT FILING TAXES - you know what that means for me!!!

 

But maybe the dishes can stay in the sink a little longer  - most of us are saving on commute time, we've got some flex. Put up your feet and enjoy a cup of tea instead. Listen to music if you like music (and I'm a firm believer in music while you scrub the bathroom). I've got Bluegrass on right now, which of course prompted the "holler." Better yet, play something if you're musical - go find the guitar in the garage. Set up a band with the family. Pots make very loud, sorta tuned, immensely satisfying drums. Daydream - my son and I want a capybara farm someday. And I used to keep tropical fish as a hobby, I'm finding some cool screensavers. Find anything, anything at all to comfort yourself - I'm cheered by the idea that humanity's inactivity is easing pollution just a tad.

DON'T just find busywork. That'll be too depressing FAST. Really, truly, it's OK right now to deliberately, consciously, conscientiously set up a time EVERY SINGLE DAY to get going on a long-postponed, long-anticipated project like sorting through the family photos.

Be safe. Be well. We're all scared, and we're all scared together. A friend just reached out to me after we had a horrible fight months ago. That's the best of us.

 

 

Show All Comments
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Lauren Williams, CPO after the cleaning is done and daily chores finished, sitting quietly and meditating; being in the moment and being mindful are some of my favorite moments, especially now.... it's calming and I can clear my mind of the stress of the "outside"..... 

Mar 22, 2020 05:02 AM
Lauren Williams, CPO

Barbara Todaro The  more scientists and medical professionals are learning about mindfulness, the more I believe it should be taught as a part of elementary school education. Lauren

Mar 28, 2020 02:02 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Lauren. I play with my gang of 4 rescue pups. They are businessasusual and they are my refuge too.

Mar 22, 2020 05:31 AM
Lauren Williams, CPO

Sheila Anderson I love that!! I miss having pets, and I know I will again someday. Circumstances just don't permit it right now. Lauren

Mar 28, 2020 02:03 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Lauren - the elimination of words and the related actions of should, could and would might lead to better results.  Do, am and will plus countless other methods of actiion might benefit.  

Mar 22, 2020 06:08 AM
Lauren Williams, CPO

Michael Jacobs Yes! Here's a mind-twisting example of how powerful language is - when people use positive self-talk, it's more powerful if it's spoken in the third-person. So don't say "I can do this!" Say "Michael, you can do this!" Strange but true. Lauren

Mar 28, 2020 02:05 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Good morning, Lauren... wonderful advice. I know that after the last week, I'm being kinder to myself and not pushing myself to just go, go, go as I usually do.

Mar 22, 2020 06:29 AM
Lauren Williams, CPO

Nina Hollander I'm letting myself sleep in. It'll be hard to go back to normal Lauren

Mar 28, 2020 02:06 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

HI Lauren- "should" is a word I try to eliminate...not always possible though. I don't really mind the PSA from companies. I'm thankful that we can still go for our daily walks at the nature preserve near us. 

Mar 22, 2020 07:25 PM
Lauren Williams, CPO

Kathy Streib Walking is incredibly calming. I think I may be atypical in my reaction to mass-appeals: it also irks me when I get holiday cards from agencies like my insurance companies, even though I do know my agents individually and like them. Lauren

Mar 28, 2020 02:08 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Lauren Williams, CPO ,

I like a lot about this post and believe that Mindfulness is something we all need to learn to practice. I agree it should be taught in school.

Mar 28, 2020 06:26 PM
Lauren Williams, CPO

Dorie Dillard CRS GRI ABR From what little I follow, it is becoming a norm to teach mindfulness in school. I don't know if it's a requirement. I hope. Lauren

Mar 30, 2020 05:14 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

an elderly family member is now reconciled with his son with whom he had been estranged for several years - that is a good outcome from this life we are living now

Mar 29, 2020 04:46 AM
Lauren Williams, CPO

Lise Howe That is absolutely wonderful! Lauren

Mar 30, 2020 05:14 PM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

My 91-year old mother-in-law has thrilled herself with disovering a box of old photos. It's keeping her busy - in a good way.

Mar 30, 2020 06:16 AM
Lauren Williams, CPO

Margaret Goss That's fantastic. She can maybe draw in other family members: if someone, anyone can get some of you on Facetime or Skype or Zoom, whatever, I bet she'd have some amazing stories to tell with some of those photos. Lauren

Mar 30, 2020 05:15 PM
Sheldon Haywood
McGraw Realtors - Tulsa, OK
Your Realtor For Life!

Thank you for reminding us that it is alright to be calm and relax. 

Mar 30, 2020 06:47 AM
Lauren Williams, CPO

Sheldon Haywood You are very welcome. Lauren

Mar 30, 2020 05:16 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Sorting photos sounds good - better than scrubbing the kitchen ceiling. Both need to be done. But... I've still got so much work to do at my desk that I can't take the time...

 

Mar 30, 2020 08:05 PM
Lauren Williams, CPO

Marte Cliff I'm grinning right now because I once posted about "to heck with scrubbing the kitchen ceiling EVER." If sorting the photos doesn't have enough pull, maybe grabbing a camera and going to a park that's still open. Maybe pulling out the watercolors from the back of the closet. ANYTHING that takes you away from the desk sometimes. Please, it's critical. There's very good research that people who take leisure time, creative time, are much more productive and even healthier than people who don't.

Apr 01, 2020 09:07 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I am one who can not sit still, so this is tough on me. 

Mar 31, 2020 06:03 AM
Lauren Williams, CPO

Scott Godzyk I'm finding it a challenge as well. I need to set up some kind of marching in place routine. Shelter-at-home is still so new for most of us that we're still figuring out what it feels like in order to figure out how to cope.

Apr 01, 2020 09:11 AM
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

Thank you for this thoughtful post.  I'm of the sort that is taking this time to enjoy every moment with my husband, my two doggies and staying in touch (at a distance) with my wonderful family.  I have been blessed with two Great Grandchildren (2/20/2020 and 3/29/2020) -- but they are in Arizona -- so I am enjoying all the pictures and dreaming of the day I will be able to travel again to hug my new family additions.  I am blessed.  That's what I am concentrating on.

Mar 31, 2020 02:33 PM
Lauren Williams, CPO

Diana Dahlberg Your approach is magnificent. Two great-grandchildren - mazel tov! Tell the grandkids to set up a webcam...

Apr 01, 2020 09:14 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

I am being productive every day and grateful for every day of health!  I do appreciate an escape to a netflix show and/or book.  Still quite busy work wise with keeping deals together but I foresee a slowdown in a month or so

Apr 01, 2020 11:25 AM
Lauren Williams, CPO

Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR I'm watching all sorts of grade-B movies on Amazon. Amazing how many awful movies there are.

Apr 01, 2020 11:54 AM
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