Leave no traces
Sometimes it's small changes that have a big impact.
On holiday I had the Quadro Living mindfulness by Jan von Wille. Becoming more mindful of myself, my surroundings and things is one of my growth goals.
In the Quadro one section in particular fascinated me:
Leave no traces
Today's mindfulness exercise is a special experiment: we try not to leave any traces behind. Every room - bathroom, kitchen or workplace - should immediately look the way we found it.
Once we've used the crockery, we wash it straight away and put it back in its place. If we drop something on the floor, we pick it up immediately.
I admit that this exercise doesn't suit me at all. I do my work and then want to move on quickly to the next point - without tidying up first.
But at least I've got into the habit of leaving the kitchen clean in the morning. When I prepare my breakfast, I try to move quietly and not think too much.
I focus all my attention on my movements. Before I sit down to eat, I immediately clean everything up again. And I actually realise: that feels good.
The effects
Since I've been back, I've been practising leaving no trace. I imagine I'm a burglar in my own house... whenever I've used something, I always put it back in its place afterwards, whether it's crockery, files, browser windows or papers.
It's particularly challenging - but also particularly rewarding - with papers. I love paper and tend to write everything down on pieces of paper first. As a result, I often end up with 10 new pieces of paper with ideas, tasks, etc. at the end of the day.
As I don't want to leave any traces behind, it means that instead of writing a note first, I immediately think about what to do with the thought: An idea for a text goes straight into the corresponding file, necessary purchases into the app, tasks and appointments into my calendar, etc.
This does not work 100% but in 90% of the cases.
The effects are fascinating
- I have to tidy up less because everything is sorted away straight away.
- My home and office stay tidier.
- Instead of having X amount of unfinished business at the end of the day, everything is now ready...
I actually managed to complete all the planned tasks this week... that alone was rather rare and brilliant.
But the thing that fascinates me the most is how the new habit of leaving no trace strengthens me.
- I am visually less distracted
- I have less unfinished work in my head: "I still have to do that!"
- I feel more confident and stronger. I have things under control
As with all habits, it will still take a while before it "sits" in all areas - it already works very well with objects, halfway with notes, and I often forget to close browser windows after use. And I'm still working on replying to emails immediately after reading them.
The overall assessment of the new habit is: Brilliant! It makes me calmer and strengthens me.
What habits and rituals help you to go through your everyday life and working day in a calm and structured way? Feel free to write a comment!
