UN- inspired living (or- The Planned Life)

[danas]

After I read about Steve's 30 day challenge and how this was his "hardest challenge yet" I was very surprised because I live this way all the time.

I havent used an alarm clock in 20 years, I dont even wear a watch (just the concept seems weird to me). I dont have any planned regime for the day. I "play it by ear". I have several projects going, they have deadlines which I work towards, but very little is planned ahead in my life.
If I have a meeting Ill put it in my calender, but I dont have a regular daily regime.
I dont even know how much my bills are, it all goes automatically every month. I found a good accountant.
I gave him a signed checkbook and told him to use them as he needs.

For instance I decided to move to the states after I got a grant. I knew 6 months in advance that I would be moving here, but I didnt plan any living arrangements. I knew what I wanted and asked the universe for it, and only 5 days before my flight a guy who responded to my ad to rent my place back home, offered me to live in his luxury apartment in NY in exchange for him living in my non luxury place, and its right next to my studio.
If would have already arranged a place for me to live in advance, I couldn't have let that happen.
If you look into my fridge its always almost empty because I never by food for more then 2 days in advance.

This is also why I didn't come to any of the CGWs. Because I do not plan ahead. Its not that haven't done workshops before. I even flew 20 hours across the world for a workshop, but it was always because a dream I had or something of the sort, that spontaneously inspired me to do it.
Now I kind of regret not doing any CGW because I wont be in the states in October.

So after reading Steve's easy 30 day trial in amusement, I wondered if I could actually do an opposite trial and live a planned and organized life. I realize this would be the hardest trial I have ever done. So out of my nature.
I would even know where to start.

And Id love to hear suggestions from all you organized people on how you plan your day/week/month.

I guess Ill start with getting up at a certain time every day.
8 am. Then Ill have a shower, meditate for 10 mins. get dressed, got get a smoothie and go to the studio.
Ill be at the studio by 9:30 am. When I arrive there I will water my plants.
9:30-10:30 am I will spend 1 hour answering emails and making phone calls.
10:30-1:30pm- Work on a specific project.
1:30pm-2:15pm get some fruits r a salad for lunch. Maybe Ill bring my own and go eat them by the river.
2:15-5:00 work more on the project1.
5-6:00 surf the internet.
Go home and clean the house for half an hour.
Have dinner or arrange to meet a friend for dinner
Reading time, visualizing time, planning time.
3 times a week I will go out in the evening
1-2 times a week I will go to yoga
1-2 time a week I will go to dance class.
Also besides my creative projects I have other things I need to sort out-
My US visa, and to find another grant as the one Im on is finished in October.
So maybe I will dedicate 1 whole day a week for just that.
Also one day a week for going somewhere unexpected with my camera.

Id love to hear suggestions on how you plan ahead. What rituals do you do daily?
How does that sound?

[danas]

The Planned Life is a whole new thing for me. I realize I actually have fears about planning ahead. To book a flight ticket 2 months in advance? never!
Arrange an early morning meeting?- no way, because who know when Ill be inspired to wake up.
That was my usual response, yet this is what Ive been doing last two days. Making plans. committing to things in advance. Very scary stuff for me.

But it feels good. I feel a bit overwhelmed in my life right now. So much to deal with. I havent even shared the smallest part of it here. Big decisions to make.
So organizing my day and planning ahead feels grounding. I need it. Although it still scares the ♥♥♥♥ out of me to commit to the unknown.
Its nice to wake up to a clean house because I committed to spending 30 mins cleaning a day. I never did this before, I just relied on the cleaning lady, because I never spontaneously felt inspired to do that
And knowing that no matter what I will be up at 8am helps a lot too.
I also went around the house to see what need to buy. Lucky! I was on my last roll of toilet paper!

[ssandra]

I'm very very interested in reading about this!

Just a question, when you were living inspirational, did it happen that you ever ran out of toilet paper? Or was it just always there?

[James81]

It seems like you are equating living an "inspired" life with "not planning ahead."

Personally, I think of living inspiration (or rather BEING inspiration) as moving towards things that truly inspire me. Which involves finding things which inspire the ever loving bejesus out of me, and planning my life around those things.

In a way, then, it's not that you can't plan ahead and live an inspired life. I think that it's more about setting plans and goals that inspire you and don't ring out as things you *should* be doing with your life or living your life according to others goals for you.

Then, in finding those things which truly inspire you, the goals and plans associated with them come from a place of inspiration...with little effort or resistance involved.

[danas]

Originally Posted by ssandra

I'm very very interested in reading about this!

Just a question, when you were living inspirational, did it happen that you ever ran out of toilet paper? Or was it just always there?

for example last month I ran out of shampoo, I used all my hotel samples I found, until I went out to buy some. With toilet paper I use kitchen roll until I go and get some. But yes, its usually when its already an emergency until I go buy some.

Originally Posted by James81

It seems like you are equating living an "inspired" life with "not planning ahead."

Personally, I think of living inspiration (or rather BEING inspiration) as moving towards things that truly inspire me. Which involves finding things which inspire the ever loving bejesus out of me, and planning my life around those things.

In a way, then, it's not that you can't plan ahead and live an inspired life. I think that it's more about setting plans and goals that inspire you and don't ring out as things you *should* be doing with your life or living your life according to others goals for you.

Then, in finding those things which truly inspire you, the goals and plans associated with them come from a place of inspiration...with little effort or resistance involved.

Well I guess what I meant was spontaneous living. Doing only what I feel inspired to do in the moment. So if I feel inspired Ill do something, even quite impulsively. If I dont, I wont.
For instance there is a raw food cooking workshop, I read about it and thought, yes, I want to go. But the websites asks that I book in advance, and then all these thoughts like- yeah, but maybe something will come up last minute and I wont be able to go, maybe maybe... But now Im changing that. I just booked it! And it stresses me out a bit. But still its nice to commit to that as well...

[danas]

I am realizing that I have a hard time to make long term commitments because I am so used to my unplanned/spontaneous lifestyle.
Interestingly enough, this month, since Ive started this thread, has been about that.
I have signed three long term contracts this month.
They didn't go as smoothly as they could have, because I know I am so fearful when it comes to big commitments, which basically limit your options. I think "what if, what if...."
(I managed them put some of my "what if's" into the contracts )
Now i am so happy I have signed and made these commitments, I realize they actually give me freedom and support and security.
I am becoming more grounded.
I also bought flight tickets well in advance. And thank god because I bought the very last ticket available on the dates I could fly, even though I booked 2 months in advance (which Ive never done before)!

[Andrew Brunelle]

The planned life can also be good. Although probably less exciting. But it will provide structure to your life. That is always a good thing. Habit and routine are very important, especially when it comes to things like exercise and working on goals that you wish to achieve. Anyway, best of luck to you living a completely planned life, although realize that sometimes your plans don't work out. Adjust accordingly.

[danas]

Originally Posted by James81

Then, in finding those things which truly inspire you, the goals and plans associated with them come from a place of inspiration...with little effort or resistance involved.

Not for me. I begin to think- yes it inspires me now to plan to do something in two months, but what if something important comes up that weekend and I cant do it...I would have lost the money... That kind of thing.
Often my fears manifest too.
I bought something that was only on paper a year ago. It was meant to be ready this summer- but now I've been informed it'll take another year. Ive already invested my money there. Its scary! Although I know I did make a good deal.

[danas]

Originally Posted by Andrew Brunelle

The planned life can also be good. Although probably less exciting. But it will provide structure to your life. That is always a good thing. Habit and routine are very important, especially when it comes to things like exercise and working on goals that you wish to achieve. Anyway, best of luck to you living a completely planned life, although realize that sometimes your plans don't work out. Adjust accordingly.

Thank you.
Yes, structure and commitment are not so bad and scary as I always thought of them.
Although I admit Im still pretty lousy with a full structured day.
For instance I wrote here that I plan to go to yoga but I haven't done that at all this month...
But surprisingly the rest of my daily plans I kept. Ive been up at 8:00 am every day.

But Im still spontaneous. I was on my way to the subway to get to work this morning when a friend in a cool convertable drove by. "Hop in" he said. We had a picnic near the river and I only got to work at 12 pm. haha. It was a beautiful morning though