Mindful Monday: Less is More

 

While slightly embarrassed​, I am absolutely one of those people with 27 tabs open on my ​browser.​ Here's the craziest part, the thought of closing them ​makes me anxious​,​ while simultaneously seeing all 27 ​stresses me out. And yet​, I still have them ​all there. ​I justify this paradox by telling myself, "I​ ​need them​." 

​During a day in age where stress levels are plenty high, why in the world would I knowingly add to my own stress?  

We live in an ​absolutely amazing time in technology where our Google tabs ​can be saved. We can organize our tabs​ into groups and ​even color​ code them.​(If these statements are mind blowing to you, check out the "how to" at the end of the Mindful Monday.) And all the while knowing these amazing tricks, I still find myself ​"needing​" all​ 27 tabs​.  ​Maybe I think I'm fooling myself into feeling more productive with the more tabs I have open. That coupled with the fact that society seems to tell us that we need it all​. ​

​However, maybe less is more​. 

​While the ridiculous number of tabs is just one way I add to my own stress, I know I am guilty in other aspects of my life. The ridiculous number of sticky notes, the need to say yes, the over committing my time, and worrying about things I can't control. All of these things add stress, more importantly, unnecessary stress. 

​My wish for you this school year is for you to let go of the extra tabs, ​find ways to lessen ​the clutter​ in your life, and ultimately to lessen the stress in your life​. 

​Google Tabs How To: 

If you have yet to discover how to "group", save and color code your chrome tabs, I'm about to change your life. If you have a set of tabs that you open every morning before you start teaching, consider saving them in a group. Right click on a tab you want to save. Click "add to group". Name the group and assign a color. You can make several groups, if desired. For example, I have a "Lesson Planning" group that has all my go to resources already pulled up. I also have a general group that includes my email, calendar, etc. Once you have created your groups, if you right click the actual group name, click "save group", this "bookmarks" your group of tabs so you can recall them at a later time.