Tag: purging

The 2017 100

The 2017 100 — It's Not WHAT You Do, It's How You DO It. (Featured Image)

Last updated on April 1st, 2021 at 01:08 am

Unless my life sees some major changes this year, 2017 may mark the last list of 100!

It’s January 13th—I’ve spent nearly two weeks of my new year agonising over 100 items that matter enough to hit a list of goals and aspirations for the year ahead. And that’s a key difference from the lists that came before it.

Before it was a task list—I’d look around at everything that needed doing and jot it down, because my life would obviously be better with them out of the way.

But task lists aren’t inspiring. They’re not motivational. As a creative, that’s like dropping a pile of 100 things I dread on my lap and nagging myself to get ’em done by the year’s end.

Once I realised what I was doing to myself, so much so that I just went through my least successful year yet for my list, I knew I needed to make a change for 2017.

I’m particularly proud of the list I’ve put together for The 2017 100. I didn’t take any shortcuts—I wrote out 100 things that’d help me live the life I’d like to lead and prove instrumental along the path there. Rather than hurriedly scrawl out a list I’d likely ignore ’til December, I wrote one that I’d happily check off, knowing that each accomplishment would take me a step closer to a far better 2018. I feel like I’m finally getting it right this time, and I hope that shines through as you give it a look for yourself!

But that’s enough of my chatter—I’ve already made you wait long enough. Here for your consideration is The 2017 100—because it’s not what you do… it’s how you do it!

CONTINUE READING to see The 2017 100 and all I hope to accomplish this year! “The 2017 100”

The 2016 100 Wrap-Up, Part 2: 46 Things I DIDN’T Do But Still Very Much WANT To.

Last updated on January 3rd, 2023 at 02:27 am

So somewhere in my crazy mind, I’d convinced myself it’d be a good idea to write my wrap-up for The 2016 100 all as one post, because I’m always so curt with my posts, of course. A few days of working on it quickly killed that idea, and here were are with the second part of my wrap-up, covering the things I didn’t get around to in 2016, but still plan to manage this year, as well as my reasons why.

(Note: You will see these in some form in The 2017 100, so you know—don’t be too surprised.)

What I Didn’t Do, But Still Want to Do Next Year

7) Stop biting my nails—Ugh. What I probably need to do first is reduce the amount of stress in my life to get a better chance of dropping this disgusting habit. I had a good run early in the year, but hey. Maybe I’ll have better luck this time!
8) Get rid of the wedding thank you cards I never sent—I don’t think those past thank you’s are getting sent. It’s just… not something I’m doing. Instead, I think I’d love to start sending Christmas letters with some personalisation. I’m not a complete jackass, guys, but there needs to be a point where we agree to move on.
13) Sort out my old TD employee RSP—Any outstanding finances in general, really: part of being an adult is knowing how much your insurance will pay out. What your benefits cover. What’s in your stock portfolio. 2017 Casey Palmer needs a better handle on all this kind of stuff!

14) Consolidate everything down to a single notepad—I mean, you don’t see the magic happening, but my desk and dining room table are plastered with pages of notes as I draft out my posts. Will it happen? Maybe. Do I want it to? Oh heck yes ?

CONTINUE READING about the 46 things I still need to get around to in 2017! “The 2016 100 Wrap-Up, Part 2: 46 Things I DIDN’T Do But Still Very Much WANT To.”

Casey-Lite | Packing Lighter to Get Out the Door!

Last updated on January 16th, 2021 at 11:43 am

Some days you wake up and feel like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. If you were anything like I was, you probably did!

How you feel plays a large role in your daily performance, your personal relations—hell, your life in general! So which of these seems like it’d make your life easier—carrying around a 20-pound weight all day, or only carrying things you actually need and use?

I went through this thinking of my first day back to the job this morning, recalling the time I’d spent in Boston carrying a weighty SLR camera and two lenses in a tiny backpack along with wearing too many layers of clothing some days to resemble anything near comfortable.

We need to make an effort to remind ourselves to be comfortable in our day-to-day lives, and part of that means trimming down the amount of stuff in our bags!

Here’re the considerations I made to make things a little easier for myself:

I: RAIN OR SHINE?

Living in Canada, investing in a number of jackets is a must. But looking at weather forecasts can tell you whether it’s going to rain and the weather to expect for the day. A decent day outside can save you from needlessly carrying an umbrella, and a warm sweater and scarf can replace an unnecessary jacket. Less bulk, less sweat, easier living!

II: SOMETIMES, A TABLET WILL DO

I’d reasoned with myself that I was taking my laptop with me to work in order to “get work done”. Who the hell was I kidding? I’d take it to work and barely open it once! Work already has a laundry list of things to get done, and if it’s a slow day, bringing something heavy to work is a stupid idea.

So I replaced my laptop with a tablet. Throw a bit of extra cash at it, and it can replace a laptop for all of your light daily work!

  • Word processing? There’re apps for that. I can even sync a portable keyboard with my iPad, since I don’t like to type on touchscreens!
  • Drawing? There’re apps for that too; I also invested in a Wacom Bamboo stylus for my iPad to better match my drawing style
  • I also carry games on my iPad so I don’t have to carry a Nintendo DS, a music composer in case I want to record an idea for a theme song — tablets can do a lot. So that in itself makes my load a whole lot lighter!

III: READING MATERIAL

Seriously, how much can you read in a day? I thought that I’d be able to gain some knowledge on my commutes to and from work and on lunch breaks, but I spend my commutes standing and waiting to get to my destination, and I spend most of my lunches hanging with colleagues and friends, airing out the issues of the day. When exactly did I think I’d have any time to read? So I went from carrying books to carrying a few sheets of paper I’d like to read and be rid of.

I know you want to be prepared for any situation that could arise. I know you think that if you don’t have the cure for the bubonic plague in your purse of a multi-lingual translation of the Dead Sea Scrolls at the ready in your backpack that it’ll spell out the end of the world—but you couldn’t be more wrong.

Dig into the depths of your bag, and really ask yourself how much of your crap you’re going to need. There’re only 24 hours in a day, and there’s no way that most of us are possibly going to use all the stuff we lug with us. Today, as I walk around with a sweater and a bag lightly filled with things I have an actual chance of using, I’d like to think that Casey-lite is better prepared for taking some lighter steps in the right direction.

–Casey E. Palmer

319/365

Starting that Digital Cleanse

Last updated on April 3rd, 2021 at 02:48 am

As part of getting things ready for the wedding (my parents have 15 people staying over!), my Dad rearranged my room. My series of graphic novels were stacked (out of order); my closet was stuffed with a number of boxes that had previously been sorted around the room; but most interestingly, he found a USB key that I thought I’d lost ages ago. It’s always interesting to see what’s lying around on old drives—and how much you just don’t need anymore.

Continue reading “Starting that Digital Cleanse”
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