Simple Things You Can Do In 10 Minutes

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Days seem to pass by in the blink of an eye.

Before 2016 became history, did you make resolutions for the new year to come?

A massive overhaul of your life that you were planning for 2017?

I hope you are able to keep up with all of your resolutions and the year is going ahead the way you wanted it.

I was a big time "resolutions" person during my college days. Last week of December would be dedicated to make resolutions to make myself perfect in all walks of life.

I would make endless lists of things that I was doing wrong and how I can change myself to make myself better.

The intent was good but, the will to do it , not so much. After a few days, I would go back to my not-so-perfect self.

After marriage, I was surprised to learn that my husband did not believe in resolutions 🙂 . After a few years into my marriage and more failures in keeping up with the resolutions, I decided to forgo the "bulk resolution concept" at the beginning of the new year.

Instead, I started bringing about small changes in my habits. Since they are small, they are easily manageable and of course, easy to keep track of.

So, here is a list of my favorite things to do to bring about change in your life, for increased positivity.

And the best part? They hardly take 10 minutes.

1. 10 Minute "Me-Time"

This is my precious 10 minutes. I picked mine to be the first 10 minutes of everyday. I look through my emails, messages, etc. while sipping my coffee. Sonshine knows not to disturb me (unless of course on weekends when he needs some extra cuddles).

Pick a time and place for you to spend some quality "me-time". Make sure your family knows about this and let them know that you would appreciate this alone-time. Do what you like the most. Reading emails, listening to songs, reading newspaper, painting.. anything. These 10 minutes are just yours. Make the most of it.

2. 10 Item List

I am a self-proclaimed list person. For me, nothing beats the feeling I get when I get to check off the completed tasks on a piece of paper. The feeling of achievement!

If you find yourself, not motivated to do anything or you have tons and tons of stuff to cater to, sit down, take a deep breath and make a list of 10 items that requires your immediate attention. Only 10 items. And once you have the list, start tackling the items from the top of the list and check them off as soon as you complete them. Oh the thrill of completing the tasks at hand is exhilarating.

3. 10 Minute Tidy

My house used to be a mess!!!! The kitchen counter, on good days, looked like a hurricane had just passed through. I used to be sacred of unexpected guests. But not anymore. I took two months, de-cluttered the house and it feels amazing. There is a place for everything and everything has a place.

But I also know that it is very easy to accumulate stuff and also to make the house untidy.

So, once I got the house devoid of all the clutter, I have enforced a 10-minute tidy rule. Everyone in the family chips in and we setup a timer for 10 minutes. Everything that does not belong in its pace is either "sent" back to its original location or trashed (if not required). There are days when we don't even need 10 minutes.

We do it every single night.

And the best part? The morning-10-minute-me-time becomes more enjoyable.

4. Practice Your Hobby For 10 Minutes

I started this blog as a hobby and to record the recipes that we love.  I spend time on the blog almost daily. It could be working on a blog post like this, or coming up with recipes or socializing with blogger friends. It could be anything related to your hobby. Try to spend at least 10 minutes a day relaxing while enjoying what you love to do.

5. 10 Minute Reading

There was a time when I found it difficult not to read. When my friends would go out and play, I would be home reading. But then, life happened. Other things started getting more priority than reading. So, I have decided to spend at least 10 minutes a day reading. It is not hard to find just 10 minutes in a day to spend reading.

May be even make a list of books that you want to read this month and get started there. Find your local library and pick books. Research on a new author that you have not read. The choice is limitless. Challenge yourself to read more than you did yesterday.

6. 10 Minute Exercise (Go For A Walk Outside Or Do Some Stretches). Just Get Going.

I am a couch person. I love to read and binge watch TV. I try and avoid exercise as much as possible. But I know I have to get moving. The age is catching up with me and I will reach a point when there is no looking back. This year, I am challenging myself to work out more than I did last year. It would require a lot of will power from my side 🙂

Go for a walk or go on a bike ride.

Not motivated?

Just stand up and stretch.

You will feel good.

Repeat.

7. Meditate For 10 Minutes

Or think of things you are grateful for. May be try keeping a gratitude journal.

If you are religious, then spend some time chanting your prayers. Thank the almighty for the blessings showered on you.

8. Learn A New Skill For (At Least) 10 Minutes

It is never too late to learn a new skill.

Last year, for my Mother's Day blog post, I had to get some graphics ready. My husband usually helps me with these kinda requests, but he was totally busy at that time. So, I had to learn some Photoshop skills. It was hard at the beginning. I did not know the controls (and trust me, mastering Photoshop takes a lot of time). I would not consider myself a master in creating these kind of graphics, but I can reach a point where, I get the basic stuff ready and my husband helps me fine tune it.

What I am trying to tell you is that it does not have to be an arduous task or craft. Just something you always wanted to try, but never did. Find 10 minutes in your day to just learn a new skill.

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9. 10 Minute Unwind And Unplug

This 10 minute unplug and unwind might be the hardest thing to do these days. We are surrounded by electronics, social networking sites, the "need to be connected with the world at all times" - it is almost impossible to stay away from them. Try to unwind and unplug 10 minutes before bedtime. It will be hard initially, but you will get there.

10. 10 Minute Dishes

I find cooking therapeutic.

Well, I blog about food. So it is obvious that I spend a lot of time cooking.

But, we all love easy dishes, don't we? So, if a dish gets ready in 10 minutes or less. that would be a blessing isn't it?

So even if you hate cooking, or are just starting to cook, here are some tasty dishes that get ready in nearly 10 minutes. This list is compiled with the help of my fellow bloggers. Thanks to all who shared their lovely recipes.

(click on the links to visit the blogs to get the recipes)

So, without further ado, here are some 10 minute dishes for you to try.

• Apple Cinnamon Soy Shake
• Quick Oatmeal Cookies
• Papaya Orange Turmeric Smoothie
• Spiced Avocado Buttermilk
• Watermelon Cosmopolitan
• Nutella Marshmallow Hot Cocoa
• Veg Tortilla Pizza with Mint Mayo
• Chunky Peanut Butter
• Masala Peanuts Bhujiya
• Spicy Avocado Cucumber Soup
• Capsicum Chilli Cheese toast
• Kache Aam Ki Chutney
• Uggani
• Mango Lassi
• Biscoff White Hot Chocolate
• Atta Ka Sheera
• Milk Powder Peda
• Fairy Bread Recipe
• Maddur Vada
• Peanut Butter Cup Milkshake
• Christmas Rum Balls
• Golden Milk Shots
• Peach Yogurt Breakfast Bowl

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Till we meet again…

Namaste.

Deliciously Your’s.