Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Finding Time

Do you always struggle to "find time"? It seems like that is the common theme among most bloggers. Mostly the Moms. You know what? I don't want to find time. I want to stretch my time. I feel like I need to make my time last longer. I need to rearrange my time. My goals, my priorities, my tasks... so often, they don't get done or not done when I wanted to have them done.

I have read so many tips on how to make everything fit. Still, I struggle. Let's face it. I have a loose Monday-Friday schedule that keeps me going with the kids school schedule. I have a from the kids leaving until the kids get back schedule that I sorta manage. I have things that need to get done daily, weekly, monthly. Yet, I feel like I don't get everything accomplished as I should. So I do what any rational woman would do in my place. I stress. Yes, I fret over it. Tell my husband that I haven't completed my to-do list. Tell him I can't nap when the baby does, even though she kept me up all night, because there is stuff to get done! His answer? "You always overdo it anyhow. Take a morning or afternoon off."

Not what I always want to hear, but so calming nonetheless. I make a list of things I want or need to get done. Sometimes I avoid doing certain tasks because they are annoying and I really don't want to until I have nothing else left to do. Then I give myself the kick in the pants I deserve. "Don't put off for tomorrow, what can be done today." "We are not guaranteed tomorrow, so live for today." Ever hear these? It is motivation to me. To step it up. To stop being "too tired". How many times do you use that excuse? That is all it really is. An excuse. 

Although, I will admit... There are days I should take a nap, but I tell myself to push and get another chore or task out the way while the baby sleeps. Even if she kept me up all night the night before. Even if I was tossing and turning in pain. Even if the dreams that plague my mind make my sleep a very restless one. And I think I've come to the conclusion that I'm wrong in doing so. You see, I get cranky when I don't sleep. And it hit me. I'm acting just like my toddler when I refuse to take a nap because I feel the urge to complete something else in the meantime. Kids fight sleep. So do adults. We just beat ourselves up over it to get away from it. 

So I'm stepping up to the plate and I want to do this right. I'm going to prioritize. The things that absolutely need to get done. They will be done. No more putting it off. No more excuses. At the same time, I'm not going to over fill my time either. Things can be stretched out. Errands? Run them, but make it one per day. Days fly by when you run around all over town. So take it one thing at a time. And as needed. This is going to be my new way of passing the weeks. No more will I stress about going everywhere in one run. I end up with headaches and something is always lost in the mix. 

When it comes to home, I'm taking it easy there too. I met another Mom in their neighborhood who talked about quitting her job to be a stay at home Mom. At first, she had the ambitions of doing everything we think we should do when we stay at home. And like all of us soon learn, she ran ragged. You just can't. You can't set your standards so high. I call it the TV show Mom syndrome. We see the perfect, prim moms on TV. They have a spotless house, drive a nice car, kids are well behaved, and the husband comes home to a hot meal and a well-dressed wife. They don't exist. Not unless they have a nanny or maid. Or both. In reality, I think we should satisfy ourselves to having a clean kitchen and getting 1-2 things scratched off the to-do list. If we can be happy with that, I have a hunch we would all feel a lot better.
Which one do you relate to? And what tips do you have for time?

30 comments:

  1. I saw an idea. You make a list in a small notebook. You cross off everything you do. If you have things left, you add to the next day. It is a running list. You do most important things first of coarse. Eventually all things will work off the list.

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    1. That is my go-to idea. I keep it by my the computer and refer to it.

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  2. I needed this post today! I feel like I never have enough time to do everything I want!

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    1. I hope this inspires you not to let yourself feel overwhelmed!

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  3. No one has any time any more. I try and plan in advance, set time blocks for different activities and mostly I am able to cover everything with a schedule and lists.

    ❥ tanvii.com

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    1. It certainly feels that way these days. I like the idea of blocking off time though. Something I need to try.

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  4. I am so bad at time management, it always feels like I am always busy and other things in my life just fall off the radar.

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  5. I can relate although I'm not a mom. 24hrs just don't seem enough some days. When I get overwhelmed, I take some time to prioritize the things I have to do and map the timeline out. It helps!

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  6. I was just talking about this to someone yesterday. Things need to be done in order of priority and not rushing things that can wait. I totally agree.

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  7. I'm not a mum but the pressures on modern mummies is hard, My sister balances to under 7 and a full time job and also takes care of most of the home duties, I know at times she feels like she's in too deep or that she's not doing as well as she could be. Your husband sounds like a gem, he is right too, I think. No matter those odd bits you didn't tick off your list you are probably doing an insane amount. You deserve time off to be able to recharge - in the long run it'll make you more productive when you do get to things :)

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    1. I totally agree! I feel for your sister. So glad I have a husband who works hard to help :)

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  8. I try to work smarter, not harder. But it is hard to juggle kids, household tasks, and mommy life!

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  9. As a mom, 24*7 is also less with endless things on mind even then feel guilty with so many things dont get to spend time with kids.

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  10. Time management is such a hard thing to do when we have kids. As a mom I'm very busy at home and work, I have a to do list everyday, things are well scheduled!

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    1. It is hard. And even harder to feel balanced in all we do.

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  11. Time management is the worst. I seriously feel like I never have enough time. EVER. THank you for sharing this.

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    1. Right?! Time flies or slows down opposite what you wish it would do.

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  12. I think I needed this. As a working mom, its so hard to manage my time between my son and my work. I need to make a planning schedule every day for what I need to do. Time management is such a hard thing to do everytime.

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    1. It is hard, but just make sure you have a little time set aside for the kiddo! Everything else can wait a little while.

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  13. I dont even have kids and I am already struggling with time especially since I have a demanding job and have a blog as well. I admire mothers who do it all.

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    1. Balancing a blog is almost like balancing kids. You have your hands full with that! I think adding kids makes us crazy lol

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  14. For some reason, I always feel like I’m in a time crunch. Like I dont have enough time to fit everything in during the day. I have a very demanding job as well as being a full time blogger, finding me time can be hard! I try to enjoy my weekends to myself because I know during the week, things can be hectic.

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    1. That's a good plan! It is hard to fit everything and have time to yourself. I know there are days I don't have me time until I take a quick shower.

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  15. I really feel you about Time management. Being a mother of to and at the same time I am working mom it is hard to management my time between my siblings, my work and my responsibility in our home. That's why I need to make everyday schedule with my printable household schedule to manage my time properly and well-planned.

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