Two kids, one dog, one cat and a Hubby who works out of town at least a couple of days a week. This lovely crew plus juggling our incredibly busy (and fabulous – I’m not complaining) life plus my very own business sometimes leaves me feeling a little overwhelmed. When I realized I was once again having that familiar feeling that there just weren’t enough hours in the day, when my workday wasn’t ending until after midnight, I knew something had to give. Life is too short to spend it frustrated, tired, and making lists you can never complete. Here are 5 easy things you can do today to make your life easier tomorrow.
- Stop Multi-Tasking. This may sound counterproductive but it’s not. Research has actually shown it’s more productive to focus on just one item at a time. So close down those 20 windows on that laptop. Stop trying to text while you talk. Focus on one thing at a time and get it done.
- Menu Plan. Enough with the good intentions. Actually, do it. Sit down with a piece of paper and a pen and plan out your week. When you have your meals planned for an entire week you eliminate the entire “What’s for dinner” drama that happens every single night. Time saved and a fabulous dinner every evening. Winning.
- Order Your Groceries Online. There’s nothing easier than sitting in your PJ’s with your laptop purring away and placing an order for your groceries for the week. I’m addicted to shopping on Loblaws.ca, try it, I promise you will love it!
- Say No. It’s lovely to help out your fellow man, but don’t forget about yourself! Know your limits and know it’s okay to say NO to the PTA, extra volunteer hours, baking cookies or even a dinner you really don’t want to go to. Once in a while, it really is okay to put yourself first.
- Start A Carpool. Swimming lessons, Boy Scouts, Dance Class, Piano, Soccer, Gymnastics. No matter where you find your car headed I can guarantee your kiddo is not the only one going there. If you can start a carpool with your bestie or your child’s bestie your life will be infinitely easier.
- Stop overthinking. Life is far too short to worry. Just let it go.
- Recognize Life Isn’t Perfect. Life is a beautiful mess. Embrace it. Slow down, look around and enjoy one crazy, messy moment each day. When the kids are making a ridiculous amount of noise, stop and enjoy their laughter. When the dog comes into the house covered in mud, grab the camera and Instagram the crap out that moment. And when a girlfriend drops by and the kitchen is a total disaster, simply be thankful you have time to push your work aside and have a chat with a friend.
What’s one thing you do to make your life easier so you can enjoy the truly important things in life?
A few months ago I made “saying no” a thing for me. I have a habit of believing that “if i don’t… nobody will”… and I felt almost like I HAD to say yes…even when I didn’t really want to. I decided I had too many things going on and I wanted to focus on the things that mattered, the things that brought me joy. So I have been actively reducing my obligations and responsibilities to match where I want to be. And it feels GREAT!!!!
All great tips thanks for sharing I need to work on Stop overthinking.
I like to make sure my kitchen is ready for morning the night before. It makes so much difference.
Thanks for the great post yes sometimes we really spread ourselves too thin!
I find something as simple as meal planning helps out so much, especially since my daughter likes to know what is for dinner the coming week as then she knows ahead of time if it is something she does not like and we can make other plans for what she will eat.
I’ve really been working at saying no and recognizing that life is not perfect. I use menu planning regularly to keep us on track with our busy schedule. It’s been great to realize that it is okay if not everything gets done that I intend to and to take time to read a book, have nap or whatever instead.
Ordering groceries on line, has become available in my area. I would use this if needed.
Good tips! I have not tried ordering groceries online yet…. I am a bargain shopper and like using coupons. Not sure if one can do the cents off while ordering groceries online….
Good tips. I haven’t tried ordering groceries online yet, though.
I really need to stop overthinking lol!
Plan.
Oh dear – I really want to work on getting lunches together this week – saving time and money and instead I’ve forgotten each day!
Not multitasking is my goal for this week!
I am completely guilty of multitasking (and failing or burning out from it)… I have taken a new job in the past few months and with it my free time is SIGNIFICANTLY less – I really do need to look into thinks like trying out Loblaws.ca for a time saver (and money saver as I impulse buy lol)
I also love ordering groceries online – saves me lots of time walking through all the aisles of the grocery store! And, I keep a dayplanner to keep me organized and on top of what is happening when.