I really like getting to peek behind the curtain of another family's daily workings! I've been on my own journey as I switched to working part-time/freelance in April after working full-time for most of Zadie's life! It's taking much longer than I expected to troubleshoot and figure out how to best use my time, especially as I'm pulled in a lot of directions. I've actually been using a time log the past several days to find out just where my time is going!
I feel that so much. I have even started my morning pages with the question, “what’s the best use of my time today?” Because I really do feel the pull of all the possible things I could be doing. Have you read Laura Vanderkam’s 168 hours book? I think the last time I logged my week was after reading that book, but it was so helpful. Lately, I’ve been trying to some of my time using the Toggl track app. Curious to hear your learnings after trouble shooting!
I'll check out 168 hours! I read her "Tranquility by Tuesday" earlier this year and definitely picked up some good nuggets. Sometimes Laura Vanderkam gets on my nerves haha. Maybe because I'm still not ready to accept the reality that I can't do all the things! On the flip side, I have a book on my shelf called "I Didn't Do The Thing Today" that I've been meaning to read. I guess I'm always wondering if I'm too hard on myself or too easy on myself! Also I'm gonna check out the Toggl app!
Love this! I’m still trying to figure out the rhythms that will work here. I hadn’t thought about having my kids sleep in their school clothes! That’s a good idea! We’ve gotten rid of a lot of toys during our moves and I kind of feel like we’re right about where we should be now with that, but there’s still plenty to keep clean! For me, it’s figuring out the after school things. One of my kids doesn’t do well with team sports due to high functioning autism. I can see the good in it, and I mean, we’re not bored by any means! 😅 But it’s also tough because the kids’ friends are usually involved in several activities, so they can’t get together to play after school. It’s definitely a challenge to figure things out as a mother, and it seems like the pieces keep moving just when you’ve figured out where to put them!
Moving one of the best ways to keep the clutter at bay, I should try it more often 😂. Definitely agree that it’s always a challenge to figure out what works best for each kid, and the recalibrating is constant!
I love this, Ruth. I also appreciated Adrienne‘s essay on reinventing yourself as a woman/mother. My youngest son is now almost 2, and suddenly I find myself in a different season. I have zero tips for you when it comes to cleaning because I am constantly playing catch-up. I have started asking and showing my nine and seven year-old boys how to sort and put away their own socks and underwear and T-shirts and shorts. This has helped a lot, but I still end up using the pack n play for laundry dumps when my weeks get too busy.🫣 Weekends are also my only real time to get writing, and other things done, and who wants to spend all that time cleaning!?
yes, exactly! I'm definitely still strategizing on how to spend the least amount of time cleaning as possible while also still being able to find things in my house. p.s. Using the pack n play for laundry storage is genius! Mine is currently in my living room collecting snack remnants, ha
Yes, I’ve experienced the wrinkled crumb-filled results of leaving laundry on the couch--its not pretty!!😜
PS you inspired me to bring my yoga mat down to the playroom last night before dinner. It wasn’t relaxing all, but it definitely did my body some good. Small steps, right?
I really loved reading through your new rhythms. I need to do some trouble shooting and this was so helpful. I love how honest you are. Thank you for sharing!
I really like getting to peek behind the curtain of another family's daily workings! I've been on my own journey as I switched to working part-time/freelance in April after working full-time for most of Zadie's life! It's taking much longer than I expected to troubleshoot and figure out how to best use my time, especially as I'm pulled in a lot of directions. I've actually been using a time log the past several days to find out just where my time is going!
I feel that so much. I have even started my morning pages with the question, “what’s the best use of my time today?” Because I really do feel the pull of all the possible things I could be doing. Have you read Laura Vanderkam’s 168 hours book? I think the last time I logged my week was after reading that book, but it was so helpful. Lately, I’ve been trying to some of my time using the Toggl track app. Curious to hear your learnings after trouble shooting!
I'll check out 168 hours! I read her "Tranquility by Tuesday" earlier this year and definitely picked up some good nuggets. Sometimes Laura Vanderkam gets on my nerves haha. Maybe because I'm still not ready to accept the reality that I can't do all the things! On the flip side, I have a book on my shelf called "I Didn't Do The Thing Today" that I've been meaning to read. I guess I'm always wondering if I'm too hard on myself or too easy on myself! Also I'm gonna check out the Toggl app!
Love this! I’m still trying to figure out the rhythms that will work here. I hadn’t thought about having my kids sleep in their school clothes! That’s a good idea! We’ve gotten rid of a lot of toys during our moves and I kind of feel like we’re right about where we should be now with that, but there’s still plenty to keep clean! For me, it’s figuring out the after school things. One of my kids doesn’t do well with team sports due to high functioning autism. I can see the good in it, and I mean, we’re not bored by any means! 😅 But it’s also tough because the kids’ friends are usually involved in several activities, so they can’t get together to play after school. It’s definitely a challenge to figure things out as a mother, and it seems like the pieces keep moving just when you’ve figured out where to put them!
Moving one of the best ways to keep the clutter at bay, I should try it more often 😂. Definitely agree that it’s always a challenge to figure out what works best for each kid, and the recalibrating is constant!
I love this, Ruth. I also appreciated Adrienne‘s essay on reinventing yourself as a woman/mother. My youngest son is now almost 2, and suddenly I find myself in a different season. I have zero tips for you when it comes to cleaning because I am constantly playing catch-up. I have started asking and showing my nine and seven year-old boys how to sort and put away their own socks and underwear and T-shirts and shorts. This has helped a lot, but I still end up using the pack n play for laundry dumps when my weeks get too busy.🫣 Weekends are also my only real time to get writing, and other things done, and who wants to spend all that time cleaning!?
yes, exactly! I'm definitely still strategizing on how to spend the least amount of time cleaning as possible while also still being able to find things in my house. p.s. Using the pack n play for laundry storage is genius! Mine is currently in my living room collecting snack remnants, ha
Yes, I’ve experienced the wrinkled crumb-filled results of leaving laundry on the couch--its not pretty!!😜
PS you inspired me to bring my yoga mat down to the playroom last night before dinner. It wasn’t relaxing all, but it definitely did my body some good. Small steps, right?
get it, girl!! here's to all the small steps adding up!
Love hearing what’s working for you! And the way you block time is encouraging!
Thanks, friend! Protecting that time is definitely challenging but it’s been worth it so far.
So refreshing! I’m glad you’re finding a few ways to show up for yourself, too! ❤️
I really loved reading through your new rhythms. I need to do some trouble shooting and this was so helpful. I love how honest you are. Thank you for sharing!
I’m so glad, Jenny! 💗