Thursday, September 11, 2008

Readers Respond!

Okay friends. It's 2:00 AM and I am having another one of my insomniac attacks. I've been feeling overwhelmed and anxious about all that I am unable to do. I know, I know... you're going to say that this is just the curse of the LDS mom trying to be perfect, but truly it's not. I'm just feeling so disjointed, like there's a HUMUNGUS list of things I really need to be doing (and WANT to be doing!) and I just don't know where to start. Exercise, controlling the clutter, family scripture study, visiting teaching, dates with my hubby, good reading time with Olivia, writing in my journal, keeping up on our pictures and scrapbooks, being a good neighbor, planning fun stuff for my kids to do. And those are just the basics. So here is my question. Short of adding six extra hours to the day... I would like advice on how to organize my life. What are some tricks and tactics that you all have learned along the way? Things that help you to occasionally feel a tad bit ahead of the game and not like you're just bumbling through life by the seat of your pants?

13 comments:

Diane Owen said...

Okay, you know me, you know I am no where near what you want to be as far as organized and together goes. I wish I had some brilliant fix, because I would certainly like to implement it in my life...The only thing that I've found to help me occasionally is to make a plan. I plan what cleaning tasks are going to be done on which days, and which other tasks I want to get done that day. And I try to be reasonable and not plan too many things for one day, because let's face it, we have kids...I know you probably already do this, and better than I do...but its all i've got, sorry!! :)

The Higgins Family said...

No idea. I'm in the very same boat. But, let me know what you figure out. And take comfort you're not the only one. ;)

The Higgins Family said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Higgins Family said...

PS: Thanks SO much for the piano advice. That's what I thought, too. As of now, she says all is well, but I think the loosening-up exercises will do the trick if the problem turns up again.
Wait! You DID accomplish something important and substantial (though seemingly small) just the other day!--- you helped a fellow piano teacher work through some of her challenges and helped her feel better about what she was trying to accomplish. Thanks! Way to go, Emily! :) I've started writing down things I have accomplished during the day (incl. exactly how many loads of laundry or a quick phone call to the doctor or writing an email to a friend). I realized I did more each day than I thought. Maybe that would help.

Susan said...

I like the advice of writing things down that you accomplish during the day - because I bet we are all doing more than we realize. Good idea! I, myself, made a master schedule for myself of basically "the perfect day". I have to keep in mind that I probably won't be able to get everything done on that schedule, but it gives me a goal and a purpose and the more I get done the better - or at the very least, I can feel good in the things I did manage to cross off. So, maybe take an evening and write all these things down that you really want to start doing in your day and try to figure out if you can fit it into a weekly schedule for yourself.

The Higgins Family said...

I know, me again, but I thought of someone else's wisdom that has made a really made a difference for me. Sister Beck says she prioritizes things into "must", "should", or "nice-to-do" categories. I tried it (using a notebook) and, thought tempted to put everything in "must" or "should" I really dug deep and was able to understand a lot was actually "nice-to-do" or "should do" but in due time. That really took a lot of pressure off. I'd recommend reading what sis. Beck says about it bc she describes the process really well (at the end of the May Conf Ensign in the mini-article introducing her as RS Pres).

Jodi said...

Well, I feel very overwhelmed and anxious lately too..and also guilty that I'm on here commenting rather than getting my kids to bed!
I have found that designating Saturday as my day for laundry and mopping has really helped me feel better. Just a simple little thing like that makes me happier!
Good luck and I'm looking forward to everyone else's comments for more tips =)

aubrey said...

simplify! simplify! simplify!

I dunno really.....life is just crazy!

Unknown said...

I am SO LIKE YOU! I get really overwhelmed with trying to be perfect. One thing that I found really helps me is to wake up in the morning, get ready and then make a list of things I need to do that day. Then through out the days I actually check them off and it makes me feel better. Plus, I keep a calendar on my fridge of all the things going on for the month so I don't get too overwhelmed. Also, I keep a daily blog journal, it is a good way to vent keep track of my goals and write things I want to do better. Plus, with how fast you type it would be super fast and easy for you. I just make it a private blog so no one can see it :) Good luck honey....just take one day at a time is what I always have to tell myself and sometimes it still doesn't work :)

Dina said...

My advice is:

1. Do the most needful thing.
2. Give yourself a break...don't be too hard on yourself.
3. There's a time and a season.

:)

Julie said...

What a cool idea because seriously, don't we all suffer from that sometimes or a little bit more than sometimes? I had one of those "episodes" just last week. So I read Elder Ballard's talk form the last conference and he reminded me to put spending time with the kids first...it helped.

Liora said...

I am really trying to get into a routine with Flylady.com. You probably already know about her, but I think just have a little routine everyday will help me out. I am not there yet, but working towards it!! :) I am totally in the boat with you! Good LUck!

Peck Family said...

When you find out let me know.