Whew, it's been awhile since I've had time to even think about posting on my blog! Life got hectic...fast! I know I'm certainly not alone with feeling this way either. It seems like it's more normal, rather than not, to get caught up in the craziness of life. Sometimes it's things that come up that are completely out of our control! Lately, with adjusting to new responsibilities at work, taking three grad school classes, wedding planning, big life decisions and other 'fun' life surprises, I've had a lot on my plate. Much more than usual. I've had to take a step back and find ways to keep my sanity to make it through the next month. I can't help but to think I'm going to be extremely bored once I make it to March...
I thought it might be (hopefully) helpful to someone...anyone...if I share some of the tips I've been trying to implement to better organize my life over the next month. So far, it's already helping me knock out some of the anxiety I was feeling.
- Schedule time to relax. During this blocked off time do not, I repeat...do not, feel bad or think about the list of other things you need to do during this time. Enjoy it. Take the time to rejuvenate. Put it on your calendar, if needed, to make sure you have time set aside. So much easier said than done... I know.
- Write everything down in your planner. I mean everything. I find I'm less apt to feel like I'm forgetting something if I make it a habit to write it all down in my handy dandy Emily Ley planner. You use a cell phone? Find a way to keep track of notes, reminders and events in your phone calendar and stick to it. While I prefer my planner to keep my life organized, the perk of using cell phone calendars is that you have the ability to set alerts.
- Take time to update your planner. If you did it, check it off. If you need to do something more, add it. Keeping it up-to-date helps you stay organized in the long run when you're trying to figure out what you've done and what you still need to do.
- Check your planner. Your planner is of no use to you if you don't check it to see what you have going on and what is coming up. Personally, I make it a habit to check my planner once before I go to work and once in the evening. This is assuming I don't need to add anything in between that time while at work.
- Keep your space tidy. I feel major anxiety when my living space is disorganized. If you're like me I suggest you take the time to keep your space organized. Personally, I tend to focus better once things are back in order.
- Enlist family and friends. You know how I just said keep your living space organized? Sometimes that's hard when you're busy busy busy and you're hardly home enough to organize your space. Enlist help! If you have a roommate, significant other or spouse - ask them to help pick up your duties for a period of time. Don't forget to help them when they need it too. My parents have been amazing during this time helping with wedding planning (thank you!!) - it's been a huge weight off my shoulders with them picking up some of the tasks that I would have otherwise needed to coordinate. Others have been great listeners too which is just as valuable (you know who you are...THANK YOU)!
- It's okay to say 'no'. Sometimes we take on too much. We feel bad saying 'no' because we don't want to hurt someones feelings or feel like we have to say 'yes'. Goodness, I find I do this way. too. much. I'm still working on saying 'no'...
- Set reasonable goals and expectations. I am SO guilty of having too lofty of goals and setting my standards to the point of perfection. Literally. My goal of getting a 4.0 overall in graduate school is great and admirable, but, the more I've been looking at myself and what it's been doing to me the last couple of weeks...the more I realize that it will be just as great to get all "A's" with maybe a "B" or two if that's what it takes to keep my sanity. I just keep repeating to myself that I just need to make it through April and I'm DONE!
- Breathe and take a power nap. Take time to take a really big, super huge deep breath. Maybe a few might be necessary. Whatever is needed... Just take it week by week, day by day, or even hour by hour. Also, don't forget the power of a...well... a power nap. I was reminded this past weekend of how great they are - it felt fantastic!
One of my very favorite Bible verses...
We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
- Proverbs 16:9
XO,
Dana
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