People often ask me how I can get so much done each day? How I can juggle the housework, keep up a flower garden, entertain friends, enjoy my time in the craft room, run an Etsy shop and still make YouTube videos? Let me tell you, this wasn't always the case.
When I went from full time employee to full time wife and home-keeper I thought I would automatically have all the time in the world to keep my house clean, put healthy meals on the table and still have time for lunch with friends and a little shopping.
Boy was I in for a rude awakening when I quickly discovered that having more unstructured time does not accomplish any of those things on its own. In fact, I seemed to get so much more done when I was working 40 hours a week.
But how could this be? I now had an additional 40+ hours in my week to be the perfect wife and friend so why was I rushing at the last minute to get things done and feeling overwhelmed by the disorder in my life?
What I discovered was that when I worked outside the home, I valued those hours I was inside the home and planned what I would need to get done and when I would do it.
In a nutshell, we use wisely what we have most scarcely.
Once I placed value back on the time I had at home instead of thinking of it as an unlimited resource, put myself on a schedule and established a few routines, the feeling of being out of control and always rushing went away. The need to say yes to every need and invitation because I wasn't punching a time clock was replaced with a quick, "Let me check my schedule". And just as importantly, I learned to accept that saying no sometimes wouldn't make me a bad person or a social outcast.
Can you identify with any of this? Would you like to feel more in control of your day so that when those unexpected things pop up (and they will, most every day) you can make the necessary adjustments and know you won't be letting anything slip through the cracks? Would you like more guilt free time to do the things you love? I'll be sharing here on my blog just how I've learned to schedule my time so that I can maximize my efficiency, without being so rigid that spontaneous fun is out of the question, in the weeks to come.
I am so excited about sharing what I've learned with you and truly believe that it is part of my purpose. I wrote about that in this blog post if you'd like to know more.
I am so excited about sharing what I've learned with you and truly believe that it is part of my purpose. I wrote about that in this blog post if you'd like to know more.
If you'd like to see what my routine looks like, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter, not only will you be notified when I'm posting but you'll receive a few free cheat sheets along the way.
xo, Patty
I'd love to have you join me over on YouTube where I share more of my cottage style in the home and garden. Here's the link, Lemon Lane Cottage.
Boy, Patty, did this hit home. I often say I want to go back to work so I won't be so busy. I feel like I am always rushing and out of control. Now I have a husband who is retired and that is an added distraction. When I worked and raised four kids I was better at cooking and homemaking.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures you posted are beautiful. I remember the first picture I saw on your blog many years ago. It was a photo of your reading corner with a chair, bright throw and your yellow floor lamp next to it. I thought, "WOW! Does this lady every like bright things!" I have loved following you ever since. :-)
Patty, for some reason I can't get subscribe to your newsletter with the link you provided????
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