This week I've been pondering...
My trouble is that there are too many things in the world that I want to do, and so I get overwhelmed. I know that it's not a great idea to live by a list, with a million things to accomplish each day, but I can never figure out what to eliminate.
All of the advice that you read talks about eliminating the things that you don't really want to do, saying no to committees and people and all of that. That's not my problem. I hardly do anything like that.
It's just that there are too many things that I want to do. I want to spend more time with Anna, I want to hang out with Matthew, I want to work harder on school, I want to cook, I want to exercise, I want to have a reasonably tidy house, I want to hang out in town with Dad and Abby, I want to stay caught up with my classes, I want to make a zillion gillion (I always thought that was jillion) crafts, I want to only make gifts and not buy them. I want to refashion clothes from Goodwill instead of buying new, I want to read books, I want to talk on the phone with my friends, I'd like to make a friend in town, but who has time?
I've thought about not reading any more craft blogs or listening to podcasts, so that I wouldn't have so many ideas, but that seems awfully sad.
Any help?
8 comments:
Hmmmm....maybe put them each on a notecard and then put them in order from most important to least important. Leave only one card out at a time and when that one is finished dig out your next card. Maybe not seeing them in front of you everyday and having them filed away will not make you feel so overwhelmed? I don't know, that's the only thing I can think of. One thing is for sure, you'll never be bored with all those goals. You have such a fun life.
Oh, and don't put time limits on your goals. If it doesn't get done, there's always tomorrow. The most important thing, IMO, is that you have goals and you're happy.
Hmmm...only do one thing at a time? That would be different. I'm thinking....
Thanks!
I like the idea of one thing at a time. Make time each week or a small amount each day for one of your wishes. More time with Anna one day, more time with Matthew the next. I'm not the best on time management, so taking baby steps works for me. :)
It's amazing, but this idea of not trying to do everything at once is completely new to me. I've been trying to figure out how to fit it all into each day. But maybe that's just not possible.
Revolutionary.
Thanks.
I have the SAME problem! Still trying to figure out the answer, but praying a quick prayer in the morning, for God to help me order my day and find time for what really needs to be done seems to help. Then I don't feel like it's all on my shoulders, somehow. :) Also, instead of walking by the laundry baskets, sometimes I just tell myself, okay, set the timer for 15 min., fold what I can, then set it for another 15 and play Go Fish with Caleb...etc. The kids really respect the timer, too. Really, I should use it more often! (I always seem to have a bazillion things going at once, not to mention the ideas in my head!) I do think it's important to keep the creative outlet, it's so refreshing even if I just make a little random something, but don't meet the big goal (catching up the scrapbook.) I like to think about how God is the ultimate Creator, so why shouldn't I like mixing colors, growing flowers, etc.? Is this comment long enough yet? ;)
I agree that one thing at a time is hard, but often important. If you're doing too much at once, then no one thing or one person is really getting your full attention. I always think making plans is helpful. Maybe one night a week you have a standing date in town with your Dad and Abby. Then another night with Matthew. It doesn't have to be the same every week, but a routine often helps get things done. Anna obviously needs some time every day, but maybe there's one or two days that she gets more time, or to help you with one of your projects. You're already good at that, so that part shouldn't be a problem. We almost always do our laundry on the weekends. Just one less thing to worry about during the week (if we can make it thru without needing something!) Just some thoughts...good luck!
I really resemble this post :) I like what Melanie said about spending a few minutes on household chores to keep up with them. Sometimes I will tell myself that I'm going to spend a few minutes on something and when the time is up I'll stop, and whatever gets done it more than when I started. It's hard to narrow down everything I want to do...I want to learn so many instruments that I don't spend the time mastering any of them. Glad I at least majored in voice so I got that down!
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