Whew, listening to the schedules of our organizing clients is just plain tiring! We can barely keep up with listening let alone imagining doing all the running around ourselves. To be honest, it actually makes us feel a bit stressed and wonder if it may be affecting you that same way too. Sometimes you don't notice the stress until it's gone. Could this be your family?
Where has life gone? Who and when was it decided that families must run constantly, be "connected" 24/7, and that it's not okay for parents to take a little time for themselves?
We'd like to be the ones to create change for you and your family. We want you to take back your lives. Take it all back; it's yours and you deserve it.
Remember when weekends were for hanging out, relaxing, maybe seeing some friends or taking a little road trip? It seems like now they are bore, whoops, we mean chore days. Do the laundry, clean the basement, soccer game, gymnastics meet, mow the yard...please make it stop!!!
Many of you are worn out before the weekend gets into full gear. It's no wonder you feel totally depleted by Monday morning. If you think back to your last weekend, can you remember at least three moments of pure joy, happiness, calm, or relaxation?
While we can't change modern technology we can take steps to managing our activities and living the kind lives we desire. We have the ability to decide what and when we do things.
We have the authority to decide who we spend our time with and who we don't.
We don't have to say yes to everything asked of us.
Are you ready to take it back? Read on...
Do A Little At Time. We preach it. We practice it. Spending just 15-20 minutes a day doing little tasks can save you hours on the weekend. Try smaller loads of laundry, dusting a shelf here and shelf there, put toys away each night, lay out the things you need the next day, etc. Get the kids involved too!
Don't underestimate young children's abilities to help. Start teaching them good habits at a young age; not only will you enable them to be self sufficient, you'll also help yourself in the process.
Failure to Plan=Planning for Failure. Perhaps the biggest improvement you can make to your family stress levels is learning how to effectively plan and then doing it on a regular basis. This can be tricky if you're not in the habit of doing so. Too many are used to that chaotic, last minute panic and almost thrive off of it...until it goes away.
Take a few moments to meet with your family (in person, not via text, email, Facebook) and discuss what's happening in the coming week. Make sure there are elements of fun, carefree family time scheduled as well. Those moments are just as important, and probably more important, than the day to day list of to do's you feel must be done, but don't necessarily have to be.
Take Back Your Time and Ultimately Your Lives. Decide what you truly want for yourselves. Look for creative ways to work in items you feel you need to get done. For example, do you really need to go to the gym or could you go on a long hike/bike ride with the family? Do you really need to go to that charity event or could time with your family be your charitable cause? Do you need to reply to every email, text, status update when these could be moments spent asking your kids or spouse what's important or special to them?
In my house, Sunday's are referred to as NO TECHNOLOGY SUNDAY FUNDAY! There is absolutely no geochronology used for the entire day. No checking email, no checking voicemail, no answering the phone, no computer use, nothing technology related is permitted. I've been doing it for about a year now and it's the most glorious day of the week (after working with clients that is)!
There is nothing like disconnecting completely for a little bit. It puts focus on the items you truly enjoy doing and allows you to be free of thinking of all the things you need to be doing or responding to. I encourage you to give it a try and let me know what you think.
Society has gotten into a very bad habit of expecting people to be constantly available whether for work or personal life. And once we start allowing ourselves to be readily available, we open ourselves to being taken advantage of even on our personal time. It's up to you to stop the insanity! :)
Axe the Activities. We know you've heard it all before...quality not quantity, but do you believe it's true? We get that it's important for kids (and adults) to be involved with character building activities. What we ask you to consider is when is too much too much?!
Dizzy Up Date Night. Now! With divorce rates higher than ever it's a fantastic time to re-commit to your loved one. Shake yourself out your date night ruts and dare to do something different! What nurtures your relationship? What re-energizes it? If you don't know, find out...we think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the result.
What are you and your family waiting for you? Take back your lives today! |