So, I have been reading Organized Simplicity and I just love it! It's not so much a home-organization book as it is a life-organization book.
I am learning (once again) how to take the time I have and use it to get where I want to be. Too much of my time is spent frantically "putting out fires" and getting caught up in whatever is screaming my name the loudest. This leaves me feeling spent and as if I am getting nothing done. Also, it leaves me wondering how I can be with my kids so much during the day, but still feel like we aren't spending quality time together.
So far I have made a life-goals list. It's sort of an overview of what I want to be doing each day. Here it is:
RELATIONSHIPS:
*Know God, Love Him, Follow Him
*Put each other first, Strengthen our relationships daily
*Spread the love, Value those around us
HEALTH AND WELLNESS:
*Have an eye toward the future when eating, exercising and making choices that affect stress level
*Is this good for my health? Bad?
JOY:
*Live NOW, Relate NOW, Laugh NOW
*Don’t make life into one big to-do list!
My three important items are relationships, health and wellness, and joy. When I actually took the time to write these down, I was pretty surprised at how much time I spend NOT doing these things simply because I have no plan. My goals list is on the refrigerator and it has helped me to figure out what's important in the daily scheme of things.
One new thing that I am doing, one day a week, is getting the kids prepared for their school day and then letting them do it by themselves. I go downstairs and work for 3 hours in my shop. Aubry can ask Josiah questions if she needs to, but her questions to me need to minimal. Let me tell you, this has been an amazing way to clear my calendar and my mind for the week. Previously, I always had this running list of things that I needed to do, but could never seem to get to, and that just led to me feeling frustrated all the time. Also, I felt like a lot of my time with my kids was spent with my mind elsewhere, thinking of what needed to get done. At first I felt guilty about the kids taking care of their own schoolwork, but I decided that this is something that works for our family right now. And besides, I am hovering over them every other day of the week. For all I know, they probably love when I get lost and leave them alone!
This morning I spent my work time getting my first quarter taxes situated, figuring out how to account for inventory on my website and cleaning up my office. My mind is clear of these things now.
Now we will go pick up Micah, head to Sonic for a slush and then go to the store to buy vinegar for the volcano we are building this afternoon.
I love that my mind is free to enjoy the really important people in my life!
