About 6 weeks ago, I created a plan for reducing my feeling of time stress. Has it been effective? Here are the components of the plan, and my observations:
- Act like time is abundant (Recommended: I’ve been trying to change my mindset when I feel like I have too much to do, and mentally removing all by the essentials from my day. Sometimes, the bare essentials are enough, especially if I can give them more focus by not feeling like my brain is spinning.)
- Focus on priorities (I think I was already doing this. I’m minimizing the priorities more now, though).
- Stop getting sucked into the internet vortex (I’ve improved, and recommend this as much as possible).
- Fewer apps on phone (Recommended. I can’t even remember what I deleted.)
- Phone and errand sabbaths (Recommended. A day mostly or entirely at home feels so much longer than one spent running around. An automated email reminds me each weekend to put the phone down.)
- Focus on what was accomplished. Be positive, not negative. (I need to put more effort into this. I mostly forgot about this one.)
- Meditate. (Oops.)
- Less is more:
- 5-book limit from the library (Very helpful for me. When I have only one or two books to read, it doesn’t feel so much like something else I need to do.)
- Mindful grocery shopping (I’ve improved here, more often considering what we need to get through a few days rather than generally stocking up.)
- Projects (No problem with too many of these right now. Work, home, and family fill the days.)
Have I made extra time for
- A fun family outing (Yes – nearly every week, at least a short outing)
- Walking, biking, kayaking (Occasionally, an extra-long walk with a friend. The short daylight hours are making these activities difficult.)
- Talking with friends (often while walking) (About every-other week)
- Reading (Not really more time than before, but I always read before bed.)
- Making something – other than dinner, that is! (Not yet.)
- Take more photos of bees and butterflies, because that means I’m out in nature where I love to be (More nature photography occasionally.)
This month, I want to
- Get more daylight. This is essential for my mood and general well-being in winter, even if the connection to time isn’t obvious. Your thoughts on getting more daylight in winter while working?
- Spend less time cooking. Plan for 2 dinners from the freezer each week. Make lists of fast=prep breakfasts and lunches. I already have a pretty streamlined cooking routine, and I’m not sure if I can cut significant time while still feeding everyone well. How do you balance eating well and saving time?
- Meditate. I’ll put photos to remind me, in several places. Right now, I’m going to post this and have a purring-cat-in-my-lap meditation. Do you have a meditation habit? What’s the best routine you’ve found?
