Category: Not So Busy

A few months ago I shared a post called 4 Traits of the Not So Busy Mom. I don’t limit the Not So Busy Mom to 4 traits, but I thought it was a good starting point for someone who might want to learn more about living a full life without the busy.

This week and next week I want to share a bit more about each of these 4 traits, so today we will explore more about the first trait.

Trait #1: The not so busy mom lets go of perfection.

Please know that I will always encourage you (and me) to aim high, dream big and pursue a full life. I will also always discourage you (and me) from running around like crazy, over-filling our calendars and overloading our lives. A lot of the craziness in our lives comes because we seek perfection.

I think we all know that perfection isn’t possible, but we still push ourselves and our families in ways that make it seem like we do think it’s possible.

I’ll say it again:

aim high

dream big

pursue a full life

but please, let go of perfection.

The pursuit of perfection will keep you running in circles. It will have you cleaning your house more than you need to. It will have you signing up for more events and activities than your calendar can handle. It will have you more concerned with your outward appearance than you inner spirit. It will make you stuff true feelings and fake a smile. It will have you chasing after those things that truly don’t matter. It will keep you busy, very busy.

Celebrate the ways you are progressing. Consider areas in which you need to improve. Be excited about new things you are learning. Ask for help when you need it. Get encouragement from family and friends. Share your struggles and share your triumphs. Let go of the busy. Live the full life, and let go of perfection.

What about you? Have you let go of perfection? Share your struggles and victories in this area; I would love to hear from you!

Until next time,

Charissa

Continue reading “Let Go of Perfection”

(A photo of a calendar I will not be buying this year.)

Why do we continue to label ourselves as “busy”? I just don’t get it.      Busy afternoon? Sure. Busy day? Possibly. Busy week? Maybe.                Busy month? Could be. Busy year? I hope not. Busy life? Please, no.             Busy mom? Please, please, no.

I will say it again: I am so much more than a busy mom. You are so much more than a busy mom.

If you are looking back at last year, looking ahead into this new year and thinking that you are ready to start living a full life without the busy, then here’s to a new year, a new not so busy you!

We all live different lives with different priorities, responsibilities and unique situations. A new year, a new not so busy you requires you to take some time to reflect on various areas of your life and find ways to: make intentional choices, simplify and slow down.

Today let’s consider a few areas of your life where you might be able to be just a little less busy.

Home life

Routines. Establish routines to combat busyness. A few weeks ago I shared 5 task to do before bedtime to prepare for the next day. This evening routine takes just a few minutes, and it can save so much time and prevent unnecessary craziness in the morning.

There are many routines you can implement in order to have things run a little more smoothly thus preventing extra busyness. These routines include (but are not limited to): an evening routine, a morning routine, a laundry routine, and a cleaning routine. Pick one of these routines, implement it for a few weeks, tweak as necessary and notice and enjoy a little less busyness in your home life.

Quick tip: Do 1 load of laundry a day.

Meals. Meal plan to eliminate evenings spent racing to the store or calling for take-out. I fully believe in meal planning and have been doing it with success for many years. Meal planning does not have to be a complicated process, so please don’t make it harder than it needs to be. You can meal plan weekly or even monthly. There are so many recipe ideas available to you. Pick 5-7 simple meals for this week and make your evenings just a little less busy.

Quick tip: Create a master list of meals your family likes, and refer to that when meal planning each week.

Commitments

We don’t want to live exclusively inside our own four walls. Building relationships, being involved in our communities, volunteering in schools, and serving people are good and important ways to spend our time. Sometimes, though, we overdo it. We spread ourselves too thin. We get involved in things because we want to look good to others. We over fill our calendars and over stuff our lives. Be involved. Be committed. Serve. Do good. Use your talents and gifts. At the same time, consider your choices, your time, your energy, your motives.

Quick tip: List your priorities and your commitments. Do they align?

Your children’s activities and commitments

Here we go. I know. You might not want to go here. We have to go here. Just like we can over stuff our own calendars. We can also over stuff our children’s calendars. If your life is feeling crazy busy there’s a good chance your child’s life is crazy busy, and I’m guessing they are also feeling the squeeze. Allow your children time to be home, to be bored, to think, to breathe, to imagine, to create, to play with their siblings, to read a book, to draw a picture, to climb a tree, to cuddle next to you, to tell you their thoughts, hopes and fears. Sports, lessons (of various kinds), and other extra curricular activities are great and can be quite beneficial, so yes, let them be involved, but again, consider carefully how you fill their days.

Quick tip: Check in with your child at the end of each season. Ask them about their desired activities and provide your own not so busy insight as you consider the new season and the calendar before you.

Please don’t try to overhaul every area of your life at once. Hopefully, there was something that caught your eye, something that made you pause, something that jumped out at you. Start there. Chat about it with your spouse, a friend, maybe even your children.

A new year, a new not so busy you is a possibility. I hope today’s post encouraged you to begin the journey!

What about you? Are you looking to make this year and you not so busy? Share your thoughts! I’d love to hear them!

Until next time,

Charissa Continue reading “A New Year, A New Not So Busy You”

Is a Not So Busy December really a possibility? I believe your December, a month that many people refer to as “crazy” and “busy” and (you guessed it) “crazy busy”, can be a less busy, more enjoyable holiday month. Let me encourage you with these 7 ideas.

1. Eliminate Gift-Giving                                                                                                          Did I really just say that?? Yes, you can eliminate gift-giving or at least limit some of the gift-giving. Instead, consider options such as memory-making activities. For example, create a certificate for your niece that invites her to a special evening out to see a movie and enjoy dessert at a local cafe. Spend a little less time running from store to store, and enjoy a little more time creating memories that can happen throughout the year.
2. Shop online                                                                                                                                  If you are giving a physical gift that requires making a purchase, consider shopping online. You will save time and money when you are able to shop from the comfort of your own home. I created 2 gift guides that might be a good starting point if you are shopping for her or for the kids.
3. Consider Your Calendar                                                                                                    Pull out your calendar and see what you already have scheduled this month. Consider very carefully your other options and leave many blank spaces for slow evenings at home or for spontaneous sledding with the neighborhood crew.
4. Combine Activities                                                                                                                It’s fun to try to come up with ways to combine various tasks and activities you both want to and have to do. Maybe you always spend a day baking cookies, and you also try to do a Christmas movie night with your book club each year. Combine the events. You could invite your book club friends over for a movie and cookie making evening.
5. Make Do with What you Have                                                                                              A lot of time can be spent running around looking for and buying various items you feel you need for December activities and events. Take a peek in your closet before racing through the mall on a hunt for the perfect office party dress. Before making a trip to your local craft store, step outside and gather some greens to put in a vase for a quick and free centerpiece.
6. Get Help from a Friend                                                                                                       You might ask a friend for childcare help so you can make the most of your time at the grocery store when shopping for Christmas Eve dinner. You might consider making cookies with a few friends (like your book club) so you don’t have to make them all on your own.
7. Say “No”                                                                                                                                 This might be the hardest on the list. Saying “no” isn’t easy, but sometimes it’s just the thing you need to do. You might need to say no to the office gift swap. You might need to say no to the ugly sweater party at your uncle’s house. You might need to say no to the school fundraiser you always attend.

This December does not have to be as busy as your last December. This December can be more simple, restful, and reflective. It can be full of family, fun, and special memories. It can be a Not So Busy December.

What about you? How can you make this a Not So Busy December?

Until next time,
Charissa

Continue reading “7 Ways to Have a Not So Busy December”