It’s 10:30 on Monday morning after a week of entertaining guests and I’ve finally got my house in a decent enough state to start my day. I do not function well in a chaotic state. Organization, direction, and planning energize me. I like a clean house with the beds made, kitchen cleaned, and things put in their place (you can imagine having two young children this goes against my model). Mornings are my most productive time so I aim to have everything done by noon. This includes a healthy cooked breakfast, a dog walk, taking the kids to the park, lunch prepped, and of course a few loads of laundry thrown in. Easy peasy right? Utterly unrealistic is more like it! I am just setting myself up for failure with these goals since having a 2 and 5 year old can throw a monkey wrench into any well-laid plans. Sure there are the rare occasions when it all falls into place and I feel like superwoman, but we all know superwoman doesn’t actually exist so we need to slow it down a bit.
“Simple steps one at a time!” That’s my motto when I am working with clients. Whether it is healthy eating, exercise, cooking, cleaning, working, carpooling, or planning a date night with your partner, you must take it one step at a time because as busy moms we simply can’t do it all! I know what you are thinking, that is much easier said than done and I myself have to listen to my own advice sometimes. The good news is I am aware of when I start spiraling out of control. Here are the 3 things that help me take it one step at a time
1. Get the right support
This whole parenting thing wasn’t meant to be a solo journey so you need to be sure you have the proper support. Enlist parents if they live close by, surround yourself with a mom squad you can call on in times of need, and always have a set (or five) of go-to sitters you can call on. Knowing your kid(s) are in good hands opens up a world of opportunity for you to replenish your well and get what you need.
2. Write down your top 3 things for each day
To-do lists can go on and on leaving you feeling overwhelmed and under satisfied. Instead, look at your list each evening and highlight the top 3 things that need to get done the next day. The key is to focus on just 3 things realistic to get done in a day. That way you actually check things off and feel like you’re taking a step or two ahead.
3. Sleep
Getting enough sleep is not optional-it is essential. “Sleep plays a vital role in good health and well-being throughout your life. Getting enough quality sleep at the right times can help protect your mental health, physical health, quality of life, and safety.”[1] Need I say more? If it’s a matter of you needing help with your sleep, let me know I’ve got lots of tips for you!
Life can very quickly get out of control. That’s why it is important to have the tools in your toolkit to manage as many of the predictable situations that come up. These are just a few of the tools I use to put the noise around you in perspective and move forward. So remember, take simple steps one at a time.
Be Well Woman,
Phyllis of Well Woman
Certified Holistic Health Coach and Founder
[1] Why is Sleep Important? www.nhlbi.nih.gov February 22, 2012