It was hard to keep track of everything after I became a mum, especially a first-time mum. Sleepless nights, never ending laundry, hormonal imbalance that can throw your schedule completely off track. Sure, kids change your life but don’t let your frustration take away from your family fun. I have learned to be organised by being intentional, and by finding tools and systems that work for my family. Between my work, family and home, there are tons of balls to juggle and keep track of. When everything is in my head, I start to drop the balls one by one. Things can’t be remembered, which leads to late nights of playing catch-up.
With good intentions and sanity-saving planning, you can achieve and manage a great number of things. Even when you are stressed, it will keep you calm and under control.
List out everyone’s routines and schedules on Sunday. For example, I have a weekly plan for my family, and it includes class schedules, tasks, outings, paperwork to handle and so on. If you write them on a white board, it helps you to visualise, and helps every member of the family too. There are several benefits of writing schedules down:
• It helps to visualise what needs to be done, and helps you improve the chances of accomplishing them.
• It helps you prioritise tasks.
• If you are an anxious person, writing down and keeping track of tasks helps you see everything and eliminate anxiety about the unknown.
If you are a tech-geek, you might use a digital calendar to keep track of things. You can sync it on your phone and other devices. There are plenty of digital calendar options available with their own pros and cons. Choose the one that suits and works for you. Share your calendar with your partner, so that everyone is on the same page.
“When everything is in my head, I start to drop the balls one by one. Things can’t be remembered, which leads to late nights of catch-up.”
Let’s be realistic here for a moment. We just don’t have time to cook a meal from scratch every day. Creating a meal plan will reduce stress around the question “What’s for dinner?” Besides, it’ll help with grocery budgeting too. For instance:
• On Monday, order in your meal. It is super convenient and easy, just a couple of clicks away.
• Pasta Tuesday, pasta is one of the most satisfying meals. You can put everything you crave into a one pan pasta.
• Veggie bowl Wednesday, having a balanced diet is crucial. Veggie bowls are packed with nutrients and vitamins. My top tip is to add grains to your veggie bowl to keep you fuller for longer.
• Cheat sheet pan Thursdays are my favourite, and are so simple. It is fast and saves on loads of washing up. Just bake veg and meat on a pan, drizzle oil and sprinkle salt.
• Dine out Friday, time to unwind and relax in your favourite restaurant enjoying your favourite meal.
Always take some time for yourself. If you don’t, you will be exhausted and will not get anything done. Self-care is not selfish. It’s necessary for us to be the best versions of ourselves. You don’t have to take a trip somewhere else. Simply get good rest, listen to your favourite podcast, or go for a relaxing walk.
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