Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Starting off the new year differently

I'm going to just link back to this for my Works For Me Wednesday Post, because it is definitely working for me!

It is a privilege for a woman to manage her household. Since this often includes tasks that women enjoy (cooking a bit, making our homes a place of beauty, bringing a spirit of creativity into the home, teaching children, etc.), I think we tend to think it should be easy, and are shocked when we're overwhelmed doing something we want to be doing.
A little while ago, I decided to start making a schedule for my day. I would tend to wake up in the morning and forget what I really should be doing and when, and get a very slow start. I would be reactionary all day long and just felt frustrated all day - and some important tasks would be neglected. I need something that tells me what I am to do. I hope someday I will be less list-dependent, but for now, I need something that tells me to vacuum. Really, the thought won't just pop into my head, and if it faintly does, it won't be strong enough to motivate action. But, if it's written on a piece of paper, no question.

I've recently read similar thoughts on other blogs. Moms who feel too reactionary in their day. I'm guessing this isn't JUST me or doesn't JUST go away.

I really wanted an official daytimer calendar to make my list in, but the stores no longer carried 2006 ones. My habit fell away. With the new year, comes a new set of office supplies in the stores. I got myself a daily/monthly calendar where I can write out my schedule the night before. As I did this last night, I was so glad I did. I have a lot of errands I want to get done this afternoon, and had I not written it out, I surely would have forgotten some, or just gotten too late of a start and had a frustrating dinnertime.

For today, I have a lot to do. I slept in too late this morning and am already behind schedule. However, today I know what my schedule is, and I know that I'm behind schedule, which is a great improvement from last year. Happy 2007!

6 comments:

mira said...

I can really relate to what you have written about how we get overwhelmed and then somehow blame ourselves. I am trying the electronic version of a planner this year in the hopes that it will help me. I have loaded in all of my daily/weekly/monthly tasks. Am updating the appointment calendar on a regular basis. And even took the huge step of not buying a paper planner this year. We'll see how long it lasts. Good luck to you on your new mission towards organization.

Kellie said...

Thanks Mira - good luck with your electronic organizer. I know it's silly that I need to schedule "get up and eat" but if I don't...who knows when it will happen.

Check back in and let me know how yours works out!

Rae said...

Awesome! I love your planner a lot better than the one I just bought, but I just started doing the same thing too. Good luck with keeping on track with everything! Thanks for sharing & Happy New Year =)

Kellie said...

Thanks Larae. Mine is good ol' Mead. I got it at Fred Meyer (local super store) for $12.99, plus 20% off.

Happy organizing in 2007 to you!

Kim said...

Looks like several of us had planners on our minds as the new year starts. I am a planner nerd. I think I've tried most of the ones out there. I do an "unschedule" with my chores listed, but no times specified. Yours looks great.

Jen said...

I do this alot and it works.....I'm a list maker and could cmake lists for my lists....ha ha ....