I’m trying to figure out why I feel stressed and rushed all the time. To that end I took a look at yesterday and today, fairly typical weekdays for me, yesterday with N in my custody and today with N in W’s custody.
Here’s what I found:
YESTERDAY
6:30-7:00 Get up, bathed & dressed
7:00-8:00 Morning chores
8:00-8:15 Commute
8:15-5:15 Work
5:15-5:30 Commute
5:30-7:45 Little League
7:45-8:30 Grab semi-fast food dinner
8:30-9:00 Put N to bed
9:00-10:30 "Free" time
10:30-6:30 Sleep
TODAY
6:30-7:00 Get up, bathed & dressed
7:00-8:00 Morning chores
8:00-8:15 Commute
8:15-5:15 Work
5:15-5:30 Commute
5:30-8:00 "Free" time
8:00-9:00 Counseling
9:00-10:30 "Free" time
10:30-6:30 Sleep
Morning chores include:
Making breakfast
Taking care of the dog
Helping N get ready for school
Putting dishes in/out of dishwasher
Trying to wake up
Things I need/want to include in "free" time:
Exercise
Laundry
Handling finances: paying bills, balancing checkbook, etc
Cleaning house
Grocery shopping
Blogging
Watching TV
Getting together with friends
Reading
Now looking at this makes me realize that something has to give somewhere. I can’t possibly spend my weekends having fun (like I have been) if I’ve got to fit all this into my life somehow. Hard choices will have to be made. Obviously I can combine some things into the same block of time. Tonight, for example, I will do the laundry and pay bills at the same time. Start a load, sit down work on bills, move load #1 to dryer and put load #2 in washer, pay more bills, and so on until done. My house needs more cleaning (actually decluttering because I have a cleaning service in that takes care of the kitchen and bathrooms and floors) than I could get done in a month if I worked on it full time.
In the past, I’ve just shorted myself on my eight hours of sleep, but that isn’t good. I’m too old to do that anymore. It catches up to me way too quickly and causes too many problems so I have to make that a priority. I have to work to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table so adjusting the work time isn’t really possible nor is it possible to cut the commute time without just moving into the office building. I already use many of my lunch hours to run errands, or stay at my desk and make necessary calls, or work through so I can leave on time.
This will get better (I hope). Once soccer and baseball seasons are over I will spend less time ferrying N back and forth to practices and attending games. Of course, by then BJ will be in the area permanently and wanting a little of my time on occasion too.
I’m tired. I think I’ll take a nap during some of tonight’s free time. If that doesn’t help me accomplish anything on my to do list at least it will help me avoid it for a bit longer.
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5 comments:
Can N take over any chores for you, such as folding the laundry? He's getting old enough to help out.
I know that won't free up a whole lot of time, but it's a start, right?
I know how ya feel, and we don't even have kids, unless you count the critters. My commutes are an hour longer. Hopefully it will be a little easier when BJ's there!
(When do you find the time to think about me?) ;-)
Bunny - Yes, N is going to have to take on some chores around the house. That will be very different from how it has been, but he's learning that we've both got to pitch in.
Rambeau - Lots of people have longer commutes than I have. I don't know how I would ever manage if I had a long commute on top of everything else. Another advantage of small town life.
Whew, your schedule makes ME tired!
My own commute adds up to a little over 2 hrs/day (dependent on traffic) -- it will be halved when I no longer have to make "the big loop" to take Z to school/pick up: 6 more yrs?!?
Val - OMG, how much are you spending on fuel for that kind of commute? Aack!
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