One of the things I’ve struggled with as a woman and mother is how to organize my day. Going from working (where my day was organized for me) to staying home meant I had limitless free time, yet some days I felt like nothing got done. Many mothers tell me this is “normal” and yet as the years have gone by, I’ve found a few things that have helped me to feel more productive, even if it means only accomplishing a few things everyday:

1. Keeping a schedule or to-do list for each day.  Some people swear by organization systems, like this daily docket from Simple Mom.  This is a great form to print off if you don’t know where to start.  I find I don’t need such a formal system to accomplish the same thing.  Often I will organize Monday through Friday at the same time, thinking about what I’d like to get done this week and breaking it down into 5 days.  If I get off schedule, I readjust the schedule.  This isn’t about feeling guilty.  Life happens.  It’s taken awhile to get a feel about how much I can accomplish in a normal day, and as we all know, life is rarely normal.  If you hate lists and organizational systems, do what works for you. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach for moms.  But by doing a little each day, you can accomplish a lot in the long term.  (By the way, if you have a baby under the age of one, ignore all of the above advice.  Getting a shower is enough some days.)

2. Organize shopping lists.  I try to avoid running errands too often  with small children.  When I was babysitting two toddlers, I learned that it was difficult to go out with both of them so I started keeping a running list for each of the major places I shop:  grocery store, big box store, and then any other stores or errands that happen to be close by, like the post office, pharmacy, etc.  Then I make one trip a week.  Of course at especially busy times of the year like Christmas I make more trips, but since I hate running errands, I really try to limit these trips.  This keeps my days free since I don’t have to plan my day around errands.  Please know if you have school age children in lots of activities you  can’t do this.  This works for me because I am in the life stage with small children and few activities and I really dislike running errands.  

3. Plan your downtime.  Many years ago I stopped watching TV, except for a few “favorite” shows.  I decided that I wanted to do other things in the evening that were both relaxing and fun.  I  started reading books, blogging, sewing, and my latest hobby: knitting.  I found so much more gratification in doing something in my free time that was stimulating that I am a big advocate of turning the TV off.  If you love watching TV and don’t want to give it up, then this is not a post to make you feel bad.  We made a family decision to watch less TV, but I’ll admit that not all couples can be unified with this kind of decision.  Whatever you decide your hobbies are (even if it is TV) make a decision what you’re going to do each night.  When I don’t think ahead about my free time, I find the decision is made for me.  I end up puttering around, flipping channels, surfing the internet and wasting time. When I do have a plan, my free time ends up being so much more fun and I have all day to look forward to it.  Let me also say that as moms, we don’t always get free time.  Sometimes my day falls apart and I end up doing laundry, or  taxes, or working on our budget late at night.  That’s just life. On the nights when I get one free hour for myself, I’m usually writing, reading, working on my Bible study or crafting.  These activities help me to feel human again, and as a mother that’s really important.  

I know lots of women who have great ideas about how to organize their lives.  Feel free to share any ideas that work for you or someone you know.

P.S. Tomorrow I will be posting an adoption update on my new adoption blog.  There will be news!  (hint, hint…)