Often life gets busier and busier as we take on new responsibilities, ministries, activities, and projects. Suddenly you get to the point where you realize you are TOO BUSY, and you need to declutter your schedule.
(Speaking of decluttering – have you joined my 30 Day Declutter Challenge?)
If you have taken on too many outside activities or commitments, and find yourself neglecting your priorities, then it’s time to declutter your schedule, and add some margin to your days. Without that margin, it’s easy to neglect our walk with God, and others because we are so busy.
Here are simple steps to declutter your schedule:
1. Make a list of optional outside of the home activities that are on your schedule.
This could include things like sports activities, music lessons, ministry opportunities, etc.
2. Pray together with your spouse about what activities are important to you and what your goals are as a couple, and as parents.
Consider these questions when considering activities:
- Does this activity help achieve our goals?
- Is this a hindrance or distraction from accomplishing our priorities?
- Is this worthy of the time it requires?
Then go through your list and see which activities should stay, and which need to go.
Keep in mind that a packed schedule isn’t only hard on you, but it’s also hard on the kids. It’s stressful to have every minute of every day filled with activities. They need time to just be home, and be kids.
3. Make a list of activities or responsibilities you have regularly in your home.
This would include things like cleaning, cooking, laundry, etc.
Go through the list and ask yourself if any of those things can be delegated to your kids. Don’t try to do it all yourself! Often we are overworked because we fail to teach or require our kids to help around the home. Teaching our kids to help and giving them chores to do in the home teaches them responsibility while building their character. Teaching them to work hard prepares them for life.
By the way, don’t forget that your husband is probably willing to help too, but if you haven’t communicated to him that you need or want help, he’s probably not going to be aware of it.
4. Recognize your time wasters.
For most of us social media is a time trap. It’s SO easy to get on Facebook “just for a minute”, and soon realize that we have wasted an hour. Maybe your time waster is watching your favorite TV shows, or playing games online.
Whatever those time wasters are, it’s important to first recognize them, then make a plan for how to control your use of them, rather than letting them control your time.
Have a set time for that activity daily, and a time limit as well. For example, get on Facebook after breakfast for 15 minutes, and again after supper for 15 minutes. (These are just examples – you obviously need to decide and set your own limits.)
What activities do you need to eliminate to declutter your schedule? Remember, less clutter in your schedule plus a little more margin, will make for a less stressed mom and a happier family.
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