Keeping Your Sanity with a Busy Lifestyle

At the end of a busy day,  I often decide I'm not up for the mundane household tasks and I skip 'em.  Sometimes this happens for a few days at a time.  And then, BAM.  It hits me.  I begin to feel overwhelmed and anxious just thinking about all of the stuff on my plate.  I wonder how I'll ever get back on top of things.  

We've all experienced this feeling, right?  The "OMG-so much stuff-not enough time-gotta evaluate my habits and lifestyle" moment.  It makes us wish there were just a few more hours in the day to take care of everything.  Do you experience this feeling often?  Here are a few tips that can lower your chances of becoming flooded by a sea of commitments:

• Plan ahead
  Creating a plan of action and prepping in advance can help you tackle your next hour, day, or week of tasks.  Simple acts like:  setting out tomorrow's outfit, clearing the dishes from the sink, throwing in a load of laundry while you watch your favorite television show, writing down a list of groceries for your next supermarket trip.... all of these things can bring more fluidity into your life.  I'm a huge fan of written to-do lists but also enjoy the convenience of techy tools like Google Calendar and Dropbox. 
• Create a system
  Systems are important in staying on task but keep in mind that if a system doesn't feel functional for you, it won't work!  If a system looks good on paper but doesn't help you stay organized, it's time to review why it's not working and brainstorm an alternative solution.  Just because it works for your best friend or husband doesn't mean it will feel right for you.   
• Take care of a little bit at a time
  Instead of devoting one whole day to getting things done on your to-do list, why don't you break up the tasks into smaller chunks?  Tend to laundry every other day.  Dust on Mondays, clean bathrooms on Wednesdays, etc.  Try to finish anything that you start so that it doesn't build up and sit.  Rather than just washing and drying your laundry, attempt to put it away, too.  Although it can sometimes feel daunting and tiring at the end of a long day, the extra 10 minutes will go a long way.     
• Be flexible
  Having a schedule and sticking to what needs to be done is a wonderful thing, but don't be so rigid with your calendar that you lose sight of what's really important.  We may not reach our goals if we don't stay motivated but remember to be gentle with yourself.  You can't be superwoman all of the time.  Don't feel like you have to do it all- and if you do feel like you've taken on too much, maybe now is a good time to check in with yourself about priorities and what truly makes you happy.
• Set aside time for yourself
  Yes, I know we just agreed our lives are crazy busy, but it's also vital to acknowledge we cannot accomplish much if we don't take care of ourselves first.  And I don't necessarily mean going all out and enjoying  a day at the spa (although that sounds pretty damn amazing).  Think of small acts of care that can be rejuvenating for you.  Getting up a bit earlier to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee.  Meditating for 10 minutes.  Engaging in a deep breathing exercise.  Reading a book, listening to music, or eating a super yummy meal.  I'm sure that once you're through, you won't regret it.  
• Ask for help
  We're only human and if we're honest with ourselves, we realize that we can't do it all.  Some days are better than others.  We may feel like we can conquer anything one day and then like we're barely going through the motions the next.  That's okay.  Every once in a while, we need help from others in our support network and communities.  I love when someone contacts me asking for help with their home, their family, or an organizational project, because I know when they ask for help, they're taking care of themselves.
  

Tell me, what kind of things help you stay organized throughout the week?