Time Tips

Often times, I am asked by other women how I find the time to do all that I seem to accomplish, especially in terms of finding time to write, blog, design, and organize events. Just this morning, I received a question along the same lines from another blogger, striving to make her life work...

"I struggle to find time to write, study, and keep up with the kids, housework, and cooking!! I love it when I find others out there like me. How do you keep everything in balance? I'm always trying to learn from others!!"

It got me to thinking that more than likely, most women struggle with this issue of time, wondering how others seem to fit more into the same 24 hours. I've come to the conclusion, however, that what ever gets accomplished is always at a cost; something must be left undone!

The reality is that we all have an unwritten list of priorities (okay, some are written) that play out according to our passions and responsibilities. What we choose to do with our time has much to do with what we can live with being left undone, as it does with meeting our goals.

With that in mind, I thought the blogsphere would be a great place to 'fess up on how we use our time. The idea is to share about our own typical 24-hour day and what works or doesn't work for us. Hopefully, as we read one another's post, we'll gain a sense of camaraderie and community, and even walk away with a new perspective on how to shape up our days. But remember, this isn't meant as a critique of one another or an opportunity to beat yourself up for not measuring up. God made us all different, with unique gifts, talents, and passions. Not one of us will function the same, and there is great beauty in that!

I hope you'll decide to join in by sharing your Time Tips! Write a post on your blog and link up to Mister Linky below!

TIME ~ my typical day

6:00 am on Mondays/Wednesday ~ walk/run 1.5 miles at the track while all everyone is still in bed (just started this, so ask me again in a week *grin*)

6:30 am shower after running, or just getting out of bed on other days

7:00 am get breakfast together for the girls and hubby (girls, 6 and 8 yrs, get up with their own alarm at 6:45, dress and make their beds, pack up their snack and sandwhich--my job, nag to death until it is all done!)

7:40 am girls leave for bus with hubby, which is on his way to work; toss breakfast dishes in the sink and sprint from the kitchen asap for my quiet time

8:00 am have quiet time, do Bible study homework, write, return emails

9:00 am get my 2 yrs old twins out of bed (yes, they sleep so late!! I'm convinced this is God's mercy for having twins...hee, hee!)

9:30 am while twins finish up breakfast and play in living room, I empty dishwasher, talk on phone, clean up kitchen

10:00 am either run an errand, fold laundry, dust or vacuum (Friday mornings) play with twins, head outside, hunt down a playdate with friends, attend BS at church

11:30 am start thinking about fixing lunch

12:00 pm lunch

1:00 pm naps for twins; my time: nap, write, blog, design, read, scrapbook, but no chores!

3:30 pm girls arrive home, picked up by Nana or hubby (yes, this is another case of being spoiled)

4:00 pm snack and start homework for the girls, twins get up from nap (Yes, they are down for a long time, but they hardly ever cry. They love being alone, as it is the only time they get apart. I tried doing a shorter nap, feeling momma guilt, but they are so cranky that it is not worth it!)

5:00 pm homework is usually done and the girls play or help with the laundry or picking up their room; not sure how I spend my time...but it always seems to pass by quickly

6:00 pm most nights we head to the dining room at the boarding school we live at for dinner (yes, I don't have to fix meals most evenings, but I do have to share the table with teenagers, plus my own kids...it is easier than cooking, some nights, but also more emotionally draining on others)

7:30 pm home from dining room, get kids ready for bed

8:00 pm kids in bed, collapse on couch most nights to write, blog, read, etc, while hubby grades papers; on Thursdays, we do our finances together; Fridays we host small group; Saturdays, we watch a movie

10:00 pm usually start to bed--pick up house, get coffee ready for the morning, make lunches, put laundry away--although we'd like to do this earlier!

11:00 pm hopefully, lights out...too late!!

TIPS

What's missing? If you notice, there are some things I just don't get done. I hardly clean. I try to keep the house picked up of clutter, and I swipe counters, toilets when they need it, but I don't set aside a day for cleaning other than dusting and vacuuming the living room on Fridays. Mind you, I have a small house, so this makes the chores easier. We our living room is our only common room, no family room. Our dining room is adjacent, without an eat in kitchen. While I've been know to complain about our small space, I also realize that less house to keep equals more time to do other things.

It is in my nature to be a slave to the house and clean nut, but I just can't stand living that way and with the frustration I feel when my family messes things up. So, I do it when it needs to be done. Somehow, we all seem to survive. The kitty gets clean litter, the dog gets fed and walked by hubby, the clothes get cleaned and put away, although there is always a basket lying around (one starring at me right now as I type these words!) and there always something I ought to be doing.

What's most important? Thanks to a supportive husband that encourages me to do less, not more, I can make spending time with Jesus, writing about His truth and grace, and being in relationship with my family and friends, the most important parts of my life. As I continually strive to put Jesus first, asking God each day to show me His work...that I might join Him in it...it all seems to play out smoothly.

I often compare myself to others and question my priorities, especially when I see the cobwebs in the corners and fingerprints on the windows, but eventually I remind myself that they won't be coming to heaven with me...so why not just leave them right where they are!

What does your time look like? What tips can you offer?
Share with us when you have the chance...no pressure, gals!
Write about them at your blog and link to your post, or share in the comments below (For my non-blogging friends, click on comments, type in your thoughts in the window that pops up, choose an identity, and click publish to post!)

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