Sunday, January 10, 2010

Day 10 - of 30 Days to a Simplier Life

A Few Practical Suggestions:
Today I am going to list a few very practical everyday ways you can simplify your life.

Some of these I currently do, some I did more so when my children were young and I was a young mom running around like crazy and some I hope to implement this year.

1.To keep from running to the store everyday - which takes time, effort and energy
  • Stockpile items you uses all the time (toilet paper, paper towels, toothpaste etc.(
  • Make a grocery list before you shop. Plan your menus for the week or even two first then write down all you need to get. You will save money when you shop and not need to go back often for forgotten items.
  • Keep a memo pad on the refrigerator and as soon as you notice a missing item - write it down - keep a running list and then when you go out take it with you so you are not making multiple trips.
  • Plan your day or week out so you can do all your running around at one time. For example: you need to go to the post office, you need to pick up some fruit, you need to get a gift for a shower.ect.
2. Do as much as you possibly can the night before. Set out clothes for the next day — both for yourself and for your children or if old enough teach them to do this. Pack lunches. Make sure diaper bags, backpacks and work satchels are completely packed and ready to go.

3. Wake up one full hour before your children. This will allow you to drink coffee, get dressed, take care of your own pre-work tasks and get breakfast staged before the kids get moving. Once they do wake up, you’ll feel less harried because you’ll be able to focus your attention on them.

4. Plan to arrive everywhere 30 minutes early. (Note: You’ll probably never arrive anywhere 30 minutes early.) But this mindset of trying to arrive early will give you a much better shot at showing up where you’re supposed to be on time. (this is one I am trying this year - I did it for the first time on Christmas and got to the event on time. ) I admit I am a chronically late person and I am going to try to do better this year.

5. Stockpile important items in important places. These items will keep changing as your child ages, but the principle will remain the same: Store stuff where you’re likely to need it so you can save yourself time and frustration. For example, a low-height, lidded plastic container in the trunk of your car or on the floor of the backseat could contain these sorts of items:

Baby wipes (no matter how old your kid is);
Toilet paper or tissue;
Paper towels;
Change of clothes for each kid, along with diapers if needed;
Snacks that won’t melt and/or go bad, such as fruit leather;
A big beach towel, which can double as a blanket when needed;
Band-Aids;
Toys and books.

6. Have a particular place where certain items that you are always looking for are stored - such as safety pins, scissors, toenail clippers and anything that you find you are searching for and wasting time and frustrating yourself with on a regular basis.

7. Analyze - always take the time to evaluate if a purchase is truly needed, or if a commitment is really what you want. Make sure all of your decisions get you to where you want to go. If they don't they are not worth it and should be pushed aside! Make every decision a conscious decision.

Some of these are very simple suggestions, in fact most are but it is amazing how much time, energy and stress we can save ourselves by making just a few simple changes in our lives. There are many, many more....Do you have any good ideas?

"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all."
Laura Ingalls Wilder

2 comments:

Beverly Walters Whaley said...

Can't read a word of your last commenter...Vance! Have to brush up on my other language! LOL Your practical living was great today! I LOVE IT GIRL! Try not to go to the store 4 times a day cuz I forget what I went for is a challenge! LOL Will try harder!

CoachK said...

Wow, that is odd. I wonder if Sarah could translate? Believe me Bev, I 'm speaking to myself her. I am the queen of going to the store too many times a week because I forgot something, but still trying to improve. :)