Juggling It All: Tools, Tips and Life Hacks - Part II

I originally set out to write a blog about tools that make juggling it all easier, but I ended up mostly with a list of mindset and lifestyle advice. I’m realizing how much I’ve had to adjust my own expectations and the way I approach life in order to be more happy with what I’m achieving. I’m not sure if that will resonate with you, but regardless I’m hopeful something in this list will be helpful.

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Part II

Streamline Meal Prep

Plan meals in advance and use all the tools in your arsenal. My rule of thumb for weeknight meals is it has to take less than 30 minutes all in to prep and cook. I use Pinterest to collect recipe ideas which I use when I’m stuck and I use meal service subscriptions to try new things. (I recently found the Hello Fresh Cookbook and I’m obsessed.) I also always assign a leftovers night and a chicken nuggets night for the kids. Then I write it all out on a meal menu board so the family isn’t always asking me “What’s for Dinner”. Sometimes we deviate because things come up, but it’s easier to pivot than start from scratch.

Carve Out 'Me Time'

I cannot emphasize enough that we all need to prioritize self-care. Whether it’s to rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit, this should be in your list of priorities (see Part 1, Tip 1). Even 15-minutes a day to do something for yourself goes a long way - check out my list of 15-minute self-care activities in my previous blog. My self-care life hack is painting my nails every Sunday. I love the quiet time and it makes me feel fancy on Monday morning.

Practice Saying 'No'

Learn to decline non-essential commitments. Protect your time and energy for what truly matters. This may seem selfish, but it’s not. An overcommitted and overstressed you, can’t be the best you for your family, career and colleagues. I’ve told my kids we can’t do something because I can’t get away from work. On the flip side, I tell my workplace no and intentionally take days off when my kids don’t have school to spend time with them.

Do Tasks As They Arise

This means don’t let the laundry pile up, don’t let the dishes pile up, pick up piles of toys right away, put shoes and coats away. It may seem simple, but spending a few minutes to do the tasks as they come up will save you in the long run. It gets the task done right away and it doesn’t become bigger. A life hack I found is using baskets to store everything. I put blankets in baskets, shoes in baskets, toys in baskets, clothes in baskets, toilet paper in baskets, food in baskets (you get the idea.). Seriously, it creates a simple two step pick up - pick up, drop in basket. Done! I’ve found baskets in all shapes and sizes on Amazon.

Let The Rest Be

You don’t need to make everything perfect and you never will. That’s why prioritizing is #1 in this list. You don’t have to be perfect (no one is), your house doesn’t have to be perfect (chaos is a part of life), and your life doesn’t have to be perfect (authentic is better). How about let’s try for “enjoyable and filled with love and joy”. 

So like I said in the beginning - pick the things that matter and forget the rest.

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Part I of Juggling It All can be found here.

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