If you’ve been around here long, you know that I’m in the middle of basketball season and that takes up all my time.

For you, the busy season is probably something else.  Whether it’s work, home, a combination of the two… I know you’ve been there.

So here are some ways I’ve learned to cope when time seems to disappear.

1. Get ahead.

It’s crucial to use the weekends.  Find time to do all the laundry, cook some meals that can easily be reheated, start with a clean, organized house. It will save you tons of time and let’s face it – you need that because you don’t have any of it, remember?

2. Cut yourself some slack.

Things may not run quite as smoothly and orderly as what you’re used to.  And you have to be ok with that.  What’s something that’s part of your normal routine that you can cut out? I choose not to make the bed.  It might be 3 minutes in the mornings, but over the course of a week, that’s 15 minutes.  And when you don’t have any time, 15 minutes is a lot.

Just be careful not to cut out something that helps you out in the long run.

3.  Communicate and let others help out.

David is really good about helping out on the reg, but he’s especially good when things get chaotic.  All it takes is a little bit of communication and he’s right there on it.  He’ll wash dishes, or vacuum, or switch the laundry.

{He’s making dinner as I type this.}

But don’t stop there.  I’d be willing to bet that your bestie will lend a hand.  Or mom.  Or sister.
So let them.

4.  Don’t put guilt trips on yourself.

Sometimes we’re our own worst enemy.  I should have done laundry today.  I should have cooked dinner.  I should have gotten to work earlier.  I should have come home earlier.  I should have… That list could be never ending.  But, you’re working hard right?
Ok.  So zip it.

5.  Make to-do lists.

 I’m a lister so this one comes pretty naturally.  I have a to-do list at work.  I have a to-do list at home.  Without them, I’m pretty lost.  And when there’s lots to do and not much time to do it in, the last thing you need to do is sit around trying to figure out what you’re supposed to be doing.  {Ok, maybe that’s just me with the terrible memory.}

6.  Make an I’ve Done It list.

Sometimes I look at my to-do list and it has one thing checked off and 2934832987 left on it.  And that’s at the end of a day where I haven’t had two seconds to myself.
Que frustration.

So I make a list of things that I have done.  And sometimes that’s enough to give me some motivation and put me in a better mood.

7.  Schedule relaxation time.

I swear, an episode of Reba will change your whole day.

Oh wait, sorry, that’s just me.  But for real, it’s ok to have some down time.  Scratch that.  You need some down time.  Your body can’t function at it’s best when you’re on the go all the time.  For me, sometimes it’s more beneficial for me to relax for 30 minutes than it would be to go to bed earlier.

8.  Laugh / play some music / have a glass of wine / read the Bible / call your best friend…

Basically?  Find your happy place.

I’m obsessed with Pandora… in the mornings, it’s worship music; at work it’s low-key easy listening {think Jack Johnson}; when I’m cleaning or cooking dinner it’s something fun.  That gets me going.

And the devotion part?  I’d recommend that for every day, not just the busy ones.

What works for you?  I’d love to hear some of your tips.

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