Every Little Bit Helps

All of us lead busy, hectic lives. It seems there are just never enough hours in the day to complete what we would like to. This causes stress and a whole other slew of problems. Once I heard it said, ‘If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” A positive outlook and a few tips can make a huge difference. Here a few things that help me balance things a bit better:

1. Nothing is perfect, which means you don’t need to be either. Things will never turn out exactly as planned so don’t stress when things go a bit off track. If you have children spontaneity happens regularly so just go with the flow.
2. Less is more. Many know this in theory but have a hard time putting it into practice. When having people over, don’t spend too much on decorations and elaborate meals. Sometimes a cup of tea or coffee with a little snack can create the best memories.
3. Plan ahead. Nothing causes stress like being late or doing things last minute. I’m not the best example of this but when I actually do plan ahead, everything goes much smoother.
4. Be reasonable. Spills and spots come with the territory and if all your clothes are washable, you won’t worry as much. Since having my daughter, I rarely to never wear anything that is ‘dry clean only’. Always have stain removers on hand and remember you did the same thing as a child.
5. Simplify. There are only three things you really need: food, shelter, and basic clothing. Remember when you helped your kids in school decipher whether an item was a ‘need’ or a ‘want’? Now it’s your turn. This will mean less clutter and less debt.
6. Be kind to each other. Sometimes we get a little lax when we come home and let all our stress out on each other. Don’t. Remember to treat those in your family with consideration and kindness and everyone will benefit.
7. Have real family time. Go somewhere together and do something you all enjoy. We are with people all the time but your family is a special relationship that you want to keep strong. ‘Date nights’ are also vital for the parents.
8. Everyone has a role. Try to have everyone help out a little at home. Not only can you spend quality time but each member will gain an appreciation for taking care of the place they live in.
9. Talk and listen. Daily put aside a small portion of time for the family to communicate. The parents must take the initiative in keeping those lines open. Turn off all laptops, cell phones, televisions, etc. and just have a nice meal together or talk about your day. Remember, this loses all value if you don’t listen twice as much as you speak.
10. Have fun but be balanced. Time only moves forward and you don’t want to waste it on regret. Enjoy your family and friends but always put important things first.

These may not fit everyone but they are basics that I am always trying to work on. I hope you can pull one or two ideas to make your life a bit easier.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Oral-B blogging contest, making me eligible to get full-sized Oral-B Glide products and a $30 Target gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.