I read my horoscope one day and thought,
“This is one that I need to read every day.”
"You may feel as if your resources are depleted
and you just want to throw in the towel. Don't give up quite yet. Just
because today isn't the best day of your life doesn't mean that you need
to write off everyone you know and declare yourself a complete hermit.
Just because you are moodier than usual does not mean that you will never
snap out of it, because you will. Realize that you may need to be a bit
more adaptive in order to roll with the punches of the day."
Rolling with the punches -- adapting your lifestyle
-- taking one day at a time -- or if that is too much, try taking one hour
at a time. The main goal is to make it through one more day with your faculties
fairly intact and sane.
So, how do you achieve this goal? By saying
"no" when someone asks you to do a task or needs something right now! By
letting the dust lie still just one more day. There will be plenty of time
later to do that task.
So then, how do you achieve the tasks that
need to be done? Achieve your goal by making a list of realistic chores
in order of importance. Dusting can wait, but doing the dishes cannot.
Cleaning the cobwebs from the corners can wait, washing one load of clothes
cannot.
Learn to be efficient. If you are in the living
room preparing to go into the back of the house, first look around and
see if there is anything that needs to go to the back of the house. Make
one trip handle two tasks.
If you are unsteady on your feet, pull out
an old Easter basket to carry the small items that seem to accumulate on
the end tables so you can carry them back into the bedrooms.
It only takes two more seconds to drop the
shoes into the closet rather than just on the floor. Instead of tucking
the bedspread, just toss it over the bed as a coverlet. A covered bed looks
neater than a mass of tumbled sheets.
It takes just one minute to pull the wet towels
off the rod, drop them in the clothes hamper and to pull shut the curtain
on the tub. The wet wash cloth you take from the tub can be used to wipe
up the toothpaste in the sink left by the kids before you drop the cloth
into the hamper.
Utilizing your time differently, looking at
your chores in a whole new light, this change is needed when you are ill.
Still can’t get around to vacuuming? Then make an appointment with your
vacuum.
Write on your calendar that you will vacuum
on Wednesday. Then take all Wednesday to vacuum if you must. Do the floor
in small sections, resting in between. Start in the bedroom before starting
in the main area of the house. Keep your bedroom clean so you will have
a place to retreat.
You can make yourself attend a doctor appointment
simply because it is there on the calendar. Are you less important than
a doctor?
Give yourself a time to do chores, but also
give yourself a day off. You will need to plan ahead for the day. Plan
on pizza delivery or simple foods the kids can make themselves. Use paper
plates for everyday simplicity.
Make life easier by budgeting your time and
using the resources available to you in this time and age. Budget the time
you have before you have depleted all your remaining internal resources.
Granted there are the chores that make up every
day life, but if you are feeling overwhelmed, then accomplish one task
a day. There is a feeling of satisfaction when you are able to cross off
one more chore, look around you and realize you are not useless.
You CAN accomplish what chores life throws
at you as long as you approach the chores one at a time. Just don't forget:
Life is to be enjoyed.
© 2004 Brenda "Rion"
Sewell
