Has anyone else’s summer been chock-full? My summer has been busy with so many fun things (& some not so fun), and I haven’t had as much time as usual to dedicate to writing. In the past, I’d feel all kinds of negative emotions around this- feeling overwhelmed, like I’m irresponsible not keeping up with my obligations, guilty I’m not able to give my full attention to the blog. But this time is different.
Creating Grace with Partial Solutions
I’m committed to offering myself compassion these days. So rather than hold myself to writing my usual long post, I’m giving myself grace. I was inspired by Emily P. Freeman’s podcast about the art of partial solutions.
I want to create a blog post but don’t have enough time to write and edit lengthy text. The partial solution is one that’s not necessarily perfect, but it works. So here ya go. An example of implementing and feeling ok with the partial solution. Because I gotta be the change I wanna see in the world right? Walk the walk? Here’s a short, yet oh-so-sweet post comin’ at ya.
Enjoy Life by Being Intentional with Your Time
In the spirit of honoring our busy summers, I want to offer some tips on how to stay sane in the midst of it all.
I want you all to enjoy every second of your summer adventures and gatherings. Capitalize on the electricity in the air. Just give into the fun and sun and summery goodness.
If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with it all, it’s time to take a quick step back. To course-correct. Return to some of the core practices that help you feel organized and intentional. Here’s a quick little rundown of what I’ve found works for me lately:
Organize Your Brain by Using a Planner
A great planner (shoutout Get To Work Book) can be a godsend for the busy woman. It allows you to map out your days and weeks, and most importantly, reduces your daily mental load.
I have an incredible memory (thanks Dad!) so I used to think it was fine to just store all this info in my head. However, the mental load of having to remember, then remember again, then remember yet again, is simply unnecessary. Storing daily tasks and appointments takes precious mental space that I need for other tasks.
I prefer a paper planner because I’m old school like that, but feel free to use Google Calendar or whatever works for you. Just get all that info out of your beautiful brain and into your planner.
Use Time Batching to Remain Present
Most of us know how amazing time batching is for our professional lives. You block off segments of time, and perform tasks that are similar during those blocks. So for example, rather than jumping around from checking email to writing an article to a powerpoint, you block off one time chunk for catching up on email, then another for creative/visual work, then another strictly for writing. It keeps you focused and reduces your mental load.
I’ve recently started implementing a form of this in my personal life as well. My personal time is still very free flowing and flexible, but it helps to create a framework for me to be more intentional with my time.
Basically, you just commit to being present in whatever task you’re doing at the time. If you’re cleaning, you clean like a banshee so you can be done with it and focus on your family. If you’re with family, fully commit to being present with them, and not feeling guilty about all the work or laundry that’s not getting done. Just fully commit your energy to the task at hand and not feel guilty/overwhelmed about the zillion other tasks on my plate. Because when you spread your energy all over the place (into the past, present, and future all at once), it’s a waste of your precious energy.
Take a Brief Pause to Reflect
You are awesome and you’ve done so many productive, fun, adventurous things lately! So take a moment to pause and reflect on all this awesomeness. However you wanna do this is fine, but I highly recommend writing it down. That way, you can look back and have a tangible list of all the fun things you’ve done. We tend to only count “productive” things as accomplishments, but going to a baseball game, checking out a new band, or playing in the rain are all worth remembering and celebrating.
So put a pen to paper and make your “fun list.” I do this in my planner (yes, I get it, I’m obsessed with my planner). As the month goes on, quickly add some of the fun things you’ve done and events you’ve attended. That way, when you look back and start feeling guilty about all the things you “didn’t accomplish,” you’ll be able to see how you actually made an intentional choice to have fun.
Play, Adventures, and Lightness
Summer is a time for fun and play. Let’s all take a moment to step out of our busy, serious lives, and have some fun! Embark on some new adventures. Shirk some responsibilities. Give yourself grace and let yourself just collapse fully into those fun moments.
Leave a Reply