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Easy Tips On Using Time Wisely

Do you use time wisely or have you found that running around feeling rushed and crazed has become the norm? Life can seem overwhelming on occasion, but knowing how to balance time between family, friends, work, housekeeping and yourself can decrease your stress levels, keep you organized and make life more enjoyable. Sounds amazing, right?

Then when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, make a resolution to figure out how to manage your time, so that you can maintain a clean house while still doing the things you love. Check out the following tips on using time wisely.

Stick to a Cleaning Schedule

When thinking about how to organize your time and keep a tidy home, you need to start off by outlining a daily cleaning routine. This will help you add structure to your housekeeping, so that you can stay on track. It also enables you to set small, manageable goals, so that you don’t get overwhelmed and abandon tasks.

Make a To-Do List

Get your week started off right by having a to-do list ready to go. Include anything from items on your cleaning schedule and trips to the grocery store to attending a yoga class and reading for an hour at night. Batching like tasks together — such as prepping lunch for the next day and cleaning kitchen counters — can help you be more efficient, so that you have a chance to do the things you enjoy. In addition, allow yourself plenty of buffer time in between errands and chores, and you can reduce any worries about getting behind.

Try Bullet Journaling

Bullet journals are all the rage these days, as they allow you a creative means to track your accomplishments. These notebooks can start out as simple logs in which you record tasks you need to take care of, such as drinking enough water, flossing, working out, going to spin class, cleaning, organizing and so forth. Whatever you want to keep an eye on goes in your bullet journal. Though they can be very plain, many people make them fun by using them as a means of artistic expression. Check out bullet journal ideas on Pinterest for some inspiration on making your own journal a time-saving masterpiece.

Practice Mindfulness

Being “mindful” allows you to use time wisely, as you’re focusing all of your attention and energy on a single task at hand. For example, if you’re organizing the kitchen pantry, you might get distracted when taking items off of shelves. The next thing you know, you’re unpacking the cabinets and your kitchen drawers to rearrange those, and the pantry has been forgotten. If you were practicing mindfulness, however, you’d complete the pantry organization before moving on to another part of the kitchen. This not only makes you more likely to finish household chores, it keeps your mind tuned into one thing, so you do the best job possible and don’t get overwhelmed.

Take Some Time for You

There’s no point in using time wisely if there’s none left over for you at the end of the day. Don’t be afraid to turn down the occasional requests to host a playdate or even an invite to lunch that’s way across town. When you bite off more than you can chew, you end up stressed out and wondering when you’ll ever get a chance to tidy up and have a moment to yourself.

Even when you know how to manage your time, there will still be occasions when you may need some backup. For instance, you might find you’re too busy to stick to a cleaning schedule during the school year or around the holidays. If that’s the case, don’t waste a minute worrying: let the professionals at your local Merry Maids take care of the housekeeping for you, so you can spend time doing the things you truly enjoy.