We’ve been home from NICU for nearly 2 months, and I have to be honest, I’m still struggling to get my life in gear. I’ve tried using my At-A-Glance schedule, but I’m beginning to realize it needs an overhaul, and now is not the time for an overhaul. I just need to get some things done right now. I am seriously schedule/routine challenged right now, and I literally need someone to TELL ME what to do.
I also need to get back to school with the kids. We sort of coasted for far too long, because I wasn’t able to plan and I wasn’t even sure where the homeschooling materials were since so many things were moved and sorted while I was away.
So, here’s how I’m working toward getting back on track…
First of all, I am doing brain dumps almost every day. I’m making lists to get things out of my head as I think of them. That way, my brain doesn’t have to sort them and try to categorize them – that can be done later. I am using the methods in my own book Home Management for the Homeschool Mom to navigate this time in my life.
Secondly, I’m taking things in bite-sized pieces and giving myself baby steps to get things accomplished. I found myself saying, “I need to homeschool plan,” but when I would try to do that, I couldn’t find everything I needed and ended up frustrated and overwhelmed because I didn’t even have all the materials within reach. So, instead I broke things down and told myself, “I need to find the Tapestry of Grace notebook,” and when I found that I moved on to, “Now, I need to find the math workbooks and CD’s,” and so on and so forth until I had everything I needed so I could then accomplish the homeschool planning.
The next thing I did that has been exactly what I needed came from the Conquer Your Clutter Bundle – The Motivated Moms Chore Planner! You can find it HERE.
I heard about this little gem a while back, but had never really taken a good look at it (and honestly, when I heard about it before, I didn’t NEED it – now I do!) This is about as simplified as you can get when getting your life back on track. It is a week-by-week guide telling you exactly what to do each day. I simply print off each week’s list and keep it. I am so glad it was in the Conquer Your Clutter Bundle (which is still available HERE!)
NOTE: If you are homemaking-impaired, Motivated Moms is a great way to learn what it takes to keep a home!
While we are on the topic of the Conquer Your Clutter Bundle, another product that came with my bundle was the Home Organizing DIY Assessment Book. In my own ebook, I talk about creating systems to take care of the things that drive you nuts. This DIY assessment printable is a perfect companion! It takes you step-by-step through your house looking for the things you need to change so you have a place to start when looking for systems and organization tools that make your life easier!
Another thing I am doing that I have done for many years is using my lovely Thrift Store Bag. In my bedroom behind the the door I keep a garbage bag that is always at the ready to house the things I no longer need, but are in good enough shape to head to the thrift store when full. The helps me get on track by giving me the freedom to declutter as I go about my life. There is always a place for my cast-offs – no need to get out special paraphernalia to declutter – I can do it whenever I run across something that no longer has a place in my life. (Rachel from Nourishing Minimalism has a couple of books in this year’s bundle that I have used to facilitate decluttering over the years – 30 Days to a Clean & Organized Kitchen and 30 Days to a Clean & Organized Living Space – check them out!)
And finally, I’m taking time to breathe. That may sound strange, but trying to get back on track is super stressful. I want it done NOW! But, that isn’t possible. It didn’t fall apart in a day, and it won’t get back to normal in a day…or a week…or even a month (or two 😉 ). When I start to feel like I’m going to hyperventilate over all the stuff I think I need to get done right now, I ask God to stop me in my tracks and let me breathe. I breathe through all the craziness, and then start over with that brain dump I talked about, thanking the Lord as I go for all His provisions over these last 2 years.
It’s easy to get discouraged by how far I have to go and totally missing how far I’ve come. 3 months ago I couldn’t walk. I was bed-bound, not cooking or cleaning or teaching school. Praise the Lord I’ve come as far as I have! I could easily still be where I was (and by the way, if you are dealing with a prolonged illness and need help figuring out how to manage your home during this time, you’ll want to take a look at Energy Budget in the Conquer Your Clutter Bundle – it will help you create a home management method that meets your family’s needs.) I’m getting healthy. I’m getting more and more school in every day. I’m finding my way back little by little. That is worth a smile on my face!
Are you having trouble getting back on track this year? Feel free to ask questions and lend your own advice in the comments section below!
Jodie says
Thanks for this post, Amy. Some great advice here. The main off-putting thing I find when I need to get a big project sorted is that it can’t all be done at once (life always “interrupts”!) When I have a big goal I want to accomplish I use a strategy that an elderly civil engineer taught me. He called it a “critical path” and it’s basically a list of steps needed to get a job done from beginning to end. Now I write down what the goal is and all the things I need to do to get there – in order – and tick them off as I go. As I follow my Critical Path, all the stress is gone because I know that if I work through the steps I will reach my goal.
Our elderly friend has since passed on, but I smile and remember him whenever I follow his advice.
By the way – love your hair! I did the almost exact transformation a couple of weeks ago and love my new look. I feel so much more cheerful. It’s wonderful how great a new haircut can make you feel.
Amy says
Thanks! And, I love your friend’s advice!
Courtney B says
I love your blog! I would love to hear from you a life update. How is the baby doing? How are your bigs doing? How are you and your hubby doing? Just a general life/winter update!
Amy says
Great idea! I’ll do that very soon!
Reggie says
Goodness, do I know how this feels!!! After years of a household with only ‘littles’, followed by a year and a half of poor health, I can FINALLY say I feel I’m back on track! It can’t all get done in a day, which can be very frustrating. But no matter what ISN’T getting done, you can still love on them and just be present. The greatest blessing of being a homeschool mom, I think! God bless you, Amy! You’re already on the right track, even if you’re in the caboose instead of the engine!!!
Amy says
Ha! I love that analogy!
Indasa Butler says
Thanks for this post, Amy! And for your constant courage and openness. I know I look to your words for guidance. I’ve written about how you’ve helped me a couple times. Here http://homeschool-curriculum.org/homeschool-education-daily-routines and here http://homeschool-curriculum.org/home-management-for-the-homeschool-mom/.
Funny you saying your schedule needs an overhaul. Because my schedule needed an overhaul, I went to your At-a-Glance schedule. With a completely different schedule than last year, I felt like a dog chasing my tail. And it’s only the first month of the year!
I think Jodie’s friend’s advice is spot on for me. I now find myself doing that a lot. Making a list of what needs to be done for a project and ticking or scratching it off as it gets done.
And I understand how easy it is to get discouraged looking at how far you have to go. Interesting that my reading this morning took me to Deuteronomy 4:9. It was a great reminder for me of how to keep God’s faithfulness in mind.
kaci says
Praying for your family! Thanks for all the great advice and taking time out of your day to share. I recently had baby number 5 and am going to be trying to figure out a homeschooling schedule again when I get back on my feet.