I get a lot of questions from people about how I get everything done in life. I know I juggle a lot, but I am working hard at life balance. Sometimes I stink at it. Like Monday when we took our son to school after spring break only to find out that school didn’t start back until Wednesday. Because I have a lot to do in life, some minor details fall through the cracks.
But, with that MOM FAIL aside, I am learning it is OK to let go of the small stuff and not worry so much about every fine detail in life. I have to remember what my REAL priorities are. Some things can wait and yes, some things are bound to not go perfectly when we juggle a lot of things at once.
I’m not advocating spending your life trying to juggle a lot of things, but we all have times when we have a lot on our plate. So does that mean we have to give up everything we love doing or want to do in order to keep all the plates spinning?
I do not get nearly as many home projects done as some people seem to. I have to pace myself since projects are not my primary focus in life. But one way I do manage to make progress on things I want to do is I let myself START a project, even though I know I am too busy to FINISH it any time soon.
Sometimes I start things that my husband will finish (like the fine detailed edges of this stair railing!). I do my part, and he will do his when he has a window of time. That is the only way we can get things done!
the unfinished black stair railing
I think starting a project and being in process is better than never getting around to anything I love to do! I have to allow myself to be in the “during” stage of a project longer than some people might. I only have short windows of time each week to do something home related, and sometimes I can’t even work on them every week.
The only way I can really get things done is to do a little at a time and not stress out if things are “undone.” I still invite guests over for dinner, they just have to be careful to not trip on our paint cans or ladders. And I just hope they won’t wonder about our half painted rooms.
some freshly painted walls are better than all swine painted walls.
Have you ever heard of the time management principle of putting the rocks in the jar first (the big things) and then filling in with sand (little things) around the rocks?
That is basically how I have to do life right now. I do all of my obligations and family related things first, and then in the cracks I can work on painting walls or other home projects. I have to let go of PERFECTION. It is a slow process but it is the only way I’ll ever see my “afters!” And really, once I get started, I seem to make more and more time to actually finish a project. It is getting started that is the hardest part.
I wish I had the luxury of a whole week off to paint my house or work on projects. Right now it is one step at a time or nothing at all!
Do you go crazy if you have undone projects around the house?
How many “in process” things do you have going on in your home?
Do you consider yourself busy in life, or are you at a stage when you feel you have the luxury of time?
Great post Melissa. We currently (always) have a few projects going on at once. Something always breaks, etc…that takes priority. What are we going to do about it? I can’t stress anymore. It used to bother me a lot more. But the house and all of the work will always be there. The kids won’t!!!
.-= Dawn-Hydrangea Home´s last blog ..Happy Easter! =-.
This is DEFINITELY something I struggle with all the time. There are so many things I want to tackle around the house. My project list is a mile long. But at the same time, I’m getting frustrated with not getting anything done. My focus right now (one of the big rocks, as you mentioned) is my spirited little 2 1/2 year old, who is potty training and has some health issues that are really draining me. Yesterday, I was all pumped up to work on painting our master bedroom (only one wall finished) while he was at Mother’s Day Out, and instead I just rested and read a book. And felt guilty about it. It definitely doesn’t help when I’m reading all of these blogs full of fabulous home projects! Thank you so much for your post today. It’s definitely time to stop beating ourselves up over our unfinished home projects.
Yes I hear you on this one! We have many outdoor projects in the works and it seems it is reverending during this pretty time of year. Whew! I wish we all had more time. That sounds like a good plan.
~Blessings, ~Melissa
PS Love your stair railing as is. It’s unique and full of character just like your entire home.
Aw, thank you!
I usually don’t start projects that I don’t think I’ll finish quickly. I hate seeing half done projects done all around my house. That being said, I also never get around to starting a lot of projects and those that aren’t started – never get finished! I love the big rock concept, I am going to try that out.
.-= Tiffany´s last blog ..what are the green things you do? =-.
Great advice and great perspective!
.-= Traci Hutcherson´s last blog ..Wednesdays with Wanda =-.
I always wonder how some of the girls on some blogs get everything done! They always have something going and I never seem to find enough hours in the day to get it all together. I usually finish up my projects because I don’t like things not completed but I don’t start a bunch of stuff at once. I don’t do good with messes and too many things on my plate. Life goes by fast enough and I don’t want so much happening that I don’t enjoy it.
.-= Melanie´s last blog ..A girl, a camera, a class, & Karen Russell. =-.
I’ll admit that it drives me NUTS to have projects 1/2 done. And it drives me nuts even more because I have a project list in my head right now that seems neverending. But, I realize that I can only do so much (how do some of these girls get a zillion projects done a week??) and right now my family must be my main priority. I still have people over even though one room or another is usually in a state of disarray! LOL!! Hey, I figure I”m not the only one & usually my friends all have some home project they’re working on too so they understand. Thanks for this post!
Blessings,
Stacey
Melissa,
I’ve been cleaning my basement for the past 8 months, NOT! It’s like the 10 pounds I need to lose. Life is short so do the important stuff and have a little fun.
Cathy
.-= THE STYLISH HOUSE´s last blog ..Vote For Enchanted Makeovers! =-.
What a great reminder it is that it’s okay to be in a process. I tend to be a grumpy project person-I get started and then feel stressed about getting it done right away, even though I know I don’t have much time to focus on projects. I love the idea to just get started-knowing it will be done eventually. Thanks for sharing this-it’s a great encouragement!
.-= Gina´s last blog ..Being Content with Home =-.
I have to say even with the luxury of time that I have right now (no kids, no job) I am still having a hard time focusing on one project and actually completing it. I need to get better organized so I can cross things off my list.
I am easily distracted. focus focus is the key!
.-= cindy´s last blog ..Western Road Trip Part 2: Grand Canyon =-.
I love you for this post. You inspire me AGAIN! I typically don’t comment on a blog post where there are already TONS of comments there, because I suspect the blog author won’t actually see reading my feedback… but it had to be said… this post and your REALNESS and advice have been in the back of my mind for the last 2 days since I first read this post. It has stuck with me and I am totally adopting your philosophy of “starting a project now even though I know I don’t have time to finish it now.”
In fact, I may just paint the lower half of my VERY VERY tall family room wall today, even though the ladder we bought this past weekend needs to be exchanged for a taller one and therefore the top half of that wall won’t be painted for a while…
I’m gonna do what I can and LOVE IT!
And BTW, we have people over almost every Sunday Night for “milk and cookies” and I never let my half-done projects stop me from this tradition. I think for a lot of people, it comes as a relief when they see us enjoying our home, our kids, and our neighbors even if we are in a state of imperfection. It almost gives them permission to do the same (as if they needed it??)
Anyway, thanks for this post… and so many others.
(BTW I am begging Tiffany Romero to pull you in for Bloggy Bootcamp Philadelphia in Sept. She asked “what do you want to learn” and I pretty much said- “I need to learn Melissa Michaels.” …Think about it???
Angie
.-= seriouslyahomemaker´s last blog .."The Other Moms are So Dumb!" =-.
I had to laugh, just last night we had people over and for dessert we really had cookies and milk. I didn’t even plan it, I just had cookies in the oven and didn’t feel like making coffee so I grabbed the carton of milk and set it on the table!
You are so right, if we can just be REAL we give everyone a break in life and give them permission to be real too!
Thanks for your encouragement, your comment meant a lot!
I love this post. I am currently in project frenzy land, and I find myself here every spring. I have two young kids and a business, and that is usually the focus of my energy, but come spring my energy levels doubles and I think I am superwoman. I write To DO lists a mile long and go full force. My business usually suffers during this time because I am so hyper focused on getting the next thing done. (I’ll call them back after I get this next coat of paint on. 2 coats later…)
I also start a bunch of projects at once… I feel more productive this way, even though I know it isn’t. It just feels so good to cross things off my list, its almost addictive and I find myself adding more things to it. Wow, putting this in writing makes me think I might have a problem! I’ll call it Seasonal-Overambitious-Multitasking-Project-itis
You said it perfectly. This is SO how I’m having to live right now. But I will confess that sometimes I choose the frivolous instead of the important. I spent an hour this morning rearranging things on my walls and doing a bit of re-design instead of cleaning the kitchen…or cleaning anything for that matter…or keeping my 2-year-old out of his Easter basket.
.-= The Scooper´s last blog ..Acceptance, Laundry, & Robots =-.
I don’t mind having a few projects in progress in my house. That’s the way we live. And we have a very small house, so when we’re doing a project, it affects everything.
But I DO mind having 10 projects going on, which is the way it usually is. That’s overwhelming! We need to get focused.
.-= Lesley @ TheDesignFile´s last blog ..Red spices up new HGTV Green Home =-.
Oh gosh, where to start on the list of my projects. I have three half painted rooms, a back splash that is screaming, “fix me please!” and a patio that needs some serious help. However, like you and all other moms, my little ones come first, and then I find a little time to squeeze in “me” time, like reading the Bible, books, giving myself a pedicure, etc. Then if there is any time left, then I work on the house. It’s hard enough just picking up and cleaning the house. It never ends.
So what do you suggest to a gal who loves to have nice things and who is on a very tight budget on where to shop for home goods? I wish I had “time” to peruse the aisles at Ross, Marshalls’ and even Goodwill, but with two under the ages of 3, it’s challenging. Any advice?
Still love your blog!
.-= Vanessa Yu´s last blog ..An Alphabet Favorite List =-.
Hi Vanessa!
That is one of the reasons I started my online shop! I am too busy most of the time to spend all day shopping around town for stuff. Plus I live in a fairly small area so my options for shopping nearby are limited. My shop should be updated tomorrow with a few new things and I’m going to try to keep it full of basic and affordable items for our homes, as well as some fun gifts and extras.
Thanks for stopping by, you must have your hands full with those two little ones!!
For me, things are a little different. My husband is always starting big projects around the house…and starting….and starting. He never finishes them and that is hard for me to live in and work a 40 hr. job.
I would rather start and finish. Now that means I don’t get very much done. It seems the big rocks are all I put in the jar! I enjoy your blog!
.-= Lottie´s last blog ..Purple Thoughts – Outdoor Wednesday =-.
I don’t think I’ve met too many women who have all of their “projects” done. It just comes with the territory… I do think it also reminds us that God is in control and some of what we want done isn’t really that important. It puts it in perspective.
I do have to admit that unfinished projects drive me crazy… I will put off a project that can’t be at least 3/4 finished in one time. I will do all of the major parts of the project and am okay with working on some of the smaller details that are easier to finish on a night or weekend. Painting for one is a project that I feel compelled to finish all at once, I get stressed out with moving everything around and all of the time spent cleaning up. I am too obsessed to not do it all at once… I admire your ability to just plug away at it.
I also think as “creative” types, we love to make, create, and dream up projects… which allows less time for “doing”. No matter what season we are in, we will always have more projects than time allows.
I do like to involve my whole family when it comes to doing a project. As my kids have grown (they’re teenagers now), they have learned how to do almost everything as we’ve remodeled and updated our home. It makes project time “family time” and it also teaches them valuable skills.
Here’s to the day when we can have all of our projects done….
Blessings!
.-= Erica Cooper´s last blog ..The Inspired Room Inspiration… =-.
Oh balancing. It can be sooo hard. It’s one of my biggest challenges. I like how you said it’s better to start something and be working on it than never starting it. This is so true. Sometimes too, starting it is half the battle. Once you get started, sometimes momentum builds and it gets easier to keep going.
.-= Sarah Sarniak´s last blog ..Friday Finds: Blogs I Love =-.
Oh I just had to link you up to a recent post of mine! http://anastasiamariephotography.com/blog/2010/03/chaos-peoria-illinois-lifestyle-photographer/
Definitely do not have the luxury of time and have a million and a half projects started around the house…I dont think it will ever change
lol
It seems we’re all so busy these days, trying to juggle a million different things at a time. I find I need to make a lot of lists and just do my best to try to prioritize. If something has to be remain a Work In Progress, so be it. You’ve just go to do what you can do… and try to stay sane
.-= Kate´s last blog ..Wally Lamb Speaking on Mark Twain =-.
thank you for this post! i really needed to know there is some one else like me out there!!!!! i know many that don’t do it the way we do and i start feeling like i was doing it all wrong. thank you