Any advice for dealing with being really busy??

[imamearcat]

I'm sure many of you are!! You know when your brain just feels totally full to capacity and you don't know what to think about because there's just so much stuff going on?

I'm not that organised which I think is part of my of problem. Do you have any life hacks or general organisation tips?

You just need a list. Notes on your phone will do. Prioritise the list of things, delete them when done and add to it as you need to.

Why are you so busy? Is it all absolutely necessary? Should someone else be helping?

I have to stop doing things (work or work-like home things) a couple of hours before bed, or else it all goes round in my head all night.

If I can do it in advance or at the same time as something else, I do it. For example, I got my gym kit out the cupboard to go this evening. I know I’ll go at lunchtime tomorrow so got the kit out at the same time. Saves a minute or two at most but I feel more organised and in control and that makes me more able to cope with a heavy and stressful workload.

That and lists, lists, lists. Snap images of things you don’t want to forget.

Work is a bit mental because someone has left and we have a recruitment freeze so trying to manage her team and my team (who do completely different things) while also trying to figure out how we can reduce overhead.

Then youngest DC has just started full time pre-school and is being a bit, let's say difficult. Their school is 15 miles away so seem to do lots of driving around!

Then I've got a horse on DIY livery and dogs. Also running a half marathon on Saturday.

Have a cleaner so apart from tidying and cooking at least that's sorted thank god or quite frankly the house would be a shit tip!

Physically I am managing to keep organised to fit everything but I'm just feeling the stress starting to creep in from the mental load and random bits of admin etc. are getting forgotten about.

Husband does help but his job is really demanding so most of the running around after the kids is down to me. But he does his fair share around the house.

I think I need to make more lists!!!

Ok horse, dogs, marathon, child, 15 miles, work plus someone else’s work....

No wonder you’re busy. Either something will have to give or you will get into a new rhythm. I expect child starting pre school plus the work situation has thrown a fragile balance off kilter.

Writing things down really helps to get them out of your head!

I know the feeling atm OP.

Hopefully DS will settle down a bit, he's absolutely fine with actual school but then he will just start having huge tantrums over some weird trivial thing he's made up in his head! Then there's the mummy guilt that I've put him in full time pre-school when he's not ready!

Grandparents are willing and able so I can probably engage them more (although they do already help). My mum used to do school pick ups but I think she's a bit worried about Covid.

Lists,
do things straight away,
organise,
Routines,
delegate or pay for services,
make life easier where possible so meal plan, online shop.