
Here is what I have been doing since last week when I wrote about letting go of things I cannot change:
* Playing more with my kids. Sticking to my rule about playing without interruption for at least 15 minutes a day (usually more).
* Worrying less about the to do list. I keep my to do list out of sight and am happy if I can cross one thing off a day!
* Putting my phone away. Leaving my phone out of sight, on the charger and limiting how often I check it. I also let me children know if I need to use my phone. This way they know they are important, but I will not be able to give them my full attention for a few minutes.
* Trying to live more simply by de-cluttering, getting rid of things I don’t need and limiting purchases to what is truly needed (not wanted). The less things I have, the less there is to take care of, clean and put away (less for the to do list - I like that!).
* Increasing my preschooler’s responsibilities – I have established a better clean up system before bedtime so the clean up is a shared task and my son learns responsibility. He is also helping me organize the toys (sorting them and choosing some to get rid of). And, he is actually enjoying this process – at least the sorting part).
And, the results are:
* Two children and a mom who are happier and less stressed.
* A longer to do list (yet it feels less daunting than it did before).
* At times during the day, the house is messier, but overall it is more tidy than before (since I now have more help and a better system for cleaning at the end of the day).
What ways have you simplified your life?