I am currently ‘supposed’ to be painting some cupboard
doors. The kids are at my mother in law's for a few hours and it’s the first
time I have had time without them for a few weeks. Every time I am presented with some child-free hours I cycle through this same set of emotions; the excitement and anticipation of actually ‘getting
stuff done’, the anxiety of them not being around when I’m at home but mostly the pressure to be mega productive. For most of the time the obstacle to
getting things actually accomplished as most parents will attest to-is the
kids. One snack to another, one bottom wipe to another, you might be able to
sneak some chores in whilst the babysitter (aka Netflix) has them preoccupied
but that only lasts until the next cry of “I’m hungry!” or “I don’t
want to watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles again!” is wailed from the next
room. So when I do get a day without these
time sponges around my list of things to do is as long as my arm.
Upon them
leaving I usually start running around like a chook with its head cut off,
doing a million things, but actually doing nothing. Then my blood pressure
starts rising, “DO SOMETHING!” my little voice yells at me. I usually manage
to tick the easy things off: washing, tick, beds stripped, tick, dinner prepared
super early and dishes done, tick, tick. But it’s then that I falter. Sometimes I catch
myself just staring into oblivion whilst I chastise myself for wasting time
staring!
Not getting things done usually comes down to two things; one: the list of ‘to
do’s’ is just way too long, and completely overwhelming, they are usually
things like weed the garden, clean out clothes drawers, paint something (that
could just be our house!) and reorganise the cupboards. I mean all things which
of course can be done in a reasonable period of time (sarcastic eye roll emoji!). So it’s no wonder
I instead end up standing at the kitchen bench googling things like the ‘best water filter system’ or ‘why is
my mouth so dry’, yep very important things which can only of course be done
whilst the kids are not at home.
To make matters worse, husband usually has a
list as long as his arm too, always house renovation items, which range from
replace whole storm water system to make side gate and concrete the side path. Yes,
these too are pretty easy jobs to tick off the list! (I need a sarcasm button!)
The second reason these things don’t get done; I don’t
want to do them! If it was bake some biscuits whilst watching Netflix or
rearrange friend’s pantry (which I’m dying to do by the way! - yes I know I
have problems) then it would get done for sure. But painting what seems like the millionth door of our house or re-weeding the garden bed which I’ve already done
three times in the last six months, then yeah, it’s not really on my ‘want to
do’ list. Motivation is low.
So as I sat down to write this (with the glare of husband from
outside watching me on the laptop) I realised, I need to take it back a notch,
getting myself in a tizz over things that will just not be accomplished in a
few hours is unproductive in itself. I will instead give myself just one of
these ‘do not want to do' items to accomplish and then maybe I won’t feel so
bad when I hear the kids run back through the front door.
On that note, the painting is calling, the clock is ticking but
at least I can tick ‘write blog post’ off my list! ;)
Anyone else suffer from this affliction? Do you put major
pressure on yourself to be productive when the kids aren’t around, or do you
give yourself a break and breathe in the silence? (that sounds pretty good!)
I do this all the time! Some days I really don't get anything done, some days I just give myself a break and let myself enjoy a cooking show and the thrill of actually finishing a cup of tea. Then once in a blue moon, I get it all done and am triumphant... Until the tadpole and Mr Frog get home and it all goes to pot!
ReplyDeleteOh I know! I sometimes wish they would camp in the backyard sometimes just so I could enjoy the house being tidy for more than 5 minutes!!
DeleteThe worst is when I get a chunk of free time, and I waste it all on facebook (insert mortified face).
ReplyDelete