Comments on: Finding The Joy. (But Not In Dirty Diapers. I’m Not That Joyful.)

By: kimblahg

kimblahg — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:27:05 +0000

You are so very right. It seems to be human nature to get grumbly and lose focus when caught in the day to day, menial tasks. I too find myself wishing I not only worked on keeping things more organized but simultaneously being angry at myself for not being fully engaged. Maybe if I stop feeling bad all the time, I’d be more engaged. And who IS engaged in doing laundry or watching Spongebob for the millionth time? That person is weird.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:43:54 +0000

Great post! I will have these grand plans and make out a to do list, but health problems usually keeps me from completing my list. I need to focus on what I did complete, and forget the things that I didn’t get to.

Oh I see on Twitter that Andy had his ENT visit. How did that turn out with his ears?

By: Devilish Southern Belle

Devilish Southern Belle — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:52:51 +0000

I can tell you that my life has been a whole lot easier since I quit stressing so much over the stuff that doesn’t get done! I have enough to do as it is, and am glad to be able to get done what gets done.

I imagine you will find lots more time to be in the moment, too, once you can get past even just the stress part. Because really? Stuff still doesn’t get done anymore when we stress over it, right?

By: Sils

Sils — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:58:21 +0000

I actually made a to do list for chores a few months ago. The reason? Every weekend I was stuck in house cleaning purgatory, after having worked a 45-60 hour week and I was miserable. I felt as though I never had a break… The list is manageble.

It’s not really broken down by room, but by big chore. (Although, Bathroom cleaning and litter boxes are on the same day – because the litter boxes are in the bathroom.)

I made it into a table and everytime I check something off I know I’m one step closer to having the weekend to lay around, or run around, as I please. I feel a zillion times better and hardly dread the cleaning anymore.

By: Christina

Christina — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:09:58 +0000

Highly suspect but I was seriously going to write a similar topic today. I have been struggling with this a ton the past two years. I am always trying trying trying to find a balance between work and life and being in the moment with the kids and getting the STUFF that is required of life. I think it is a daily thing – maybe even moment by moment to just focus on the fun I am having playing with my son and let go of the fact that GAW those toilets are REALLY growdy! This is a never ending process but I am glad I work on the awareness of it all now and not get to the point where my kids are grown and like my mom does wishing I had that time back.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:09:56 +0000

-If I’m doing something that makes me bitter, maybe I should make sure there’s a reason for doing it. If there is no good reason, maybe I can remove it from my To Do list. Or at least put it on someone else’s list. -

This is the exact reason why I pay someone to clean my house. It is amazing how much my stress is reduced when someone else is responsible for cleaning the bathrooms! Now I don’t mind, as much, picking up the clutter and doing the laundry.

By: stacey

stacey — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:44:28 +0000

I rarely have to do lists. I have one now that I am back from vacation but it is fun things, like write a blog entry about it. Upload pictures. Unpack. Okay that isn’t fun but still. I will get it all done when I can, and just take each moment by moment. I have a few things I have been saying I will get done forEVER and maybe they will, so for sure will, and I will feel great getting them done. Motivation is something I need more of.

By: cagey

cagey — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:59:56 +0000

Yes, I am stuck in a Groundhog Day of To Dos. I fixed the laundry one years ago by designating Sunday as laundry day. It the chore I loathe the MOST and it saved my sanity.

The scattered toys are slowly driving me insane and this post makes me realize I need to set a schedule for picking those up as well.

By: Maria

Maria — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:27:29 +0000

P.S. I think many of us live by the “treat others the way we would like to be treated.” Why don’t we ever treat ourselves the way we deserve to be treated, the way we would like others to treat us, the way we are treating other people?

Okay, I’m rambling and not making sense.

By: Maria

Maria — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:25:28 +0000

Very true. I think we need to shift the focus off what we didn’t get done and focus on what we did accomplish. The to-do list is endless because we add to it each day. Why not celebrate that we crossed four things off our list?