Do you ever feel like...

**tbs727** · 01-28-2008, 03:36 PM

D you ever feel like you spend too much time doing things you don't enjoy? I have found that I'm spending a lot of time cleaning house, organizing coupons, and shopping, among other things. I would really rather be spending my time with friends, making music, and serving the community. I thought I would list what I'm doing to organize my time by priority.

Right now I am making a list of everything I spend time doing, good and bad. My list includes laundry, cleaning, cooking, going to church, learning the keyboard, blogging, etc. etc. etc. At the top of my list I have written "What can I give up completely?" and "What can I re-organize to take less time?". I hoping I can get all my unnecessary stuff down to a small percentage of my time so that I can spend more time on the fun stuff that actually makes life worth living.

What do you think?

**Marie78** · 01-28-2008, 07:20 PM

That's really interesting. I agree that there isn't much time left for me after I work all day. I come home at 5:30-6pm: feed the cats, make dinner, clean up, get leftovers ready for lunch tomorrow, clean the cat litter, pick up a little. Then I get to enjoy some computer time, read and settle down.

I should figure out how much time I spend doing the things I have to, rather than the things that I enjoy. At least that way I can try to even it out more.

**Cricket1** · 01-28-2008, 07:51 PM

Good for you! It's good to take stock and realize how much you're doing that you don't want to do.

**HandyMom** · 01-29-2008, 12:28 AM

I spend most of the day in the kitchen either making meals or cleaning up the mess from making meals. Yesterday I realized I had been in the kitchen for almost 5 hours continuously. I begin to really hate cooking and cleaning dishes after awhile and it makes me want to eat out whenever I get the chance.

**meowpurrie** · 01-29-2008, 12:34 AM

I think you should try to find out how you can spend time doing things you want to....I bet there are things we can all do to simplify our lives. Can you make simplier meals, occassionally use paper plates for a quicker clean up, delegate duties to others in your family? Just trying to help you brain storm.... Sometimes I don't mind spending more money if it will save me time or make my life easier... like I know I can hand wash my car, but I'd rather pay $6 and go through the car wash which saves me time and hassle...

**Daisygirl** · 01-29-2008, 05:44 AM

This is really interesting - I am going to keep track of this for a few days....

Of course in my case, I'm afraid I do not spend nearly enough time cleaning up and doing housework

**tbs727** · 01-29-2008, 11:00 AM

Well, here's the list I came up with yesterday in no particular order... At some point I will go back and rate these, but I'm not sure how to do it yet.

Cleaning house
laundry
cooking-regular
cooking-for guests
getting groceries
planning coupons/sales
trading coupons
clipping/organizing coupons
sale shopping
rebates
small group (church)
gym
misc. errands (paying bills etc.)
work
selling extra stuff/making extra money
surveys
piano practice
making music/art
blog
bible study
organizing the house
organizing paperwork

This isn't a complete list, but it's what I came up with yesterday. What I did realize is that I spend a tremendous amount of time on coupons and I'm just not sure it's worth it.

**Siebrie** · 01-30-2008, 05:50 AM

Of course, there are always things that just need to be done. But maybe you can do them in a different place? Like peeling potatoes or veg, that can be done in the living room, with the rest of the family (sorry, I forgot to check if you have any). It will also be good training for them to see what you actually do and how much time it takes to prepare their food. They will not know it if you hide yourself in the kitchen.

For the rest of the tasks: I once had a friend say that I should stop saying 'I have to' and start saying 'I like to'. This has made a huge difference in the way I get through the day!

**Edna_E** · 02-01-2008, 10:30 AM

Good timing and good idea! I actually left for work this morning telling the cat "Mommy has to go to work now - actually we should be happy about that. Mommy GETS to go to work now!" Then I got to work and thought "I'm going to make a list of things I need to do TODAY, one of things that need to be done soon but not today, and one of things to be done sometime this month, and I'm going to keep maintaining it all month." Then I decided to check FV before I get too caught up like yesterday, and ran across this. This is an excellent idea for me at this point in my life - so I'm going to keep track for a month, and analyze at the beginning of March. Thanks for suggesting it.