Hi, my name is Adrianne, and I’m a procrastinating mama. I never really thought of myself as a procrastinator. But I think motherhood, like many of us, has thrown me a never-ending to-do list that I can’t always conquer in a timely manner. The ongoing planning and making things happen for my family is sometimes overwhelming. But when it all hits the fan, I find myself a state of near paralysis.
Many times, instead of tackling the tasks, I’ll scroll on social media or binge watch a show as I scroll through social media (add another shameful face). The amount of work that lays before me just almost puts me in a state of shock, and I won’t do anything until there is literally no more time to wait. Even as I write this article, it is technically past deadline (insert shameful face).
How do I maintain some sense of sanity when I am in the last-minute stretch of tasks? Here are some tips that help me when the clock is ticking.
Some Things Remain Undone
To be honest, sometimes things go undone. There are times I have big plans to clean the house, give baths, comb my girls’ hair, and complete homework with my big girl. But, I’m a working mom, so it simply doesn’t happen sometimes.
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There are times my kids have missed bath night, the dishes sat another night in the sink, or I didn’t comb my girls’ hair — but everyone was still alive and well. No one died, so I consider this a win. I know my expectations can be overreaching at times, so I have to be okay with understanding that sometimes things will remain undone.
Delegate
My husband and I have been having an ongoing conversation about cleaning the house. When I get home from work, I often feel like I do not sit down until I go to bed. My husband is also just as busy in the evenings, so cleaning doesn’t always get done.
We straighten up really well, but the deep cleaning seems so daunting. We just don’t have time.
If your budget allows, hire help. I am scouring our budget to figure out how we can have our home deep cleaned quarterly.
I’m also hoping to add a hair stylist to the budget as well. Black moms know that hair styling takes hours, so to buy back some of my precious time, I’m planning to find someone to do my girls’ hair as well.
These expenses may hurt at first, but I truly believe they buy back quality time that you could be spending as a couple or as a family.
Create a To-Do List
Now, I’m not talking about a to-do list with 45 items on it. What I mean is one with your top five tasks that need to be tackled. Prioritize and take the small win. Every day won’t be a day to knock out a massive to-do list. In fact, many days won’t be that day, but taking on five really important things sounds like a plan that can be accomplished.
Give Yourself Grace
I’m currently in a season where a lot of people need me. I have two small children, a husband, a career, and church commitments. I’m a daughter, sister, and daughter-in-law. Sometimes it feels like there’s just not enough of me to go around. But grace abounds. I hope to conquer the idea that I can only worry about today and tomorrow will take care of itself. Giving myself grace to understand that that who I am to my family is massive, I play a big role in this family, but I cannot do it all, and that’s okay.
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Last minute mamas, I hope you are ready to seize the day with vitality and vigor! Even with the to-do list that could go on for days, you got this! Use some of these tips and let me know how they work for you and I’ll do the same. We are all just growing and learning as we go, so let’s do it together!
