Ahhh time, that elusive thing that we all wished we had more of. True, we all have the same amount of hours in the day as Beyoncé, but what we don’t all have is her entourage to organise our lives and get stuff done, not that I’m hating or anything because she deserves every ounce of her success.
We all have those moments where we become overwhelmed with our extensive to-do lists that seem to get longer as the hours pass by, well I know I do. More often than not, life with a new baby has shown me that things get done eventually, just not as quickly as I would like something that I’ve gradually come to terms with. Over the past few months, I’ve figured out some hacks or time savers that allow me to get stuff done when I’m struggling for time. Here are something’s that have helped me stay healthy and somewhat organised when I simply don’t have much time:
Asking for help
Not really revolutionary, but I think us British are too scared to show defeat and hate asking others to lend a hand when we need it. There’s no shame in asking for help and it’s great to take help when it’s offered.
Batch cooking
Having a big cooking session in the kitchen at the weekend saves me no end of time in the week. From big salads, homemade snacks, soup or a casserole it’s reassuring to know that I’m all ready for the week ahead and have a large supply of healthy food if I get too busy to cook a decent meal.
Waking up an hour earlier
I do like pottering about the house in the early hours with the dawn chorus outside. It means that I get a little bit of time to myself and I can get a few bits done before my little one wakes and my day really begins.
Online shopping
Whoever thought up this concept is a complete genius and now I couldn’t live without it. Baby supplies, groceries, clothes…everything! Gliding down those virtual shopping aisles from the comfort of my home and clicking away with my mouse has been so handy over these past few months.
Healthy convenience food
Everyone raves about making your own and yes it is cheaper and you have a better idea of what’s in it, but there are some great healthy brands out there now who are championing the convenience food market. During the cold winter months, I’ve become a huge fan of fresh ready-made soups for quick and easy lunches.
Lists, lists and more lists
I’ve always been a list person, crossing things off my to-do list is so satisfying. Lists are now even more of a big deal for me if it’s not on a list than most likely baby brain will get the better of me and I’ll forget it.
The microwave
I know that there is a lot of controversy surrounding the microwave in the healthy living world for its apparent ability to zap food of its nutritional value, but I love it. I use it to steam my vegetables in a flash which is a lot quicker than boiling them or using a conventional steamer.
So tell me, what little time savers help you stay healthy and organised when you’re short on time?
I’ve been very short on time over the past couple of weeks and my life saver has been my Remember the Milk app on my school iPad. I’m a list lover and I love how I can organise my to-dos and how the app will email me reminders of things I have coming up.
Before I used it I found myself getting overwhelmed with the amount of stuff I had to remember so it’s great that I can just jot it down now and forget about it until I get that reminder in my inbox!
The app sounds brilliant, thanks for mentioning it! It sounds like it’s really helped you find some clarity in your busy schedule.
I do exactly the same as you. Also prioritise. As I like to say, no one has ever died of dirty laundry.
Ha! So true Laureen, I like your way of thinking.
Love the mug and batch cooking is my thing too. You should see my freezer.
Glad I’m not the only one with a bulging freezer full of batch cooking. 🙂
Online shopping and batch cooking are definitely musts for me! I do a lot of online clothes shopping but was always sceptical about grocery shopping, but now I love it, and wish I had started earlier haha x
Online shopping is a God send. I don’t know where I would be without it now.
Definitely a fan of the getting up earlier one, I love that time of day, when you get some space to yourself 🙂
Sounds a bit pathetic but I’ve been taking the tube over the bus lately which saves me about half an hour each journey, it’s more expensive but definitely helps!
It’s nice pottering about the house in those early hours. I find I’m actually very productive then.
I literally use my microwave every single day (for my porridge) and I often cook vegetables in there too (steam them using a microwave steamer). Couldn’t live without it!
I write lists as well and keep reminders on my phone. I also do online food shopping – one of the best things we’ve done as it saves an evening or a few hours at the weekend!
I absolutely love my microwave and use it for the exact same things that you do. Online food shopping is fantastic and saves time and takes some of the faff out of it.
Lists are my BFF haha. If I don’t make a list I don’t get anything done. I made pretty long to do list of this week and I’ve gotten most of the things on it done. The ones I haven’t are the ones I’ve been avoiding anyway.
Ha! Glad I’m not the only one that likes a good list.
Prioritising and getting up early work for me – if I know that work is going to be crazy I can at least get my workouts and errands done in the morning before the day flies away! x
Oh definitely! It’s great to sneak in a few errands or tasks before the day really begins . I feel much more productive that way.
I love online shopping- so much quicker and nicer than actual shopping 🙂
It really is, especially around Christmas time when all hell breaks loose.
Staying up later has helped me do SO much more, because that’s when my son and husband are asleep and I can actually do stuff around the house 🙂
It’s always a help when the little one is asleep and you can actually be more efficient and get more stuff done.
Lists, lists and more lists! I have the moleskine with a notes page per week next to it for ‘big’ jobs, like booking my car in for a service and then daily lists for each one.
I find it hard to prioritise and say ‘no’ sometimes, particularly with the blog, though…