My Rules for Stress Free Living
I've realized in my post-college career (and even during it to some extent) that I function best when I stick to a certain mantra. In my undergrad it felt like I always had a million things to do all the time and I was stressed out pretty much always. From choir rehearsals, to classes, to a part time job, to homework, a social life, a non-social life, sleeping, family etc... my days were typically jam packed with activities from morning until night and even beyond that. With more ability to control my day-to-day activities I have found the key.
This brings me to the 3 things a day plan.
I am the most fulfilled and the most unstressed if I can limit each day to three major activities. Now, I can have sub-categories within each activity but if I group them into 3 overarching places that I have to be than I don't seem to be stressed out.
For example, today I have to teach lessons at Beacocks. Even though I have several students, I count this as one thing because it's all the same sort of thing in one place. After lessons I will meet up with Laura and get coffee. This is the second thing. The third thing is going to my parents to get my choir dress. Home doesn't count as a thing unless I'm cleaning it. Neither does knitting because I do that everywhere I am. I had dinner plans tonight in addition to these three things which would have made four things and thus caused stress. But it got postponed to tomorrow so now I have 3 things tomorrow to even it out.
It's a good plan. You should try it. You should also ask me when you see me which thing I'm on to spend time with you. You must be very important if you qualified for one of 3 things!
This brings me to the 3 things a day plan.
I am the most fulfilled and the most unstressed if I can limit each day to three major activities. Now, I can have sub-categories within each activity but if I group them into 3 overarching places that I have to be than I don't seem to be stressed out.
For example, today I have to teach lessons at Beacocks. Even though I have several students, I count this as one thing because it's all the same sort of thing in one place. After lessons I will meet up with Laura and get coffee. This is the second thing. The third thing is going to my parents to get my choir dress. Home doesn't count as a thing unless I'm cleaning it. Neither does knitting because I do that everywhere I am. I had dinner plans tonight in addition to these three things which would have made four things and thus caused stress. But it got postponed to tomorrow so now I have 3 things tomorrow to even it out.
It's a good plan. You should try it. You should also ask me when you see me which thing I'm on to spend time with you. You must be very important if you qualified for one of 3 things!