GTD isn't GIAD (Getting It All Done)

I recently received a question (and I’ve several similar ones before), asking what we all want to know. It seems like a question that should have an answer, if only we could read the right thing or ask the right person.

My question I guess is how does homemaking fit in? When does it get done? We have really pared down our stuff, which helps greatly with house maintenance. Do you have other ideas on how to fit in food prep, house maintenance, etc?

And, if you’ve ever tried asking someone that question, then you are probably familiar with the standard answer: “No one gets it all done.” So, what do we do with that? Does that mean “give up now”? I used to take it that way, throwing up my hands thinking, “Well, then what’s the use?!”

~ cough ~

I’ll let you in on a little secret: Giving up makes it all worse, not better.

But just being told that “it never gets all done” is usually more discouraging than helpful. So here’s how I try to look at it: One area of life is covered more for awhile, then attention shifts to a different area, and there’s give and take over time.

It’s about recovery and touching everything over a period of time, but we’ll never have it all “figured out” and running on autopilot.

I finally realized awhile ago that it was the desire to have life running on autopilot that was at the root of much of my “get it all done” frustrations.

Running smoothly on autopilot is what is never going to happen. Keeping your bases covered, each in their turn, not stressing over those that have to wait for awhile, can happen.

Running a house while homeschooling means coordinating a lot of moving parts, and those pregnant or nursing with all-young children are in a significant growth point.

I found that stretching times like those increased my capacities, slowly and over time, even though in the moment it felt like utter disaster. Hang in there.

There is a lot of simply coping and adapting happens in a house full of littles, and there isn’t a perfect formula for getting it all done.

Here is one thing you can try, if you need to quiet the crazy-making voice that might be whispering in your ear. Write down and prioritize all the “I should” statements that run through your head. Cross off as many as you can.

Decluttering what your subconscious (or conscious!) mind feels obligated to do is even more calming than decluttering physical stuff.

All decluttering and all organizing and all managing is always a process, and it often feels crazy. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting it wrong.

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