6 Steps to Structuring Your Life
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I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves - Anna Quindlen.
Published November 15th 2012
Relieve stress and be more organised
Here are 6 simple steps that I believe will help you to organise, spice up and enhance your life to make sure you're less stressed about work, school or whatever else it may be.
1. Find a Hobby
What is that you love doing? Find a hobby in it. For instance, I absolutely love creative writing - so being a writer at Weekend Notes is brilliant for me. Find a hobby where there is no pressure on how much input you can put so that you can do it around your schedule.
I often think about activities that I used to do when I was younger - I loved doing drama and dance. I'm hoping to look into acting classes to do in my spare time so that I have something to look forward to during the week.
Finding a hobby that you love to do on the side will give you something to look forward to as well as making sure you have time to yourself to do something that is less stressful than the day job!
2. Decide what you want
What is it you really from your life? If you haven't got where you want to career wise - where do you want to go? And think about the things you need to do to achieve this. What experience do you need? What qualifications?
And not even in the career sense, what do you want from your life on a personal level? What do you need to achieve this?
3. To-do list
Each week I set myself a to-do list and tick off each item when I have completed it. It sounds super geeky, I know, but I have found that I actually get things done as I have organised what it is that needs doing. If you have it written down, and you know what you need to achieve, it is more likely that you will take the steps necessary to complete it.
4. Structure
What's your weekly timetable? When is your time to do the necessary work and when is your time to relax. Allow yourself time to relax and have to yourself, but make sure all the boring things such as work, or maybe even coursework, are done so that you don't feel any guilt in having the time to yourself.
5. Learn something
Learn something new. Anything you want - big or small. It makes you see life in a whole new light! Whether it is learning a language or just learning some new words - do something to stimulate your mind.
6. Update your social calender
Make sure you make time for your friends and family. Go out for a drink or plan a weekend away! Make sure you're having fun. It is much more entertaining than sitting at home watching TV. Make sure you always fit your friends in - if you've had a stressful week, they are the best way to brighten up the weekend.
1. Find a Hobby
What is that you love doing? Find a hobby in it. For instance, I absolutely love creative writing - so being a writer at Weekend Notes is brilliant for me. Find a hobby where there is no pressure on how much input you can put so that you can do it around your schedule.
I often think about activities that I used to do when I was younger - I loved doing drama and dance. I'm hoping to look into acting classes to do in my spare time so that I have something to look forward to during the week.
2. Decide what you want
What is it you really from your life? If you haven't got where you want to career wise - where do you want to go? And think about the things you need to do to achieve this. What experience do you need? What qualifications?
And not even in the career sense, what do you want from your life on a personal level? What do you need to achieve this?
3. To-do list
Each week I set myself a to-do list and tick off each item when I have completed it. It sounds super geeky, I know, but I have found that I actually get things done as I have organised what it is that needs doing. If you have it written down, and you know what you need to achieve, it is more likely that you will take the steps necessary to complete it.
4. Structure
What's your weekly timetable? When is your time to do the necessary work and when is your time to relax. Allow yourself time to relax and have to yourself, but make sure all the boring things such as work, or maybe even coursework, are done so that you don't feel any guilt in having the time to yourself.
5. Learn something
Learn something new. Anything you want - big or small. It makes you see life in a whole new light! Whether it is learning a language or just learning some new words - do something to stimulate your mind.
6. Update your social calender
Make sure you make time for your friends and family. Go out for a drink or plan a weekend away! Make sure you're having fun. It is much more entertaining than sitting at home watching TV. Make sure you always fit your friends in - if you've had a stressful week, they are the best way to brighten up the weekend.
Why? To help you relieve a few of the stresses of your life
When: Whenever you want to start
Where: Anywhere
Your Comment
Thanks Nadine!
I'm trying to find out how to show that I was making this specific to students as I appreciate I can't even begin to give any advice to mothers. I thought that I had put that down but I obviously missed it when I was writing it. Does anybody know how to edit a review after it is has been published?
Thanks and sorry for not writing a helpful article for you.
I'm trying to find out how to show that I was making this specific to students as I appreciate I can't even begin to give any advice to mothers. I thought that I had put that down but I obviously missed it when I was writing it. Does anybody know how to edit a review after it is has been published?
Thanks and sorry for not writing a helpful article for you.
by Sally-Jane (score: 1|44) 2163 days ago
Thanks can never resist a how-to article on organising my life.
by Nadine Cresswell-Myatt (score: 3|5272) 2164 days ago
Hey Sarah, Don't despair, I have 4 kids, youngest turning 10 next week and it does get easier as they get older. You will still be as busy but in a different way and there is a hope that you may be able to hang on to a small bit of time in the week you can claim for your own. I read something about learning something new when we emigrated 3 years ago and thought at the time "what, something more to get into my head?" but actually it has been the best thing. You learn a skill, meet new people and talk a different language with them, which is healthy, as motherhood can be all consuming. Those preschool days are a blur but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Sally - Jane, anything that de-stresses is good. We all have too much stress in our lives. Your article has stimulated debate so it's all good.
Sally - Jane, anything that de-stresses is good. We all have too much stress in our lives. Your article has stimulated debate so it's all good.
by Susan Jackson (score: 2|754) 2163 days ago
I can only assume Sally-Jane is not a mother of pre-school children because this list is in no way realistic. I can never get through the 'boring' things to find any time to myself or for relaxing (what's that? I wouldn't know how!) As for getting a hobby.... really?! I'm just trying to clean up after the kids and get the dinner. Too exhausted at the end of the night for anything else.
by sarah (score: 0|2) 2164 days ago
I have to little ones and still found this helpful, it's always good to take a few moments and refocus. I love a good to-do list and its a good reminder to focus on time for me by pursuing my own hobbies. Thanks!
by Where I Holiday (score: 2|338) 2163 days ago
Thank you all for your comments! Am shocked at how many views this has had so really appreciate it.
I am sure no body would ever do every single thing on the list, but having time to yourself is very important. I love a to-do list too, I do one every week and it feels like such an accomplishment whenever I tick something off!
I am sure no body would ever do every single thing on the list, but having time to yourself is very important. I love a to-do list too, I do one every week and it feels like such an accomplishment whenever I tick something off!
by Sally-Jane (score: 1|44) 2162 days ago
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