I’ve fallen into bad working habits. Back in September when the twins started school I vowed I would fix my working days and leave the other days free for keeping on top of housework, blogging and some time for myself. The biggest benefit of freelancing is the flexibility, but that flexibility can be both a blessing and a curse. The freedom it offers is a blessing – I can do the school drop-off and pick-ups, I can meet a friend for coffee, I can help out on school trips, I can go to the gym – but if you’re not careful the balance tips and you find your working hours squeezed so much that you struggle to keep up and end up feeling harassed and anxious.
The last few months my general anxiety levels have been mounting, and I’m pretty sure that it’s because I need to impose more structure on my routine again. Instead of sticking to my appointed working days, I’ve found myself trying to do a bit of everything, every single day. A bit of work, a bit of blogging, a bit of free time, the barest minimum of housework, and as a result I end each day feeling like I haven’t really achieved anything. A mountainous to-do list is always hanging over me, and I never fully relax.
So I’m getting strict with myself. I’ve set my working days again and Monday isn’t one of them this time around. On Mondays I’m going to hit reset. Our weekends are always pretty full-on, whether we’re off on big adventures or just pottering at home, and by Sunday evenings I’m inevitably tired, slightly frazzled and the house is a tip (especially if it’s been one of my regular solo parenting weekends while my other half works). Trying to force myself to sit at my desk and be productive first thing on Monday morning just isn’t working. My focus is off and I’m distracted by the echoes of the weekend’s (mostly happy) chaos.
I want to try using Mondays to ease myself into the week. To get the house straight (or straighter at least), to keep on top of all those household/family admin tasks, to go to my yoga class and to sit and plan out that week with a cup of hot coffee in a quiet house. Check the calendar, fill out my much-neglected weekly wall planner. Reply to emails only if they’re screamingly urgent.
It’s Monday. It’s time to reset and start the week afresh.
Sounds like a plan to me! I always try to give myself an afternoon ‘off’ on Mondays and I always think that it gets my week off to a much better start!
I’ve been working full time from home since March and whilst I am definately very productive I do have a sense of anxiety that starts on Sunday evenings, I like your idea of a more gentle start to the week 🙂 I also wanted to say hi as I have been dipping in and out of your blog for a few weeks and have found it a lovely place to read and spark new ideas!