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Twin Cities Mom Collective

A Sense of Routine for a Working Mom

A Sense of Routine for a Working Mom | Twin Cities Mom Collective

We are all seeking a sense of routine. Whether we are working from home (both with or without childcare), facilitating distance learning while parenting younger siblings or just managing an overwhelming workload in general, I’ve discovered routine to be the key to productivity and sanity.

Like many, I’ve been working from home since March. While we have childcare, my children are often home and always the most needy while I’m on a Zoom call. I own several businesses, including one closed by government order – more on that in a future post… So I often feel pulled in multiple directions and struggle to keep up with all of the roles. There is always something to do and, more likely, something I’m behind on.

With a new month and school year finally underway, routine feels within reach. But I also use the word “routine” lightly because school is far from normal, and subject to change. For now, I’m focusing on the fact that my girls get time at school, no matter what that looks like. They get to transition into the school year by physically going to a building, seeing and hearing their teacher firsthand, and interacting with other kids. It will be glorious.

As I prepare for the strangeness of the school year, the flexibility it affords in my work day and my own need for routine and consistency each day, here are my best suggestions for seeking out a sense of routine in each day.

Time for self-care.

Self-care looks different for everyone – from a daily workout to skincare rituals or a manicure to feel a bit more pulled together in this work from home world, doing something for yourself with consistency feels empowering and rewarding. My current favorite is time to read each day. I love reading before bed because it’s the perfect way to unwind without technology at the end of a busy day. In addition to reading before bed, I also love to read first thing in the morning. I get my girls settled in an activity, grab a cup of coffee and get caught up in a book… any book. It allows me to focus on something else, something that isn’t my own crazy workload.

Prioritize and reprioritize.

For a while, I was letting my email dictate and prioritize my day. While overwhelmed with work, I was doing nothing to prioritize my day or keep track of the many things I needed and wanted to accomplish. I was using hope as a strategy… hoping to get it all done, hoping nothing fell through the cracks and hoping it was enough. The world of marketing and communication went a bit crazy when the pandemic hit and that means each day is more overwhelming than the last. It’s impossible to prioritize and manage the load without keeping track of what there is to do and the progress being made.

So, I started writing things down, again. I make a list of the 5 things I need to get to that day. I keep a running list of everything that is on my plate. I have another list of things I need to discuss with my supervisor and team. And the best part… I maintain a completed task list so when things feel overwhelming, I can look back on all that I’ve accomplished. I’ve also attempted to organize my email, though a bit more difficult with Gmail. At the very least, I prioritize what needs to be dealt with TODAY. So even if I don’t get to it today, another day always comes.

Focus on what you can control.

One of the things I’ve found most overwhelming during all of this time at home is meals, especially since every meal is largely eaten at home. I struggle to find the bandwidth to research and plan, grocery shop and prepare. I want to eat well and ensure we have the all-important snacks available each day, but it’s just one more thing on the list of things I feel behind on.

So, I searched out alternatives. I found a service that prepares a few meals a week and delivers everything each Monday. Each meal only takes about 20 minutes to get on the table come dinner time, which is ideal, because I’m always getting started later than planned. I love the routine of sitting down and eating as a family. I want to expose my children to new foods and encourage them to try things outside of their comfort zone. While the girls may not eat even half of what I prepare, I know it’s important to offer and appreciate the ritual that is meal time.

Ultimately, the lesson is about focusing on what you can control. Worry is easy and comes natural to so many, but I try to remind myself that I gain nothing by worrying about things I cannot control.

Routine is a fleeting concept today, because it will inevitably vary throughout the week and much of what we want and look forward to is subject to change given the world we are living in. Instead, I’m trying to find and create opportunities for routine in each day. This feels much easier to control and maintain long-term. And right now, I need to know there are moments I can count on each day. I need to know that despite the chaos, the state of the house and the overwhelming to-do list, there are moments just for me… moments that allow me to take control again.

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