10 Minutes
February 26, 2009 at 12:07 pm , by Emily
I find it often consuming and overwhelming to keep up with everything – school drop off, errands, cleaning the house, fixing meals, attempting to enrich young minds, find time for myself.
On days that it is the worst, that I feel like I have everything to do and no time to do it all, I remind myself that it only takes 10 minutes.
10 minutes to fold a load of laundry and put it away
10 minutes to clip some flowers and put them in a vase
10 minutes to chop veggies for a salad
10 minutes to load the dishwasher
10 minutes to make the beds
10 minutes to read a book to my kids
10 minutes to chat about my daughter’s day at school
10 minutes to clean the kitchen sink
10 minutes of picking up toys
I know, that’s a lot of 10 minutes but when I look at it in smaller bits, it’s easier to face it and to get it all done instead of looking at a day full of tasks ahead. And by mixing in 10 minutes of time for me, 10 minutes of drinking a cup of tea. 10 minutes of sitting in a chair outside while the kids run off some energy. 10 minutes locked in the bathroom to make myself look and feel better. As far off as time for myself sometimes feels, it’s as readily available if I make room for it, as the loads of laundry are. I need to remember to add myself to the list of 10 minute tasks. Whether it’s a 10 minute walk alone when hubby gets home or 10 minutes sitting down in my spot and no one is allowed to talk to me. Or 10 minutes on the phone with a friend without a kid trying to talk over me.
The everyday tasks are manageable in 10 minute increments and 10 minutes for me makes all the difference.
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by neimanmarxist
On February 26, 2009 at 12:58 pm
as always thanks for the great perspective and the wonderful reminder, emily. off to do something productive for 10 minutes
neimanmarxist´s last blog post..10 Things To Do With Friends That Do Not Involve The Mediterranean Place That Just Opened (yawn) .
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by Nicki at Domestic Cents
On February 26, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I’m about to make myself a cup of tea, one of my favorite 10-minute blocks of the day. I really like this way of thinking because you’re right, thinking about the hours of work ahead of me is overwhelming, but breaking it down makes it feel doable.
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by Audrey
On February 26, 2009 at 1:29 pm
What a wonderful way of viewing the day to day hum drum life of this stay at home mom!! Thanks for the post
Audrey´s last blog post..Barstool Makeover!
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by Renia
On February 26, 2009 at 1:57 pm
That is a fantastic way of putting it. I need frequent breaks too or at least pleasant 10 minute tasks
Renia´s last blog post..Pancakes!
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by NK
On February 26, 2009 at 2:26 pm
I love this post. Really made me think!
thanks for always sharing such insightful info.
NK´s last blog post..Non the wiser
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by Charity
On February 26, 2009 at 7:46 pm
This is a great way of looking at it!
)
Charity´s last blog post..TCT: Retail Therapy
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by Alana @ Gray Matters
On February 26, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Emily, I love this! It really is a totally different way at looking at my day and how I spend my time.
Alana @ Gray Matters´s last blog post..2 out of 3 Ain’t Bad
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by CherryTreeLane
On February 26, 2009 at 11:27 pm
What GREAT perspective! Thanks!
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by living with lindsay
On February 26, 2009 at 11:35 pm
I like your “10 minute” thinking!
And I so want a spot where no one is allowed to talk to me.
living with lindsay´s last blog post..Hooked on Monograms
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by desiree@lookiloos
On February 27, 2009 at 12:16 am
When things are crazy we do a ten minute pick-up. There are usually 4 of us at home so we can get a lot done and I feel soooo much better.
desiree@lookiloos´s last blog post..Chase Those Chilly Blues Away
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by the pleasures of homemaking
On February 27, 2009 at 7:22 am
I often do the same 10 minutes of vacuuming, 10 min of picking up. 10 minutes doesn’t seem like a lot of time but it really is – especially when it’s 10 minutes you spend on yourself in a hectic day!
Manuela
the pleasures of homemaking´s last blog post..Spring Garden In A Gravy Boat
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by Donnetta
On February 27, 2009 at 3:36 pm
I do the same thing but use the 15 minute rule. Maybe if I change it to 10 minutes I might get even more done?!
Donnetta´s last blog post..Emergency Budget
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by Scott @ The Passive Dad
On March 1, 2009 at 4:22 am
I thought it would take me 10 minutes to read this post, but it only took 3
I love that you break it down like this. So many times I dread doing laundry or putting items away, but 10 minute sections are much easier to digest. I sure wish I could create a blog post in just 10 minutes. Let me know if you have the magic solution.
Scott @ The Passive Dad´s last blog post..How We Shed $200 From Our Grocery Budget. Next Month FoodMaxx For More Savings
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by se7en
On March 2, 2009 at 7:17 pm
I love this post. It is exactly how I get everything done only I had never verbalized it before. So often people say how do you get everything done… one little step at a time! With lots of rewarding steps along the way!
se7en´s last blog post..Se7en Significant Hikes…
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by chaotic kitten
On March 4, 2009 at 7:57 am
Such an important thing to remember, thank you. When it all seems overwhelming, the thought of a job that only takes 10 minutes is reassuring, and a great way to start
chaotic kitten´s last blog post..Recent Comments
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by Rachael
On October 16, 2009 at 12:47 am
I love, love, love this! I feel so scattered these days chasing a toddler and wondering how to get it all done. I feel stressed before I have even started! I think this is a great way to look at things and have a positive outlook. Plus it gets you past that frozen moment of “where do i even start??”
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