Ep 171 - Reducing Overwhelm during COVID-19

Hi Friends! Everyone is on high alert, and with good reason.  From quarantines, to bare shelves, and indefinite school closures, everyone’s schedules have turned upside side. Working Parents are now finding themselves without childcare, and parents of school aged kids have been thrust into the world of online/homeschooling. Let’s not forget to take into account all local and small businesses who rely on clients and customers to pay their bills, who are impacted, (either by people not using their services, or from having to temporarily close)— adding a layer of financial stress to an already complicated equation. Despite unprecedented uncertainty, one thing is for sure, you are not alone in this. In times of crisis, we’re often faced with the unknown which can be incredibly frightening and overwhelming. It’s in these moments that I recommend first hitting the pause button. This may seem counter intuitive, especially if you are someone who is a DO-er.  Instead of turning to panic, consider taking a step back, to re-evaluate, re-adjust and re-prioritize how, what and when we are doing. If you don’t know where to begin, I’ve come up with 5 simple steps to help you get started: 1. Write down everything that needs to get done. 2. Look at the list and see what can be delegated (use your kids to help around the house with the laundry, cleaning, meal prep). 3. Time Block (set specific times of day for checking email, working on projects, and other times to take care of family and household obligations). 4. Set realistic expectations (you are more than likely going to have to cut back somewhere, we can’t add in hours to our day, so don’t set yourself up for failure). 5. Communicate (let your boss know when you’re available and when you’re not, and the same with your kids). We’re all in a similar boat, in unchartered waters, so let’s do our best to stay positive, be smart and have some grace with others and ourselves. xo - Laurie “The true test of adversity isn’t what’s thrown at you, but how you respond to it.” A special thanks to our good friends at CURIO-PRESS for sponsoring this episode of This ORGANIZED Life! Please don’t forget to shop local when you can, small businesses are greatly impacted in times of crisis. They have an incredible line of personalized stationery, lists & notepads. Visit CURIO-PRESS.COM and enter the code ORGANIZED at checkout to receive 15% your entire order For sponsorship inquiries and collaborations  click here Please support us! SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week! REVIEW.  Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show! Struggling with Clutter?  Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz! Stop feeling like a Hot Mess! HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold. Connect with Me WEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST