Holy SMOKES, life is busy. I’m sure everyone reading this can relate. Between our sweet babies, Tim, Piper, work, traveling, getting ready to move, and the 14756 other things we have going on at any moment it can be HARD to find a good work/life/sanity balance. People often ask me how I do it–and to be honest, it is a constant struggle to keep it all afloat and have time to get things done. This is espeeeeeecially true since I’m self-employed and my work day doesn’t really have a start or an end, and neither does being a mom, wife, or person moving into a house (ha). Even though I am pretty proud of the amount of work and wonderful life-related things I DO get done, there are plenty that don’t–but for those of you wanting a few hacks on how I manage my time and tasks, I have a few tips to share!

Tip #1: Making Time

All it takes to kick-start some serious family bonding time is reminding myself that Leni is going to grow up and is already doing so at LIGHTNING speed (cue alllll the hormonal mama tears) and I need to take time to cherish the time with her. She’s learning and growing and while I have NO doubt that she’s in amazing hands while I’m working or doing something else, sometimes I just prioritize my day and make those other things wait. I am also teaching her by example what hard work looks like, what it means to be a strong female, and keeping the notion that I’m a good role model for her front. and. center. I also relish the time Tim and I get to sneak away for those precious few date nights here and there: but they are SO worth it. One day, Leni and (baby boy) will be out of the house and Tim and I will still be together–I need for him to still like me when that time comes! Did I mention that time is moving so so fast?! Making the time and prioritizing your loved ones is tip #1 for a reason. Beyond my faith in God, my family is my driving force and my time with them IS my #1 priority, and I try to make sure they know and feel that with quality time–especially when quantity isn’t always in abundance during busy seasons.

Tip #2: Knowing When to Unplug

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I am pretty active on social media and I love sharing my life and adventures with all of y’all–but you’ll also notice there are days when I go suuuuper quiet and I won’t post anything for awhile. When it comes to special family time, having visitors, holidays, or literally just deciding to take a minute for ourselves I don’t mind unplugging at ALLLLL. I will usually try to get ahead on some work at night when everyone else is asleep (and yes, this miiiight be why I don’t consider myself a morning person) so I don’t have to feel guilty about relaxing and taking a breather. I unplug from social media, work, and basically any responsibilities that don’t fall under the umbrella of feeding and loving on my people.

Tip #3: Work Environment is KEY

Having great work and life balance is hard when you have a stressful job, work a ton, or even if you don’t necessarily LOVE what you do–and honestly, I really do LOVE working for myself…but setting up a positive, efficient work environment is KEY. I have a physical calendar and planner to write things down in, and also keep notes on my phone and computer. I put my home office in an area that allows me to get the most work done as possible, andddd it also happens to share space with Leni Bow’s playroom in our current home that makes me feel like I can catch up on a few emails when she’s playing independently and happily. I set a quick timer, do what I can, and give Leni my full attention without having my mind wander to tasks left undone. If you’re working OUT of the home, have a desk that feels like a refuge of sorts: fill it with fun decor and things that motivate you and inspire you. No desk? No problem: YOUR OWN positive attitude can make your work environment 10 times better than going in without it. Almost no one loves work everyday, but we don’t have to hate it everyday, either!

Tip #4: Filling Your Own Cup

Self-care should be considered health care, and it should feel non-negotiable. Striking a good balance with all the things we’ve got going on means taking time to fill your own cup –we’re not martyrs and we don’t have to sacrifice our own well-being for ANYTHING. I promise, all of the things and people in your life will prefer a healthier, happier, clearheaded you and that means doing things once per week/month (or even day, if you need!) is KEY!! I do this by scheduling workouts like they’re an important meeting in my calendar that I can’t break; because I am a much better version of myself when I am taking care of my health. Even though it’s less frequent, filling my own cup also looks like going shopping, getting my nails done, shooting my bow, or any number of things that I can step away for an hour or two to do and feel even MORE ready to conquer the tasks at hand when I’m done.

Tip #5: Timers Are of the Essence

One of the best ways I’ve found to be as EFFICIENT and goal-oriented as possible (aside from being organized) is setting timers on your phone: if you’re at work, set timers to dedicate your full attention to a task at hand–and the same thing works at home. If you want to clean, get dinner ready, spend time with your babies and hang out with your husband, set. those. timers…and make sure to STOP cleaning or whatever you’re doing when it’s time to do the next time. Don’t set them too often for family time, though: those sweet moments are fleeting, after all. 

There’s a good chance that, if you’re like me, you start your day ready to tackle a to-do list somewhere: and that only half or 3/4 of it actually gets done. What matters most is that you lay down at the end of each day and feel you did SOMETHING…and that you prioritized your “something” well. Work-life balance is a constant battle, but one that can be smoother with just a bit of good planning and being prepared. How do you keep your life and work separate? How do you stay sane with soooo much going on?!….no, seriously, tell me: we can ALL learn from each other, y’all!

See you soon for more OUTDOORS, RECIPES, and more!

-Eva

Photo Credit: Jennifer Wilson Photography