Last Monday, at the beginning of the day, our house was a mess. I don’t know how that happened because usually we clean on the weekends so we can start our week off right. But somehow this particular Monday came upon us with messes everywhere.
SO, we got busy. Along with teaching the boys school and feeding everyone…and doing all the other normal things I usually do during the day…the boys and I also spent a lot of time tackling the upstairs bedrooms.
We swept, vacuumed, dusted, rearranged beds, washed sheets, remade beds with clean sheets and put away books and toys. By dinner time, the upstairs looked great!
After tucking the boys in that night, I came down to the living room and plopped down on the couch…exhausted. I leaned my head back to relax and looked up at the ceiling.
Do you know what was on my ceiling?
Cobwebs.
The nerve.
I immediately began to feel discouraged about keeping up with everything…or rather with the fact that it is SO HARD to keep up with everything.
Then I was reminded of something my sister-in-law Kari and I visited about a couple of months ago.
Instead of focusing at the end of the day on all the things you didn’t get done…think instead of all the things you DID get done.
As long as you were working hard and being productive all day…there is nothing to feel bad about.
If the laundry isn’t done…but you worked hard and loved on your family, then your priorities are in the right place.
After you get a good night’s sleep you can start to tackle the rest of your undone list tomorrow.
For tonight…rest well knowing you did a good job today.
So…what DID you get done today?! (I bet it was a lot!)
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Read more Works For Me Wednesday posts here!
Kirsty says
I so relate to this. It is a great tip for when everything starts to get overwhelming and discouraging! I sometimes add what I have already done to my to do lists so that I can cross it off and make myself feel better :D Thanks! And well done!
It Feels Like Chaos says
I so needed to see this right now. I am exhausted, but just thinking of all the things I still need to do. I should change my thinking and think of all the things I DID do today! Thank you! I will go to bed on a happier note!
Sarah says
I cleaned my kitchen twice! I taught my son his scripture memory verse, I made a nutritious dinner for my family, and I showered (which as any mommy of little people knows is a major accomplishment on it’s own). Thanks for this little treasure.
Donna says
Well dear, your list of ‘what you got done’s’ is more like my list of what I didn’t get done, lengthwise!
We had a broken washer today, so all I managed to do was “go get the flashlight”, “go get the electric screw driver”, “pick up that electric screw driver and hand it here”, “go get the pliers”, “go get towels and wipe this water up”, “go get the flashlight again” (cuz silly me thought I should put it back before I was told too, lol) Then I got to go call repairmen and appliance retailers. Yippeee! One of them kept me on the phone for half an hour trying to sell me a machine that come to find out he didn’t even have in stock and couldn’t even order anymore! :-)
Julie in Australia says
My husband makes a fantastic espresso for me every morning however the coffee has to be purchased from a specific shop. I could have delayed getting the coffee until tomorrow when I am out and about for swimming lessons but hubby has had a busy few weeks and I know how much he loves his coffee (as do I). I decided to just get it today. I also swept out the garage (which he usually does) afterwhich I vacuumed the car with my three year old princess who was very helpful indeed.
soonermomof7 says
Looking back on the accomplishments of our day can only bring us closer to God. It is then that we see how His grace was present in our day…allowing us to do so much more, in such a better way, than we could do alone. Here’s an example: yesterday I fed my family (from scratch, wholesome meals), baked bread, made a batch of cookies for a conference, helped the kids with their school work, cleaned up the kitchen, prayed, exercised, helped a friend via phone, served a reception at a conference, and gave out lots of hugs and kisses. Now, I’m older with 7 children and there’s no way I could do all that on my own. It’s amazing!
Emily Kay says
This was so uplifting to read this morning. I really needed this! The post was awesome, but the comments were equally as inspiring to me. Soonermom-you are so right. It is wonderful to reflect on God’s grace. I am feeling much better right now:)
Tania says
I can totally relate. I am a perfectionist, so if I don’t get everything done in one day I feel discouraged. But since I am pregnant I have forced myself to make smaller goals. Last night I stayed up late folding two big baskets of clothes for my boys. This morning after I got out of the shower I asked them what they were doing. I bet you can’t guess–picking out their clothes for the day from the newly folded baskets. Needless to say I had to refold about 1/3 of the clothes. (-:
Jill Roper says
Ladies,
The trick to all of this is Flylady. She is a fabulous teacher. You spend way too much time cleaning. When you learn her routines it is so freeing! SHe divides your home in to zones. I zone a week. She then gives you a 15 minutes assignment for each day of the week her system has set me free.
flylady.com
Jeni says
This is a great idea! Sometimes when I’m feeling discouraged, I’ll make a mental “already-done” list instead of a “to-do” list. It helps put things in perspective.
Heather says
Oh, thank you for the encouragement! This is so true. I’ll never have EVERYTHING done at the same time. I need to focus my thoughts on what I DID get done. Great post!
Kaycee says
This is a lovely, reflective exercise. I started doing this at the end of the year instead of making New Year’s resolutions, but I can see how it would be good at the end of the day too.
Amanda (Crunchy Christian Mom) says
Oh, this is exactly where I was last night! (And the cobwebs are still waiting for me.) Looking at the enormous pile of laundry on the couch, the dishes all over the kitchen counter, the dirt on the floors… it was hard to remember WHY things were like that. Because I washed four loads of laundry, raked leaves and watered the garden, made soup and baked bread for friends with a new baby, and then came home and made another meal for my own family. No wonder the house was a mess!! LOL.
Andrea in Alaska says
I’m learning to let go of a lot too. Somehow I thought that when I was no longer pregnant, I would suddenly be able to get done all of the things that were so difficult before. Hmm. I think it’s actually HARDER now! However, I do spend lots of precious time each day holding and loving my 3 week old daughter. How can I complain? My sweet husband willingly holds out his arms to her each night so that I can run around for a few minutes and be “homemaker” instead of just “mother.” We’ll figure out a balance eventually!
Michelle G says
I need to print this out and put it on my mirror to look at every day. Thanks for the remider! Oh, and I made it to Trader Joes today. :)
Jo Ann says
I had a productive day, but I so needed to hear this. Thank you for the encouragement and change of focus! :)
angie says
this post has such a great attitude interweaved with it thanks so much for sharing
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Eliza’s Blog