Wasted Time With No Plan

I’m terrible about taking advantage of any opportunity — big or small — to have a break from my kids and managing all the things about the house and our life.

I’m so terrible that I’ll even decline a last minute offer for a break.

Here’s why: when I’m presented with “time off”, I panic.

It’s not about not being with my kids or trusting someone else with their care.

It’s because the list of things I need to do and the list of things I want to do has become so long that I often will spin my wheels trying to figure out how I want to spend that time…and before I know it, the time is up!

I can spend an entire day piddling with a little this and a little that and jumping from thing to thing without fully settling into anything. Nothing gets accomplished. I don’t feel the least bit rested or rejuvenated.

Time. Wasted.

I may as well have not even taken the break.

Then I’m filled with regret for not taking better advantage of these rare opportunities.

As ridiculous as it may seem…and is….I need a plan already established in my head for how I’m going to spend any down time.

No matter how much time is afforded to me.

Whether it means having 45 minutes or a full weekend. Whether it means tackling something on the growing list of “to-do” or choosing something more mindless and relaxing like catching up on a show or reading a book: I need a plan.

Without a plan, my overloaded and constantly at work brain just can’t focus in any way that helps me make the break meaningful.

And Lord knows I need every minute of meaningful break I can get at this juncture.

In fact, I’d go so far as to say I’ve earned that break!

Does this read like a truth in your own life as well? How do you go about ensuring your down time is meaningful and that you take good advantage of every minute?