Sorry about the lack of blog yesterday.  I had a problem with my Internet connection.  So there will be two today!

The last post looked at the problem of yo-yo scheduling.  Ok, now it has a cute little name.  But what do we do about it?

The first step is to look at how you spend your time.  What do you actually do in a day? (Write things down if you have to.  The results may surprise you,)  If you are doing too much to allow sufficient relaxation, you'll need to make some cuts:

• Are you doing anything that you don't need to do?  If so, that's the first thing to go.
• Are there things you are doing that are neither important nor necessary?  If so, those can go.  There is nothing wrong with telling people no.  Just practice these phrases:  "I'm sorry.  I won't be able to help with that project.  Please ask me the next time."  or "That sounds like such a lovely event.  I'm so sorry I won't be able to attend." 
• Is there a short-term short cut?  For example, you have an incredibly busy week ahead.  Can you pick up a roasted chicken and some sides rather than cooking?  Drop off shirts at the dry cleaner rather than doing laundry and ironing?
• Can you get help? Unless you live alone or there is a disability issue, you shouldn't be doing it all yourself.  Even a child can learn to make his own bed, put away her toys and clothes, gather recycling, etc. The older a child gets, the more responsibility he or she should have.  A high school student can do some of the laundry and cooking.  Yes, I know they have extra-curricular activities and homework.  Are they learning how to balance their schedules?  If not, how will they survive college or the work force when everything depends on them? 
• Can it be less than perfect? Here's something Martha will never tell you.  Not everything has to be top quality all the time.  Sometimes good enough is good enough.  You can not iron the parts of a shirt that no one will see.  Or you can close the doors to rooms that aren't guest ready.  Or you can buy snack for soccer practice instead of baking.  Life will go on. 

In the long run, a peaceful spirit will create a more pleasant memory than perfection.