I am a fabulous multi-tasker. So much so that I have found it difficult to concentrate on one thing at a time. I think most women and mothers are. It is an important ability to have. We can tackle homework and dinner and phone calls and the daily management of the home and complicated full time jobs. But we are wiped out and we are often at our limits. We feel unsatisfied and unfulfilled.
While multi tasking is often needed and very helpful I believe it has become so much a part f our lives we rarely do just one thing at a time.
How many times do we burn dinner because we are watching TV, talking on the phone, doing this and that all while we are supposed to be stirring the soup? We end up watching TV for hours instead of a half hour because we haven’t seen one complete show yet. It is just on. Or we end up having to re-dry the laundry or iron it all because we left it in the dryer overnight. We end up feeling sapped of energy because we are always doing a million things and yet have got nothing done.
When your husband comes home and asks what you did today do you have a hard time coming up with one thing you actually did start to finish. Did you really play a whole game with your kids? Did you really match the socks? If you did do you feel like you accomplished something. Joy can be found in the simple mundane tasks of life done well and with purpose!
We are constantly adding more, not taking out things from my life. So where do we find that elusive "Serenity" we seek? Does it really exist for modern women and homemakers? I have seen it I think. I know a few women who make me say “how do they do it?” From my perspective it comes from uni-tasking.
While many times multi-tasking is often unavoidable, it may be helpful and refreshing to take on one task at a time. Instead of alternating between playing w/ the kids and folding laundry, (I’m talking about one day not necessarily everyday) just play w/ the kids for an hour or so. Then do the laundry.
Instead of multitasking- just cook dinner. This may be especially helpful if you are trying out a new recipe or a complicated one.
If you are like me and can’t stand to have even a minute of doing nothing. Concentrate on related things. Enjoy the moment of creation. While this may seem cheesy it is true that we receive immense satisfaction from creation. This satisfaction and sense of accomplishment renews our spirits and recharges us for the other tasks ahead.
I feel good when I get my husband out of the house and I just clean for an hr. I conquered / achieved something. I made my home shine. Even if he doesn’t notice I know I did it.
If there are tasks that are true drudgery try doing them in different ways. Watch a favorite movie while folding laundry. Or get the kids involved. Or just fold laundry and see how it makes you feel. I personally feel great when I have conquered the mountain of laundry.
I think our time with the kids is better spent if we spend some of that time really being with them. It doesn't hurt to schedule in time for our loved ones, however, we can’t consider them a task or we are handicapping the relationship.
It may not always be possible but adding a few moments of Uni-tasking can give us a greater sense of peace in a world spinning us round and round. Try it and see if it works for you!
