Well, after three full weeks of feeling crummy with the flu, I’m finally back to 100%.  This week I feel like the energizer bunny…cleaning, cooking, laundry, grocery shopping, and getting back on track.  It feels so good to be back doing what I need to do.

I’m trying to be mindful of not overdoing it, though.  Kenny often reminds me to slow down. To plan only a few chores for the day rather than a full list.  My tendency is to plan way too much for one day, and then instead of feeling good about what I DID do, I’m frustrated that I didn’t finish the whole list.  Crazy, I know.  Sometimes I’m my worst enemy.

I’m actually pretty good about slowing down as far as our schedule outside of the house. I’ve gotten pretty good at maintaining plenty of “white space” on our calendar in any given week, making sure we’re not on the run too much.  However, maintaining that same space while at home is the difficult part for me.

So, something I’ve been working on (even before I got sick) is to plan just a few key chores for the day and let the rest of the day unfold.  The kids are learning that work comes before play time, so we always start the chores right after breakfast when we’re freshest and have the most energy.   The three of us work together; whatever it is I have planned. Cleaning, laundry, errands, grocery shopping – whatever the work, the kids help too.  So important.

The rest of our day includes lunch, rest time, playing outside, snack/TV time, and prepping dinner.  That really leaves a good chunk of time for some sort of spontaneous play. Sometimes the kids play on their own so I can return email or make phone calls, but usually we all play together.

This routine has really allowed me to slow down.  If playing outside with the kids is actually on my list to do in addition to chores, it gives me permission to play and slow down. Sometimes I actually write down these things on my list for the day – “rest time” – which really does give me permission to lay down and rest or read.

I desperately want my kids to remember that I took the time to play with them.  Of course, they need to learn that doing work and caring for our home is important too.  The other day I told James that we were having friends over to play one day this week.  Later in the day, he said, “We’re sure going to have to clean up after they come play!”  So, even though I agreed with him, I took the time to explain that playing with our friends is very important no matter how messy the house is afterwards.  Relationships are much more important than a clean house.

Anyway, while this has been a busy week “speeding up” with chores after being sick, it’s also been a week of “slowing”.  Learning to slow in the middle of busy and keeping somewhat of a routine.

If this idea of “slowing” interests you, I’d encourage you to check out the blog of a friend of mine.  She is writing about SLOW almost every day this year so far (it’s her word for the year) and it’s been heaven.  Even when I’m feeling busy and overwhelmed, just reading her blog and viewing her beautiful photography puts me in a “slow” mood.  It lets me escape for a minute and then have a little more energy to dive back into whatever I’m doing.

Any thoughts on speeding up and slowing down?