Finding Balance in My Busy Life

I did it! I survived the first week of school.  Being a full-time student (15 credit hours) and working a busy schedule (20-30 hours) as a nanny/babysitter is definitely something that is going to take some getting used to. Luckily, the nature of my work allows for a couple of nighttime shifts a week, which allows to to do homework and reading after the kids go to sleep.

As of Friday, I will have either gone to class, worked, met with a new family (or a combination of two or three of those) every day for 10 days straight. What have I signed up for?

Although I am running on fumes most of the time, this hard work is paying off.  So many people work much more than I do and have it much harder than I do.  Since this is a new busyness for me, I am really learning the value of my time and the importance of balancing my time.

I have always been quite organized, which has really helped me in balancing my busy schedule. I have realized that so many things could fall by the wayside with this craziness, like staying active and my diet.

Yesterday, for example, I was out of my house from 8:30 AM until nearly 2:00 AM.  It would have been very convenient for me to grab some fast food for lunch and dinner, but being health- and budget-conscious, I simply could not do that.

On many other days, I work hours that don’t align with my usual meal times.  Being prepared in advance helps me make smarter choices.

I have been a full-time student and a full-time nanny, so now I use the tricks and hacks I used during both times to be the most productive student/nanny I can be.

How to Find Balance in Life When Things Get Busy

Here are some tips that I have for students or busy people in general to maximize the productivity of all of their time:

1. Have a planner!

My planner is my life. It matches my budget and tracks all my physical commitments in the daily slots (class, babysitting, meetings, volunteering, date night, travel dates, etc.). I use sticky notes to keep a task list for assignments and deadlines (although I do include major exams on my daily slots so I know when NOT to book a late night babysitting slot.)

2. Set daily goals!

I have a place in my notebook for daily goals.  These goals typically include: drink lots of water, hit my step goal, eat no junk food, and complete specific assignments or tasks I want to accomplish that day.

3. Plan meals for on the run!

Skipping meals is NOT something I can do (because “hangry” is my middle name).  I pack lunches and sometimes even dinners.  I personally do not like eating cold leftovers, so I pack things that I am okay with eating cold or room temperature.  (I will follow up with a quick healthy lunch post soon.)  I typically bring a cooler and leave it in my car then just eat lunch in my car.  If I am babysitting at a house where I am not welcome to eat the food or I prefer not to, I will pack a lunch or dinner to prepare or just eat there. I almost always carry peanuts with me as an emergency snack.

4. Allot time to rest, relax, or do something fun!

This is something that I struggle with because I always feel like I should be doing something more productive.  I think it is important to set aside downtime to avoid procrastination.  The downtime becomes part of your schedule rather than a way to avoid work.

5. Be honest with yourself!

When you’re setting your workload (how many courses you’re taking, how many hours you’re working, how many extracurriculars you are involved in, etc.), be honest about how much you can handle.  Perfect example: when I was working this summer, I only had mornings off, which I needed for my sanity.  I started volunteering at a summer camp which I liked but became so busy and overwhelmed that I started to despise it. Something had to go, so I had to give up volunteering.

6. SLEEP!

For iPhone users, the Bedtime feature on the Clock application could be your best friend.  I use it during weekdays, even when I do not have to be up early, to regulate my sleep schedule.  Some nights I have to stay up late to work, but I avoid procrastination to skip super late-night (night-before-it’s-due) homework sessions.  Sleep is valuable.  You know how much you need, so set enough time aside for at least that much sleep.

7. Stay hydrated!

This is an important part of being healthy, and I used to forget to drink enough when I was busy.  I bring refillable cups, bottles, or Yeti knock-offs (which really do work for a fraction of the price) EVERYWHERE I GO.  This way, I stay hydrated and don’t rush to buy a bottle of water at a gas station because I am parched from the unforgiving Florida sun.

8. Budget!

Having a physical budget or savings/spending plan helps when you are on the go.  Money seems to flow out of my pocket more easily when I am busy or unprepared.  Set limits and goals to make sure you are not spending extra money you don’t need to be spending when you are in a rush. (Check out my budget post HERE.)

9. Allot time to be active! 

Most people have their workout routines and preferences.  Adapt them to fit into your busy schedule.  Personally, all I have time for right now is an evening walk, but as I continue to shape my schedule to free up more time, I plan to add more intense workouts regularly.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it, a few extra minutes here and there could save you time and money every day. I hope these tips help.  Stay tuned to see how long it takes before school and toddlers kill me!