April 6, 2015

The importance of scheduling "this and that" days


Way back in the fledgling days of the year, when one could still see scraggly, browning Christmas trees being sheepishly dragged to the trash by their owners, I spent some time talking about how I had decided to structure my days/weeks for this year (and beyond) in a post called A Woman of Emails. In truth I'd already been taking the approach that I outlined in that post to a degree for years, if not my whole life, but by truly dedicating days to one set task, my productivity - not to mention my state of mind/happiness - levels have not only picked up, they've exceeded my expectations in certain areas.

One topic that I didn't really touch on in that post however and which the longer that I take this approach, the more I find to be immensely important, is that of scheduling days in which you don't focus on one main task (say, writing future blog posts). Instead you devote the day as a whole to catching up on the little things that you might have been putting on the back burner so as to concentrate on larger jobs and/or that have snowballed suddenly and run the risk of throwing your whole schedule/work plan of course as a result.

Naturally, even if some of us have relatively similar work/passion/hobby/etc schedules, no two people will find their "this and that" days, as I like to call the days that I specifically set aside for this purpose, to be the same. The little things for me may be the big things/jobs for you and vice versa. As well, you may have elements of your life that don't even enter the picture in mine, just as there will be some in my daily life that rarely, if ever, factor into your own.

That said, here are some of the work related things that I often focus on when I'm having an intentional "this and that" day (I'll usually do some personal things, too, such as straighten up my closet or bookshelves if they need it, pen snail mail letters, wrap gifts, cook or bake and freeze meals for the coming month, etc). This is by no means a complete list and it certainly changes, to a degree at least, as time goes on, the seasons, if we're nearing a big holiday, my health, etc, but it is a good snapshot of some of things I've been focusing on during my "this and that" days so far this year.


-Catch up on blog feeds if I haven't been able to stay on top of them each day during a given week (I use Bloglovin' for the bulk of sites that I follow on a regular basis and can't recommend it highly enough if you're also a fan of following sites via RSS).

-Source and bookmark or pin(on Pinterest) images to use for future blog posts. I also keep a dedicated Word document with lists of online images that might work well for a huge variety of future posts stored on my desktop (right along side my list of future post ideas themselves). I often find, especially after nearly six year of frequent blogging that finding the right image(s) for a post can be time consuming or even challenging (if the image I want is highly specific, for example), so having these lists available to pull from is hugely useful to my productivity as a blogger.

-Do research/fact checking that may be required for posts that I plan to write in the near future.

-Reply to Facebook and Instagram comments. I find that I get more of these than I (currently) do Twitter and Pinterest ones (which I try to reply to as they arrive or at least within a day or two of such happening), but if they've built up there, too, they're apt to get tackled on these kinds of days.

-Brainstorm ideas for future posts and/or plan out my blog schedule for the coming months.

-Play dress up with my own wardrobe to design new outfits that I might one day share here on my blog. This is especially important with garments or accessories that I've received from companies for review, as I always want to highlight such pieces as best I can in the context of my outfit as a whole.

-Do post office runs.

-File recent business related paperwork and/or do business tax related tasks.

-Sort and edit photos for outfit posts (sometimes I devote a dedicated day to this, sometimes if happens on days like this or on others when I'm writing said posts; it really comes down to the volume of such photos I have at any given point in time).

-Clean/wash, repair/mend, store, etc new items that I've recently acquired for the shop.

-Sometimes, when a full day isn't needed for such, shop for said items themselves.

-Update my Evernote, adding and checking off tasks as needed (I keep lists of countless things I need to do there; in fact, since hopping on the Evernote bandwagon last year, it's been my main computer based do-to list and I really like this handy service).



{One way to look at "this and that" days is like spring cleaning for your work and/or personal life schedule. You focus on doing all those important little jobs that can easily fall to the wayside in the course of a busy week, month or even year, and it usually feel like a big weight has been lifted from your shoulders once you've completed them. Image source.}


These days are not what I'd call days off - quite the opposite actually! They stand to be very productive and can really, really be beneficial in terms of helping to rid your mind of many of those nagging thoughts pertaining to small tasks/jobs you should do, but haven't for whatever reason had a chance to accomplish yet. Though I do find that the number of such days that I need in a given month varies, I usually aim for at least two, but sometimes find I require four, five or even six and that's totally okay.

The emphasis on the kind of work schedule that I'm following this year is, to a degree, less about what fills a given day (per se) and more about the fact that I've consciously set aside said day specifically for a given purpose (or purposes), instead of flitting around between tasks, feeling so overworked/tired/stressed that I don't actually get much done, or worse, pushing myself so hard that my health (physical, mental and emotional all alike) run the risk of serious trouble.

Interestingly, though I don't assign given days of the week to most tasks (for reasons covered in my post from January), I do often find that "this and "that days" tend to fall on either Wednesday or Sunday for me (so far at least - who knows where they may land as time goes on).

This time management tip isn't epically earth shattering, if you will, to most folks, I'm sure, but it is important and it's been a very integral part of my work-life balance this year. As such, I wanted to share it here today for those who may find themselves in need of such a schedule and/or frequently feel like you're getting buried under an avalanche of small tasks. If this describes you, then setting aside intentional "this and that" days may be exactly what, if not the doctor than at least (and more importantly), your own life ordered.

Are you a fan of this approach? Have you tried it as part of your own schedule already? I'd love to hear about your feelings on "this and that" days, as well as any other time management techniques that have proved success for you - in exchange, I'll continue to share those here with you that really make a positive difference in my world.

51 comments:

  1. I agree with this. For me, most Mondays at work are "this and that" days. I do administrative tasks, finish stuff left over from the week before, and don't tackle big jobs. Such days are essential. It's nice to know I'm not alone in this. Your blog is so helpful and supportive.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, Ally. I wholeheartedly mean it when I say that your line describes you to a tee, too.

      Interestingly, Mondays are fast becoming this and that days for me and in fact, I'm having a bit of one (paired with penning a hefty sized upcoming post) today.

      Have a wonderful week,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  2. Time management is the bane of my existence. I tend to over-schedule myself and end up getting nothing done ... or some things only half done. It's very frustrating. I've tried a zillion methods to conquer my ever-growing "to do list" and nothing seems to work. What I might need to do is trash all my planners and week schedules and start new with basic "work days, free days" method. Perhaps it's best if I plan my weeks on Sunday instead of at the beginning at each month.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know, this is a topic that has really been on my mind in recent years and certainly the last few months in particular, and it's one that I think a good many of us are struggling to some degree with nearly around the clock. I'm sure it's been a part of daily life for many folks for thousands of years now, but I'd argue that we're more pulled between various commitments and more apt to multi-task in the 21st century than ever before in human history and it's going to catch up with all of us at some point (it already has for many - burnouts, depression, excessive stress, and other similar issues can all be tied in some cases to the challenges of successful time management).

      I really, really feel like setting aside dedicated days has been nothing short of life changing for me. Though I still have to fight the urge to have many pots on the stove at once, so to speak, the more than I resist those urges, the more productive and less stressed (usually) I am. If it's possible for you to take a similar approach (assuming you haven't done so to no luck in the past), I really can't recommend it highly enough.

      I'm here for you if you ever want to bounce ideas off of someone or just vent about how few hours there are in the day. :)

      Tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  3. I really need to find a way to manage my time a bit better. I've been feeling a bit down and low energy lately, and I haven't found - or, let's be honest, I haven't made - the time to keep up with a lot of the things that are important to me. I really need to set aside a day like this just to get it together: catch up with my own blog and other peoples', do some cleaning around the house, take the books back to the library, finally mail that letter that I've been holding onto for forever. This is great inspiration and advice, as always.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's wonderful to hear, sweet gal, I was truly hoping that this post would prove beneficial to many of my readers. I hope you're able to set aside a few days each month for your own "this and that-ing", it really does - I find at least - make a substantial difference in your overall productivity levels and the flow of your schedule.

      Good luck!!!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  4. I think my weekend days are nearly always both 'this and that' days whether I plan them to be or not! I tend to find myself doing lots of odd bits around the house and odd bits for my blog then, at least. Mind you, the same could be said about my evenings quite often... I guess really what works for me generally is knowing roughly when I'm going to do parts of a bigger task to break it down e.g. a blog post the photos will be taken one day at the weekend, edited the same or the next and then I'll tackle importing and tagging the images in Blogger, writing the post, hyperlinking parts of the post, proofreading and editing again, all at different times. I take a similar kind of approach to housework - I'd never want to tidy my house from top to bottom in one day! Variety is the spice of life, they say - which is why I think it can work really well to tick off lots of different unrelated tasks in one day; stops it feeling too monotonous!

    I love the fact that you have wardrobe trying-on sessions too! I had one of those the other day during this Easter break and it was so helpful for planning the next three outfits I want to snap!

    CC x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, big time! The clarity that comes from knowing when (and how, if applicable) you're going to tackle bigger tasks and challenges is worth its weight in gold. The more I stick at my plan to devote each day of the week to one key task (or a series of related ones), not am I substantially more productive, but I also feel a lot happier and somewhat less stressed (not surprising as the two usually go hand-in-hand).

      How fun that you have outfit building sessions, too! I'm overdue for one actually. The next two weeks are almost laughably busy for us, so I don't see one happening then, but perhaps towards the end of the month or in early May. I really want to have one so that I can come up with fun new ways to style the various items I'm bought for my wardrobe in the last half a year or so (and well before summer gets here, as most of them are warm weather pieces).

      Thank you very much for your fantastic comment, dear CiCi!

      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  5. most of my days are "this&that days" at the moment. to not get confused with all the different things like chopping wood, mending clothing, writing posts or letters, do some office/finance stuff, cleaning up etc.... i write a list for the day while sipping morning coffee. end then i pick what springs to eye or must made first - and next - and.... very good feeling when its time to cross off a point! and i can see easily whats left.
    tons of hugs your way!!!! xxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There really, really is! I'm a big list keeper and love the satisfying feeling that comes with checking something off (or dragging it into my "completed tasks" folder in Dropbox). Between my dedicated task days and my longstanding love of listings, I'm feeling more on track and less stressed this year, which is really a welcome sensation, as last year got a bit harried for me at points on the time management front (understandably, as I was suddenly juggling an online business and a full-time blog, and it just took a little while to get a good flow going there between the two of them).

      Thank you very much for your great comment, my lovely friend!

      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  6. It's funny that you should post this today, as I'm having a bit of an unexpected bits and pieces day. I have some unexpected sewing time this week (and part of last) and I spent most of the weekend sewing while the girls played in the next room, in easy reach/earshot. I finished three (!!) dresses and most of a blouse, and had plans to tackle the next item on my spring sewing list this morning, but when I got up, I found myself fuzzy headed and tired, and with a mid-morning appointment that would break up my sewing block of time this morning. I decided to give my creative self a break today, and get back to the sewing machine tomorrow, when I'm a bit fresher. I've found that sewing while in my current muddle-headed state usually leads to frustration and ripped stitches, so I'm better off waiting. I sometimes think that I can just go-go-go-go with the creative energy, but the truth is that a lot goes out of me when I sew. I still have four small children to look after during the day (and often through the night) and while the sewing and creative work feeds me on many levels, it also takes energy out of me that takes a bit to replenish. So today is a bits and pieces day. I'm catching up on a blog post or two, reading my feedly (I couldn't get into bloglovin...), planning some summer projects, doing laundry, and generally trying to take it easy today. Thanks for the post--it was a good reminder that not every spare minute needs to be spent in high production. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello sweet dear, thank you very much for your great comment. I'm happy to hear that you took a bit of a breather today. That - time off - is the area where I'm struggling the most with my scheduling and ability to manage my time. I can go full throttle, I can go half speed, and I can do "this and that" days (which are often very busy unto themselves), but taking a day off from work entirely by choice, not because it's dictated by my health, is something that seems to get harder and harder for me each month. So far this year the closest I've come are days when Tony and I were out and about for whatever reason (errands, appointments, auctions, etc). I've not set aside a day and just vegged or done as I pleased. I've come to realize that there's this part of me that thinks - even if I rationally know better - that if I stop, my health might decide to take a big nosedive that very same day and I might not be able to keep at 'er for days or weeks or even months again. I've experienced that happening many times over the years (though it didn't always correspond with days off) and now that I'm balancing both my blog and my shop, plus other work related activities, I can't seem to stop pushing myself to get in as much as I can on my good days (without completely burning out, that is). I know that time off is a must though, so I'll keep trying to convince myself to take at least the occasional day away from all forms of work. Wish me luck!

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  7. I struggle with my scheduling every week (sometimes every day). I never thought it would be that big of a deal, considering that I don't have a job. I mean, what the hell else am I doing, right? But now that I'm taking classes, I suddenly find myself constantly out of time. Add to that a new chronic illness into the house (my beau, not me) and I suddenly am spending all my time either doing school work or researching and doing meal plans and cooking. Just trying to schedule an hour to try and scratch the surface of my bloglovin' roll is becoming harder and harder. I'm not being able to schedule 'this and that' days, but I am working hard to try to make a few 'this and that' hours. It's a start, at least.

    She Knits in Pearls

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi sweet Cherry, I'm truly sorry to hear that your honey has been struck with a new chronic illness. Goodness, do I know what that's like. My thoughts and positive vibes are with you both. I am here 24/7 if you need to talk about anything.

      "This and that" hours or blocks of time are a great start and certainly more than many people squeeze in. Mine have not been days off yet, but rather a way to catch up on all the little things that fill our digital lives now. I'm still battling to get days off (I am a massive, card carrying workaholic), but know that I must for the sake of my health and sanity alike! (Just as we all must.)

      Tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  8. All my days are "this and that" days. I really work better when I focus on one series of tasks a day, which I do during the summer. However, during the school year, as a teacher (and even if your not, you can relate) I get thrown a lot of curve balls throughout the day.

    For example today during my lunch break, which I had planned to grade, I got called off to enroll some new students.

    So, "this and that" days are just part of my universe and while I do get a lot of little things done, I feel like I don't get as much as I could done.

    Still it's good to get some advice and insight how others tackle their to-do list.

    Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can imagine how truly frustrating that must be at times. Few amongst us work at our best when we're constantly being interrupted or suddenly find that we need to focus on something other than what we'd ideally like to. I commend you for handling a life of "this and that" days so well, dear Akram. It's not easy to be in that kind of situation at all (I know from experience - not as a teacher, but in various roles I've had throughout my life).

      Big, energizing hugs coming your way,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  9. I had a this and that day today! The daycare was closed so I caught up on some household chores and took care of my little one. I love those days.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I applaud any woman or blogger who can set a schedule and stick to it! I want to implement something similar for myself, but we'll see if I can keep it up.
    My this-and-that days are usually midweek mornings, when I just have to go to work later on, and my work consists of house chores or errands. But I like Sunday afternoons for resting and catching up on the fun stuff: blogging, Pinterest, and finding inspiration for future projects.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, sweet gal. I think that one of the most fundamental keys to the success of a long term, effective blogging schedule (or really any type of schedule) is to cut yourself some slack in the sense of accepting that there are always going to be curveballs. The more you roll with them, I find, the quicker you'll get back on track and be able to plow ahead with how you want your days to go.

      Thank you very much for your great comment. Have a gorgeous week!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  11. hellllllu! great post! I had never heard of Evernote before but will definitely look into it, thank you.
    I too use Blog Luvin' and enjoy it but lately I have to admit I am not thrilled w my current selections. Would you consider sharing any of the blogs you like to follow on Blog Lovin'? I could use some new "blood" sorta speak in my blog feed. Hope you had a lovely Easter weekend!
    Chat soon! Lisa :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello dear Lisa, thank you very much for your cheerful greeting and lovely message. A large percentage of the vintage related blogs I follow can be found on my links page, so I'd suggest starting there. I update it every time I find a new (or new to me) mid-century related blog that's currently (in that moment, I mean) active and there are dozens of inspiring, awesome, creative, stylish folks on it that I'm sure you'd adore following.

      I hope you adore Evernote if you give it a spin. I love it to bits and keep about 90% of my computer based lists and quick notes on it now. It was soooo helpful to me last year with the Vintage Secret Santa, too. I'll definitely be turning to it when planning and coordinating this year's as well.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  12. Jessica, thank you for this post. Honestly, it really makes me feel better about having to do the same thing! Usually it is a weekday for me, and all of the 'running around' gets done, from doctors' appointments to pet-related errands to many of the things you mention here as well. You also make an excellent point about the peace of mind clearing these things off one's plate gives, allowing us to return our focus to what we are "supposed to be doing" once they're taken care of. This relieves a lot of mental stress!

    Of late, I've been using the day on which I see my hairdresser, about every 9-10 weeks. Before I see her I do my running, and afterwards I do the 'at home' things that need to be taken care of. The next day, I've a fresh cut and a fresh(er) slate to work with!

    Wonderful post, Jessica. We are all yanked in so many directions these days it is often tempting to just throw up one's hands and bury ourselves in a small room with many books and a pot of tea, because it really does seem so overwhelming. I hope this post helps many people!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi lovely Jen, thank you very much for sharing so openly about some of the struggles of your own time management situation. I can wholeheartedly relate to how much time frequent doctor's appointments, trips to the pharmacy, physiotherapy, getting lab/blood work done, medical exams and day surgeries at the hospital, etc can take up - not to mention how draining and/or stress they can be - and am sincerely sorry that's something you have to contend with as well, my sweet friend.

      It's terrific that you've turned your bimonthly (or thereabouts) hair appointment into a "this and that" kind of day. My mom likes to do the same thing. (Wig wearer that I am, I don't go to the salon any more so that's a bit of a moot point for me. :))

      Thank you again for your comment. It's always a pleasure to chat with you on any subject.

      Gentle hugs always,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  13. This and that days can sometimes be so stressful - there is so much to do.... sometimes I need a list! Lovely post dear Jessica!
    http://inkandlacedesigns.blogspot.com.au/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're spot on there, dear Lorena, they really can be, especially if you've amassed a lot of things that you're trying to cram into one day. Occasionally they spill over and become more like "this and that weeks" even, but that can be a slippy slop, I find, to getting off track with focused task days, so I try not to let that happen to often, if possible.

      Thank you very much for your comment, honey. I hope you're doing well and having a great week!

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  14. Dear Jessica, you are my smart and organized friend! You always inspire me and help me to organize my chaotic days. It's so nice that you share your lines of time management. I'm sure like it helps me it will help many other people. You know how I struggle with time and it can be so stressful. My main problem is dealing with the unforeseen that tend to happen too much in my life. Dealing with that is time consuming and disorganizes all our days. It can be so frustrating. Being flexible is one thing and being disorganized is something entirely different. I need to advocate MY time, being flexible to help others and not the other way round, or I will stop dreaming my own dreams and stop living my own life. Thank you to settle my feet on the ground again! :o)

    Wishing you a wonderful week my lovely lady.

    Beta x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello my sweet friend, thank you very much for your deeply kind words and for sharing such a heartfelt snapshot of your own time management situation with me, sweet dear. Goodness, do I hear you about unforeseen things throwing your plans out of whack. I think that almost everyone encounters that to a degree, but for some of us, especially when health issues are involved, it becomes more common than periods of stability and can certainly take a very real toll on one over the course of time.

      Please never stop dreaming and living your own dreams, honey. They are fundamental to who you are and their prescience will help you be a happier person in all areas of your life. I'm here to cheer you on and help you however I can.

      Huge hugs and the utmost of understanding,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  15. My mother calls them "odd job days" or "pottering", and I'm a fan of them too! Essential for getting things done I'd say, otherwise the little things just slip into obscurity. This weekend I did manage to tackle a mountain of laundry as well as start a bit of gardening, a little sewing, some tidying and sorting etc. Very satisfying! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The term "pottering" is fantastic! It's not overly used on this side of the pond, but I am hereby going to adopt it as my word for "this and that days". Thank you (and your mom) for the reminder of it. I do so adore British vernacular! :)

      Way to go everything you got done this week! I had a pottering day yesterday and got about half of what I wanted to completed. That might not sound like much, but in my world it's tons, so I'm quite happy as well. On to focused tasks today and the rest of the week, feeling far fewer nagging thoughts in the process because of yesterday's productivity.

      Wishing you a splendid week!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  16. I have an end of the week list meaning what do I want to have finished at the end of the week. My days are then filled with a sort of this and that because it's whatever I feel like sewing,painting etc. that day. Somedays are just not meant for sewing and usually if I try its filled with mistakes. Lately its been nothing crafty at all because I'm pretty sure I'm on craft burnout and after a heavy cooking Easter weekend I was pooped so yesterday I played the Lego Marvel video game for half of it. Give me Iron Man or Captain America in Lego form ( or any form for that matter) and I'm one happy gal!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a great approach to take regarding hoping to accomplish an array of tasks by the end of the week. Lists do not have to be merely for one day or weekend, they can be any length of time that is conducive to productivity and positivity in our own life. Thank you for the great reminder of that.

      Huge hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  17. It feels as if I have this and that days everyday, and have had for the last few years. I used to have something called myofascial pain syndrome, and when it was at its worse I had to keep lists of things to do and how long it would take to do them. I would tick off each item on the list and take notes on how it went. Could be challenging at times, as certain things had to be included (exercises and hygiene), and I had a very finite capacity to work with.

    It taught me to space things that needed doing out over the day, keep a close watch on the capacity levels and do my best to reach a balance with enough activity to make progress but not so much as to have a severe set back. I am very glad I'm now more or less free of symptoms, but I still follow the same system.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello dear Suna, thank you very much for your understanding, intimate comment. I sincerely appreciate that you spoke so candidly about the roll that chronic health issues played in your own time management challenges.

      Like yourself, I have MPS (it's one of more than a dozen different chronic illnesses that I have) and it along with severe fibro can be some of my most physically debilitating conditions. I too have to plan things like tending to personal hygiene, getting dressed, walking up and down flights of stairs, simple household chores, making meals, etc into my daily schedule and try to budget energy (or "spoons" as energy levels are sometimes called in the wake of the wonderful "spoonie" way of describing such things for those of us who are chronic illness fighters) for them.

      It's never an exact science, but after more than 13 years of being CI now, I have learned some ways to help reduce the impact that these seemingly ordinary things can have on me (for example, I find showing or bathing - but especially showing - to be both very painful and extremely draining, so I almost always do it at the end, not the start or middle of my day; if I do it earlier on, I know I will have destroyed any hope of productivity involving being physical - such as taking photos for my Etsy shop listings or packing up shop orders - for the day, which is not something I want to have happen if at all avoidable).

      I am truly happy to hear that your MPS has doing so positively for you in recent times and hope with every ounce of my heart that it continues to for the rest of your life.

      Gentle hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
    2. Thanks for your long and caring reply, and for sharing how you cope with the day to day management of your unwanted, chronic "friends". I do think it's close to impossible for people who've been lucky enough never to have this problem to fully understand. I certainly sometimes felt like the worlds worst hypochondriac not because the pains and aches weren't real, but because it sounded insane even to me that I had to take these precautions. And the sheer tediousness of having to explain to my GP that when I say I can have a shower without washing my hair and then some hours later prepare dinner, that means exactly that. This was not an extract of what I could do in a day, this was it. If I had a shower and washed my hair I was shot for the rest of the day. I think that was why I started keeping lists. It made it easier for me to fully understand the limitations I had, and I could bring the journal along to doctors etc.

      It was hard work getting to where I am now, and although I am in no way happy or grateful that I developed this illness, I am grateful for small things, such as being able to keep the apartment tidy, shower when I feel like it, cook (mostly) the things I want to eat rather than things I can manage to make. Being able to chop vegetables makes me insanely happy, :)

      Thanks for your kind wishes, and I hope the same for you :) May we both be as well as humanly possible :)

      Delete
    3. You're wholeheartedly welcome, Suna. I don't generally make my health the main focus on my blog - that would be vintage, after all :) - but when someone comments about their own medical situation, especially when it has strong parallels to my own, I would be remiss if I didn't take the time to reply and connect with that person over our shared medical battles.

      Thank you for your caring wishes and understanding. I second them entirely and hope that 2015 treats us both extra kindly on the health front.

      Oodles more gentle hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  18. Wow, thanks so much for this post on time management and organization! I am still a long way from getting tasks completed in an organized manner (I'm too easily distracted), but your post here is a keeper worth printing on paper and posting up on the 'fridge where I can be reminded of what I should be doing to get things done!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm very impressed with your scheduling skills. I lack organization at home but do have it at work. I need to step it up on the home front
    Retro rover

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love this & that days! Though mine usually are not scheduled...they just sort of happen. (But then I'm not much of a planner!)
    I tend to have more of them in the Winter if I get snowed in. (I love being snowed in!) :D
    I suppose "this & that days" could also be called "rainy days" as in "I'll save that for a rainy day." :)
    I just love that vintage image you used. It is so very sweet. Makes me want to embroidery a set of Days of the Week towels! ^_^

    Love,
    Michelle ^_^
    Delightful Handwork

    PS: Thanks so much for your sweet review on Etsy! It means ever so much to me, you sweet gal!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello lovely Michelle, you're so very welcome for the Etsy feedback. I meant every last word and really can't stress enough how much I adore my new scarf from you. Tony thinks its uber cute, too, so that's double positive feedback for it from our house. :)

      Rainy days are a great way to think of days like this, too. I remember some of the grownups in my life using that term in the same kind of way when I was a youngster, but haven't heard it for quite a while. I've always rather liked the term "rainy day", no matter the context - including the real thing, assuming I don't have important outdoor plans, that is. :)

      Many thanks for your wonderfully nice comment, sweet dear. Have a splendid Wednesday!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  21. I really like this, and I didn't know the term "this and that" days, but it is exactly what it is. I've practised this for long, and love it. I have an endless to do list (toilet roll, as I use to call it) in my head, plus paper lists and lists in OneNote (I have a Windows phone which I love, and OneNote is automatically backed up to my OneDrive, do take care your lists are backed up too). I normally work on these lists on Wednesdays (my weekly day off) and in the weekends. Wednesday mornings are always spent running around tidying (?) up, glueing things, repairing, sorting, etc. And I LOVE it! I love getting all those smaller things/tasks done to get them out of my mind, I literally feel a relief. I often loosely plan one or two bigger things I want to do on Wednesday (the day I only do things I want to), but often it ends otherwise, because on the day I have another feeling of what I want to do. Weekends are for bigger cleaning jobs, like ironing all day, dusting (which I truly hate), doing the garden, washing the windows, etc.etc. Today, I read your blog while eating my lunch, I am a little behind it, but I'll use my breaks to catch up, and then it is really cosy. And today's main task is sorting through ten (!!!) years scraps from magazines, oh God! But it is fun, and I drink a lot of tea and listen to old records while doing it. I think I ought to take a photo for Instagram, it really looks weird. I am glad you are happier and healthier when planning your time, dear, and I wish you a lovely day. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello sweet Sanne, thank you very much for your thoughtful, lovely comment. I adore the back and forth conversations we have here and that I was able to introduce you to a new term. I wouldn't say I coined it, but it isn't overly common. I felt like this kind of day really needed one, so I implemented "this and that days" as my one for it in the course of my daily life.

      Agreed! Backing up your lists is a huge must. Fortunately Evernote backs up my lists automatically and is on my phone as well, which is super handy and helpful (I have an iPhone). It's wonderful that you have a system that works well for you on your phone + computer as well.

      Thank you very much! Definitely happier and less stressed with my time management this year and it's helping me be even more productive, which is awesome.

      Thinking of you and sending tons of hugs your way on your relaxing Wednesday,
      ♥ Jessica


      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  22. I find it very hard to make own schedule work. I'm very organised and I like to have everything written down but since I'm working with my mother we crash a lot because she doesn't work like that - she doesn't respect breaks or taks, she just stops whatever she's doing and begins something else, makes me so mad! I've been (kinda) using your method and it's the one that suits me the most, especially now that I'm trying to make my own brand :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello sweet dear, I'm very sorry that you schedule isn't able to flow anywhere near as smoothly as you'd like. That must be very frustrating, especially since you enjoy being organized (as I really do, too). I applaud you for trying to break out and walk your own time management path. I'm always here if you need someone to talk about this topic.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  23. Never have I managed to keep my this-and-that day when I schedule them.
    However, having said that, I must add: this sort of days come on their own. I don't even know when is "that" going to be. I might have plans, I might walk home from work tired and worn out - and just around the corned I get the urge to dedicate the rest of the day to the "little gems that maketh the life"
    And I never fight that feeling away.

    Marija

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know, my sweet friend, and I truly mean this, as much as I love structure and organization in my world, if my career wasn't centered around the web, there's a very high chance at this point in my life that I would take that same kind of approach. I'd actually really love to take a "go where the wind blew me" approach to things, so to speak, more often, but that isn't feasible at the present moment. I do try to be very mindful of living in the moment and not stress (too much) if things fall off the rails though, and that can help a lot to achieve a somewhat similar state of being.

      Keep on living that way, I think it's quite possibly the healthiest and happiest approach one can take.

      Tons of hugs.
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  24. Wow - bloglovin daily! I catch up every four days and it can feel like a chore sometimes. I think that if I gave myself reading time each day then it would be far more enjoyable. I tend to be similar in having my life so utterly organised though!

    ReplyDelete
  25. It really struck a cord with me to read this great post on a Monday as every week I think I must manage my time better and be more productive and I am always disappointed with myself when Sunday rolls around again! I need to have a really good think about what would work better for me and there are some great ideas in this post. I do dedicate some days to pottering about - catching up with bits and pieces that never quite seem to make it to the top of a list and very useful they are too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am absolutely, 100% convinced that so many folks run into substantial challenges on this front because we were not programmed, evolutionarily speaking, to the kind of lives that most of us do nowadays. I love the web of course and am not here to knock it, but historically our ancestors didn't have online and offline lives that needed to be constantly juggled. Add in the various stresses of the 21st century and it's easy to see how and why so many run into issues with time management. I certainly don't claim to be a world champion on that front, but I do feel that the steps I've taken so far this year have helped me substantially. I'm happier, less stressed, more productive, and able to get away from the computer more frequently, too. If you put any of these sorts of steps into place, I really hope that the same kinds of positives ring true for you as well, my sweet friend.

      Oodles of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  26. I am at heart a potterer, I flit from room to room doing a little here and a little there with no particular method. My habit is to see to something that needs my attention in say the living room and if I need to take something into the bedroom I'll then do something in there. I am always aware of all the little things that need doing and potter from one thing to another like a bee flitting between flowers. Each day seems to be a this and that day!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'm very interested to read about your time management plans for this year and whether/how they work for you. I am in the process of moving house at the moment, and every day seems to be an endless to do list of urgent tasks. However, as soon as this exceptional period is over (and I include setting up the new house in this) I intend to get back to a schedule. Life just runs so much more smoothly that way, and I find it less stressful knowing days are set aside for certain tasks. I think if one is a worrier (I certainly am), it is one way to restore order to what can feel overwhelming. By contrast, I have one or two friends who seem quite content to live in a muddle so I guess it's a personality thing. I also find my chronic illness is much more under control when life is organised too. Moving is playing havoc with said illness, on the other hand once moved both house and garden will be a lot smaller and therefore easier to keep (although the small bedrooms are going to present some storage challenges I anticipate). Anyway after moving and the restoration of household routines I will try grouping miscellaneous jobs as you suggest and see how that goes. By the way, I love the picture you choose to accompany this post. That lady seems to have a different apron for every task :)) x x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello sweet Philippa, thank you very much for your wonderful comment on this post. My apologies for taking a wee while to reply it. This month is both a highly stressful and incredibly busy one for me and I haven't been able to stay as on top of blog comments as I usually like to. No time like the present though! :)

      Moving homes has to be one the most labour intensive, stressful things one can go through. I've done it many, many times in my life and though I do have it down to a bit of an art at the point, that scarcely makes it any easier or more enjoyable. I hope that your move goes as smoothly as possible and that you love your new abode. If we lived nearby, I would love to help you out there, if I could.

      I completely agree with you and find that the same often rings true for me as well regarding how the more organized your life is, the happier the situation with your health can be. There's a definite correlation between the two for me and it's part of the reason I try so very hard to keep on track with my work and personal schedules/goals alike. Not always possible of course, but I do give one heck of a fighting chance!

      Again, I hope that the move goes positively for you and that your new digs are everything and more you're hoping for (and that the storage situation isn't too bleak). I'm always here if you'd like to chat and take your mind off the move for a while.

      Tons of gentle hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete