Getting Out of Mama Chaos

Today, in 4 minutes or less, you'll learn:   

1. My top ten tips for getting out of chaos so you have more time for your dreams  
2. That organising yourself and your family life can create time  
3. That starting a business as a busy mama is possible 

In this newsletter, I will share my tried and tested tips for getting out of total mama chaos so that you can create time in your week to start a business.    

Nothing is more frustrating than having big dreams about starting a new project but just feeling like it is all so hopeless because you have no time or energy in your week to work on anything. When I first wanted to start my business, we were in the thick of our baby years with my now four and six-year-old. The pandemic also first hit when my youngest was ten months old, so everything was chaotic for us in those years.    

We had stuff, especially kid's stuff, everywhere, an overflowing pantry and cupboards, poor systems, and even basic tasks like washing took us a lot of time, and we both struggled with poor sleep. For someone who had lived and worked overseas, worked in corporate Australia for ten years, studied for a Bachelor of Commerce and a Masters of Education and planned our wedding in a few short months, I was in a big muddle, and it was pretty shocking to me at the time! I'm sure if you are a mum, you can relate.    

So many people stay stuck in this rut. It is all too hard to get on top of it. Their business dreams get shelved for a later time. I wanted more, though, and I wanted to get started on something for myself. I had to find a way to get out of this chaos. It took time.   

I made a lot of small, gradual changes. It often felt like I was treading water, but it all started to build over time. Eventually, I reaped the rewards of sticking at it.   

I want to share some of the biggest things I worked on with you in this newsletter, hoping they may help you, too. You, too, can create time in your week to get started on your dream business project.    

Tip 1: Use a program like Trello to help organise all the 'to-do's' floating around your head    

Trello is fantastic for keeping track of all the tasks and 'to-do' lists you have in your life. It is hard to make anything happen for yourself if you are constantly overwhelmed and reacting to everything that pops up. Within Trello, you create boards for different aspects of your life, to which you then add 'lists' and 'cards'. The cards can contain checklists, attachments (such as photos and screenshots), audio, weblinks and descriptions. The cards are like tiles you can move around between lists and boards. Check out what it looks like here: 

You can use Trello in desktop and mobile versions, which means you can constantly add to it as you move and new tasks pop up. It's free, too! Trello has transformed my organisation and productivity.     

Tip 2: Save time on meal planning and prep each week

Preparing meals, planning meals, and grocery shopping can absorb much of your week. Some suggestions for making this less time-consuming and easier include:    

• Using an App such as 'Paprika' to save recipes for easy reference    
• Using online grocery services    
• Create a list of frequent grocery items you purchase so you have a starting point each week    
• Do some batch cooking to eat well but spend less time cooking at night    
• Keep track of grocery items you run out of somewhere your family can access, such as on a whiteboard.    

Tip 3: Declutter and clean up all your living spaces 

Decluttering and organising your spaces helps reduce your cleaning and tidying up of constant mess and helps clear your head. To get started:    

• Start small with one room or cupboard and think about what annoys you about a home space and what you could do to make it work or look better.    
• Watch shows like 'The Home Edit' or 'Tidying Up With Marie Kondo' on Netflix, or look up some decluttering inspiration on Instagram or Pinterest.    
• Setup a cardboard box/garage bag which you keep adding to as you see items for donation to a charity    
• Buy some cheap storage items from Kmart/Target/Big W to start organising.    

Tip 4: Shop online more and plan for gifts you will need 

Try to move what shopping you can online with free shipping so that you can spend less time in shops and more time on your business. Listing out upcoming birthdays and celebrations will help give you a headstart on the online shopping you need. It also saves you money by shopping when sales are on and buying in bulk. A spare card, wrap, ribbons and gift bag pile also help reduce the need to be constantly in and out of shops as gift-giving pops up.    

Tip 5: Create shortcuts on your housework so it doesn't swallow up your days    

Oh, housework! It is ever-present and continuously replenishing. A few time-saving tricks include:    

• Start sorting your washing pile into the machine the night before    
• Do what you can to clean and tidy as you go through the day so you have more time to yourself at night    
• Robot vacuums are incredible, especially on floorboards!!    
• Empty your bins, wash your dishes daily and wash clothes regularly    
• Plan out tasks such as sheet and towel washing so you do them early.    
• Use your weekends to set yourself up for the week.    

Tip 6: Stay out of rabbit holes on social media and email 

Accessing social media less is hard, but so much time gets lost in your week of scrolling mindlessly. I read recently that the average person will spend 12 years scrolling on their phone! How confronting is that! See if you can redirect some of this focus and attention to your business, even if it is small and easy tasks you can do when you are tired at the end of long days. As you engage with social media for your business, stick to the boundaries you set when you look at it so you are not bound to your phone all day. Unsubscribing from unnecessary promotional emails in your inbox and tidying up your account also save you time managing this in your day.      

Tip 7: Try to get some exercise and self-care in with your kids and run shopping errands with them

Exercising with your kids as they play means you have more time for your business when they are resting or sleeping. Go for walks, do stretches at the park, or try some 'Cosmic Yoga' together on YouTube. Also, look into online exercise classes to exercise quickly and easily at home in short bursts. Create self-care moments throughout your day so you feel more relaxed and ready to use any blocks of time to work on your business. Such moments could include:  

• Putting a heat pack around your neck.  
• Listening to music or podcasts.  
• Having tea or coffee in a quiet space.  
• Listening to a guided meditation (the 'Balance' App is fantastic and free for the first year).    

Tip 8: Wake up early to give yourself a head start on the day

Though this can be challenging (especially if your kids are still interrupting your sleep), whatever you can do to wake up earlier will give you a great head start on your day. In the early morning, you are freshest and have fewer distractions. You can organise your day, work on your business, get your body moving, have a quiet shower, or get things done so you can leave the house earlier. Start by meeting yourself where you are and gradually set your alarm earlier over time. Going to bed earlier at night will also help when your alarm starts beeping at you!    

Tip 9: Keep your kids busy with fun and engaging indoor and outdoor activities

Finding ways to keep your kids busy and engaged will help keep them happy and settled and free you up to get tasks done so you have time to yourself when they go to bed. Ideas for kid's activities include:     

• Setting up a craft table and art activities    
• Buying an art easel for painting that you can leave paint in with lids on so it is less of an 'event.'    
• Blocks, puzzles, books, a train set, homemade playdough    
• Buy some bags of sand and plastic shell paddling pool cheaply from Bunnings for them to build sandcastles in    
• Any water play with hoses and buckets will always inspire and interest kids    

Tip 10: Ask for help – you can't make this happen yourself    

You can't make this all happen on your own. Have good conversations with your partner about what you are trying to achieve and what your 'why' is for starting a business, and hopefully, this leads to you finding ways to support your dreams and balance your family workload. Expectations of standards about what you can achieve in terms of housework, for example, may need to shift too. Also, ask for help from relatives, friends and others in your support network, particularly to create blocks of time when you can work. If you can afford it, consider childcare options such as Long Day Care, Family Day Care or having a high school or university student play with and support your children while you work.  

I hope this gives you some great ideas that you can use, too. Getting yourself organised can require time and effort, but it is so worth it. Good luck!