As I sit down to write an article, there are so many others things I could be doing. I have multiple papers to write for my classes, along with books to read. I should probably take my trash out at some point soon. I’m almost out of socks, so I should probably do laundry. My living room is full of shoes, bras, makeup and suitcases from semester break I haven’t put away, so it might not hurt to tidy up a bit in the near future. I need to go to the gym. I need to go grocery shopping. Basically, I have all this stuff I could be doing. But I have to do this right now. Sometimes it’s hard, for me at least, to focus on the first task at hand while thinking about everything else on the list also. We all have responsibilities and obligations in life, but it’s hard to deny it isn’t always easy to handle it with grace. I’ve come up with a few tips to keeping a clear mind when you have so much on your plate.
1. Make Lists in Order of Importance
If you write everything out, it’s more visual. You can see everything laid out right in front of you. Instead of having everything floating around your brain, staying organized on paper helps keep everything in its place.
2. Use a Planner
This goes along with making lists and writing everything out. Having appointments, class times, meetings and due dates gets overwhelming to keep track of. Putting everything in one place makes it so much easier to know what you have each day and week,
3. Give Yourself Time
Don’t put off everything until the last minute. I’m a professional at doing things the day before they're due or the day of. Usually I can get away with saying, “Oh I work best under pressure,” but typically it just gets so overwhelming. If you know what you have, then just get it over with. It’s easy to say that it can wait until later, but then later comes and it’s not done.
4. Clear Your Mind
Go for a drive. Give yourself a few hours without social media. Take a bubble bath. Read your favorite book. Go on a run. Do something that you enjoy unrelated to your obligations. It will make the few things weighing on your shoulders not seem as terrible, because you've just spent your time relaxing and now it's time to get things done.
It's so easy to get distracted and overwhelmed in today's nonstop society. I hope these tips help in keeping your mind clear and life in order!