Recently I find myself stressing out over all the things that need to be done (chores, little errands, etc.) But I find when I have a little time, or the baby has been put down to bed, I just don't have the motivation to do anything! I just sit around and surf the net, watch TV, snack, etc. Then before I know it it's time to go to bed! Then I just feel more overwhelmed with all the things I didn't do and they keep piling up. So how do you find the motivation? Sometimes I just feel so tired... I know, I know, welcome to motherhood, right? ;-)
I'll be honest...sometimes I will invite someone over for a cup of coffee just so I can straighten up my living room and clean at least one bathroom. If they have kids then I am forced to organize the playroom and my kid's room.
But I remember the days when my kid was a baby...I remember the times he took 2 long naps a day, I would just crash on my bed. Ahh, good times.
You are tired and need the down time. It's OK to just veg out. I suggest you prioritize what has to be done and leave the rest behind. If you tell yourself it's OK then you will feel less anxious. After all, it's been working alright, hasn't it. Everything eventually gets done.
It's okay to have days like that once in awhile, just dont let it become habitual.
Reward yourself with computer time AFTER you've completed a chore, put your own self on the rewards system :)
Don't ask me- I should be doing laundry AND dishes.
I have a very energetic 2 1/2 yr old and when she goes to bed I shut down lol. I try to do dishes and stuff during her tv time (Kai-lan before bed) so that I'm not procrastinating tooooo much. I absolutely can't stand folding laundry so motivation for that is hard to come by haha.
Don't worry, you are definitely not alone! One morning you'll do dishes or clean something and then all of a sudden be in the middle of a cleaning frenzy... that's what happens to me anyways. I just feel like cleaning everything sometimes after I fold laundry or wash dishes even though I had to force myself to wash the dishes in the first place.
Wow, did I write this?! I know exactly how you feel, I've got a baby coming Thursday and huge mess in my kitchen. I was going to tackle my whole downstairs today, but I had a couple of things to do after work and didn't get home until after 8. I was so tired by the time I got home, I've been veggin ever since!! Kitchen's still a mess!!!!
I have no advice...I am doing this very same thing right this minute :)
I'm doing this very thing right now....
=D
Make a list for yourself. Then, each day, try to accomplish at least 2 items off of your list. (in addition to caring for the baby).
Then, feel free to veg a little. It is okay to be "lazy" sometimes. I happen to think it is a way that we deal with (or rather NOT deal with BY shutting down) all the little stuff that we can't get done. It's like when you take your newborn out in public and they "shut down" and go to sleep from sensory overload. You are overloaded and can't do it ALL so you are shutting down. :)
So make your list, and try to focus on only one or two items per day. You scratch them off when they are done, and you actually SEE that you DID accomplish something tangible. Balancing the checkbook is an invisible task...but it still must be done. If you write it as an item on your "list", then you can scratch it off and SEE TANGIBLY that you HAVE done something. Then you will feel less stressed and a little more deserving of some "down time". And you DO deserve some downtime. :)
I can honestly say that B-12 shots have changed my life! Seriously -they've really helped my energy and motivational levels!
I kind of think it's okay to slack off a bit at night too. Honestly, when the kids are in bed, I'm pooped! If there are things that I absolutely have to get done then I try not to sit down before they are done b/c otherwise, it's too late! ;) Sometimes I will wait and fold my laundry in the evening in front of the TV, that way I feel like I'm doing something but I'm still watching TV. I never find the energy to do errands after dinner. It's just too much. I'd rather veg with the husband or kick back on the couch than get back in the car and go someplace, even if it is without my kids! I'd say just try and knock out at least one thing on your to-do list after dinner, but other than that, don't stress, it will get done!
I can so totally relate!!!!
I choose a time (usually after the kids in bed) and set the timer for 10 or 15 minutes. I clean for that time and when it goes off, I'm done (if I want to be done). Usually I feel so much better even just doing that little bit, that I stop the cycle of being angry/disappointed in myself. I call it "pushing back the chaos" and it really makes me feel better. :) Sometimes, if DH is home (he works some evenings), I can talk him into helping (he sometimes finds the 10-min timer thing more de-motivational, though).
