Family Time

One of the reasons many of my students build a career in bridal alterations, is so they can have flexible hours. This gives them the luxury of time with their children, or spouse or own time. Or, in my own personal case, time to raise my babies, then to care for my parents as they aged and needed care in my home. My children have flown the nest, and my parents have past on. I have down sized my home and enjoy the fun, love and energy of 16 grandchildren. I now have the flexibility of watching my grandchildren in sporting events and other activities.

But work still needs to be done.

Keeping a roof over the head of those I love is a priority. Buying groceries for those I love is also important. But finding TIME to spend with those we love is also a huge priority. Finding that life balance is hard and looks different with different phases of our lives. I have done this bridal alterations career from babies to elder care.

I have a few ideas for finding the time for our greatest priorities.

Be kind to yourself. Most importantly, realize that life is messy and not perfect. Our time is used in different ways during different phases of our lives.
Morning and evening routines. Routines are a way we can sneak in our priorities without having to make that priority decision over and over. For instance, my morning routine includes prayer, exercise and cooking a healthy breakfast. I calendar once a month Sunday dinners with the whole family. Bookkeeping happens every Monday, etc. By making these things a calendared routine, they happen. If they happened “when I got around to it” or felt I had enough time, they would rarely happen.
Simplify and learn to say no. This can be applied to our work and also our non-work life. With work, ask yourself, What projects make me the most money? Which projects do I enjoy most? Simplify and specialize in the work that is most worthy of your time and talents. In our life outside of work, simplify and remember the priority. Sometimes family parties can become so elaborate, that we spend very little time showing our love to each family member and too much time orchestrating the event. (Hmm, I’m talking about me, for sure.) Saying no can be hard, but remember that when saying yes to one thing, you are basically saying no to something else. Time is finite.

So there you have it.

Kindness, routines and simplifying are a few ideas to implement. I am going to try to do better at setting priorities.

Have an amazing November,

Dee Dee

Coming Up Next Month!

“You don’t know what you don’t know”. This was, and is always my motto when I attend ASDP Conference. I learned so much this year! We have much to discuss. ASDP Association of Sewing and Design Professionals