@MommaJo It sounds like we live in parallel universes. 1) I struggle with meal planning without over-planning. It usually means either too many leftovers uneaten or food that expires before we can get to it because of the leftovers. 2) Family tree research generates SO much paper! I also tend to get lost in the historical context of my distant relatives, which is a fun distraction, but it IS a distraction. 3) YES! I worry about what I might do if I have to manage without my spouse, but I also worry about what he would need to know to manage without me. I'm not even sure where to start looking for that sort of information. 4) We're working on downsizing in anticipation of retirement, and perhaps a move. But even if we stay here, we need to cut back on the stuff we need to take care of. 5) Not just the health issues themselves, but we need to start thinking about Medicare and where we can get the best health services (again either here or wherever we might retire to). Life throws us a lot to think about. I hope to find inspiration here from others who are working on the same "small stuff" I have going on in my life.

Aubergine wrote:

@MommaJo It sounds like we live in parallel universes. 1) I struggle with meal planning without over-planning. It usually means either too many leftovers uneaten or food that expires before we can get to it because of the leftovers. 2) Family tree research generates SO much paper! I also tend to get lost in the historical context of my distant relatives, which is a fun distraction, but it IS a distraction. 3) YES! I worry about what I might do if I have to manage without my spouse, but I also worry about what he would need to know to manage without me. I'm not even sure where to start looking for that sort of information. 4) We're working on downsizing in anticipation of retirement, and perhaps a move. But even if we stay here, we need to cut back on the stuff we need to take care of. 5) Not just the health issues themselves, but we need to start thinking about Medicare and where we can get the best health services (again either here or wherever we might retire to). Life throws us a lot to think about. I hope to find inspiration here from others who are working on the same "small stuff" I have going on in my life.

Responses like this are so helpful and inspiration to so many. Thank you for sharing!
 

redatl wrote:

I heard an EXCELLENT quote for this the other day: "Strive for excellence NOT perfection!".  Makes so much sense to me!  NO one is perfect and it causes us to get 'stuck' with this kind of thinking.  Think of how much more productive, helpful, etc. we will be if we let go of something we can't achieve anyway and strive for something that we can - excellence! 

YES!! 100%
 

MommaJo wrote:

These are excellent reminders and suggestions, many thanks! Yes, perhaps it's better when overwhelmed, to take smaller bites at a time, and maybe try to choose smaller elephants with more wiggle room. Napping used to be a habit of mine, but maybe a short quiet time/catnap should be a higher priority when feeling stressed. Examples:  1. When company comes, what to clean, meal planning, activity planning, etc. 2. Paper piles and piles of family tree research. 3. Concern that if something would happen to my spouse, would I be able to run a household on my own? What to learn to do first. 4. Downsizing a house, in case I'd have to move alone. 5. Managing health issues, decisions about downsizing activities and which ones and how much...on and on. I'm reminded of a quote: "Don't sweat the small stuff." followed by: "It's all small stuff". Good to remember.

Definitely take those smaller bites...and rest in between! The 5 topics you listed are all pretty big. So, maybe set a TEENY TINY goal for each and work on just those initially.


 

I love your advice about choosing the top 4 things that need to be done each day. I use a long, legal pad and on Sunday/Monday start a master to-do list. Then each day I choose 4. It has been working well!