Hello all,
It’ been a lot of time since my last appearance!
Let’s say that, since beginning of year I’ve been too busy with my regular job and other stuff (I am also studying and at the same time, working on another personal project, not leather-related). And since all this Covid-19 stuff began, I am even more busier than usual, which does not allow me to spend enough time in leathercraft.
For this reason I haven’t done too much lately (anything, actually) and I am feeling very frustrated, as I feel myself willing to put hands on the wheel, my mind and my hands need it!! however my day has not enough hours to do all.
At this point I am wondering how you guys do to conciliate/balance all your activities (work, leathercraft, family, housework, etc etc), sometimes I see your IG accounts full of new stuff and projects, looks like you have time to work meticulously in all, and I really don’t know how you do! (Do you sleep at night??).
I am writing this because I would appreciate your advice and tips, maybe I need to improve the way I manage my time, or even stop doing all what I currently do. Not sure... I’ve been even thinking of forgetting leathercraft for some time, but you know, it is in my mind and my little heart, I can’t do that to myself.
Ok, nothing else. Many thanks to all for your time 🧡
- Maru Tuchi
Hi Maru, I'm a newb so not producing anything yet, but I hear you. This year is so challenging! I normally like a busy schedule. This year feels different because it seems nearly impossible to keep a routine going. I'm working weird hours (from home) and homeschooling my kids at the same time. Most days, I feel like I'm in response mode all day. I like Philip's planner suggestion. I can't live without mine. Writing a list helps when I'm feel anxious about everything that needs to be done (and not all of it gets done!). Leather Craft is something that I want to make time for, but it means something else will be neglected. For me, it's usually sleep. I think that has to be okay for the time being.
I guess my only advice is housework should be shared. If you have kids... train them to clean. I wasn't that good about this until recently. It's getting better and starting to pay off though. I started with short lists detailing how to clean the kitchen... How to clean the bathroom. etc. I find it works much better then me reminding them over and over. If they're little or don't clean, start slow! Hang in there, Susie
Hello Maru, it's great to see you back here!
I would say that the key to finding more time for what you love to do is to find out what you are actually doing with your time in the first place.
Quite often we believe that we simply don't have enough time to get everything done in the day, but if you actually kept a log, you may be surprised to see that there is a lot of time wasted on social media, TV, non essential activities and so on.
I recently quit Instagram except for posting and responding to DM's, due to time wasted scrolling through my feed/explore page. I got back 1-1.5hrs doing this!
My days consist of designing courses, testing, prototyping, filming courses, editing them, creating previews, sharing that on Instagram YouTube and Facebook, writing a blog, recording a podcast, making extra YouTube videos, posting on this forum, updating the website, spending 1-2hrs per day replying to DM's and email questions, going live on Instagram, organising finances, working with suppliers, photography for an Insta post every other day + stories, reading a chapter in a book every day, and a thousand other things that I am planning for the future.....
I have to stay organised and keep track of my time!
I have a monthly planner next to me that tells me what I need to do every day as my main task, I also have a daily list of what I am doing at any particular time, which always starts with an hour of exercise before anything else begins.
I also have a daily 'to-do' list which highlights anything extra that needs doing outside of the normal list. That get's checked off as each part is complete.
In a nutshell, to find more time it helps to map out your day. You will be surprised at how much you can get done when you organise yourself efficiently.
Don't feel too badly about all that. I've been on lockdown in Saudi Arabia since early March and all my stuff is in Bahrain. Can't go there yet. Still keeping up with the activities as best I can.
You know the routine, though - play the cards you're dealt, stay flexible, don't worry about what you can't do, do the best you can with what you have to work with all will be well in any event.
All the best, all ways, always.