Time Management for the Overwhelmed

I'm participating in a playlist today all about Time Management. I'm sure there will be great tips all around, but my role on the internet seems to be to serve the completely overwhelmed. Like, the person who has tried and failed at creating a schedule over and over and over.
See lots of great tips on time management on the playlist here: cli.re/Time-Tips

[@Marialla.]

OMG I just realized... a day is a CONTAINER of TIME. Editing what you can fit into your day is like editing what you can fit on a shelf. You gotta make choices and priorities. It helps if you can group like things together. Sometimes you can sift little bits into the spaces between other stuff. By and large, though, it's nice not to cram it too full. Also, we have a "clutter threshold" for our schedule, same as for our houses. If we're overwhelmed and stressed about "not enough time in the day" then we need to simplify our schedule and declutter some time choices until we have a goals list that actually fits and doesn't stress us.

[@HomeGypsy]

I love this! 👍👍

[@Marialla.]

@@HomeGypsy Isn't it great that Dana has given us all this useful new vocabulary to talk about these subjects? Container concept, clutter threshold, TPAD, "duh" donations, donateable donate box... It all helps so much to comprehend how we move through/past all this mess.

[@jennyrhodes476]

Love these thoughts

[@stephaniejane306]

MINDBLOWN!!!!!!!! 🤯

[@annw1395]

I never thought of it quite that way before! Insightful!

[@eringeoffrion9159]

I’ve also found it helpful not to fret about cleaning the WHOLE bathroom at once. I now let myself clean the toilet (and only the toilet) one day, clean only the sink a few days later, floors the next week, etc. The bathroom is still getting fully cleaned. It’s just getting there in three-minute installments.

[@tammywammy6384]

TPAD - so true! I was avoiding cleaning the bathroom yesterday because I believed it took 45 minutes. Actual time: 9 minutes. I am 5x faster than what I thought!

[@DanaKWhite]

Oh I love this!!!!

[@MelindaPlainandSimple]

That is so awesome!!!

[@LudmilaT.]

I avoid it because I think it will take 45 minutes and then when I do it, it actually takes 2 hours (not the real numbers but pretty close to my reality).

[@kathyflanagan6380]

5hj..

[@LilCraftyNook]

Whoo hoo!! 🙌🏻🎉

[@merryannebrown]

I discovered I can get the dishes done while I wait for my coffee to brew in the morning. :)

[@llofdarkwater9152]

I make it a race. We almost always run a load of dishes before we go to bed. I can finish unloading and sweep the floor before the coffee maker fills the pot.

[@leahirvine3522]

Yes! I quit saying "morning routine" and saying "1st priority". Who cares WHEN it gets done as long as it gets done

[@jejrstans]

Ooo! 1st Priority! I LOVE THAT!!

[@leahirvine3522]

@@jejrstans it has helped me SO much

[@lindawade9647]

Great idea.

[@jillianguilford5191]

I'm beginning to identify routines differently. Dishes routine, fitness routine, medicine routine etc. I eat sporatically - so 1st nutritional event.

[@debkorn66]

This morning I had an extra 10 minutes before I had to leave for work, so I cleaned my bathroom vanity and toilet. I used your time pocket awkward pause idea and did that instead of scrolling Facebook!

[@Marialla.]

I'm somewhat disabled, and I get tired very easily and cannot stand/walk for more than about 20 minutes. So "finding those awkward pauses in the day" is the PERFECT way for me to keep checking in to see if now is a good time to do a quick sweep of an area. Bite-sized cleaning spurts throughout the day are making my world go a lot better than marathon jags that left me exhausted! p.s. Because I'm working "less" but more frequently, I'm actually increasing my strength/stamina compared to when I overworked and maybe had to lie in bed for a day or two afterwards, unable to do anything! I'm not losing days at a time anymore, so MUCH more is getting done!

[@HomeGypsy]

That’s also like me. Recovering from two broken feet, almost 70, and I often have to SLOW MYSELF DOWN and say to myself, “getting this done in twice the time beats getting exhausted and having to give up!”

[@Marialla.]

@@HomeGypsy I just realized something, Marti! (This is so important.) Besides calculating how long a chore takes in minutes, people like you and me also need to calculate how much PAIN and RECOVERY TIME it's going to cost us. Vacuuming the floor takes 15 minutes, but it's pretty easy for me, so I rest a few minutes and I'm fine and on to the next chore. However, scrubbing the bathroom may only take five minutes, but it involves getting on the floor, on my knees, reaching and working my back and other body parts that may take HOURS to rest afterwards. So that's not the sort of thing I want to do on my way out of the house when I cannot get recovery time afterwards. We need to calculate not just the job, but the recovery time as part of the job.

[@bloombloom271]

Precisely!!!!

[@barbhenley4692]

I have disability problems also. I'm finding if a do a little bit at a time than rest and go back at it. Has made a world of difference for me. I used to try to get everything done at once. Than found myself out of it for a couple days.

[@lisaann6267]

this is what i do. and if i have to go to other room, i look for something that be taken on the way or to that room.

[@verafriesen1372]

You look so beautiful in blue! It makes your eyes pop! And the blue in the background adds to it! Even though my personality finds it natural to keep things picked up and clean, I still have learned some great tips from you! Thanks!

[@njmaryannez]

I wanted to comment on the blue items on the shelf, draperies and your top & earrings: a really nice composition! (Wonder if the editor planned the shot? 😉)

[@sooziessugarshack6695]

Me too! Love the blue on you!!!

[@angierecovering_clutterer2434]

I came here to say all of this! Lovely look on ya today!!!

[@shelbybell787]

I instantly thought “wow navy suits her!” too!

[@bgreen4485]

Yes, Dana you look FABULOUS in that color! Gorgeous, baby, gorgeous!

[@Marialla.]

TPAD is absolutely a real thing! It affects lots of people with ADHD, like me. YOU are the FIRST housekeeping guru I have ever known who has given me help that WORKS for my issues stemming from ADHD! You're the first one who didn't say "First: don't be who you are, and second: don't have ADHD." I beg you to get in touch with as many ADHD groups/organizations as you can and offer your insights to them! I only found you this month by chance, and you are CHANGING MY LIFE!!! (And my entire ability to be successful at decluttering/housekeeping.) People need you, Dana! They need this information! Other systems are so guilt-inducing, no matter how well intentioned they seem, because the "bigger messes" they create on the way towards order are circuit-board frying in our ADHD brains. Please help us find you by adding "ADHD help/tools" to your hashtags? You are such a blessing, and nobody else has this message but you!

[@DanaKWhite]

Thanks for the advice on the hashtags! I wouldn’t have thought of that!

[@sohappytogether88]

@@DanaKWhite I agree!!

[@carlaeskelsen]

@Marialla I was going to comment, but you literally said everything I was going to say! Thank you! I'm still overwhelmed, totally, but as a lifelong ADHD person, I am comforted beyond words to hear the term TPAD (perfect description) and know that it's not just me. I have an extremely high IQ, but my time passage and home management IQs are roughly the same as a toadstool.

[@Hugo-dc9nd]

I totally agree! She's the only one who helped me. Others couldn't even make me make a move.

[@ashleyredden325]

AGREE AGREE AGREE 💯 I was diagnosed as a kid with ADHD and have struggled with keeping things manageable my entire life. Dana has changed my life, and the way I view my house. Even after falling off the band wagon, her two things that keep your house going (dishes, 5min pick up) get me out of the hole of overwhelmness without me getting exhausted and quitting.

[@meaganralston2733]

Yes, “Time Blindness” is a thing. People always look at me like I’m crazy when I tell them that I have time blindness.

[@creativelycountry3343]

Just a note to anyone who can’t get enough Dana, she has 300 podcasts on Apple podcasts, and I’m sure the other places people get podcasts Goes back years and years, so fun to listen oldest to newest!!!

[@conniegibson9740]

TPAD shows up most in my life in being in contact with people. Whole years can pass and to me it’s like I was just with the person yesterday and have no idea why they are offended because I haven’t been in touch.

[@seanagarrow7488]

That should be the title of your next book… “Awkward Pauses: getting it all done in a less awkward way!” lol! And…you look spectacular in navy/royal blue!

[@sylviapearson301]

If you’re not in the “Take Your House Back Course,” you need to sign up it has changed my life. Always do the dishes!!🌸

[@carollizc]

This is something I'm learning. If I take back my kitchen, that gives me physical and mental space which I can use to help me declutter the rest of my spaces.

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

ABCD- always be cleaning dishes. Lol. (Stole from Always Be Closing)

[@anap2916]

Thank you. You make it so simple. I'm a planner and overthinker that never gets into the "doing" part. Thank you.

[@findingaway5512]

I love how you say TPAD. And seriously the best name I've ever heard for it. Time passage awareness disorder is just brilliant. I feel safe I'm blindness before or bad time management skills but like the time passage awareness disorder is honestly the most accurate and descriptive term for that! I also love just how you make up words in general I think more people need to make it words in their everyday lives.

[@galemorrison7448]

I had health problems serious health problems and knowing how long it takes to do something on my good day that's when I can do it

[@lh8508]

You are honestly a sanity saver. Aiming for better is definitely where I’m at and knowing there is a pro out there who thinks more like I do is such a relief.

[@dianajones2441]

Dana I just finoshed reading both of your books and plan for my grand dtr To read it when she can, (she wants to). I will be loaning it to others with an encouragement to buy their very own copy because they WILL NEED IT! When you say "life happens" you aren't kidding. Love the way you are teaching us to win our battles with our homes! Better a little at a time is way more successful than the perfectionism I knew I would never achieve so I didn't even start.

[@georgebricker2224]

Many years ago my employer had us do a time management study. Of course they did not call it that. We had to write down and account for every 10 minutes. We did this for 3 months. Because it was work we had to do it. At the end of it they said"ok you are done". No further explanation. What i did learn was how to better use 10 minute slots just like you say. Better using even 5 minutes has helped in my daily routine. Waiting for hours does not happen but 5 or 10 minutes does. Your 5 minute cleans are great. Thanks for verbalizing things that I have been doing for years.

[@nicolepsy]

TPAD is real! Thank you for letting me know I'm not alone. I can easily lose hours and think it's only been a fraction of that! I thought I was losing my mind. It seems like I'm chasing my tail; constantly moving, but if you ask me what I've been doing all day, I couldn't tell you. Finding your videos has been life changing! Seriously, not exaggerating.🤗😁

[@cindimeyers8074]

I have a couple things that have become habit...making my bed every day, sink empty before bed, laundry when the hamper is full, and my living room always gets the 5 minute pick up every day. I tried so many other tricks to get to the other areas of my house, nothing worked UNTIL I came up with my own system that worked for me. Maybe "something" like this can help those that are struggling...here it is I break it down to a month...yes a month. Day 1 thru 10 Day 11 thru 20 Day 21 thru the last day of the month.. ..any days, i get to pick which days work for me for what is going on in my life...i just have to get everything done (or at least really try). I can do it all in one day or split it up into all 10 days, or anything inbetween...whatever works for me that particular month. Day 1 thru 10 is bathrooms and front entryway/steps...these are the most used areas and i deep clean these areas then. (Yes i scrub the toliet more than once a month) but this is when i really deep clean these areas...top to bottom. Everything gets washed, scrubbed, polished, etc. Day 11 thru 20...surfaces...ALL surfaces, all rooms, (except the 2 bathrooms and entryway...they've had their days), dust everything , everywhere. Clean and scrub too (think kitchen). Again top to bottom. Think ceiling fans, lights, inside microwave, fridge, oven, TVs etc. Day 21 thru the end of month. Floors...all floors (except 2 bathrooms and entryway...again they had their days). Scrub, mop, polish, wax, vacuum, whatever to clean your floors in your entire home. Next month...repeat. This "system" has worked well for me because I love to craft, read, shop, and have "me time". Before i always felt guilty for having "me time" knowing there is always something that needs done, now when i get my designated areas done I can relax and not feel guilty for being a "slob"...lol. This system has worked well for me but now I'm trying to declutter the areas behind closed doors/drawers, garage, attic, basement storage., etc. This has been a challenge after 25 years of accumulating stuff, I now am trying to get rid of it all. I don't want to leave the burden on my kids after I'm gone. Dana's 2 questions to declutter have become my mantra. Having only started 8/10/21, and accumulating for 25 years, it's going to take time. My goal right now is to find 5 things every day to get rid of...and it always ends up being a lot more than 5. Good luck everyone on your journey.

[@anyat686]

Do your dishes. Put in a laundry wash Do your dishes Put away the clean clothes. Do your dishes Dress your bed It’s so amazing that a clean kitchen can give you a clean and tidy house. Do your dishes is my new mantra. I’m telling this to my brother, my sister and my daughter-in-law. It’s making such a difference to all our lives. Thank you so much for telling me to “ do my dishes” Now my whole house is shining ! 😂

[@Marialla.]

Agree! Now that my dishes are caught up it's so much easier to recognize I can "do the dishes" in just a couple minutes if I wash the last ones as part of preparing my next meal/snack. I use the "wait time" on the microwave or in the skillet as my "wash time" to catch those dishes up... and it's working!

[@zainabfarooq9468]

Awww so nice, good for you xx

[@denisewhitney5926]

Dishes math is a real thing. Bathroom math is also a real thing! It is shocking how little time it takes to clean a bathroom that is already clean. lol! And it is shocking that it takes 3 hours when I let it go for 3 months or 6 months... because with TPAD, who can remember how many months went by since the last time that I cleaned it??? Actually, I cleaned it this past Saturday. :)

[@suredeydo]

But if it's already clean...Why clean it? Life is way too short to be cleaning the clean things.

[@kimhr1069]

@@suredeydo Cleaning a clean bathroom, for example, maintains the cleanliness. It takes just a few seconds to wipe down the faucet and sink, and you don't get a hard water build-up that takes 30 minutes to clean. I hope this helps. 😊

[@elizabethbrown504]

TPAD! Ron Davis talks about this in his book The Gift of Learning and he writes that it is ADHD as a form of dyslexia. That individuals with ADHD have a different internal clock. Eldest is diagnosed NVLD and TPAD is a factor for her as well. Her primary challenge is visual-spatial. Think Space-time continuum. its a measuring disability. It is an aspect of executive function. Reading that book really helped me understand myself because it's me. My mum says watching me is like watching slow motion because my brain is not processing the visual-spatial data as quickly as most folks. Routine defining works better for me too!! That said, I have made some dietary changed with the guidance of an ND and those have sped me up some. I can do more when I am not DHA, B and Magnesium deficient. B is a funny one too, because I learned I have a thing called MTHFR gene snip (me and 40% of the population, can't methylate folic acid, need methylated form of it to use it, and avoid foods that have folic acid added).

[@LilCraftyNook]

I’m surprised the camera didn’t jiggle when you said “I don’t bathe my kids anymore-that would be gross”!!! 🤣🤣 Girl!!! Have you been a fly on my wall all these years?? (Now THAT would be gross!?😜) “Piddly cleaning”-so RIGHT ON! I always felt so defeated because I could be busy for hours but nothing got completely done. (ADHD brain here) Tiny moments for sure! Thank you so much!! 🥰

[@rachelhellman5467]

I totally identify with you! I have always said that I am spatially challenged, which for me means that I have absolutely no sense of time or distance. I seem to always be a time optimist. Thanks for the tips!

[@jillianguilford5191]

I love that phrase: time optimist. Gonna use it if I remember it.

[@ericag2233]

Timing myself with a timer was life changing. I thought everything took 5 hrs to do.

[@thatswhatisaid8908]

What? You mean, they don't? I must look into this!

[@molliemarissa6189]

I went through a phase where I had this stuck in my head: Dana, singing to the tune of "Show Yourself" from Frozen: "Time yourself! It doesn't take that long. Time yourself! You'll see it's okay." 🤣 I don't know why it popped into my brain but every time now that I think something will take forever, that pops into my head again.

[@cocoacoolness]

I've been trying to spend 5 minutes per room in my house per day for general cleaning and tidying per one of your other videos. I've only got 5 rooms in my house. I know I'll only be spending 25 minutes on cleaning and gosh it makes a difference. Usually I just leave everything until Saturday

[@EtherealOrbAbastractArt]

Listened to this as I did the dishes that I’ve been putting off all day because I thought that would take at least half and hour. It took me less that 5 minutes.

[@careybandaranayaka2587]

Pockets of time is genius!! I have two small children and every day is different. Some days are so smooth I can get things done and other days are so fussy nothing gets done. I've never been able to stick to a cleaning schedule but I'm motivated to get things done whenever I have a few minutes. So happy to know this is normal! LOL! Love your videos! :)

[@rigaeventyr]

Thank you so much for this. I’ve always been making these unrealistically thight schedules for myself, setting myself up for failure so to speak, and then getting the confirmation that I just can’t manage. Now I’m focusing on doing the dishes, and that actually frees up time to declutter the rest of my house. Dishes math is real!

[@Marialla.]

Overstuffed daily schedule is like an overstuffed shelf. Your container isn't getting any bigger, so it's better to just fill it with less stuff, so there's more breathing room! We all have a clutter threshold in our time, same as in our houses. You know you're finally under your threshold when your daily goals no longer overwhelm you.

[@terryruiz7417]

As usual, you give the most basic, down to earth advice for handling daily life housekeeping. I watch people having three planners they fill out, with time slots filled in, rigid routines that would not work for me. Main problem...taking up all that time to fill the doggone things in! I only do that with our budget/bills. And I do tend to be a list maker, but in 74 years of life, I have kept house the way you suggest and done just fine. For those who "flylady" and whatever else works for them, more power to them. To each his own.

[@Marialla.]

THIS! I love filling out planners, and making charts and schedules. They never work for me, but oh, they are so much fun to make! They look so orderly, like the job is already done just because I wrote it all down! lol I find the Bullet Journal system works best for me, if I keep it very basic and not all instagrammy. I try to have 3-5 bullets of "priority goals" for the day, that I get done whenever. I try to check my journal at least twice a day to be sure I'm on track. Sometimes I'll write my "bullet goals" onto small post-it notes if it helps me see/remember them better. But the key is not to over-plan, and just work in whatever spare minutes it becomes possible.

[@reisafedorchuck1083]

I take a photo on my phone and delete it in the evening. If my list is in another room, left at home, etc I still have it

[@Marialla.]

Timing how long it takes to do a thing is helping me get more aware of when I can fit a job in. One more thing I need though is to rate how hard/painful a job is. Vacuuming takes 15 minutes, but is easy for me. Cleaning the bathroom takes 5 minutes, but involves getting on the floor and reaching, which is painful for me, so I tend to avoid it more. I need to do the bathroom at times when I have not just cleaning time, but RECOVERY time afterwards, to rest my body so I don't overwork and hurt myself.

[@tiasharp2370]

Do you have the resources to get yourself a Cedar O SpinMop for your bathroom? You deserve a took that will help you avoid getting on the floor.

[@Marialla.]

@@tiasharp2370 TY. I've never tried the SpinMop. I do use a Swiffer, which is pretty good for any flat surface big enough to fit it. (So it works well for most of the floor, and also the ceiling and walls.) But I'm unblessed to have toilets with exposed curvy porcelain pipes underneath the bowl, and those crevices are too tight and awkward to reach with any mop. I have to get down there with my hands and a cleaning towel to properly clean out the grunge. Also behind the toilet where the pipes come out of the wall requires hand-cleaning also.

[@kelliefollett1547]

Your 5 minute pickup has changed the state of our dumping ground. Once a week doing just a 5 minute pickup, amazing! Thank you.

[@jillianguilford5191]

I agree ; with my health issues, some weeks that's all I can do. Other times I feel better and can do more. Progress Is Progress

[@LadyMiner100]

A thing I did forever was time myself doing stuff. I'd set a stopwatch and do dishes, feed dogs, collect eggs, load washing machine, drive to town, unload dishwasher, make coffee; absolutely everything. It took away the overwhelm. I realized after a while of doing this I could unload the dishwasher while the coffee brewed (7 minutes), one battery charge in my stick vacuum is 12 minutes so that's all I can spend on that, 17 minutes to drive to town. I didn't do this once, I did it every time I noticed myself saying "I don't have time". Now day's I rarely think about it, but it's how I run my routines so most things get done in a day.

[@HeidiLilley]

Oh my goodness! This is amazing! I can relate to TPAD! I always thought making my bed was going to take thirty minutes at minimum, if I do it the minute my feet hit the ground in the morning, it takes no more than 30 seconds. I am so glad you said it didn't matter what time you do the dishes or the five minutes pick up, what matters is doing it. I have tried to get in the habit of doing dishes in the evening after I eat, but I'm always ready to crash then. For me, when I start the coffee in the morning (after making the bed), I get the hot water running and do the dishes. I'm honestly not sure I am awake enough to think about it, I just do it. The only real exception to that, is if I have company in the evening, I will try to do all my dishes then before I go to bed because waking up and seeing that many dishes is overwhelming.

[@alamryfarms754]

I used to DREAD marking the bed. But it makes me feel SO much better about the state of my house. Anyway, I timed it once finally and it takes about 45 seconds to pull all the covers up and straighten the pillows. Good ideas! Now if I can get my teen on board. 😊

[@sandismiles2320]

Yes! I used to leave my bed unmade because I thought it took too long to make it before work. I timed it about a year ago - 65 seconds! I believe my bed has been made every day since then! Best wishes with your teen lol! I’m also working on it with my son - who is in college lol.

[@anyat686]

@@sandismiles2320 Oh yes. My adult son is back ( for a while ) and he is dressing his bed every single morning. Because when he does that it makes me happy - so then I change his sheets regularly and do his washing - win -win. 😂😂😂

[@Susan-pg7yc]

You are totally describing me! I now make sure I do a dish while the microwave is going or unload the dish washer while I’m waiting for the kettle to boil. Mini-jobs. Pick-it-up-don’t-pass-it-up. Otherwise I would stand there and work on my schedule, lol.

[@lynnfelthauser7181]

This morning I literally said out loud, “I HAVE to stop being lazy!” I made a list of every task I need to do every day, estimated a time for how long each would take, and saved it on my phone. Then I watched your video. I now just want to cry. I am a new empty-nester, I work part-time, and try to have a small craft business. I am also a slob. I see amazing people keep amazing homes clean, and I can’t even clean my bathroom weekly. I keep telling myself it’s “the change”, because I’m always tired. But then I hear the deep-inside voice saying “lazy” and I stop moving at all. .to add to this, my hubby’s love language is “acts of service “. I’m making him unhappy. I need a way out of this mess in which we live. I don’t need to take my house BACK”, I need to get it together for the first time in 11 years.

[@stephanieturner5931]

Do you watch Minimal Mom? Between these two women’s videos, they’ve helped me so much in changing my life. I was feeling like you are but I still have kids at home. Things didn’t improve for me until I started getting rid of stuff. I’m still working on it. But even in just a year, it’s already made a huge impact on the burdens I carry. So much of the stuff I got rid of was hidden stuff, like from closets and drawers and cabinets. But now I’ve reached a level in making my house look more open and clean, that my husband can actually see and feel the difference I’ve made in the house. The plus to that, is he just started working on his shop and the outside of the house that he had let go and let get cluttered. He would complain (and he’s an acts of service person too) but he couldn’t see everything I was doing, and then I would cry (Im a words of affirmation person) and we would both feel miserable. He never helped, but me taking the reins and just doing it, eventually lead to him stepping in when I reached the peak of visible progress. Never underestimate doing one small thing a day, it does build up over time. My advice is make your one small thing a day, a permanent change not something you have to do regularly like washing, but throwing out broken or damaged things. (I know dare I say it to a crafter, but as a fellow crafter, those things come a dime a dozen everywhere and it’s much better to begin a craft in a clean workspace than hold onto something you can easily obtain again.) Also, to help with the tiredness, make sure you’re getting good fresh air and sunlight everyday and you’re eating balanced meals. I fight chronic fatigue, I quit beating myself up on my tired days and allow my body to rest and make up for it by doing extra on my days I have boosted energy. Having less stuff though makes it so much easier to rest because I know my clean up recovery is manageable in a day now and not a set back of a week.

[@anner4598]

Dana K. White's book, How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind sounds perfect for you. I think it's perfect for overwhelmed people who have lost hope. I know it has really helped me :)

[@jillianguilford5191]

One thing that helps me in the bathroom is to do a swish & swipe daily. I put a squirt of cleanser in the toilet - let it sit and use a disposable wipe for the sink & counter, then use the brush & flush the toilet, take another wipe for the seat & area. It takes about as long to read this as to do it. I get dressed and do my hair in the bathroom, so it all works together.

[@jillianguilford5191]

I have time in the month for a detailed clean when I do bathroom and laundry room or office.

[@ginamcdonald7854]

Now I know what my problem is…TPAD!!! My problem is I underestimate the amount of time it will take for a task or a drive somewhere! I’m the one who is always 5 - 8 minutes late everywhere I go because I think I have more time than I actually have to finish something! I’m going to start timing how long it actually takes me to complete a task. Thanks Dana! Also, I’m enjoying the Take Your House Back group so much!!!

[@SnowySpiritRuby]

TPAD, AKA Time Blindness, which is also a symptom of ADHD, though it can occur independently from it as well.

[@lindaellerton3680]

Me too. Ever since I was a kid! Always late. I even went to a psychs to try to fix. They all said it’s just I’m trying to do too much into little time. Or leaving too late to get there. Talk about stress!! And then I give up on it all and end up looking like I belong on an episode of Hoarders lol!

[@jillianguilford5191]

A friend who was a secretary told me she would be given a task and plan to add 15 - 30 minutes to the time - cause stuff happens

[@dianeharcourt9518]

You sound just like me. That and procrastination have affected my whole life!

[@NatJ4reform]

This is the last of your videos that I have watched! Thanks to you, after 21 years in my apartment I have followed your advice, declutterred, passed stuff onto family that I’ve ’looked after’ for years…honestly my place feels so light and airy now, thanks for saving me lol 👍👏👏👏👏

[@dianehand1396]

I have learned that overwhelm happens when I don't know what I am doing, haven't put it to memory and feel as if I am constantly starting from scratch each time. I wish I had been taught as a child how to do anything.

[@beachprints]

All of your videos are great! This is the video I needed to watch today. I'm an empty nester. Just my husband and I but 25 years of our stuff, our kids stuff, parents stuff. Most flat surfaces has a bunch on them. Overwhelmed of how to get it all done. Your videos help so much! I am making progress.

[@alisonhuber3068]

Love TPAD concept! That's me! Adding habits to other habits has helped me.

[@christinedisneyqueen5746]

I have TPAD too…so glad we have a name for it now! 😁

[@AngelaResseguie]

Off topic, but you LOOK AMAZING in navy blue! :) Have a great day.

[@dbennett20]

"Move the needle" refers to the odometer on a vehicle. Cars have a little orange thing on their odometers (like the little small second hand on a clock that's not digital) that tells us how fast we are going. That little thing is called a "needle". So if your needle on your car is moving then your car should be in motion and moving.

[@dawnaskey4975]

Ooh- I love it!

[@SnowySpiritRuby]

Speedometer, not odometer. (Sorry, little things like that bug me.)

[@99Dragonheartz99]

Dana I love how you give such practical and doable advice on how to accomplish the house work. And I love how I feel you are actually sitting here talking to me personally. I consider you a friend. Thank you!

[@SnowySpiritRuby]

One of the most annoying things with time blindness is that it comes with executive functioning issues that are a major problem when it comes to timing how long something takes: remembering to actually stop the timer when you're done with whatever task you're timing. If I either don't have someone reminding me to stop timing right before I need to stop timing, or I'm not thinking about the fact that I need to stop my timer literally the entire time I'm doing whatever I need to time, especially at the end of it, I never remember to stop it when I'm done. And I second the suggestion of adding the ADHD tags - you are literally giving advice for those of us who live with it.

[@jejrstans]

Thank you for clarifying the difference between a schedule and a routine! That has always been a sticking point for me. Based on my routine, I've been able to add things to my day and it's been less stressful. Like at night when we take our nightly allergy pill that we've been doing for several years, I now know it's time to run the dishwasher. That one change has made ALL the difference!! I'm also in the Take Your House Back course and LOVING IT!! You three ladies have so much great info to share and it's so relatable and usable!! TYTYTYTY!!!

[@karengraves3900]

I hear singing, do you hear singing?! Love this concept - thank you!!!

[@safarigirl40]

TPAD - this hits home so hard! I thought it was only me! I'm so relieved it's not! I'm late everywhere because I completely have no clue how long it takes me to do something. I'm driven and so am always busy. I never sit down. I'm constantly looking at the time in disbelief that it's mid afternoon and I feel I have achieved nothing. I procrastinate. I spend hours busying myself with other jobs to avoid doing the really important ones - I don't do it consciously. I often wish I could turn the clock back a few hours or days or a week so I could spend my time differently. 😳

[@juliebley3716]

Right there with you!

[@mrsducky3428]

If we all did that, time would never advance 😂😆😂😆😂😆

[@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane]

You seriously sound like you have ADHD like me! I was diagnosed at age 48 with the Inattentive type. I take medication for it and it helps me with motivation and focus. Everything you mentioned is exactly the symptoms of ADHD... plus there can be other things... executive function problems like having a poor working memory. Do some research on it... it is genetic... it may be something you can get help for!

[@mermama5647]

You have no idea how much your videos have helped me and impacted my life!! Thank you!!! Watching these are literally a reward to myself while I am cleaning and decluttering - keeps me motivated!!!!

[@colleencarrillo7929]

OMG- I struggle with TPAD everyday. I always think I am going to get more done then I actually do. Thank you for explaining that

[@buckeyenative1365]

OMW, every time I listen to you I think, where were you 30 yrs ago when I was trying to teach myself how to keep house? Always thought something was wrong with me.

[@mrsducky3428]

So sad that we had to "try to teach ourselves to keep House", plus most of us had to earn an income as well. 😭

[@rnguyen2516]

I feel like I take forever to wash dishes and do laundry! I used to think it was because of my kids needing me all the time, but they are now both in school 😂. I’m going to try her advice!

[@jennw6809]

Yes. I don't put things on the kitchen floor and I don't generally clutter the bathroom, but my list is doing the dishes, emptying the catbox and taking out the trash/recycling/compost (whichever is full). I do need to add in the 5 min pickup but I also tend to do this to calm myself pretty regularly. There is still a lot of clutter but I knock it back to a certain "baseline" daily.

[@minkademko2335]

So often I found myself looking at something and saying "I need to do that", like putting it on some obscure list in my brain and not doing it. And more often than not, if I had just taken care of it then, or at least do something to advance the task, I wouldn't have it weighing on my esteem. I tried a time schedule for a short while and it totally didn't work for me because I always diverted to other tasks that came out of nowhere as a "better" thing to do. And I hate hate hate the constriction of a time schedule. Now I brainstorm my to do list and pick one thing at a time. I get so much more done that way. Thanks for your videos ❤️ And I developed better habits to pick up (30 seconds!), sweep the floor, or clean a surface in a moment's notice, so helpful and rewarding with little effort.

[@emacwakeup]

This is me through and through. If I put something off long enough it feels like a huge mountain I need to do. Best thing is to do little and often. Anyway, your better is good and take it there now have boosted my daily routine along with the dishes and folding clothes. Honestly. If doesn't even feel daunting. Like today, I needed to clean the bathroom and i would have done the whole thing. Anyway I found a few pockets of time and I did the mirror. Yes better is good. Then I did the sink, better is good. Progress without mess. Anyway I got the whole bathroom clean and few other tasks I had been putting off for a couple of weeks (bedroom mirrors etc) and I was like better is good, moving the needle, progress - absolute fantastic. Thank you so much.

[@mnmo4bb]

The thing about scrubbing the bathroom... is that if I do it more often it takes about 5 minutes... I leave a scrubber in there and do the main one when my 2 & 5 year old are in the tub. My bathroom needs to be done now and it looks bad but I know when I finally do it it won't take long. All I use is vinegar spray, hand soap, baking soda, micro eraser scrubber and.... toilet paper ... My priorities: Dishes (done by my children thankfully!) Bathrooms - clean & useable Laundry - my system allow me to get behind (mainly tall baskets for dirty, short for clean!) we need clothes and need to know where they are in order to leave the house on time-ish... Mondays we do a "Main Floor Madness" essentially reset the main floor, sweep, mop, vacuum all floors. Put away stuff (especially items that came in the mail). I'm very careful to not schedule things this day, it's the day we stay home, have a family meeting (get on the same page for agenda, etc). it's been a great start to the week. Friday we do a "weekend prep" ... a quick pick up so dad home all weekend isn't dealing with extra clutter in the way... I do laundry in two days. Those days vary each week!

[@kellyrosedowney9219]

Would LOVE LOVE LOVE If you hit on more life stuff like this for people who function like you. How do we do shopping list? Meal prep? Putting kids to bed? Doesn’t seem to be a lot of stuff helping us overwhelmed type with life task

[@newwife777]

I am pretty sure she's got a video on meal prep...I feel like I saw it somewhere.

[@creativelycountry3343]

I feel like Dawn from minimal mom, her first video on meal planning and grocery lists is helpful. But yes I agree, would love to hear her elaborate in other areas of her life!!

[@ninawinning2064]

Everything about this video sings to my soul!! Tpad is REAL! So painfully REAL. This is the advice I needed right now today in this moment!!!

[@gapeach51170]

Great advice! Typically, the everyday tasks like loading the DW doesn't take as long as our mind tells us it will.

[@sherrypike4313]

Oh. My. Goodness. This is so me! I didn't know there was actually a name for it. I have actually timed myself doing certain things because I had a sense that it didn't take near as long as I imagined it did. And it's true, it ALWAYS took far less time than I thought. I'm usually early or late for appointments because I don't have a concept of how long it takes to get somewhere. I've learned to adjust (mostly) but it is a struggle. This video is very helpful on this point. Thank you!

[@jillianguilford5191]

I'm sitting at my desk, been looking at decluttering and other things. I do have to focus on what is being said/shown. However, between videos I have used a bit of time to clear areas around my desk. I looked at my medicines and supplements that I keep here: got rid of out of date (told doc office for refills) and tossed out of date supplements. I checked my diabetes supplies - and straightened the drawer. I now have my pens, scissors, and paper clips in a new container. I use paper plates and disposable eating utensils - I have fibro so many days I can't handle the real ones. I also moved a small basket from bathroom cause I checked first aid ointments for dates. I found duplicates and ones just begun to be used, so consolidated. Those things are accessible now, some in drawers, and some in containers out on the desk.

[@homemakingwithdenise]

Hi Dana, I agree. The schedule and the routine is important. My schedule is to get things done first thing in the morning. If I let it wait until afternoon…it didn’t get done. Clean the kitchen right after dinner. Never thought about TPAD. I tend to over plan for what I can get done. Never as much as I plan.

[@lisay1525]

I always find those “pauses” when I’m trying to get out of the house 😊 Great tips and inspirations 👍💕👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼Excellent !

[@loriolsen5785]

Dana, I really found this video enlightening! Now, I always do my dishes (some days it feels like all I do is dishes because I have to make a lot from scratch due to allergies and special diets in my family.) But I especially enjoyed the part about 5 minutes. Although I've heard this concept before, I didn't realize until today that I have frequent strange pockets of time where I could get SOMETHING done but I don't because I am about to get started on dinner or run out for errands or I'm waiting for my family to get ready to go somewhere. I sometimes feel like I live in a waiting room and I get annoyed because I feel like other people are wasting my time. But I could do something with that time to MAKE SOMETHING BETTER. Anything is better than nothing. I believe this method will help me stop feeling like the hamster on the wheel, like I'm running all day and not getting anywhere! We have a strange schedule, so trying to make standard routines hasn't worked for me. But if I approach my day as I will do what I can with whatever time I have, I will be satisfied with my efforts that day, instead of feeling dissatisfied when I go to bed that I didn't "get more done." Thanks Dana!

[@Iamonlyadoll]

The thing about bathing your grown kids made me lol. The trying to right out a crazy hour by hour schedule... Oh man I've done that! Never works!! Glad I'm not the only one! Your advice is amazing! Its worked for me so far!! ❤️

[@christinacampbellbooks]

This is so helpful! I just put all the dishes away and folded all the laundry whilst listening to this video during a pause in my day ☺

[@darlar.9043]

I know exactly what “Time Passage Awareness Disorder” is…. You’re right. It’s real.

[@SnowySpiritRuby]

And the official name is "Time Blindness".

[@rg-mi5hh]

5 mins here and there help with daily maintenance. It's the little things that make a difference.

[@vanessablanc2074]

I ❤ the TPAD concept!! I think that’s me. I also have time stopping once I get started. Thank you for your videos!

[@l.williams6249]

Dana this is brilliant! And combined with Dawn’s 3 max to-do list and brain-dump I think it will be stellar💫

[@catherineshaklee76]

I absolutely LOVE your advise! Thank you for making it so manageable for us!!!!!!!! ❣️❣️❣️

[@butterflyrebelde]

You look beautiful. Great color contrast. I love navy blue. Thank you for all you do. Time the tasks, look at your free time and match the task. Attach an ongoing task with a new one. ❤

[@genu1negal]

Love your term TPAD 😆 I have it, too!! And the approach you suggest in this video seems like a great reframe for people like us. Unrelated, that top really suits you. Have a lovely day!

[@k.0910]

Dana, T-PAD phrase is great! Thanks for sharing. Blessings.

[@valentinemux]

Thank you!!! I just wrote myself an elaborate schedule last night after watching Jennifer L Scott’s time management video! I love her! But this is a natural talent for her and for me…it is not. I’m going to toss that schedule in the trash, with all the others I’ve written in vain all my life. 😂 Thank you for the reality check! You are so right! Off to tidy the bathroom and throw in a load of laundry.

[@mindymudge7247]

Your video is great and your son’s commentary at end always make me laugh!

[@pst47wings]

That color is gorgeous in you!!!

[@pst47wings]

*on you 😊

[@eloise5274]

I rarely leave comments on anyone’s posts but I loved this video!! ❤. You reminded me about timing tasks. This really helps. Like you, I always procrastinated because I imagined it would take me too long!

[@susanbliese3603]

You have helped me and our house SO MUCH! So grateful you keep it real and honest because I can relate and I don't have to feel ashamed anymore. The kitchen is a welcome place and we are able to cook more easily now AND it is a peaceful place. Thanks, Dana! God has blessed you to be a blessing to others.

[@lizziemcdougall2767]

Thank you! I often avoid de-cluttering my bedside table. I have timed it, and it takes twenty minutes. I also avoid vacuuming, and after timing it, I have found that I need thirty minutes for a large open concept area. Now that I know how much time is needed, I can evaluate whether or not I can do it before doing something else. Thanks again!

[@dorothythorpe6183]

Yes! I've made the enormous lists and the giant schedules! Then I made a reasonable but "perfect" household chore schedule with vaguely made up times, organized perfectly. Now I tend to do the most important thing of each day (and maybe nothing else) and that is working somewhat. Like Tuesday is clean the wood and tile floors. Memorized. I don't know what else is on the schedule for Tuesday. But aiming for less is getting more done. You're brilliant, Dana! Focus on top priorities! Thanks!

[@sallygy4815]

I’m trying to use your idea of timing my activities to help with cooking, which is my most dreaded task. I’m trying to determine how long it takes to make the recipes that I make again and again. I’m hoping that it doesn’t take as long as I thought and maybe I will actually cook more often!!

[@beccismith4454]

Just an observation, this color, dark blue, is a really good one for you, Dana! :-)

[@bethreisman8869]

I agree. Using my kitchen portable digital timer to carry with me has helped immensely. Now I know, making my bed takes 2 minutes at most. Same with emptying the dishwasher, etc. It has opened my eyes.

[@loisyoung595]

Oh my goodness! I did the long list and times to get it done!!! I thought I was the only one to put times by each one!!

[@mrsducky3428]

It's because "day planners" have time markers, because of professionals who have appointments with clients. Then we try to adapt that planner to home management.

[@jenkane8070]

Love this. The blue in this video makes your eye colour pop. X

[@kellygriffin392]

Love this, thank you! I needed to hear this advice because my schedule is constantly changing, but I do have pockets of time to get things done.

[@Silrielmavi]

TPAD= Time Blindness, which is really common in people with ADHD etc(something I've been researching recently mainly for my kids but also for my husband and me.)

[@Marialla.]

I just got officially diagnosed with ADHD this year. I'm 53. So yeah, a lot of us are limping along not knowing why we suck so bad at stuff. Knowing we have ADHD or autism or any other condition helps so much, because it opens new ways we can address our difficulties that otherwise might never have been suggested.

[@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane]

I have ADHD Inattentive type and I feel like the poster child for TPAD! LOL!

[@monikavikic]

Thank you! I've heard of it but I haven't done serious research yet even though it might be the case that both my son and I suffer from it.

[@bloombloom271]

Why label the spoof label? Takes away the fun and the brilliance. Einstein was labeled as "unteachable" and thrown out of school when he was 9. Now, he'd probably be diagnosed to death. TPAD is insightful, accurate and funny.

[@Marialla.]

@@bloombloom271 There's a big difference between labelling a person, vs a person labelling themselves. For those of us who really need language to communicate what issues give us trouble, a label we all understand is very helpful. Deciding for someone else that they have "This Label" (especially if that label limits their rights or humanity in your eyes) is the problem.

[@burghbrat3319]

I agree with getting the dishes done (or at least out of the sink and into the dishwasher) as a good first step. I've always done better with routines than schedules. I don't know where I read or heard it, but it's the one-minute rule: Look around, any task you can do in one minute or less, do it now. You actually CAN get 10 things done in less than 10 minutes, and that mindset helps me a lot when I feel overwhelmed by too many little things to do and I don't know where to start. I tend to overestimate how long a task will take, and will put it off because I think I don't have time. But it usually doesn't take as long as I think it will.

[@hettiekenny5185]

Dana, you are amazing! Thank you.

[@hopefulforhumanity5625]

I have made so many schedules that leave me feeling defeated because the schedules are made by "Idealistic Me". I realized that person is a lot different than "Actual Me". Also my schedules left me feeling low key stressed, hurried, and panicked underneath.

[@christi3411]

Thank you for your wisdom! Seriously. These are the things that I have trouble with and you had been there, in the trenches.

[@GratefulDeb270]

Wonderful video! Ty for helping me work thru overwhelm! Bless you! 👍🙏💃🏽

[@icingcake]

The lighting is looking great in these recent videos - I’ve made so much progress thanks to you and others like the Minimal Mom etc - listening to your podcasts while I clean is so helpful. I will probably listen again once I finish!

[@justanordinarylife9798]

OMG! This woman changed my life! Things she come up with is so true! TPAD! So real!

[@maggie9256]

I have finally given up schedules and know I do so much better if I list a few things I need to get done. Then I do them, most the time, when I feel like doing them during the day. I've been so much more productive!

[@ellenpapuga7469]

This video more than any I have ever seen from you has clicked in my brain!!! Thank you!!