A Well Balanced Day

(cover is a favorite print in postcard form - came as part of an order from Ward Jenkins) (Love his work)

If you've been reading my blog for a long time, you might remember that I have this little system for the well balanced day. The well balanced day (for me) consists of four c's and an e. It started with just four c's, then I added an e, and even more recently I've added $. 

Create, Cook, Clean, Crawl (quality time with the kid(s), Exercise and something financial (listing a golf ball, working, trying to negotiate a lower price in an insurance bill, balancing the checkbook, cutting coupons, actually using those coupons at the store....) If I touch base with each of these things just once a day - I sleep well at night. If I miss one, I fidget. (except for Sunday's - on that day I skip a couple c's and $)

I've been struggling to keep all the balls in the air lately - so I made this little journal to keep me balanced, to help me sleep well.

This album is 7 1/2 months long (it takes me up to May 31st). This suits me. These are the months that I need to maintain some sort of focus. Allan graduates June 1st, and the other three kids are out shortly after that. I can relax for a bit over the summer. 

The number of speak bubbles on the front of the card is just right. The fact that of the multiple sticker sheets on my desk - none of them have a $ symbol - is not right. Gotta find one and add that. 

For the cover I used chipboard. I kept them raw because I totally plan to scribble and doodle on them. For the pages I used a wide variety of paper. Artwork (I have four kids, I can't save every piece they come home with - I LOVED using this one this way), scrap paper, postcards, whatever was handy when I decided to put this together. 

I included an envelope on the inside cover. 

This can hold the calendar/planner that I try to keep on me these days as life gets busier. 

I'm a few days in already - so you can see how I've been filling it out. I find if I have a couple things done by noon, then my day is on track. 

Cleaning has to be more than just laundry, but can be cleaning a pantry shelf, dusting, vacuuming or delegating the cleaning to the kids. Cooking - as seen here - can be ordering pizza because it's pizza fundraiser night. I'm not TOO tough on myself. 

Crawl = Tuesday I took Mark with me to see the balloon sculpture and then to the grocery store, Wednesday I played Lincoln Logs with Brian, yesterday I played a board game with both Mark and Brian...it doesn't have to be all kids all days. 

I used the Technique Tuesday Month stamps to go through and label each day. 

I used my Cinch to pull it all together. 

This project filled the creative C two days in a row. 

I slept well. 

Happy Friday! 

Comments

[Amanda]

I love this idea

[Cindy H]

One question ... Does the cleaning part of your well-balanced day have to be "completed" once the task is started? I may have a few problems if I happen to adopt your plan some day :)

I do like your theory ... just a few goals with minimal expectations may just accomplish that much more than lofty plans.

[Jen t]

This is super cool. And I would buy one from an etsy shop, if the suggested guidelines were on the first page so i could be reminded. Hint, hint.

[Amber]

This is a great way to keep I well balanced day! This just might be what I need in my day. Thanks for a great idea!

[doris]

i adore this idea! i adore the journal! but the ocd in me wants 6 Cs. how about create cook clean crawl Calesthenics and Cash?