Those Girls: How Do We Spend Our Time, Really?

Andie wrote this post a while back about how being perpetually busy is a mix of what you need to do and how you manage your time. I'm sure everyone can agree the the holidays add more things to our to-do lists. For me, it is the season mixed with Assemble's big move online, and a second son due in two months. My own "Day in the Life" pie chart is a generalized peek into my current habits. What are the expectations of a modern mom/wife/business owner and what should I, or what do I want to change?


I wonder, "How do people fit in all of those other things, like putting on lipstick and coordinating outfits and Instagramming the leaves blowing in the wind?" As you can see from my chart, time to shower is minimal, and tea with neighbors wouldn't even make my monthly list! If you count it all up, I actually put more than 24 hours of activities into my day, but that's because things like watching TV are also (admittedly) times spent with Henry and/or playing on the web.

My Homework: Dispel the myth that all of those other girls have more than 24 hours in a day. How? Here is the chart I concocted based on how I perceive those girls to spend their day. I'm pretty embarrassed to admit I actually think people live like this--a completely balanced life of friends and work and plenty of sleep.


So, if we perceive each other as 24-hour super managers, then we may also realize that we all work pretty hard to get things done, while supplementing with fun projects and activities that might not further our status as Woman of the Year. And that: is just fine.

What does your day look like? Is there something you should change for productivity's sake? Or, should you do the opposite, and take on an hour or two to relax for self preservation?

Not Enough Hours in the Day...or Are There?

A friend of mine recently made the most poignant remark to me. She said "people who consistently talk about being busy are really just making themselves feel important. We all have the same amount of hours in the day." What a point! I always feel like there isn't enough time in the day and that all I do is work, so I decided to test myself.

Saying you "don't have time for that" doesn't mean that you actually don't have time for it: it means you are choosing to do something else that is more valuable to you with your time. I also think that is a completely valid excuse. BUT when your Grandma asks you to come over for dinner, maybe don't tell her that you are "choosing to do something else more valuable to you." Might not go over well...

So, I took a few notes. If there are 24 hours a day, what am I doing during mine? I created an estimate on most of what my day consists of. There are some days where all I do is sit around eating pizza and watching Bravo. There are others where I'm working literally from dawn til dusk, with snack breaks. The average day, however, is somewhere around here:

A pie chart! mmmm pie. Click to enlarge.
Now...I have to wonder how many of these things I am doing while working. Watching tv/working. Eating/working. Hey, my brain is even going while I'm exercising, but I'm not sure that's the point. I actively force myself to at least try to do other things, to broaden my horizons, or I think I might go insane. Most of you have probably heard me blabbing about my newfound favorite thing: French classes at the Alliance Française. I'm in love with it. I've wanted to learn French since I was a little kid, and I'm so excited that I bought these on Etsy yesterday. eek!

What are you doing during your day? What do you wish you were doing? I kinda wish I was being really rich in Paris, but to each his own.