In addition to the weekend organization tips that I discussed on Wednesday, I also have some “weekday rules” which I find very handy for keeping me sane and on top of things! Here are my Living in the Real World-style weekday rules:

1) Set a time limit for the computer. I write three personal blogs, plus I upkeep The Food Label Movement, and I occasionally have other freelance work to do. This means that if I let myself, I could easily spend several hours every evening on the computer. However, this is a bad idea. I spend 7 – 9 hours at the office at least four days a week, mostly in front of a computer, and the last thing I need is to stare at a computer when I get home in the evenings. Not only is it bad for the eyes and the brain, it also keeps your mind active, which makes it that much more difficult to fall asleep at night. Not cool! So, I either don’t turn my computer on at all in the evenings, or else I only turn it on to do very specific tasks if I’m on a deadline. And if that is the case, I try to make a point to not work on the computer after 8pm. It’s good to get a break from the computer.

2) Make lunch (and plan meals) the night before. Even if you wake up early in the morning instead of hitting the snooze button, your time is shot if you have to prepare your lunch. This is because it takes time to decide what to have, and then to get the ingredients together and put everything together and find containers to carry it and such. Before you know it, 20 minutes have flown by and you have 10 minutes left to shower and run out the door. That kind of stressful situation is a horrible way to start the day! Instead, take 15 minutes or half an hour every evening to plan your lunch, put it together, and also choose what your dinner will be. If you get the chance to plan your breakfast too, even better.

3) Spend time with your S.O. or family. This is one of my top ways for relaxing! If I’m stressed out about work or getting anxious about something, taking a few hours to just hang out with Mr. Science and talk, or play a game of Scrabble, always makes me feel much better and much more capable of taking on whatever was overwhelming me. Growing up, my family and I always ate dinner together, sitting down at the dining room table. It was great! We’d sometimes sit there for hours having long discussions and solving the problems of the world. It’s a really good way to unwind at the end of the day and to bond with one another, especially if you don’t get to see too much of each other, otherwise. Speaking of which, Mr. Science and I are spending lots of quality time together this weekend, since it’s his birthday weekend! Happy Birthday Mr. Science!

What are your weekday rules or habits to stay on top of things? Share in the comments section below!