Get out of my way!
Said no one ever
(ICYMI from Part 1)
So what?
Figuring out what’s in your way will allow you to:
- Be honest with yourself and others;
- Be more productive; and
- Enjoy your “me” time and time with others.
(Continued from Part 1)
My experience
My wife and I are in the kitchen at the same time four times a week during our morning routines. I’m making my espresso and her coffee, doing the dishes from late night snacking the night and making bread for the day while my wife packs her and our kids’ lunches and makes breakfast for our kids and fur baby. We started doing this morning routine at the same time when we moved to our new house six months ago. We had a routine that didn’t require us to be in the same room when we were living in our apartment.
We used to bump into each other a number of times every morning when we first moved in given how tiny our kitchen is. Don’t get me started on the layout. As much as we love our house, the kitchen isn’t set up for four people and a large dog to be in and coexist.
We would get frustrated and annoyed at each other all the while our kids were running around throwing tantrums and being needy. It used to be hectic and crazy. There are mornings when things do get hectic but never to a point of where it used to be.
What works for us? Small gestures. And little things. We set up shop at the opposite sides of the kitchen. Our main base of operation is on separate benches to distant ourselves as much as we can. We both take out everything we need to use before starting our given tasks and do our best to stay out of each other’s way. We take a brief pause to collect ourselves if we start to bump into each other.
You are likely thinking, man that’s militant. It’s what works for us and how we stay sane despite the craziness of trying to get everyone ready and out of the house for the day. Things run like a well-oiled machine once you implement these simple arrangements and steps which leads to less frustration, bickering and fighting.
What now?
Pay attention to the interactions with your partner, cohabiters or co-workers and see what small changes you can make or little things you can do for yourself and them. Try them and see how it goes. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Check out Making Space by Thich Nhat Hanh and Making Space, Clutter Free: The Last Book on Decluttering You’ll Ever Need by Tracy McCubbin.