It’s the time of year that we get a fresh start, but it can feel overwhelming to tackle it all at once. Here are some ideas of what to prioritize.
- Go back to the normal wake up and bedtime schedule right away, even if kids don’t seem ready. Start by waking up kids even if they are sleeping and it’s blissful to have a quiet house. If you and your kids have jet lag, keep in mind that this takes time. It can take 1 day for every hour of jet lag until everyone feels on schedule again.
- You don’t need to restock the house and do all of the laundry today. Think: what’s immediate that must get done? We need milk and cereal and we need the underwear and socks to get clean. Everything else, including that big grocery order, can wait.
- Put it away. Push yourself to put away the items you don’t need anymore. You will have a clearer head to tackle real life ahead if these items are out of the way. That might mean your Pesach kitchenware or vacation items today, or your Sukkos decorations later in the year. When those things are sitting around taking up space, you’ll never feel like you have your house back in order. And take the time to clean them before putting them away!
- You may feel exhausted and in need of a vacation. Think of something you’ll do as soon as everyone is back on schedule and schedule it for yourself! A manicure, pedicure, a lunch at the lake (by yourself), lunch or dinner with your husband (no other people)… whatever it is that will make you happy. Once that’s scheduled, you’ll have something to look forward to.
- Get moving. Movement is so important to build back your energy. After Yom Tov, we have a fresh start, so it’s also a good time to get everyone back to healthy habits like having a decent bedtime hour and brushing teeth (and healthy meals that don’t consist of a ton of potatoes too!).
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