where does the time go?
My goal for myself was to put something together at least monthly for you all and, what do you know, I’ve fallen into the abyss of time. Alright, enough of the dramatics: point being - balancing creativity, work, continuing education, family (insert your responsibilities here) can be overwhelming. With a lot of my clients - whether it is a preschooler or someone in their later stages of life - finding ways to stay engaged and on task comes up frequently. For some people it is school, for others it is staying on top of household tasks. People are wanting to identify ways to balance getting their responsibilities done in an efficient yet sufficient manner so when they have the time to rest, it actually feels like rest!
We live in a fast-paced, expensive world. It is important to recognize boundaries/rest AND think about the days you may push a little harder. With our phones, google homes, etc. we have access to constant reminders and timers - which can be amazing and overwhelming all at once. This post will share ideas that have worked well with others and helped them feel more successful when it comes to focus. Not only that, they are aimed at helping people feel able to think and make plans that feel more accessible. Another bonus: using these tools can help naturally incorporate mindfulness skills (focus on present, for example). Okay, last morsel of food for thought: a variety of research indicates that novelty, or something new, and emotions enhance memory and create excitement, or motivation. HEEEENCE, if your old tools aren’t working it could be a great time to mix it up and start afresh with something new and visually exciting!
Below are affiliate links to products that have been helpful for me and my clients!
Visual Timer - Great for people who have a hard time grasping or monitoring how long 5 minutes really is. Click the link for additional color options.
Cube Timer: Aesthetically pleasing colors, flip and it automatically updates the timer! Click the link for additional color options.
Stop Light Timer: Gives a green cue for plenty of time, yellow for getting close and red for done!
Liquid Timer: These are great when I don’t need to set (or forget) a timer but want to make for a smooth transition. Not only that, it doubles as a fidget for kiddos during tough conversations or moments when they’re feeling a bit out of it. Click the link for additional options!
Speaking of fidgets…
Below are some solid go-tos to help with focus. Whether it is sitting through meetings or kids feeling more comfortable when they have something to manipulate and focus on when they’re working hard.
Arggh! Ball: While I have not encountered a stress ball that cannot be exploded, but these ones are pretty tough! When I have these out, almost every person gravitates towards them. If you click the link you’ll see that there are glitter and snow options, too!
Play-Doh: The good ol’ reliable Play-Doh! This particular one has some fun pastel colors. If you click the link, there are more color options.
Don’t forget to check out some of the downloadable and/or printable options for to-do lists that are under the “products” tab, or just click below!
As always, thanks for stopping by and taking time to shop around.
Stay Cozy Out There,
E
