5 Things it’s Okay to Skip

Once in a while, things just get to be too much.  You’re sick or you’re pregnant or you have a needy baby.  Maybe you have a tragedy in the family or you are struggling with your own health. These past couple years have been a difficult at our house.  We’ve had sickness, a sick/pregnant mama, a new baby, a death in the family, a husband working long hours, a crazy toddler, and two extra kiddos a couple days a week…one thing after another and I have had the hardest time getting caught up.  Things got crazy.  Things got messy.  Mommy got ugly.  But we are surviving.

We’re beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel, Lord willing, and I’m beginning to pull things back together.  I’m finding my new normal and I’m able to get things done that haven’t been done in quite a while.  Through it all, I’ve realized something.

Sometimes, it’s okay to skip stuff. 

You don’t always have to do everything.  There are certain things that CAN wait.

I want to give you a list of the ten things I’ve found it is okay to skip when you’re down with something.  These are things that are easy to catch up on and won’t leave you in a worse mess by leaving them for another day.

1. Washing Towels

When the laundry is piling up and you’re not sure you’ll EVER see the bottom of the hamper (or the floor under the pile), do one load of towels and set the rest to the side.  If you have bath towels for each person, they can be reused a few times before needing washed again, so the rest of the towels can wait until you’re caught up on other laundry.  Give yourself permission to skip that load for now.

2. Dishes

During times of high stress or sickness, pull out the paper plates and skip the piles and piles of dishes.  I try to keep a bag of paper plates and cups for times when the kitchen is such a mess that I. Just. Can’t.  I know they’re a waste of money, but it’s cheaper than eating out!  They’re also nice to have around for those days when you’ve spent all day cleaning and want to take a break from doing dinner dishes.  You’ve earned it!  Break out the paper goods!

3. Fancy Meals

While we’re “in the kitchen”, let’s talk about meals.  Are you a gourmet chef?  I know I’m not!  But I do like making most of our meals from scratch (read: our budget dictates that I make most of our meals from scratch).  Ha!  When sickness or struggles hit, it’s just not something we’re able to do.  We ate a lot of pizza this past year and although it’s not great for the budget (or the waistline), it is good for the soul.  On days when everything is overwhelming and it’s just too much to think about fixing dinner, it really is okay to get a pizza, guilt free.  I also try to keep a few meals in the freezer that I can pull out when life is crazy.  That’s an easy way you can prepare yourself in the good times for the difficult times that are coming.

4. Deep Cleaning the Bathroom

Let’s leave the kitchen and head to the bathroom.  Now this is a room that really should stay clean for health’s sake.  But you don’t have to deep clean all the time.  Keep a bottle of spray cleaner and a rag next to the sink for a quick wipe-down after you brush your teeth at night.  Do a quick clean of the toilet while your kids are in the bath.  Use a self-cleaning spray (I like “no-work” from Melaleuca) on your shower.  You can essentially skip doing a total clean of the bathroom, at least for a while, if you just do a one-minute cleaning project every couple days.

5. Serving

I love serving others. It’s part of who I am. If someone needs help, I am going to step up if I can. I think most moms are that way. However, when these really difficult times come and we are just barely struggling through, it’s not the time to take on more. It’s okay to say no. It’s okay to not add one more project to your plate, no matter how worthy. It’s ESPECIALLY okay to let others serve you.

As you’re reminding yourself that there are some things it’s okay to skip. Also remember, there are some things it’s not okay to skip. Never skip spending time with the Lord, hugging your family, and reaching out to others for support. When you’re going through those really hard times, lean on those who love you most and remember, when you are through that valley and back to normal life, you’ll be able to have a clean home, eat nice dinners, and serve others again. These valleys never last forever.