The rule of 8 and 1

I am exceptionally Type A.

I make lists. I plan weeks in advance (actually just this week I wrote down everything on my schedule that I know about through Dec. 31 of this year).

I pour all of myself into work, Momming, being a wife, and oh yes, a decent citizen.

A few years ago it all became just …. too much.

Everything was overwhelming. My lists had sub-lists, and I felt like I could never relax. The moment I would sit down I felt like I was going to fall behind so I better get up and cross another thing off my list.

That’s when I implemented the rule of 8 and 1.

The idea behind this rule is simple: You give your job and other people at least 8 hours of your day, every day, the LEAST you can do is give yourself 1 hour.

Many people (myself included) use this hour to exercise (for me it’s best before work because I know my colleagues are not awake and working at 5 am!), but you can use your hour however you want.

Want to binge trash TV for 1 hour? Read a book? Take the dog for a walk? Whatever it is, it is your hour to do with whatever you please.

Try the 8 and 1 for a week and see what you think.

It’s my favorite rule.