Figuring It Out??

Maybe, after much overthinking, I figured out what's been bothering me about my schedule and, hopefully, how to remedy it.

(I know I chatted about this a bit earlier.)

People often want to schedule in advance. 

Don't schedule, doesn't happen. 

I get it and I don't disagree. 

Full calendars, let's get it scheduled.

But I was filling up a week, totally full, a month in advance -- some social, some volunteer, some appointments (all things I want on my calendar). Even though part of the "filling" was leaving time for my activities (i.e. left a morning open to hike, etc). 

I thought leaving pockets of time was enough, but I was missing a key piece. 

I don't know a month from now where I want/need those pockets. The week would come and there were things I wanted to do. Maybe more hiking (weather was great). Maybe a club hike (didn't post until last minute). Maybe an activity. And there was no room. So I'd have to pull from mornings or squeeze things in, or miss out. Maybe a movie came out and I thought, I want to go to a matinee -- but there was no time in my schedule as far as the month could see to actually go. Maybe I couldn't hike on the day I left open because of the weather. 

Then I'm left feeling overfull. 

Feeling like I don't get to do what I want.

What I want THAT week, in that moment.  

But what's the solution? This is tricky. 

October has been an experiment and it seems to be going well, but it's also not a busy month (no heavy holiday, no vacation). Can I make this work in other circumstances? 

I think it involves not scheduling "regular" things until closer to the date. Lunch with a friend I go to lunch with regularly. Thrifting with my aunt. Hike with a friend. Volunteering. 

"I don't have my schedule worked out for that week yet, can we plan closer to the date?" 

Of course, a number of exceptions and this is where I can be discerning. There are the semi-unicorn things that I enjoy enough to schedule weeks ahead. I can also "afford" to advance schedule some things on the calendar. I don't need a fully open week. When I hit that limit, then I need to wait to schedule more. 

Anyway ... it's worth trying. 

Picture time. Noticed a few things on a walk yesterday. Saw more, but taking a picture felt awkward because someone was standing there or it looked like I was taking a picture of someone's house (that kind of thing). I'm getting better at "seeing" these things. It's fun to notice and caption in my head too.

Dear Diary,

Today I saw large breasted dumpster, 

and a diva mailbox singing her heart out, 

Did a fun October project with my grandson. He's just getting old enough to start crafting together. 

Clearly an exceptional artist :)

Overall, a good day. 

Looks like my hair appointment is holding for this morning. 

I have a volunteer meeting tonight.

Hubby home late this evening.

That's today in a nutshell. My afternoon is open so I'll figure out some fun between the appointments. 

Have a good day.

Later gators.