Sixty Things to Do in Ten Minutes or Less

So last week, when I was feeling overwhelmed and tired and like everything was going to shit, I sat down and made a list of things I can do to feel productive in ten minutes. Ten minutes, most of the time, is pretty easy to come by on an afternoon or early evening (sometimes more than once). For me that might mean when Sawyer is happily playing alone, when he's content in his highchair stuffing his face with Cheerios, or when my husband is home and they're spending some time together. I realized that doing a few small tasks during the day like that made me feel a ton better, as opposed to just wasting that time. The list grew and grew and grew and I decided that I might as well stick it up here just in case someone else can benefit or add to it. Rest assured, this is not going to become a Lifestyle/DYI/Martha Stewart-esque sort of blog. Please.

(I apologize if the formatting is weird; I copy and pasted from a word doc)

 

Cleaning/Organizing

1.     Empty wastebaskets

2.     Toss five things from fridge, freezer, or pantry

3.     Fold a load of laundry

4.     Unload the dishwasher

5.     Unsubscribe from a few emails

6.     Use granite wipes on counters, stainless steel wipes on appliances

7.     Take an armload of things from downstairs and take upstairs (and put said things away)

8.     Scrub the three toilets

9.     Sort mail into file/toss bins

10.  Fold plastic bags (see link)

11.  Spot clean carpet in one room

12.  Clean out purse/work bag/diaper bag

13.  Delete pictures or unused apps from phone or tablet

14.  Drop off bag of junk at Goodwill

15.  Clean out one drawer of clothing

16.  Replace dead light bulbs

17.  Clean corners with duster (or whatever its called)

18.  Vacuum the stairs

19.  Hand wash a few items that need it

20.  Throw away expired medicines

21.  Straighten up a closet

22.  Throw away old makeup

23.  Wash baby bottles

Family

24.  Read a book or two to the baby

25.  Buy stamps to keep on hand

26.  Play fetch with the dogs out back

27.  Plan meals for the next week

28.  Brush dogs

29.  Play a round or two of Mario Kart with husband

30.  Prep healthy snacks (hard boil eggs, chop some fruit, etc…)

31.  Write a quick card to an older relative

32.  Sit down and play with baby, totally uninterrupted

33.  Pay a bill

34.  Order a gift for someone’s upcoming birthday

35.  Pick up/drop off dry cleaning

36.  Get gas (and clean out any trash laying around in car)

37.  Skim family budget and accounts to verify everything is where it should be

Self

38.  Accessorize (seriously- who doesn't feel better with some jewelry on?)

39.  Slap a coat of clean nail polish on pedicure

40.  Read and comment on a blog or two

41.  Schedule  an appointment that in the future, but not too far away

42.  Floss

43.  Planks

44.  Walk around the block

45.  Text an old friend hello to see how he/she is

46.  Make the next day’s lunch

47.  Drink a glass of water

48.  Skim news headlines and read an article of two

49.  Prep the next day’s clothes, items to take to work, etc…

50.  Sun salutations

51.  Make a $10 donation to a charity

52.  Read a few pages

53.  Make plans with a friend (or husband)

54.  Download a few podcasts or an audiobook for the commute

55.  Write in journal

56.  Back up phone or computer

Work (while at home)

57.  Grade three essays

58.  Reply to emails

59.  Review upcoming lesson plans

60.  Plan essay topics