Looking for advice on how to manage "life admin" as well as everything else

Hey @Jlol I always take my hate of to anyone that can work any kind of job, but especially a full time job and manage all of that other stuff and a mental health condition. I don’t work at all and I still struggle with all of this life admin stuff.

I struggle with making phone calls so if anything involves that it just doesn’t get done. Appointments nope. The touch screen in my car has been faulty for over a year and I’ve just got back from driving Sydney to Melbourne then down to tassie and back and I was so angry with myself cause I really needed the maps. I enquired about getting it fixed last year under warranty but there was a 3 month wait just for them to look at it!! I have though since booked it in!

that is scary that you ended up so unwell with your asthma attack.

im sorry i dont really have any bright ideas. But maybe a few things that i find helpful; doing a meal plan for the week- it takes the decision out of ever nights dinner. Laundry I pretty much wash just once a week and I dont hang it out on the line, I use a clothes horse. I just find it easier and the easier anything can be the better.

I guess that stuff is life @Jlol and if you don't do it, and you can't share it or outsource it, it doesn't get done. That was the situation for me. It was easier when I negotiated 4 day weeks. Sleep is perhaps the only other variable. It's easier now with late night and Sunday shopping, ATMs and banking apps, than it was for old timers. And there's online shopping and food deliveries.

Or perhaps you begrudge time you'd rather spend on other things like entertainment?

I've been there. One of the worst things was while I was falling to pieces, noone cared.

@Jlol

I also really struggle with this and will be interested in any suggestions others have. Thank you for asking the question and for sharing the ideas you’re already implementing.

Hi@Jlol, that's an exhausting list to manage all at once and especially if working full time. The way I would tackle this is to prioritise the very important ones. I would sort them out first. For example your medical appointments they are a priority. So for example eg if you needed an pathology test can you get it done before you start work or on a Saturday possibly. When you see your doc ask them if they can send you some where that's open on a Saturday sometimes this works sometimes it doesn't regarding medical appointments. Go easy on yourself if that means doing the washing every 2 weeks then so be it. While you are on your break at work is there a chemist nearby so you could give your script and pick it up another time doesn't have to be the same day. Try to get other people to do things for you in any way you can. Make sure you have enough medication. Can you get a double script for your asthma so you have an extra one on hand. Try not to do everything all at once. Space them out and it will decrease your stress. Some things you have to let go for a bit. Your health comes first. If it means microwaveable meals every now and then so be it. If you need to write letters or emails unless they are urgent don't pressure yourself to get them done right away. Be kind to yourself.

I am definitely in a similar situation, working full time and trying to manage basic daily tasks is a struggle. I just get overwhelmed with life admin and as much as I know it is better to get started straight away, I just always seem to last minute to get things done under pressure. My best advice is probably routine and habits make non-negotiables with yourself and friends, like always going to a 7am group fitness class, or making sure the washing is all together on a Friday afternoon to at least get washed. I don't know if others are similar but my life seems to run a little better when I do tasks on autopilot (the less thinking a decisions the better).

Hope this helps, you are not alone and thanks for sharing!

"Or perhaps you begrudge time you'd rather spend on other things like entertainment?"

Yes absolutely. It's not like I want to live a life on hedonism, but I do think it's important for mental and physical health to have a precentage of down time everyday.

@Jlol

Agreed! It’s so tricky to manage work, life admin, and also the recovery time we need in order to function sustainably. I know I find it really hard to slow down without then getting stuck in either avoidance/inertia. At the same time, I know recovery time is necessary!