Team, are you familiar with that feeling when sitting back and relaxing suddenly turns against you? It’s like one minute I find that I can’t wait to just sit down in front of the TV and put my feet up, and several episodes later I feel like a complete useless slug. It’s like a little relaxing is just what the doctor ordered, but too much can leave me feeling immobile, down, and disconnected.

In the winter, I’m never quite as productive as I am in the spring or fall. This, of course, is a perfectly normal and acceptable fluctuation, and a welcomed rest given the pace of our other seasons. But how do I stop this slower pace—this time of less productivity—from becoming an invitation to bad girl myself?

One workaround I’ve mastered is what I call the “doing something while really doing nothing” technique. I can’t bring myself to actually get out and do something, so I do a lot of nothings with my winter BFF, Tela-Vision. Laundry, drawer organizing, paper sorting, email shuffling—you name it, friend. If I can cart it to the living room and do it in front of the TV, it’s fair game for the something/nothing list.

This technique lets me give Netflix my love and attention—and our home too. It’s multitasking in the most delightfully mediocre way. Now, if I could just figure out how to work in love and attention for the children… Well, until then, they’ll just have to bond over their shared memories of me saying, “Not now, twerp! Mommy’s folding very important socks.”

Team, I know that I’m an adult and I can sit on my can as much as I want, but if that’s not making me feel good—I need a P-L-A-N. Getting some of these mundane tasks completed allows me the downtime I so deeply need in the winter, but also sets me up to have things run a little smoother in the spring. Because we all know that there aren’t any junk drawers getting cleaned once lacrosse season rolls around. In the spring, I’m lucky if I can organize my thoughts, let alone a junk drawer.

Tomorrow TeamC, MamaDe is heading on a solo vacation without TeamDe. I’m so excited, I’ve already packed two bags: one for clothes and one for snacks I don’t have to share. Ha! Who am I kidding? I don’t share my snacks! Ok, but I am going to be checking in next week with a Summer Submission from my friend Christine and her business partner Lisa. They are doing amazing things for women and I’m so excited to share that with you. Until then I’m off to Costa Rica, thanks for listening!

If you need more listening on the topic of restoration…
I’m Not Sorry – Honoring My Downtime
When I Swear At My Kids – It’s Time for MRT
ReaLISTic – Are My Lists At This Time of Year Realistic?