Juggling *Life* During a Hard Time
Slide from the Hard Times class by Quinn Corte, 2024.
I’ve had several family emergencies this year. One of the worst parts? The world doesn’t immediately come to a standstill.
In crisis, it’s suddenly crystal clear what matters and what doesn’t. We feel like everything else should just…stop. But it doesn’t. Everything feels different, but we still have obligations and logistics and households and relationships to maintain, and it’s brutal.
That’s how friends in Asheville are feeling since the hurricane. And that’s how I feel about this upcoming election, too. Our democracy and civil liberties are on the line, and we're expected to just…work all week?!
It’s so hard to juggle *life* when we’re struggling.
But there are things we can do to make it easier. Ways to feel less overwhelmed, less ashamed, and less panicky.
Our latest Community Class is all about dealing with *life* when we’re stressed out.
I’m just going to say it: It’s a damn good class. I’ve got some of my best stuff in there. And it’s pay-what-you-can, so you should download it right this minute.
Really, the only issue with the class is that it’s too short. I couldn’t fit everything in.
So, scroll down for a hot tip that didn’t make it. If it’s even a teeny bit helpful, come to the class. I’ll help you apply strategies like this to your own life.
Q: How do you juggle *life* during a hard time?
A: Triage.
1. Every morning during a hard time, check in.
What matters most today? What’s the #1 thing—outside of surviving—that needs your attention today? Maybe your mental health is rock-bottom and you need support. Maybe a missed work deadline has become mission-critical. Maybe the only thing that matters is being prepared for a big doctor appointment. Get ruthlessly clear on this priority.
2. Identify your golden window.
What are the couple of hours (or minutes) in your day when you have both energy and opportunity? Maybe it’s first thing in the morning. Maybe it’s right after the kids go to school. Maybe it’s during your work lunch break. (Hint: It’s not “after your to-do list is finished.”)
3. Use your golden window for what matters most.
Be greedy. Be merciless. Be f*cking discerning. Whatever you do, just don’t spend your golden window loading the dishwasher!
Right now, you have limited capacity, so you cannot manage your time the usual way.
If you allow it, everyone and everything will take every drop of your (very limited) time and attention. There’s ALWAYS a colleague or friend or kid who needs you. There’s ALWAYS a mess to clean up. There are ALWAYS emails to respond to.
So when you have a golden drop of energy, don’t choose those things. Choose your thing. The rest of it can happen when your energy is fading or when you have five minutes to scrape together. Or even better—the other stuff simply won’t happen..and the world will keep turning.
Practice the art of triage. Make sure what matters most actually happens.
COMMUNITY CLASS
Digital Download
Self-guided video/audio + written guide
Pay-what-you-can
50% donated to hurricane relief in Asheville, NC