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When you work a full time job, or you’re in school, but you have other dreams and passions you want to pursue, finding the time for your side hustle can be really difficult. Throw in having a family, trying to be financially responsible, and kicking it with your homies every once in a while, and finding just 10 minutes for yourself each week can be next to impossible. Work life balance is incredibly important to me for my sanity and productivity, so I’m always thinking of new ways to create time to do the things I love. Since I often get asked about work life balance and finding the time to do both school full time and run a blog full time, I figured I’d share a few easy ways to create time for your side hustle, passion project, or just for yourself.
“You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it.”
– Charles Buxton
Watch Less TV/Netflix/YouTube (time saved: 2 hours/week)
I love a good binge session, but if you think about it, we spend A LOT of time consuming entertainment. Watching 1 less movie a week, 2 less episodes of SVU, or those 8 Jackie Aina videos you’ve already seen 3 times, you can definitely save a good chunk of time each week.
Drop Off Your Laundry (time saved: 2 hours/week)
It took me a few months to convince Jonathan that this was the move, but ever since we started using the wash & fold service at our laundromat, I have at least an extra two hours a week to work on my blog. Unless your local laundromat is bougie, it’s super hard to get anything done while you’re waiting for a load to dry and watching to make sure no one steals your clothes. Drop it off (or even have them pick it up!) and buy yourself a couple of hours of free time for about $20.
Order Groceries Online (time saved: 1 hour/week)
From Amazon Prime to Shipt, I love using online delivery services to save time on household shopping. I use Amazon Subscribe & Save and never run out of toilet paper, toothpaste, and dish soap – which means I don’t have to waste time by dashing to Target when I’m low on supplies. Because you know a Target run is NEVER quick.
Use Public Transportation (time saved: depends)
If you currently drive to work, but you have the option to use public transportation, consider taking the train or the bus for your daily commute. Or you can take turns driving by carpooling with a friend who works nearby. Even if it adds an extra 30 minutes to your commute, you’ll have your hands and mind free to work on your passion project.
Simplify Your Beauty Routine (time saved: 1 hour/week)
If you’re spending an hour on your makeup everyday, and you’re not a professional makeup artist, you’re doing TEW much. Challenge yourself to shave off five, then ten, then fifteen minutes off your getting ready routine in the mornings, and it could add over an hour of extra time each week that you can be using to work on your side hustle.
And look, I just saved you more than 5 hours a week that you can apply to building out your dreams! Told you it would be easy! Now some of these aren’t fun (I know TV is way more exciting that working), and some are an investment (I can hear some people now vexing about paying $20 to do laundry when it’s $5 if you do it yourself). But remember that time is one of the ONLY things we can never get back. If you need more of it, you’re going to have to create it on your own.
This is great! I love ordering my groceries online. It’s saves a lot of time especially during the week. I don’t have to drag the kids with me. Such a time saver!
I loved the ease of grocery delivery, but often felt like the fruit that was picked for me was never the choice selections lol. I ended up using it mostly for bulk/large items.
This was such a good read! As a wife/mom ordering groceries is something I’m going to do more this year coz chile the time I spend on that weekly…Thanks Dr. Ijeoma
Honstly,Honestly, I’ve never thought about it from this point of view. Ijeoma, perfect timing for thiarticle. I need it. Thank you love ?
Nice tip
This is so great – and makes so much sense. I love makeup, but I should not be spending so much time on it haha! #PRIORITIES
Definitely going to find ways to cut down my routine.
Never thought of it this way! Love your blog, girl. You are so good!
This is really great tips Ijeoma especially the first one talking about time spent watching movies nd all. Loved the post
Konyinsola
http://www.pearlsandpencil.com
These are GREAT tips Ijeoma. Unfortunately, I don’t have public transportation access and sometimes I envy people that do. It’s okay though. I have been watching less (mostly no) TV these days, but using that time to read and/or work on my blog. We have a washer/dryer at home, so I’m still trying to figure out the best way to handle laundry – start at night and complete in the morning, or attempt to do it all (wash, dry, hang/fold) at a go. LAUNDRY IS SO HARD!!!!!
I haven’t made any lifestyle changes yet but I’m planning to incorporate meals planning for a week. I think that would be economically important to me instead of trying to figure out what to cook or eat daily. I want have to eat out or go anywhere saving on gas, time and my purse. Going back to the hairdresser is going to be a game changer for me.