Finding Balance: My Go-To Tools for Productivity and Creativity

Ah, the delicate dance of staying organized and productive in today’s fast-paced, tech-savvy world! If you’re anything like me, finding that sweet spot between academia, personal interests, parenting, and, ahem, gaming can be quite the juggling act. I’ve found myself diving headfirst into different platforms and strategies to help keep my life in check while making sure I still have time for the things I love—painting, cooking, gardening, and of course, quality time with my family! So, grab a coffee/tea (or wine, if that’s more your thing), and let me take you through how I manage this lovely chaos.

Navigating the Academic Maze

For my academic pursuits, the holy grail of information remains Google and Google Scholar. These trusty platforms have never let me down, whether I’m researching for a class assignment or digging deep into complex topics (this includes looking up random facts to the weird questions that pop into my head- am I alone in this?). Textbooks and professor-provided materials also play a significant role, but if I need that extra layer of understanding, it’s back to the digital world I go. A quick Google search or a deep dive into a scholarly article is often the key to unlocking those “aha” moments.

But when it comes to the fun, interest-based side of life? Well, that’s where things get a little more… exciting!

My Go-To Platforms for “Passion” Projects

When I’m feeling the itch to get creative, I’m all over Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and—on the odd occasion—Facebook. Whether it’s planning our next family vacation, organizing the chaos of my house, coming up with fun things to do over the holidays with the kids (baking, crafting, even a fun movie-themed night) or finding fresh painting inspiration, these platforms are my go-to’s. Instagram’s endless scroll of curated content? Yes, please! Pinterest boards brimming with ideas for every possible DIY project? Don’t mind if I do!

However, there’s a bit of a catch: it’s way too easy to get distracted. I’ll start looking up a new holiday recipe, but before I know it, I’m deep in a rabbit hole of holiday décor ideas, cute pictures of animals and let’s not forget TEMU! Seriously, I’ve lost track of time more often than I care to admit. Yikes, I hope I am not the only one this happens to!

Staying Organized: My Secret Weapon

Enter Cozi, the app that keeps me (and my partner) sane. We rely on it like a lifeline to manage all the moving pieces in our daily lives. Cozi isn’t just your average app—it’s a full-fledged organizer, complete with shared calendars, to do or get lists, meal-planning options, and alerts. The beauty of it? We both have access to it, which means that even on those busy days when we barely get a chance to talk, we’re still in sync.

If I add doctor’s appointments for the kids or update my class schedule, he gets an instant alert. No more frantically trying to remember where everyone needs to be and when!- no more excuses for missing those fun suppers at the in-laws.  It’s all there, laid out beautifully, and it gives us peace of mind in the midst of our chaotic schedules. Missing an ingredient for supper? Update the list of things for him to grab on the way home; the problem is solved. It’s just that easy, and it beats the heck out of sending a hundred text messages back and forth daily, trying to coordinate (and remember) everything!

My Ultimate Productivity Nemesis: Phone Games

Now, as much as I’d love to say I’m a productivity ninja, I’ll admit—I’m a gamer at heart. And let’s face it: with today’s smartphones, gaming is just a tap away. Whether it’s a quick puzzle game or an immersive who did it murder adventure, I find myself getting sucked in far too easily (ask the hubby). I’ve tried to set time limits on my phone for each game, but there’s always that little “more time” button that tempts me to keep playing.

It’s a work in progress, balancing my love for games and my need to get things done. For the moment, one of my favourite strategies is setting my phone to Do Not Disturb. It might sound simple, but it works! The extra steps it takes to turn the mode off force me to reconsider whether I really need to play that game right now—or if I should get back to the tasks at hand. I wish there was an app for my phone that required me to write a novel about why I should not be gaming when a request for more time pops up!

Another trick? I keep my phone in my bedroom or my car when I’m out running errands -out of sight, out of mind. This little tweak has saved me so much time, and it helps me stay on track with my work and family commitments. I may be hard to get a hold of but I am productive!

Music & Audible: My Productivity Sidekicks

On the flip side, when I’m trying to focus, music becomes my best friend. I don’t know what it is about putting on some good tunes, but it instantly puts me in a more productive headspace. Whether I’m exercising, doing some schoolwork or just tackling the never-ending laundry pile, music keeps me in the zone. Applemusic, Spotify, and SoundCloud are definitely my first choices.

And when it is time to wind down? Audible is my go-to. I love listening to audiobooks, especially light reads in the evenings after the kids are in bed. It’s a great way to relax while still keeping my mind engaged, and it’s perfect for those moments when I’m just too tired to physically hold a book or too tired to listen to the family (no judging, we’ve all been there).

Finding Balance

At the end of the day, it’s all about balance, right? Whether it’s managing academic responsibilities, diving into creative projects, staying organized, or just indulging in a bit of gaming (or whatever your vice is), I’m learning to embrace the ebb and flow of it all. Sure, I still get distracted, but that’s part of the process. The key is finding tools and strategies that work for you—and sometimes, a little distraction isn’t the worst thing in the world.

After all, life’s about enjoying the journey, even if it means taking a few detours along the way!