. The Day After a Major Event

Let’s talk about organizing for “the day after”.  The other day I had a major event in my life with company in our home, pleasantries passed all around, a little bit of gift giving, and the sharing of delicious refreshments.  The next morning I faced what I like to call THE DAY AFTER.  I believe we must effectively organize for the day following major events in order to keep our pacing intact.  Otherwise, we might lose control of the entire following week.

No Major Obligations

I would like to suggest we plan on four activities so “the day after” goes a little bit smoother.  First, keep “the day after” free of any other major obligations.  If you have a big party in your home on Tuesday don’t plan on doing other important projects on Wednesday, because you will need extra time.  Keep that extra time safe for your “day after” needs.

Clean Up

Second, plan time to clean up.  I found sticky fingerprints on the door handle of my bathroom and realized one of the young children visiting our home had put her sticky fingers many places in the bathroom and there was need for this unexpected cleanup in addition to the general vacuuming, sweeping, taking out the garbage, and picking up all the little bits of this and that which always happens when there are parties in your home.

Make Phone Calls

Third, there needs to be time for you to call those that sponsored your party or special friends that attended the event so you can remember the good times together via phone.  There will also need to be time for you to write your thank yous to those that had brought refreshments or traveled a particularly long distance.  In all these cases, they will appreciate that second thank you and you will have effectively expressed your sincere gratitude.

Take A Nap

Finally, plan some time for a potential nap.  I don’t know why the same amount of time spent in high energy activities causes us to be so weary, but if we realize that on “the day after” we will be tired, we will handle the effects and the feelings just a little better.

During the month of May, for example, there is Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and for some of you that will be graduations.  In all these cases, we need to plan for “the day after” needs.  Cleaning up, verbal thanks yous, written thank yous, and a possible nap.  Lots of “days after” coming up!

Take care now and may your “days after” this month be more pleasant because you planned for them.

Find more helpful ideas in my House of Order Handbook.

Photo from sxc.hu. Used with permission.