The days are getting longer. Isn’t it lovely? I am enjoying the sunny evenings. Summer has crept up on me and I am astonished at how quickly time flies… yet again.

One thing I have been contemplating much lately has to do with time spent. Am I doing a good job of utilizing my time? Or do I waste more than I should? So, as I have gone through my days, I have decided to pass on what I have learned I can do with 10 minutes. Ten minutes here or there can add up and be a blessing in many ways. And let me just say that sometimes we think we are wasting time doing certain things, when in reality it’s a very good use of our time. So! Let’s see how.

Time with Kids

If you have children (or grands!), you know how much time may or not may be spent with them. But being intentional with this time can be helpful as we balance work and play! Teaching our kids is non-negotiable. It is a constant thing we do moment by moment (even by our own actions!). So, one way to utilize a 10 minute spot: teach them something new! Maybe a chore, maybe a game! How to tie their shoes. How to wash a dish. Show them a map and find things on it. Write down a schedule for the day. Above I am showing my daughter how to use the salad spinner as we wash and dehydrate herbs. She loves helping in those ways.

Another thing I have to continually learn is when to play with my kids. Set a timer for those 10 minutes and play! Make believe, board game, cards, or sidewalk chalk. Be present! No phones- just you and them. It can be hard to not be watching the clock, but the timer helps me know I am free to play.

Finally- bring your kids into whatever you’re doing with these 10 minute spots! They will feel honored and excited to learn alongside ya!

Fun and Fluff

Read! Do you struggle finding time to just read? For gain or pleasure? Place books in special places where you can find 10 minutes and read. Beside the stove; on the couch; next to the bed. Pull out an old favorite. Read aloud to the kids after supper (on the deck in summer, near the fireplace in winter).

Go outside and pick a bouquet of flowers, wild or grown. Find a lovely pitcher. Cut them just right. And put them in the center of your table. I like to keep my table cleared off as much as possible.

Watering, Weeding, and Whatnot

As it is the season for being outside quite a bit, I find that I can always use a few extra minutes in the garden or flower beds. If you only have an apartment with some inside plants, this is for you. If you have low maintenance perennial beds, this is for you. And, if, like me, things can get overrun with weeds and feel daunting, this is for you.

With the garden season beginning, I decided to take 10 minutes before supper and water my seedlings. One morning I had bread dough rising and was able to weed my perennial flower bread for 10 minutes before I needed to go back in and punch it down. In 10 minutes, I can harvest lettuce for lunch. With 10 minutes I can begin weeding some part of the garden… and go back again tomorrow and do it again. Upkeep is healthy! And lastly, with 10 minutes, I was able to water my container plants before we headed to the library one afternoon. Simple. Effective.

Laundry Detail

We have some sort of laundry to do daily. I do not wash clothing every day, but I do pick up dirties, switch towels, dust, or something which requires laundering. Don’t be afraid of laundry- I would often tell you it is my least favorite chore. However, when I see it as a rhythm, a service to my loved ones, I can embrace it and even enjoy the quiet time it allows me.

Have 10 minutes?

• throw a load of towels in to wash
• change the sheets on the beds
• use a pair of dirty socks and dust the baseboards
• fold a load of clean laundry
• put away assorted clean and folded stacks
• fold that enormous basket of mismatched socks
• swap out towels throughout the house as needs arise
• mend a shirt, sew on a button

Does this get your mind going? The possibilities are endless.

Correspondence

There are many types of mail that need our attention. Sometimes we have a bill hanging over our heads. Sit down, write the check (or get online if that’s how you do it…) and pay it. Go ahead and run it to the mailbox too! Sweet Husband keeps my stamps stocked!

When was the last time you wrote to someone just because? Have a stash of blank cards on hand, use typing paper, or steal some of your kiddos’ notebook paper and just write! What happened this week; menu you have enjoyed; any wildlife you’ve come across; press a wildflower you picked; a song that you can’t seem to get out of your head… There is always someone waiting to enjoy your musings.

Who’s birthday is it? Is there an anniversary in the air? How about a graduate you have been meaning to write to? Any sympathy cards that need sending? You have 10 minutes on the timer. Go!

Pick Up and Put Away

This title could include lots, but here are a few ideas…

• declutter one drawer/cabinet in the kitchen or garage
• wipe down appliances and cabinets
• go through the mail basket
• put away anything out of place in one room
• wipe down all kitchen surfaces
• empty the dishwasher
• make sure desks are in ship shape order
• make any unmade beds
• clean out the car/van
• wash all of the sinks
• sweep high traffic areas
• spot vacuum where people come in and out

We are talking about 10 minutes, folks. You may be quite surprised with how much you can get accomplished in what seems like a small amount of time.

Kitchen Prep

The last category I’ll mention has to do with food! We say we have no time to cook from scratch and yet we waste precious minutes scrolling, chatting electronically, and comparing ourselves unfairly. Here are some ways you can prepare foods in that quick 10 minutes: before leaving for work; in the middle of the day during quiet time; after supper and before putting the kitchen to bed.

Slow cooker suppers are flexible, crowd pleasers, and have endless ways of use.

• throw a pot roast, veggies, and liquid in for supper
• add bones and water and have broth cooking for you while you are elsewhere
• reheat taco meat (etc) throughout the afternoon and have it ready for supper before any evening games/activities
• put ham and beans in for supper and reuse the leftovers later in the week (as chili, refried beans, etc)

Making bread can be as easy as a quick batch of biscuit bread to go with eggs for supper. From scratch, quick, simple! Cornbread is just as easy (you think a box is quick? Try homemade!) Muffins- so many options. Yeast breads take a bit longer bc of the rise etc. But the hands on time is 10 minutes for many recipes.

Meat made ahead of time can save you many minutes later as you prepare meals. Take 10 minutes and thaw this weeks’ meat- place whatever cuts you’d like into a dish in the fridge. There is a nice start, even if you don’t have a meal in mind yet. With the thawed ground meat (beef, Turkey, lamb…) pre patty some burgers (add liver!); make a meatloaf; or brown up some meat for later meals (tacos, sloppy joes, etc).
Again, we’re only needing 10 minutes here!

Now to go alongside the meats, you’ll need veggies and fruits. One way to help your self later on is to chop, dice, or slice any veggie you plan to use for meals in the days ahead. Potatoes, celery, carrots, onion, etc- cut up as desired and put into containers for the meals (or snacks!) you will make.

Ok- now… what will YOU do with the 10 minutes you find throughout your day? Comment below any ways you use your time wisely!