I read a poem the other day which asked a question that stuck with me: what statistic from your life would you most like to see? It’s one of those whimsical questions, but this was my personal favourite answer – how many hours have I spent doing nothing, and not feeling guilty?

I could probably count that statistic on one hand. But gosh, I wish it was more. And if you’re anything like me, you’re also perenially immersed in lists of obligations, tasks, and the worst of them all: deadlines. I’ve been there one too many times. In fact, I’m still there. Still trying to worm my way out of it all, and stay focused on what really matters.

It’s still the middle of yet another crazy week. We just finished up with a couple of events, went on a day trip to another city (which is where the sunset is from,) exam results are nearly all out, and I have a long, long list of performances all through August. And so, inspired by this current state of craze, here you have it:

A How-To Guide on Multitasking [Maya’s Version] –

// pause. plan. persist.

It’s a mantra at this point. It’s easier to eat a pizza one slice at a time rather than the entire pie. We all know this, but I still feel like it’s so important to keep in mind.

Whenever you have a minute, like when you’re waiting for the bath to fill up, or you’re standing in line at school, or you’re on the bus and everyone isn’t yelling in your ear… think. Just make a mental list of what you have to do. I’m not big on actually writing down lists but Microsoft To-Do helps if I’m ever in the mood.

Now once you have a plan in place…

// say NO.

Probably one of the most important things I’ve learned in all my decade-and-a-half. You cannot do everything. Even if it’s something you’re good at. Everyone has to make sacrifices, and you’ll know when the opportunity shows up and you really want to do it, but you’re so overwhelmed. It’s okay to prioritize; in fact, you have to do it.

If you really want to excel at something, and not just be average at everything, refuse opportunities. It sounds so counter-intuitive… you want to be good at a bunch of things, you sign up for a bunch of things, right? No. Do one thing at a time. When the time is right, it’ll all fall into place. I promise.

When everything is finally scheduled out –

// sacrifice. just for a bit.

This isn’t what I said above. In fact, it’s kind of the opposite. In that situation, you’re signing up for too much and trust me, I’ve been there. Sacrifice the things that won’t matter in the short run.. things that you can make up for in the long run.

You cannot have everything. I’ve had to learn it the hard way. (Hypocrite alert.)

// work smart

This is arguably the most important thing I’ve learnt. People ask their predecessors, “How many hours did you study for?” or “How long did you practise every day?” but in my opinion, that doesn’t matter as much as the real question: “How did you study/practise?”

That means something else entirely, and that question might not always help you. Because it works differently for people… for some, writing it down helps and for some, it helps to say it out loud. For some, maybe they prefer to listen to the piece while others need sheet music while learning.

Find what works for you, and do it efficiently

// unwind

This is my personal favourite. I’m a perfectionist, and it’s nearly never a good thing because you wind up pushing yourself way too hard that sometimes you start to wonder: how far can I go? When’s the breaking point?

And that’s when this step comes in. And it’s unique for everyone. What you’re good at might not always be what helps you unwind. But then again… it could become one of your favourite things to do. For me, personally, it’s the guitar, it’s dancing, and it is writing.

You cannot work hard all the time. I didn’t have to learn this one the hard way, heh.

…and there you have it: my top 5 tips on multitasking!

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a little life update ☕

// Honestly, this time of year is always a bit of a whirlwind; it’s when school feels the least like school, and you’re ending up counting how many classes you’re attending (and not how many you’re missing.) It’s been a whole lot of fun, nevertheless! I’m making & forging new memories every minute…

// it’s finally salt air & the rust on your door month! How are we nearly in the last quarter of the year?? Time, wondrous time.

[cousin’s birthday, lulu being lulu, this beautiful plant that blooms once in a blue moon]

// My best friend and I counted it out: we have only about a hundred days of school left, give or take, and next year, we’ll all be going our separate ways. I can nearly feel myself looking back on times like these; reminiscing.

// hosting an interschool event with some of my best friends. By some miracle, I ran into Maith @ Maith’s Musings there which was absolutely crazy. I mean, having “known” each other through our blogs since 2020, and actually meeting completely by chance at the fest… serendipity itself. It was literally the beautiful impossible.

// My friends and I went out to the Barbie movie (TOTALLY RECOMMEND IT!) for a dual birthday celebration and had Taco Bell and laughed the night away with our stupid “kenough” jokes. The entire mall was kind of swathed in baby pink. Strange how a single movie can have such a huge effect on the world.

[Barbie movie, matchy bracelets, the highway bus ride, aerial view of mall]

// going to another city for a music competition. I’ve never done something like that before—a 4-hour long bus ride, and going to school at 5 in the morning, reaching at 9.30… wild. We made it to the finals and didn’t place, but it was so much fun. Another one of those things I’m never forgetting.

// Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) came out!!! I know I’m really really late, but I didn’t have enough to say about it for a completely different post, but I LOVED IT. Right now, I’m (very unhealthily) obsessed with Electric Touch and Timeless, both of which I’ve been streaming relentlessly. Props to my sister for never once rolling her eyes when the intro to Electric Touch comes on.

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As always, I feel kind of obligated to share what I’ve been listening to recently, but this one is the softer, more goal-oriented songs I use when I’m either doing copy-paste homework or art.

To live for the hope of it all. That’s what I’m trying to do this month, in the spirit of august. In the hopes that everything happens for a good reason. And I hope you do, too.

How do you balance everything? Have any of these tips worked for you before? Are you Team Barbie or Team Oppenheimer? Let me know down below! Until next time xx