I've got issues.
I am that chicken with no head. I am that working woman who is over-scheduled and over-committed. I am that wife who doesn't spend enough time with her husband, I am that mom who doesn't stop enough to just "be" with her kids. I am that person who doesn't spend nearly enough time taking care of herself.
I am that girl.
I have to find a better way to fit it all in. And, by "it", I mean the following (in no particular order):
- Kids
- Work
- Husband
- Girl Scouts
- Blogging
- Book Club
- Career Networking
- Exercise
- Mentoring
- House Projects
- House Cleaning
- Photography
- Family
I am sure I am missing stuff too. But, you get the idea. I am no different than you, or you, or you. But, perhaps I am different in that I don't have a great way to fit it all in, in the correct prioritization, and without causing stress with my loved ones. Maybe you do? I struggle with figuring out what should be top priority, what sould wait, and what can be left for another day. Just tonight, Jason and I argued about whether or not I should stay up and work on my blog, answer work emails, work on Girl Scout stuff, etc or go upstairs and hang out and watch TV with him. Tonight, I chose to work on my blog and other stuff. He's not feeling well, so I am hoping he went to sleep and gets some much needed rest. But still, I don't like having to choose between spending time with him after the kids go to bed and my computer stuff. I'd much prefer to always choose him, but when will I get the other stuff done? Not at work--I am loaded with work and have little to no time to deal with anything else right now. After work? Nope, that's my time with the girls or my gym time. So, when?
I am participating in a professional development program at work and the latest topic we are discussing is time management and prioritization. It couldn't come at a better time. I am hopeful that I will learn how to better manage my crazy life.
In the mean time, I am reaching out to you, my beloved readers. How do you prioritize? How do you make the hard decisions when it comes to scheduling?
I could really use your help! :)
8 comments:
I can totally relate. Our kids (and hubbies) deserve a mom and a wife who are "checked-in" and not thinking about a billion other things that they think they need to be doing. I finally had to call it quits with my business. Being on the computer all the time just got to me. While I loved it and am going to miss running the business, I'm going to have more time for my son and husband, more time for crafty fun, more time for blogging, etc. I know that's not the answer for everyone but I had a hard time letting work go. Before I know it my son will start school and I don't want to look back on life saying 'why didn't i spend more time with him"? And you have to have time for yourself. I workout at a local curves, it gives me an hour to myself a couple of times a week!
I don't know if that is much help, but you're not the only one who feels this way. I think moms try and take on too much sometimes.
I am there as well. Only, add General Contractor to the list to a large construction and landscape project. (My 81 year old mother in law is moving in with us. No stress there! And then once we have her in here, we'll need to overhaul her house to sell, Fun!" This may or may not be helpful, but there is a bunch of stuff on there that really ISN"t a priority. Blogging? (WHen was the last time I posted?) Exercise? (Stress burns calories too!) Book Club? (I look at the pictures in People.) I run a million dollar account at work and manage 11 people. My client is impossible and never happy. My employees? All women. I keep a drama-free office place. If not, my head would explode. My kids? I get two hours with them in the evenings and they are whiny, hungry tired, and generally awful. Yet it's what I get, so I cherish it. My priorities? Climbing into bed with the husband at 10 and hanging out, talking. Also, actually SLEEPING. get sleep or you won't be able to do anything. I didn't realize until she left how amazing our old au pair was. Yes, she took care of the kids but she also took care of US. I miss her. Anyway. I have already typed too much and have a bunch of work to do. :- )
Good luck. "This too shall pass." Take an hour and go get a pedi. That's what I do. I crank the massage chair up, put in my ear buds, and enjoy the hour to myself and my then my pretty red toes.
xoxo
I don't know that I actually schedule anything. I'm more of a fly by the seat of my pants person. For me, family always comes first and the rest is secondary. So what if I haven't dusted today or run the vacuum cleaner. It'll get done when it gets done. That doesn't necessarily work for everyone else, but it does work for me.
1. Family
2. Stuff that generates revenue.
3. Items that are prescheduled on Google calendar (I don't know how I lived without this invention before)
4. Anything that comes up afterward.
--
I really have to do something about my webserver so I have marked off an entire weekend (this coming weekend) where I will do nothing except get the new machine up and running--well that and the Vikings game. If I finish early then everything else can happen again. Otherwise, it's me, a DVD burner and a bare box of parts :)
I do to belong to the overstressed and overworked moms who don't have time for anything.
I did have to get all my ducks in row last few months.
The #1 on my list is my family and making sure they are healthy, happy, well adjusted, educated, well fed and clean.
#2 is trying to bring some income to help keep my family to be happy, fed, dressed and educated
#3 persuing my passion of baking & writing which makes me happy and helps me to relax to keep my family happy and all the other stuff
#4 everything else
yep, i am the same as you. life is overwhelming. if we could only have 4 extra hours left in our day. *sigh. im in for brainstorming. anything to make friends and make our days easier.
ah! i've never been good at prioritizing so i don't have any good suggestions on that point, but when i get overwhelmed i always make sure i do something just for me every day. even if it's just something small :)
Hi Suzi! Just poppin' in from SITS! My advice is to decide what's most important to you and then put those things first...squeeze the other things in-between :)
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