It's no secret that mothers, working or non-working, have a to-do list outstretching the limits of the mind and capability of the body.
I'm finding it very difficult to juggle the demands.
Modern parents have to make choices between yearbook meetings, Girl Scout cookie sales, getting kids into sports, taking kids to church, making sure the pantry is stocked, cleaning the home, as well as the million adult demands in filing taxes, balancing budgets, and solving the current new crisis or family emergency.
The truth is, I don't know how anyone does it. Things fall through the cracks. Whether it's missing a doctor's appointment, forgetting to mail a thank you note, or thinking it's the wrong day and skipping an alarm, the stress levels are high when the plate gets too full.
That's where I am currently--spread thin and trying to keep my head on straight.
I don't think I'd do as well without my planner--it allows me to make lists of important large things I need to do, small things that are important, small things that can wait, and a reminder list of things I've been meaning to get to.
By prioritizing the times of my to-do list, less falls through the cracks. It's not a perfect system (especially if some of the to-do items depend on the actions of others), but it at least gives me a small way to organize my chaos.
I try to remember that rest and exercise are the most important things I can do to resist falling apart under the pressure, but it's hard to take personal time when there isn't any time to take. My biggest recent hurdle is reminding myself that taking care of myself isn't selfish, it's a means to the end result of being the best me I can for my family.
It's hard advice to take. I'm not there yet, but I'm striving to find a balance so that I can accept what I can and cannot complete in a given day, week, or month. Nothing is as damaging as unhealthy expectations.
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