balancing act
noun: an attempt to cope with several often conflicting factors or situations at the same time
I have this theory that if I can have 3 days in a row where I can balance everything just right, 3 days where I complete everything on my to-do list then I can do it everyday ... But, day 3 always messes things up.
This is how it usually goes: I will wake up (let's say it's a Tuesday morning), get ready to head to campus, the first outfit I put on is "the one." Make a quick stop at Shell for gas and coffee. I feel great, I will have all the energy in the world, every song they play on the radio is my favorite, and traffic is less frustrating than usual. Classes go smoothly (no stalking, yelling, or kicking from angry students), I go home, get a little homework done, see Chris between his work and school schedule, then I'm off to the gym. After a great work-out, I head back home, take a quick shower, wait for Chris, make dinner, relax and watch some t.v., then we're off to bed.
Ok, so now day 2. Wednesday: wake up between 8 and 9, make some breakfast and watch a psych lecture, read a couple chapters for one class or another, pick up a few things around the apartment, then it's time for lunch and to get ready for work. Work is good, not too slow, not too busy. I leave feeling like I accomplished something at work and at home earlier in the day. Come home to my wonderful fiancee, make dinner, relax, maybe watch a movie and then it's off to bed.
... (insert Jaws sound effect here) ... Thursday. Day 3, the day it all goes down hill. I wake up late, can't find a thing to wear, traffic is horrible, classes seem to drag by, at least one professor piles a ridiculous assignment on me, traffic on the way home is horrible (why are there so many people on I-45 at 3 in the afternoon anyway), get home and realize I didn't lay anything out for dinner ... It keeps going in this manner. I will spare you the rest of the details (I feel you've been subjected to enough).
It happens this way day after day, week after week. I'm sure my 3 day theory is silliness, but it does bug me that I can't seem to have more than two good days.
My question to you is, how do you do it? I know I have a lot of friends that balance much more than I do, and do a great job of it. I feel like I'm failing with the few things I'm poorly attempting to balance. This morning I am sitting here wondering how I'm going to get 2 stats homework assignments completed, read two 40+ page chapters, study for my first demography exam, email the Dean, return some phone calls, fix lunch, cook dinner, and I really want to clean out my truck (I spend a lot of time in it and I'm so tired of it being a hot mess -- I guess we're a lot alike) all while being sick. Yes, again. I can't seem to get better and it isn't helping matters any ...
Maybe I'm just over complicating things or idolizing everyone who seems to have it more together than I do? Maybe no one truly has it all together, all the time -- but I can't even get the appearance down (an art I feel everyone but me has mastered) ... Is it about balancing everything or is it about relishing the moment when you mark just one thing off the ever growing to do list???
I know I can't be the only one that feels this way, I know we all feel overwhelmed from time to time, and we all have our coping mechanisms, I've just lost sight of mine recently and I need some help. (yes, I said it. I need some help *gasp* ... that's a whole other thing that bothers me, why does admitting that you need help seem to have such a horrible connotation? Like it's a huge character flaw, a sign of weakness, but that's for another time) ... So, tell me:
how do you do it???
xx
Girl, first off, let me tell you, NOBODY has it together, nobody. So, don't compare yourself to ANYONE! Second, don't pressure yourself to be perfect, no one is. I can tell you, that I struggle to make things work everyday, and I only take two classes and don't work. However, I depend on prayer to make it through, and honestly, so do my kids! Sometimes life happens, and all you can do is step back, look at what you can control, such as attitiude and response to a situation, and the rest you just let go. And it's HARD. I don't want you to think I'm just throwing cliches at you, but letting it go is tough. But you have to, or it will break you down. God has great things for you, and He never gives us more than we can carry. All the other crap, traffic, running late, nudity :), is all a distraction from the big picture. When you are stressed, focus on the important stuff and what you can control, and try not to dwell on the distractions. And call or text me, having someone to talk to helps!
ReplyDeleteThanks Doll ... I know I should let some things go and not let myself be distracted from the big picture, but you're right it is tough ... I do know that I'm doing my best and that it's all I can do.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't say just two classes, two classes isn't easy! Especially b/c your also taking care of your children's education. What you're doing is just as tough! All the things you accomplish help me to know that I can too ... And call or text me too if you want! (:
Here is how I handled full time school, full time job and Dillyn....I stressed, deprived myself of sleep, stressed. Some more kept my mind on long goals and spent time with Dillyn Jesse and you....makes life an enjoyable hot mess lol
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