Skip to main content

Survival Mode

I'm not sure what it is about 2022, but I will tell you this. It has been overbooked, over-scheduled, overwhelming, demanding and short on time. Just when I think I feel a breather coming on, our calendar fills right back up and I find myself longing for time to do nothing....literally! I can't be the only one who feels this way. Don't get me wrong, we've always been active and busy, but this year hits different. I've definitely dropped the ball along way in some areas, but for the most part, I'm proud of the fact that I've managed to keep most of them in the air. 

Lately I have felt added weight to my mental health, unlike anything I've ever felt before. I go to work five days a week where so many depend on me. I go home where so many depend on me. Our 2022 downtime has been allocated to sports and countless engagements. All the while you can find me scanning our calendar looking for gaps. I haven't felt the time to really process certain aspects of this crazy life. I haven't felt the time to really process my emotions. And on the rare occasions that we do have real downtime, I battle the feeling that I've forgotten something or that I need to catch up on the things I've neglected while on the run.

When my husband told me that we get to enjoy a long-overdue date night this Friday, I literally teared up. We haven't had the opportunity to take a real break and really date each other since June. We typically try to squeeze a date night in once a month, however 2022 has had other plans. I'm so thankful that we have the opportunity this weekend. I'm very grateful for family who selflessly offers to watch our kids for us. It's okay to take a step back, throw in the towel and say....I need help. I need a break. I need to breathe. I say that not only because I need the reminder, but also because I know that many other parents need it. 

To the friends and family who I haven't seen or spoken to in what feels like ages, just know it's not intentional. It's definitely not personal. I'm doing my very best. I'm in survival mode this year. And if there is one thing of which I am certain....it's that I don't want the same in 2023. I just want to be. Live. Enjoy. Breathe. I want more time for the things I truly love and that includes time with you! I want more time for downtime. I want less rush. I want less overwhelm. 

Disclaimer: I'm very well aware that the hustle and bustle comes with our current chapter of life, but if this year has taught me anything, it's that it's okay to prioritize and say no to certain obligations. Next year, I will be mindful of that by asking myself "is this in the best interest of my family of 5?" or"will this obligation bring me added stress that can be avoided?" 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hashi-Huh?

The feeling of being trapped in your own body as it spirals out of control....how many of you have felt that way? I started 2023 in the doctor's office to talk about the crazy symptoms I had been experiencing (yet trying to deny) for the last year. Here's a run-down of the hot mess-ness that I found all consuming for far too long: Hair Loss Uncontrollable Weight Gain Debilitating Fatigue  Joint & Muscle Pain Terrible Menstrual Cycles Sensitivity to Cold Anxiety and Depression I remember absolutely cringing inside as I put this laundry list of front of my doctor. My inner narrative (this is something I'm still working on) can be so harsh and I had myself convinced that I was being a baby and needed to suck it up. However, "suck it up" was no longer an option. My TSH levels indicated a thyroid issue, which was commonly linked to the list of symptoms I presented. The first diagnosis was that of Hypothyroid Disorder and I was immediately put on Levothyroxin.  Mont...
Post a Comment
Read more

I Hate This.

It's taken me years to finally get the courage to address several areas of my own well-being. It all started with a trip to the doctor during the first week of January. I received so much insight into issues I've been experiencing and problems that I had been choosing to ignore. I've been on medications for over a month and I truly feel like a brand new version of me.  Growing up, medication was something that was frowned upon and feared in our household. Once I became a parent, my entire perspective shifted. I knew that I would do anything in my power to give my children relief from whatever they may be experiencing. From everyday colds, to the flu, ear infections and even a journey into Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis , we've overcome a lot....thanks to modern medicine. However, there is one particular person who was left behind in this journey.  Me.  How often have we kept ourselves on the back burner as moms? How many times have we made appointments for our kids, tak...
Post a Comment
Read more

2023 Taking Care of Me

For me, 2023 has been a year of conquering fears and making lifestyle changes. As parents, how often do we place ourselves on the back burner? It's so common and I am 100% guilty of it. This year, something inside of me clicked. Maybe it's the whole "wisdom with age" thing. Maybe it's finally getting the courage to go to therapy. Perhaps, it's a little bit of both. For me, it happened with a 3-step plan. It's a plan that terrified me, but I held myself accountable and put the plan into action.  Step 1: Medical Health January 2023, the 4th to be exact, started with a wellness visit to my primary care doctor. Was I even allowed to refer to her as that when I hadn't paid her a visit since 2018? Yes. 2018. Of course, we had the whole pandemic thing in the mix, but we can only use that excuse for so long. I hadn't had a women's well check since 2018. I was having all kinds of strange symptoms, that I told myself was just the downward spiral to 40 (n...
Post a Comment
Read more