Do you know that feeling – when you’re overwhelmed, falling behind and you just can’t seem to get out of it? The work is stacking. The stress is stacking. Every night you go to bed a little later than you wanted, wake up a little later than you wanted, feel a little more tired than you wanted, and it continues to compound. You hope that maybe tomorrow will be a better day, and though you know that this too shall pass, you just can’t wait to get out of it.
I’m feeling in the weeds!
For me, the weeds happen when my busy personal life and work life collide. I can handle busy work, and I can handle a busy life, but I have a hard time handling cranked-up versions of both at the same time. Exhaustion does not suit me well, especially as a parent.
My whole secret to parenting success is dedication. Undivided attention. Quality time. But when my energy levels are low and my mind is wondering elsewhere, my parenting focus runs astray. I feel like I’m just going through the motions and wasting precious time, precious time that could be spent soaking up memories and moments with my tiny human.
I don’t like giving half of my heart or half of my attention. I don’t like being physically present but not mentally present. And I really don’t like feeling like I’m missing out on parenting in general.
Before I had a kid, I’d blame myself for self-inflicted stress and just power through. Now, despite trying to minimize unnecessary stressors, occasionally it all still piles.
Work trips, projects and events.
Showers and birthdays.
Vacation planning.
Weekends out of town.
House projects.
Exercise.
Doctor appointments.
Holidays.
Making sure my house is in half decent working order, there’s food to eat, clothes to wear and bills paid.
I’m not even going to mention a social life (sorry, friends).
I don’t want to rush through life, but since there’s not a massive pause button to stop it while I get through this hump, the best thing I can do is be efficient and knock it out, so I can get back to what’s most important.
Parenting isn’t what gets me in the weeds. It’s what gets me out.
