Rush, rush, rush. Go here, run there, do this, take that. We all live crazy lives. Most everyone I know feels like they are living a day late and a dollar short. We all commiserate about how busy we are and how little time we have. Some are worse than others. I have talked before about priorities. I know I struggle with putting everything at top priority. And there are often things that absolutely need to be done. I can't forget to feed my kids. I can't just not go to work. So yes, there are things that do have to be done. But, really, is everything that important? I know there are times when I stress myself out when I don't need to. There are times when I allow myself (note the important - allow myself) to get stressed when in all honesty, it's just not that important. I'm trying to cook dinner, take care of my son, the dog, chat on the computer, answer my phone, all at the same time. I find myself tense, stressed, and usually unhappy about it. Who wouldn't be unhappy about it - it's chaos? But the other day, I was sitting at home in morning, having just got my son off to school - I was going through my head all the things I should do before I went to bed. I should call my mom, I should clean up the kitchen, I should..... yeah. But I'm tired. I need sleep. That proverbial light bulb goes off in my head. What if I just didn't do it? What if I just didn't do any of it and just went to bed? Would the world end? No. Talking to my mom could wait. The kitchen could wait. The laundry could wait. All of it could wait. Or better yet, my husband could help. See, part of my problem is that I believe if I don't do it, it won't get done. But, honestly, he can do it too. He knows how to clean a kitchen and do laundry. But, instead of asking him for help, I allow myself to feel burdened and stressed. So, instead of doing any of it - I went to bed. And felt better for it.
When my phone rings, or I get a text, even when I am busy, I jump to answer it. Whenever I am doing something online and a chat box opens up, even if I am busy, I jump to answer them. Like I have to be on call 24/7. And if I don't answer them fast enough - uh oh. Why? I have no clue. What would happen if I wait 5 minutes to return the call or answer the text? What if I didn't answer the chat box? Will they get mad, hate me, and never talk to me again? Chances are - no. And if they do, do I really need them in my life? Those who know and love me know what my life is like. They realize I am juggling a million balls all at once. If they feel the need to get upset because I can't get back to them right away, it's their problem, not mine. I use to keep my phone right by my head when I slept. And when it would ring, I would struggle to wake up, put on my glasses and read who the call was from. Yikes, yeah, no wonder I'm tired. So, really - is the world going to end? No. I've talked all about changing my priorities. I've talked the talk, it's time, once again friends, to walk the walk. I have all kinds of nifty sayings to back me up. Like "Just because you have something urgent, doesn't mean it's an emergency for me" and "Those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind". I truly need to realize what is important immediately, and what can wait. Burning dinner, not an option - sleeping through a phone call, completely acceptable. Not returning a text in 5 minutes or less, not a priority. I am not Domino's Pizza. I never set the 30 minutes or less rule. Instead of getting stressed out and panicked trying to do everything at once. I need to recognize those times, stop and take a deep breath, and reset those priorities. Maybe that means sending the son to his room and crating the dog. Maybe it means taking myself off the grid by turning off the computer and phone. Gasp, someone might need me. Well, they can call Underdog, this person needs to focus. I know I will struggle with this one. For some reason, I have programmed myself to be a beck and call girl. But - with practice, I'm sure I can do this. I can stop the insanity and organize my time and energy better. There are only so many hours in a day, and only one of me. I need to stop acting like the world will end every time I am not there to save it. I will leave saving the day to Superman and start acting like one person, with limited resources. Because when it all boils down to it - does it really matter? I mean really?
who ya goinna call? ghostbusters!! lol
ReplyDeleteI keep telling you to take time off and just step back, glad to see that you did it. You're right, the world won't always end if you don't do something right away. And like someone told me once, if you rush around taking care of everyone and everything and not yourself, you won't be around to take care of things long. So take care, and don't forget to relax at the end of the day :) (and sleep more!)
lol, who you gonna call? Not me. You are very right. I do need to stop worrying about everything like it's the most important thing. When putting things in order of importance - it doesn't go 1. 1. 1. 1., it goes 1, 2, 3, 4 lol. Something has to be less important. And sleep needs to be more important than thing 1 million 7 hundred thousand on my list. :0
DeleteI'm still here. Still reading. But I'm doing the "step back" thing too. And it feels amazing. In just under two weeks of not responding out of obligation, my head is clearer, and I don't hate the world. I'm not telling you this to take the focus off of you. I'm telling you this to encourage you that you are worth your time. You are worth a full night's sleep. You are worth ignoring a txt or spending time with Rowan instead of being a beck and call girl. I love you, and I think about you often. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are feeling better and more balanced. It is important. I am making the effort and trying to remember this when I start stressing. It's hard when the people around me stress all the time. But, I shall prevail. As will you. I think of you often too. Loves ya.
Delete