Hey blogging peeps! Long time no see :)
The school year has begun, and finally I feel like I'm back into the swing of things. Having a five year old is crazy hard. I already feel like I'm one of those moms who lives in their car and I only have a kindergartner and one in preschool (and a baby).
The only problem with that is, now I'm dealing with being the committee leader for cub scouts, the equipment manager for all of the kids soccer teams in Tooele, and the president of my writers group. Not to mention spending time in my son's class as well as doing critique group and other activities with my church.
To say I'm busy is a serious understatement. I like it that way, but sometimes I put too much on myself and don't let other people help when I really need it.
Which brings it all back to the title of this post. I like to have a schedule. I map out each day, putting my priorities in order and trying to get everything done. Sometimes, however, schedules get thrown out the window because the most important thing (my family) has to come first.
Let's face it, we all experience this. Ambitious people especially deal with the backlash of overbooking themselves.
So what do I do about it?
1. Relax. It's takes so much effort for me to do this, but I have to remind myself almost daily that stressing out over things is not productive, it's just going to make me snippy. If it's too much, I just have to cut it out of my life.
2. Get a Hobby. No, I'm serious. I know it already seems like I'm crazy busy but I also need something that relaxes me enough to be able to dive back in to the hard work. My hobby used to be writing until I got more serious about becoming a professional. Now it's Korean culture, stick with me here. Some people knit, some people garden, but it relaxes me to watch Kdramas and keep up on Kpop charts. Also, I'm trying to learn Korean here and there. It's an escape from the pressure of everything else.
3. Know when to stop. This is post is a great example, I have so much on my mind that I'm spilling everything and you probably stopped reading after the bolded section. (If you didn't, make sure you say "Bananas!" in the comments. I'll love you forever.) So I'm going to stop here, because blogging is another one of those things I tend to obsess over.
What do you do when your schedule gets to be too much?
Bonus: Here's a Kpop video for you listening and watching pleasure :D
24 comments:
Learning Korean? Now that's really cool.
I've learned when to say no, and with my upcoming release and blog tour, I've had to say no to a few things to keep my head above water.
And bananas!
Now I want a banana split...
Stretching yourself too far will come back to haunt you. Nice tips on how to balance yourself.
I used to volunteer for more. Now, that I work full time, my kids are 8,10 and 12, hubby is in a bishopric, I'm in YW presidency, life has presented us with enough opportunities to help out. And yes, we still have days of ignoring the schedule and just breathing.
Bananas?
I don't need any help with 1 and 2, but number 3... I could definitely benefit from that one. I tend to keep an open schedule whenever I can. I find that relaxing. Also, I go at things full tilt instead of knowing when to stop, until I burn out. And though I know I should keep a more manageable daily schedule, it just isn't going to happen. That that's just how I roll.
Thanks for the Jay Park song. :)
Reading is my release. I never feel like I have enough time for it, and relish the times I do get to do it. Writing still holds those fireworks for me, usually. LOVE the song.
It's so easy to get over-scheduled and crazy. I knit and do photography as my 'relaxing' things. :)
Bananas. ;)
Thanks now I have Gwen Stefani in my ears singing Bananas and wondering if she's a holler back girl or a Hollaback girl...is it a geographical thing...or a semantics thing...I should go google it...
And this is why I blog so slowly and do life so slowly. It's totally bananas and so am I.
(I too have issues with over extending myself. As I blog, I am also planning a fund raiser, a bon fire, and making a list of what needs done for our Friday night kick off!)
Bananas!
Ha, I get stressed out too, but unlike you, I don't like to volunteer for things because I hate having too much on my plate. I make a schedule and tend to stick to it, that way I know what I can expect of my day/week/month. That in itself keeps me more relaxed.
Oh Jennie-- I so get this. I went through a phase in life when my kids were smaller that I felt compelled to be involved in a lot. My involvement was more out of a sense of obligation though. I find that I don't work well when I'm over-extended. I get scattered, less efficient, stressed and start to drop the ball on too many things.
I read this quote today and it totally resonated with where I'm at in life: "Lately, I find myself pulled toward spirit, beginning to sense that the second half of life is meant to be more internal than external." Yes. But I think this really is one of those manifestations of personality.
Yummy bananas.
A lively video.
You are doing so much. Kudos.
Totally understand needing to be in control of everything. ;) Thanks for the tips, and good luck keeping all the crazies straight!
I find myself committed to a lot of things, not for the sake of ego, but because I just can't say no. Even when I say no it somehow turns into a yes. And then I go bananas.
I obsess about it all too. And try to do the same things you do. Hobby, relax (which helps with a tranquilizer).
Great post, soccer mom! I think it's one everybody could stand to read at this, the beginning of another school year.
M.L. Swift, Writer
Bananas! Ack, you have a lot going on! And I thought it was just me ;) I hike or go for a walk when I get stressed out. Since I sit at the computer so much, intentionally being active helps me relax. How's the Korean coming? I tried to learn Japanese, but it's SOOO hard!
Hi JA! Wow you're a busy lady. But it's great you're so active in your kids' lives. It's important. I try to be too, but I learned awhile back that I couldn't do it all. Now I just stick to homeroom mom and let others volunteer for other things.
Great list and I hope you remember to follow it so you don't get burnt. *wink wink* :D
Oh and Korean?? Wowsers!!
bananas of the world, unite!
I love being busy, it keeps me sane when I have things to do, but yeah, it can be a bit too much. I find to-do list, in order of fastest approaching deadlines, help. And for sure taking the time to watch a TV show here or there and break out the yarn.
Bananas? Really? lol!
I don't think egos count when you're like the sweetest person on the planet. Just sayin'!
That is soooo cool that you're learning Korean! You can enjoy those K-dramas more now!
Bananas!
I'm currently dealing with a ridiculously packed schedule. Oddly enough exercise has become my hobby/mode of relaxation.
Have a great weekend!
Bananas! ;)
Love your list. I have a tendency to get overwhelmed, too, so finding time to relax is definitely a priority.
And wow, you're trying to learn Korean? Very cool!
Funny that my hubby was just shaking his head and wondering why he's just caught himself doing the same thing. Some of it is that he's retired now. There's a sense that you have plenty of time. And plenty of people willing to fill it for you.
Because I work a demanding job, I know how precious my evenings are and I tend to be very protective of them. Doesn't always work though. lol
Bananas ;)
Schedules are hard to follow. However, I try to stick to mine so it won't get overwhelming. Relaxation is good medicine. I don't have a hobby because I'm taking film reviewing seriously. Must find a new one soon though.
It's a busy life. With home schooling, writing, church, home maintenance and commitments to sports, scouts and dance... Lately I've simplified as much as possible because I'm trying to avoid going bananas. Amen to the hobby thing. Reading, piano, and singing are mine. Keep your head above water, eh?
Banana, banana!
I'm so freaking late to this post, sorry. It's because, well, I've been busy and just lost my publisher and my life kind of turned upside down. So I hear you on all of this!
Last year, I did something scary, but I think it saved my life. I started saying no to almost everything. I started pushing stuff off my plate. Things that seemed important. I started making my time a priority. If it stressed me out, I pushed it off my plate no matter the consequence. Amazingly enough, my life improved so much that even though I am dealing with something incredibly difficult right now, I have the strength and time and emotional willpower to deal with it in the best way possible.
I hope you find that balance, as well. I have hobbies too, and that helps a lot.
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