Too Much to Do
Do you ever have those times when you feel like you just can’t make any headway? I am totally there right now.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my life.
I have him.
And him (who loves to play with Daddy’s computer despite being told no 100 times a day when he touches it. I gave in long enough to take these pictures).
And a great job.
And a hobby that makes me giddy (when I get to do it).
And am loved by God.
But I can’t help by getting caught up in my lengthy to do list that never seems empty. Our lists as wives and mothers are multi-faceted, aren’t they?
- relationship stuff like being a wife, mommy and child of God
- house stuff like laundry, dishes, vacuuming, dusting, grocery shopping
- work stuff like deadlines, client calls and meetings
- online stuff like answering emails, keeping up with the blog, social media, etc.
- me stuff like scrapbooking and getting lost in a book
And 24 hours just isn’t enough.
Can I get an amen? Surely I am not the only one who feels this way…
This is a constant battle in my life. I love to be busy. But when I am busy, I feel like I am doing too much. But I don’t know how nor do I want to slow down.
Sounds like a problem, doesn’t it?
Anyway, I am in one of those, I really need a week off times. Since I won’t get a week off until I birth another child, I guess I just need to just pray, prioritize and push along. 🙂
So that’s my story right now… can you relate? What gets you through?
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Amen!
OK. That wasn't a big bold HINT was it?
It is very tough to work full time and have kids AND have a hobby you are passionate about (like your scrapbooking in addition to blogging). I worked full time after my first daughter but after my second daughter I cut back to 30 hours and it has made a huge quality of life difference. Don't get me wrong, I still have a tough time juggling it all (and I also have two parents in their 70s which is an entirely new balancing act). I just do the best I can and I also quit volunteering for everything once I had kids. I just have to really prioritize things.
I admire you for all that you are able to do and do very well!
Hang in there!
southern gal – oh no! It was a that's not happening any time soon. 🙂
Yes, you can get an AMEN! I was thinking the same thing the other day…I am so busy!! Don't feel alone. There are some days when I'd love to JUST read a book :)) I am so blessed and wouldn't trade it, but WHEW!
I give you a big fat amen and I'm not even a wife or mom, haha!! 🙂
AMEN!!!!! Should I pray for another child for you so you can get a vacay? 😉 JK!
Wow! I was having one of those nights just last night. I was so overwhelmed, that I just did nothing for a moment. Ever do that? I felt like God said, "Be still and know that I am God." He has it all under control…even our to-do lists, that just keeps being added to by the second, huh?
Thanks for sharing. It is nice to hear we moms are not alone in this boat!
Have a great week!
Elias keeps getting cuter and cuter.
~Kristin Amato
Jessica,
AMEN! I am so there with you, though my circumstances are a bit different. There is never enough time! I have Muscular Dystrophy, 2 adult children who still live at home, a 5 year old dgd who lives with us, 2 dogs, a house, a husband, full time job, my hobbies (scrapbooking being #1) and the list goes on. It is tough but you have to remember to take time for you.
I just started a blog and was wondering how to make it pretty? Any suggestions?
http://karen-creativeexpressions.blogspot.com/
Amen! I always feel so busy and my list doesn't really seem to get smaller…ever! The worst part is the guilt when I do try to sit down or take some time to enjoy a good book. I alwals feel like there are more pressing things for me to tend to…things that are for the good of the family not just for the good of me! It has really been hard to remember that my sanity is for the good of the family! You are not alone.
I know that feeling SO well lately. I'll keep you in my prayers, Jessica.
Hallejulah! You just explained me in a nutshell just without the baby lol!
The only way I get through are having my 'me' days – Ii tick a date off on my calendar and actually title it 'ME DAY' where I do what I want to so. It isn't selfish at all. I love it!
I am with you. I took a step down from a very busy job when I got pregnant. It was what I needed, but not everyone can do that. I still work full time outside the home, but in an easier position.
As for the household stuff, we have a "30 minute clean" that usually happens just before company arrives. We all scurry around and clean for half an hour and then the next 30 minutes is shower, get cleaned up, and sit down and relax to lit candles and hanging out together on the couch. We do that on Fridays no matter what and it so works for us. I try to pick up during the week too but most of it happens during the 30 min clean.
But one thing I've learned: life is short and SUPER BUSY when you have kids. I don't know that there's a good answer for how to do it all. 🙂
AMEN!
And about the big bold printed statement: Everytime that I start feeling overwhelmed, God laughs and says here you go. And then I find out that I am pregnant again. Despite using 2 different forms of birth control and having an infertility diagnoses. I've learned to never even joke about wanting another one. LOL I sounds bad I know, but after 3 kids, whew.
Cheryl
A-MEN!!
I am so there right now (but obviously still taking a few "me" minutes to check my google reader!)
And I can also confess to recently thinking "hmm… if I get pregnant again, I can take three months off again…"
Ok, back to work!
A hundred times AMEN!!!!
What do I do when I'm completely overwhelmed? Make lists and prioritize!!
It helps to see it in writing and am able to cross things off as I go. Also, once I have it written down, I can go to hubbie and discuss which items he can possible help with, even if it's just watching the kids.
I am so their right now too! Ugh. But I'm so thankful a strength giving God and for a great and helpful husband…now back to the grind-stone…
That's my daily struggle. I put everyone and everything above myself. Every now and then, I hear my husband say "You can't be good to us until you are good to yourself." It's true. I still struggle, but I try to catch myself when it's becoming too much.
I hear you girl! I reduced my work hours (to 30/week) and my job responsbilities (to those that are much less stressful to me) and that helped a ton! I have lots of help at home too. Don't be afraid to delegate … my hubby is a great helper. If you can afford it, someone to clean your house is a lifesaver. Mine comes every other week, but that frees up a little more of my home time to spend with my family and have some "me" time on occasion. About one Saturday a month, my hubby and I take turns watching the kids while the other one gets a free day (I sew or scrapbook and he plays golf). It is a must to survive the daily rigors of life.
I can definitely say "Amen!" I will be 38 this year, and each year I feel that my time is crunched even more. Especially as my kids get older!
It is a daily effort on my part to spend time with the Lord and keep my eyes on Him. When we are in Heaven, what is going to matter is what we did for the Lord.
LOL! Yes, I often looked at my three days in the hospital when I gave birth as a vacation. Someone cleaned my room, brought my meals and took care of my baby. When is life better than that?
Yep, that is so me!! I don't have any answers, but I know how you are feeling.
Nurse Bee
Right there with you. I don't have an answer either, but I know I have all these grand plans and then I can't find time to do it all. And I only work part time so I know working full time it has to be even harder.
I hear you and I don't have half as much on my plate as you do.
Amen! I feel the same way every day and the to do list just doesn't go away or get smaller, but bigger!
What would the world do without mommas or wives?
Be proud and just do one thing a day that makes you happy.
AMEN!!!!
Amen! And, when you try to take a break (like I have attempted to this week), you just get sucked back in!
I need a beach, no wi-fi and some valuum cause I'll probably be shaking for the first 24 hours 🙂
Amen….Jessica don't sweat the small stuff….There are no awards for dusitng and cleaning…just keep things out of harms way….oops..Elias' way…and leave time for you…its mom's therapy!!!!A happy mom…keeps a happy home!!! xoxox Mom The picture is Adorable…He knows he's cute…Kisses from his Nana please!