Trying To Do It All
I’ve written about all of this before, and I think we’re all pretty aware that, as women, we really do try to do it all. We are caregivers, employees, wives, mothers, teachers, students… you get the idea. Sure, each of us are not all of those things, but I know, regardless of that, women really do try to take on the world.
I’ve recently come to the conclusion that I need to cut back a little bit; that I’ve taken too much on. I’ve also realized that I spend so much time on work and school that I barely spend any time on myself anymore. So I started making sure to take some time out of each day to do something just for me – paint my nails, watch a favorite TV show, eat some chocolate, take a few deep breaths, do some yoga, listen to a great album, go tanning. These are all maybe not the healthiest of things I could be doing, but making sure to do something for myself every day has really helped me keep my head on straight and keep a positive attitude.
What do you do that is just for you? Please share!
You’re so young to think this way already. But I think it’s good to realize it also. I’ve found that I often have too much to do or too little to do and it is often tough to find that happy medium. That moderation. I like being busy but don’t want to be overwhelmed. I want to relax but not be in a position where I’m not doing anything meaningful at all. When I can afford it, I get pedicures every month or so. I see films by myself and enjoy that immensely. I read. But am I completely content with my life. Not really at 40. I feel I get going and then crash and then have to start again. I think you seem to be ahead of the “game.”
It is absolutely so hard to find that happy medium of having just enough to do to not be bored, but also having some down time. I just realized today that I’ve been too busy the past few weeks to even paint my nails, and that just made me sad! I think some of that might be because I’m in grad school, and maybe the waves of having too much to do will die down a little bit, but then again, probably not. I’m sure I’ll just find something else to do!
Thanks for the response! I also love pedicures and reading, and wish I had more time for both.
We definitely grew up in the era that was told “you can do anything” and heard “you have to do everything” and it’s very hard to find a balance when we’ve been juggling activities since grade school. I’m starting now to take 3 days (but ends up being 2 anyways) each week for “me time,” even if I say no to my friends. Those moments of sanity do the ‘ol recharge of the batteries that is essential to be at my best at work and to fully enjoy the company of others when I do get a chance to see them. I also like to read in stolen moments. I try to really use my full hour break at work every day to walk around, grab some coffee, and read a book. And taking the subway has become less mundane when I know I can get a chapter out on my way to work. Hang in there, you’ll figure it out!
I always used to be really good at saying no to opportunities, but lately, everything that’s been presented to me is just so exciting and interesting, I can’t turn it down! I suppose that isn’t a bad problem to have, huh?
I think another problem I have is that I think anything I do that is not for my job or school is for me – blogging, hanging out with friends, planning the wedding. But it isn’t! My blogging is not really something I do just for me; it’s for feminists everywhere! 🙂 Hanging with friends is important and relaxing, but not in the same way as painting my nails or watching a movie. And the wedding… it is for us, but it is still very difficult. Like Amy said, it goes in waves, I guess!