Wow! Life has been a complete blur lately…. I am constantly on the go and striving to be the world’s best juggler of all things crazy. Okay, maybe I’m being somewhat dramatic… but my busy schedule has recently caused me to spend some time reflecting. I have a feeling I am not the only person who lives in Crazy Land and needs to take a step back sometimes! 🙂 Reflecting has always helped me prepare and do better in the future. So here is my takeaway….
1. My kids and hubby are my Number 2 (see #5).
I am learning I have to “miss out” sometimes for the sake of these precious people I love sooo much! My business (in the fall) requires a few evenings of work during the week. This means I don’t have a lot of time for my social life right now. It’s hard for me to miss out on things, but I know that missing our bedtime routine more than I have to breaks my heart more. Social Life, I’ll see you again this winter. 🙂
2. If you’re working, don’t work so much or don’t work harder than you have to.
Starting a business has been one of the hardest and most rewarding experiences of my life. (I could write a whole post on this.) As much as I want to continue to pour myself into growing my business, I know I have stretched myself too thin this year. Can you relate?! Maybe you don’t run a business but maybe you’ve picked up extra shifts or committed to too many extras?! For me, when I am over-committed, I feel overwhelmed! I get really crabby at the ones I love most! So, although my heart is bursting with thankfulness at the growth of my new endeavor, I know my limits will be a little different next year!
3. Don’t over-commit!
In any area… friends, church, school, etc. GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY! I think I feel guilty and therefore say yes to some things I shouldn’t. Another thing I have been realizing is that just because I said yes once (a year or years ago) doesn’t mean yes forever. It sounds simple… but I have a hard time stepping back from commitments I have already been involved in. BUT I am realizing it is okay to let someone else do it…. There will be someone else who wants to do it! Let the guilt go!
4. Get help. / Ask for help.
It really does “take a village.” I am horrible at asking for help outside of my family! Jon and I do our absolute best to arrange our schedules so we don’t have to ask for help… but bottom line… sometimes we need help! I think PRIDE gets in the way in this area! I think deep inside I feel like asking for help is saying I am incapable or that I can’t manage my schedule. I am going to try to let go of those thoughts and be okay with needing help!
5. Get in line with your Faith!
Jesus has been taking a seat on the back burner with me (which I am ashamed to admit). I get a lump in my throat writing this because it makes me sad. I remember last winter being deep in His Word and doing my best to look and listen for His will in my life. It is humbling to think that even when I ignore Him and don’t make Him a priority, He is still right there waiting for me. His grace is so amazing to me…. I am so, so, so thankful for grace.
Thank you for this post, Katie. It’s reassuring to know I am not the only mom going through this. #5 is now #1 for me, after years of faith actually being #5. I thought it was #1, but it wasn’t. Since this summer, I have dramatically cut back on working, and come January I will be cutting back again. My neighbor had a very successful design business, and I spoke with her two weeks ago to find out she had quit because it was taking over her life. I am blessed to have the option to cut back, since my income is supplemental, but I understand many moms must work, and I pray for all things to be balanced for them. It’s unfair that we seem to be the ones who have to make these choices, it’s assumed that men are going to work. I am trusting God in these decisions, and I believe my family will be better for it. Praying for your endeavors and for all DMMB readers!