"Trying to heal, while trying to study, while trying to stay hydrated, while trying to pay the bills, while trying to work, while trying to be a mom, while trying to smile."
Many of us have come across a meme like this one or something similar on our social media feeds. I frequently share quotes like this because they deeply resonate with me. Whenever I read them, they serve as a reminder of my own experiences, where I strive to juggle multiple responsibilities while maintaining a cheerful demeanor.
As a business owner, I often encounter questions about how I manage to handle it all. How do I successfully work a full-time job, run a business, and be a dedicated mother simultaneously? Sometimes, the honest answer is that I don't have all the answers. In fact, my response usually boils down to "Only by the grace of God."
Nevertheless, there are days when I, like many of you, feel overwhelmed by the demands of a full-time job and the constant effort to strike a balance between work and family life. It is crucial to establish some form of equilibrium before reaching a point of burnout.
Here are a few strategies I employ to create balance in my own life:
Set Priorities: During the school week I schedule 30 minutes a day after work to play with my daughter. She wants to play all the time but by the time we get home, dinner needs to be cooked, she needs to shower, and the bedtime routine begins. Before all of that we come home, eat a quick snack and have our play time. Making this priority has elevated some of the mommy guilt that I often have when I feel like I don't spend enough time with her.
Plan in Advance: Work weeks are when most of us tend to be the busiest. By preparing for Monday’s arrival, you can ease the stress of the week ahead. I keep a family calendar posted on the fridge. On Sunday, I look at what’s on tap for the week and plan how I'm going to manage the week. On some Sundays, I make meals and put them in the refrigerator or freezer for a quick reheat on a busy evening.
Limit Your Involvement After Work and After School Activities: Limit the number of outside activities your children participate in to one activity at a time. I plan for an after school activity at least once a week where we do things together as a family like skating or going for a bike ride. In addition, limit your own after-work activities. You don’t need to sit on the church committee, coach your child’s soccer team and volunteer for your favorite charity.
Take 10 minutes today to find a quiet space, change into your comfortable Glamourina leggings, sit down and make a plan for the week. Set your intentions and what needs to get done, and what things can you realistically accomplish.
Most importantly give yourself a break. You're amazing and you're doing great!!