What’s the time – what’s the time zone?

My alarm rang at 6.30am this morning catapulting me back into my life.

Spotted on a wall in a shopping mall in Florida

It seems my planning for my return was firmly routed in ‘the previous me’ – I arrived home last night (long haul flight) with the intention of starting work this morning.  I lay in bed feeling exhausted and jet lagged and feeling mad with myself for not giving myself the option of easing myself gently back into work.

My holiday was much needed.  I realised when I was away how stressed and tired I have been (for a long time) and made a mental note that things need to change or I will become ill.

Good advice eh!

As I’ve said before I’m a doer.  My life with work, studying, family and caring is all encompassing but even I had to admit while I was away that the realisation had hit me that the juggle wasn’t really working.  Dilemma, what to do?

Well I’ve thought long and hard about this because in all reality my responsibilities have not changed.  What I realised is that what needs to change is me.  So I’m trying.

On holiday I fully planned to get some studying done – in reality I didn’t open a book.  What was even more surprising is that I feel no stress in this at all.  Having a break from studying, despite the fact that my course has started was more important.  Therein lies the answer. You see if I am truly going to be able to keep my head above water then I know that I need to have some time off to catch my breath and so that is exactly what I am going to do.

I am going to be the kind of gal who schedules time out to not just smell the coffee, but to drink it too (sitting on the couch with my feet up eating cake with my husband).  I’m going to access the opportunity to delegate some of my work, because in reality there are things that can be taken forward by others.

Mr & Mrs MacLean cakes!

My son is always asking if he can cook dinner. I’m going to let him instead of forging ahead and doing it myself because I feel I have to.  I don’t feel I have to anymore and he loves to cook.

I am not going to break my back getting things done perfectly when good enough is OK too. Clearly there are things I need to strive to achieve, and I will, but I am going to enjoy a much more balanced process rather than just the achievements.

Standing on the beach in Miami looking with the warm water lapping at my feet and the salty wind in my face felt wonderful.  When I feel stressed I’m going to close my eyes and remember that wonderful feeling – then, when I open my eyes I’m going to take a deep breath and tackle the day differently.  Sound like a plan!

Me on Monday Morning - It may feel like a lifetime ago, but this feeling will stay with me - I hope!

So if any of you out there have any suggestions for this gal then I would be grateful for any tips to make me and my crazy life less crazy.