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.
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Brilliant idea. It’s always important to take time to ‘take in the view’, ‘allow others to achieve too’ and then bask (and maybe also basque?!) in the glow of knowing that you gave them space to give to you too!
Good luck with the de-stressing
xx
Thanks Caroline. Easier said than done though – also think I’m better at basking than basque(ing) – but hey if it’s a new me who knows!
I learnt all of that the hard way. One very important tip is this: don’t feel guilty for taking time-out for yourself. If you do, you won’t end up taking that time and re-charging your batteries. What I have finally realised is that time taken for myself ultimately isn’t selfish. If I don’t take the time to get away and breathe every now and then, I can’t be the mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend… that I aspire to be. Take that time for yourself so that you CAN be the best person that you can be.
Do you know what, that’s really good to hear because it is hard, isn’t it. I’m sure I’ll waver along the way, but hey on the plus side I’ve found a gal with fabulous style so I don’t have to stress about interior design because I can just visit your site. Thank you for your inspiration and your advice, both gratefully received.
Jacqueline
Sounds like you’ve got your head sorted. It can be hard to delegate responsibilities to others. It’s something I struggle with greatly. But I have learnt to take breaks from the study. That’s so important. Otherwise you can spend days not actually doing any studying, but thinking about it constantly. So you achieve nothing AND you’re stressed. If I have a day set aside for studying, and it’s evidently not working, I now put the books away and have the day off. That way I can actually enjoy wasting a bit of time! Good luck with it all
Welcome back!
Breathe. Sort out which things must be done or else someone will surely die. Probably nothing, right? Whew! With that burden off your mind, you can relax a bit and prioritize from there.
I’ve learned that life goes on fairly smoothly no matter what. The important stuff gets done whether you fret or not. So don’t fret. Just breathe, be grateful for this great life you’re living and do what you can. The really important stuff will get done, and get done better, if you are more relaxed.
Do you know what it’s lovely to be back but a bit scary because I know things have to change and I know it has to start with me. I really appreciate you’re welcome back – I was a bit worried that folk that read my blog regularly might disappear, like I had to, but I’m so pleased you’ve stuck with me. Thank you (been keeping up with your blogs though – wow).
Great plan Jacqueline, especially as you have had time to look at things from afar while on your holiday. Good luck! Loved all your BLogs. Keep them coming. Aileen x
Thank you so much. It’s lovely that you take the time to read Aileen. J x