June 18...Maintaining Balance

Something I have worked extremely hard at over the past year or so at is finding a solid work-life balance.  It's not always easy and sometimes it's nearly impossible, but working at it everyday counts more than you know. 

What I am learning is that something ALWAYS suffers. In our life, it's usually a clean house. I'm oddly OK with that.  I like a clean house as much as anyone, but between working a full-time job and raising 3 small kids, it's just not on the top of my list on a daily basis. I tend to reserve a clean house for guests and entertaining. 

The idea of balance has been top of mind for me lately and a topic of conversation with other working moms and friends. We all struggle with it. 

Whoever said "Women can have it all" is a complete and utter liar.  It's simply not possible. 

However, timing, sometimes, is everything. 

As you know, I really enjoy and find value in my Mommy Podcasts. I am listening to the Power of Moms ones in order, so the "Perspective of Balance popped up on a day I really needed it....(http://powerofmoms.com/2012/08/perspectives-on-balance-episode-38/)

My key take away was this - take 5 minutes every night to identify 1 thing to do for your family, for your job, & for yourself the next day. This exercise allows you to consider what each area of your life needs and to focus on that need.  It's a nice tool to have in my pocket and has helped me over the past 2 weeks to constantly consider my priorities on a daily basis.  

I know that I will not always be balanced with my family because sometimes my job requires more focus and attention and on the flip side, my job may not always be #1 because there are things in my family life that take the priority for that day, week, ect.  

The key for me, really, is simply being OK with not always excelling at everything at all times and always remembering my top priority IS and always will be my family.  

But part of that priority has to allow my job a place in our life. It just does. Lucky for me, I like my job and I'm pretty good at it. Also, lucky for me, I'm fortunate to have flexibility in my day if needed which allows me to participate in school activities. It's this amazing flexibility that allows me the balance I crave and need as a working mom. 

Life will constantly require an adjustment of priorities in order to maintain a happy family, a happy mom, and a happy boss!

But the struggle is totally worth it when you get it right - 

Morgan's kindergarten celebration. The moment she saw us in the audience!

Mommy & Morgan, post celebration!

 

June 3rd - Perception vs. Reality...such a funny thing

It's a tricky thing our perception of ourselves.

Why is it that when we are bigger we think we are smaller and when we are smaller we think we are bigger?

I'm not sure if I am the only one this happens to, but I wonder about overcoming this false perception a lot.

Here's the thing -

When I was bigger, I never felt as big as I was. Every time I would see a picture of myself (which are few and far between!), I would think, "I'm not really that big, am I?"

Now, the reverse is true. I can't wrap my head around my actual size. It boggles my mind to buy a medium anything, and I still think 16 pants fit.  They don't!  I feel bigger than I know I am.

And  -

Why is it that I only focus on the muffin top complimented by cottage cheese belly and the swinging arm fat? When I should focus on how much smaller I am and how far I've come.

Why is it so hard to love ourselves for who we are today? Not that we shouldn't strive to be better, but we really should be grateful for the body we have today and thankful for all it can do for us.

I think this is especially true if you take a moment to think about all the people who would give anything for a capable body - the sick, the elderly, the victims of the Boston bombing...you catch my meaning.

So my goal today - be happy with the body I have. Be intentional. Be grateful. Work to make it stronger, but be less critical of the way it is today.