Truthfully, I just now printed out the worksheet that goes with this week because I cannot even begin to imagine what can be cut, combined or delegated in my life right now. I feel very overwhelmed with all that has to be done for others and not taking care of myself is beginning to snowball. I'm tired, grouchy, eating terrible, living life off of caffeine, spending no time with God....in essence I am surviving, not thriving.
Today I came across this guest post on Life Your Way and when I got to the section on "Are You Overwhelmed?" every item fit me and that is when I realized that something has to change. What? you ask....I have NO IDEA! But I'm going to figure it out....soon. Stay tuned....
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Excellent, excellent post you linked to.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've got a lot of thinking to do. Right now, you are working (full time??). You do not have 12 hours at home, even with an interrupting child or two. When you spend your days away from home, you're not going to be able to do everything you feel you need to. When you get home, you're probably pretty much just caring for your little girly and dealing with dinner. (Not bashing your working at all here.) Do not beat yourself up for not getting more done in those very few hours each evening.
Is there a teen girl in your church that you can trust to come over once or twice a week to clean or get you caught up with dishes or laundry? Your house may still not be perfect, but if you can have help with the most important things every once in a while, that would make a huge difference. Most young girls are happy to help with little payment (it's more fun to clean someone else's house :P). Maybe you could do an exchange with her... find out if there's something she really wants to do or learn that you might be able to help with. Or something... I don't know. I don't have a whole lot of ideas. :P
It's very hard to get the sleep you need with a baby. There's only one way to get more sleep. Since you can't sleep in, you can only hit the bed earlier. Even just an extra 30 minutes can make a difference. Ask your husband to let you sleep in one weekend morning. You could get up with Olivia and nurse her, if she needs it, but then hand her over to your husband and go back to bed. I have found that sleeping in (even if I have to get up at 6:00 to nurse Faith) does a lot more for me than taking naps. It's more like an extension of night sleep, so it's more restful.
Maybe it's time to stop thinking of the weekend as a time to "get stuff done" and think of it as a time to get the rest and hygienic care that you need.
Ask your husband what's important to him. Does he really care if he gets his laundry out of his drawer or a laundry basket? Does he really care if you make dinner from scratch? Find out what ONE thing is most important to him. Do that one thing well, and don't worry about the rest.
Schedule a hair cut or manicure. Feeling pretty does a lot for the mood and hormonal balance. :)
I wish I could come and help you weed through this all and take Olivia for a day to give you a break. Hang in there. You will feel happy and energized again. Only 4 more months until she is a year old. It makes a big difference when they are weaned and your hormones are more balanced (so long as you're not pregnant right away again - ha ha).
I have to agree, you need to cut yourself some slack! I'm home all day (well, actually we are out quite a bit, but I mean I'm unemployed) and I can't get basic stuff done like cleaning bathrooms. I would definitely be in survival mode--just get through the day with everyone alive and fed and then slowly add in "start laundry at breakfast, start dryer at dinner" and one project per weekend like "put toys away." I am not one to wake up before my kids (I love sleep), but that works for a lot of people--waking up just 15 minutes before your child's normal time or your alarm to get your mind together (in prayer, exercise, reading mom blogs), just make sure you go to bed that much earlier the night before, don't give up any sleep! Hang in there, this too shall pass, it's only for a season!
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