Hello…
Well October sure took a turn, did it for anyone else? It seems like everything almost just hit at once and then next thing I knew it was November. I seriously have no idea where the month went of what we did (well I do, it’s all on the calendar, but you know what I mean). I said yes far too many times to far too many things and I came very close to burnout only to get reprieves at the last minute (thank you to my child who needed a mental health day that coincided with my own need for a mental health day). And all while it seems like the outside world is struggling more than ever and I feel that pull that I can do more, need to do more.
I’m well into building my community here between our Spouses Club, our Spicy Book Club, Subbing and Volunteering within the school, and our little portion of the neighborhood. That has been so good. I don’t want to say I’m hitting my stride just yet, but I’m on my way to that.
However, I’ve definitely needed to find that balance. In fact, It’s not a balance at all- it’s a juggle. That’s what I hear in October (via a TikTok algorithm moment), and I really found that that was a slightly better mindset. Rather than finding a balance, I juggle- I focus on the balls that are currently moving and the other are in the background. It sounds weird to say and I can’t quite explain it, but this little reframing takes some of the pressure off. I can prioritize with the best of them, and this fits very well with that. I don’t have to try and focus on everything all at once, but certain things at certain times and in certain ways.
With that though, my boundary of saying “no” has been completely obliterated. I would also say though that my boundary and ability to delegate and ask for help has improved. That’s partially because it’s been forced, but I also think I’ve just gotten more comfortable with it. Reminding myself that I don’t have to do it all myself and run myself into the ground over it has been a game changer.
Something else that I’ve had to remind myself, is that just because I love doing all the things and that the burnout isn’t as bad or as major because I love doing all the things, doesn’t mean that I don’t experience the burnout. If that makes any sense whatsoever. In October I met with a female leader of our local Chabad (she was absolutely lovely, and I can’t wait to visit there more). While we were chatting, she said… “well what do you do to take care of yourself”. I promptly answered, “I stay up far too late reading books in the quiet of my house”. She half chuckled and that’s when it kind of dawned on me- my “taking care of myself” while re charges me, it also drains me at times.
When my older son had a rough time and needed a mental health day- I was forced to take one to. As we sat on the couch together spending the day reading – it hit me that I needed this too. Something I had only slightly acknowledged.
So, what does all this mean? Other than me self-analyzing and oversharing (and hopefully not coming off as complaining- as I truly love all the things, I am committing myself to) …it means that we need to continue to be mindful of our body and soul. Just because we love all the things doesn’t mean we won’t burnout. Just because we want to do all the things doesn’t mean that we can. Take some time to take care of yourself.
A Cuppa Cosy 