Also known as juggling.
I have been working very hard on having better balance between my personal life and my work. I have shifted into work that allows some flexibility, I am here to make dinner and spend time with my family, I am investing time in my own growth and development, and I try to make sure that I am really present when I need to be.
But, there are days when it still feels like I am being pulled in too many directions. So, I have spent some time thinking about what are the common threads between the days when I feel like everything is humming along and the days when I stop and think I just need a nap.
Here are my most common mistakes when it comes to keeping my life in balance.
- Not using my calendar. I actually have to use multiple calendars to make sure that I keep everything straight. When I write something in my planner and it doesn’t make it into my phone, that’s a sure sign that I am going to forget. The planner allows me a different visual layout of my time, so I struggle without it, but keeping multiple calendars definitely gets me in trouble.
- Double-booking. See previous bullet. Double booking happens when I get the calendars together and realize that I screwed up and scheduled something else during another event. This most often happens with appointments like doctors, dentists, counseling, or anything else that is scheduled out in advance.
- Underestimating time. Have you ever noticed the time vortext that exists between leaving your desk and getting to your car? It’s at least 10 minutes that just disappears. And as a result, you are late. Just about always.
- Worrying about my anxiety. Right. That should be a no-brainer, but it is much harder than it sounds. And worrying about worrying leads to worrying about whether I am feeling anxious or having a heart attack. Then that leads to worrying about not having a will. Well, you can see how this is the opposite of having balance in my life.
- Hitting snooze. Hitting snooze is the worst thing I can do for my morning routine. Every time I think, “Just five more minutes,” I take away about thirty minutes of self-care. Wouldn’t it be better for me to just go to bed thirty minutes earlier? Yes. Yes, it would.
I’m sure I am not the only one who struggles with these things (well, if I am, just don’t tell me, okay?). My image of adulting is so different from my actual adulting efforts, but the thing that I keep reminding myself is that I am making efforts. Every day, I try to bring the best version of myself that I can. I am imperfect. I am healing. And I am showing up every day with intention.
So, if you are in much the same place, know that you are not alone. And feel free to reach out for support.