Back To Norm-ish

This time of year always seems to go by the fastest and be the busiest. School has started up, and with that all my girls extracurricular activities as well. And let us not forget that the holidays are much closer than you may think. Even during this unique time organizations have seemed to adapt and are moving full steam ahead. After all the sitting around we’ve found ourselves doing lately this was a welcome change.

We quickly signed up for all the activities we had participated in the previous year. One because I had hoped it would help us get back to a sense of normalcy. And two because I didn’t want to spend another month isolated. And I think after this season we can all relate to this sentiment. From sport games, to music class, community service, and playdates I feel our family has been more involved since we’ve become homeschoolers. And oh how we missed that.

And it’s not to say that all of that didn’t stop completely. Like many others we had virtual opportunities with the different organizations we had joined. But let’s be honest, it’s not the same. Seeing friends on screen, and doing group activities individually was just not cutting it. So I was more than eager to fill our days again.

Acclimating

However, I underestimated the effect this time of separation has had on us. Just the pace of our day to day had to change. We all needed to be reminded how things work outside our home. For instance, pajamas, which are a staple in our home, is still fine when doing our school work. But when we’re getting ready for an in-person meeting we may need to do more than just run a comb through our hair. And this wasn’t just about getting my girls on board. I think I may have struggled with transitioning back the most.

At first, I jumped back into volunteering as I had in previous years. And in a few areas I have stepped up into roles that will require more responsibilities. I was excited and ready to go. But a month and a half in and I was starting to feel overwhelmed and dare I say, burnt out. My days went for being completely open (summer break) to jam packed. And no surprise, but my household responsibilities we’re waiting for me as well.

Pacing

To add to the frenzy I started to suffer from insomnia at night and migraines during the day. In my usual form I reproached myself for not being stronger, more organized, and at my lowest, for being a bad mom. That self talk is no joke people. Your thoughts become your reality, and I had let mine lead me to believe that I was failing. Maybe it’s because I am an only child, or the fact that I’m a stay at home mom. But the idea of failing at anything, let alone my family, is almost unbearable.

So naturally I had a meltdown. After a rough week, again with little sleep and continuous headaches, it didn’t take much to transform me from the super-hero mom I try to be, to a puddle of tears. And who got to witness me in all my glory but my husband. Lucky guy, right? If it wasn’t clear to me before it sure was then. I needed to take five.

As a parent I’m sure I’m not alone when dishing out advice like, pace themselves, or give yourself a break. Yet, somehow I have the hardest time doing just that. But after that week I knew it had to be done. I don’t want to be that parent who always looks miserable or overwhelmed. And I definitely don’t want my kids to think that either. So I stopped.

https://www.ladydspeaks.com/first-years/

Making Allowances

I cut down my screen time, I didn’t write, and I even cut out my evening reading. I just let myself off the hook and disconnected. So what if it takes me longer the finish reading that book, or that I’ll be behind in that one show. Though those hobbies are things I enjoy doing they weren’t allowing me to completely unwind. I just physically and mentally needed to do nothing. And it was OK.

Seriously, sometimes it’s the best thing you can do. Taking two weeks off, from things that I could afford to step away from, allowed me to have time to catch my breath. As this school year goes on I’m sure this won’t be the last time I feel like this, but I hope I remind myself that it’s OK to stop. I want to model to my children, as much as to myself, that when things start to get chaotic all you can do is your best to work through it. And if that doesn’t work it’s OK to take pause. Stepping away so you can step back into it with the right mindset. That can make all the difference.

So if you’re feeling this way, or are even on the verge give yourself allowances. Take breaks often, step back when needed, and breath. Did you catch me giving advice, well it is just as much for your benefit as it is mine. So don’t let stress or that negative self talk discourage you. Even if this is a lesson you have to work on over and over again. Cause I’m right there with you.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name sake.” Psalm 23: 1-3