Finding balance

Colleen's cherry tree in Savannah from last spring.
I can just picture Nathan jr. swinging in his swing from one of its branches this spring.

I love cherry trees! This picture has nothing to do with my post, other than I can't wait for it to be spring. The wind is blowing 30-40 mph and snow is melting like crazy, so I suppose spring is blowing into this cold, corner of the world.

Everyday, I struggle to find the balance with my life. Pre-Soren, my days were predictable.
6:30 a.m. - Alarm/breakfast/shower and dress/ walk Leo
8:30 a.m. - Walk to work
1 p.m. - Walk home for lunch and play with Leo / watch Arrested Development with Scott
5:30 p.m. - Skip home from work (I didn't really skip, but I always wanted too)
5:45 p.m. - Make and Eat Dinner
7 p.m. - Walk Leo down my favorite streets and through the park
8 p.m. - Hang out with Scott
11 p.m. - Go to bed.

It was such an easy schedule and allowed me to fit in personal time, relationship time, spiritual time, etc. But now things are a little different. I can't even write out my exact schedule. I just tried and it stressed me out to put it in exact times. Basically - we eat, play and sleep. When it happens varies depending on Soren's mood and growth spurts. Soren is my most important care, but when he sleeps I get to choose from:
  • House work (dishes, laundry, cleaning, meal planning, budgeting, etc..),
  • Leo entertainment (throwing something from one side of the house to another or packing us up for a walk with baby in tow).
  • Computer time (Keeping up with email, facebook, blogging, personal research, news, etc)
  • Entertainment (Reading, tv, crafting)
  • Sleeping (In my bed, on the futon, with or without Soren near me)
  • Projects (Researching how to market Scott's photography, and other miscellaneous things)
  • Spiritual time (REading scriptures, the Ensign, writing in my journal and Soren's little calendar)
Of course, it is more fun to do the entertainment. But then I feel like I'm neglectful. But you can't work all the time - I just had a baby and still need to relax. The funny thing is, because I lack the structure of 8:30-5:30, I'm confused. I don't want to have a schedule every day, but I do want to make sure my life is balanced. I know what I need to do - it's just finding when to fit it in best.
Email Post

Comments

Diana said…
I TOTALLY feel the same way. I was trying to tell my sister what times I usually feed Ella/wake up/get stuff done and I couldn't. Every day is so different and it's driving me crazy. I need schedules!!!
4:52 PM
Restless Mama said…
I'm with you on this as well. Ever since we moved to Hawai'i I've felt a little lost because I no longer have a schedule since I don't work anymore. When we were in Boston we woke up at 4:30, hung out or he would watch Baby Einstein while I got ready and then at 6:50 my sister or neighbor would get him and then I'd walk to the train station. Work and get home at 6:30. Make/eat dinner. Hang out with Aidan and then fall asleep. Now, I don't have work and so I'm struggling to find the motivation to create a schedule.
Good luck my friend.
xoxoxo
4:59 PM
Melissa said…
I'm so glad I'm not the only one! I'm sure we'll all figure it out sometime. You gals are the best!
5:24 PM
The Clifts said…
Mel- When Soren gets a little older, he will have more of a sleep schedule and you'll be able to plan things a little easier. I know exactly how you feel. Not that you asked for suggestions, but here is something I just recently started doing, and it has really helped. I tell myself the night before that there are a few things I HAVE to get done the next day, and everything else I get done is a bonus. For Example: Today I have to do all the dishes, make my bed, exercise and take a shower. I know that sounds trivial, but after doing these things, I feel productive and it lifts my spirits. And when they are done I can't feel guilty, because I finished what I planned. It'll take a long time to get used to the fact that you can't do everything. Although, knowing you, you probably could! You are amazing.
8:30 AM
J-R said…
Amen Sista
5:26 PM
Sarah Jane said…
Oh my. Honey, I am nearing baby #3 and I am still trying to get it:) The fact is, it will never be predictable. The days that I can accept that and I actually get some "me" time and "housework" time in, I am happy. The days I try and SET everything the way I want, NOTHING ever gets done, and no one is happy. Very strange, isn't it? Keeping it simple is key. I try and make a list of 3 MUSTS that have to get done. there is always the BIG list, but if I focus on just THREE, they will almost always get done. If I get more, great. if I don't, I try again the next day:) hang in there!
9:46 PM
Post a Comment

Most Read