Spoiler alert: I’m not and I’m coming to terms with the fact that in times like these, it’s okay.
The reality for most of us right now is that we’re all juggling a little too much. Almost overnight we went from our normal daily routines to strict lockdowns, caring for kids at home, distant learning, and creating makeshift home offices without any clear end date in sight. These last few months have weighed heavily on us all, with increasing anxieties and a lot of unknowns the situation has us all working off fumes.
For me personally, days are hectic with a 9-month-old and a husband working from home too. Between trying to keep the baby from screaming on our conference calls, running reports while cooking three meals a day and trying to stimulating baby’s development, I am mentally and physically drained by the end of the day. The worst of it all is feeling unaccomplished and having to acknowledge that I’m not fully present for either of my roles the way I typically am.
More recently, I’ve been trying to remind myself that this is not a typical situation we’re all facing and it’s something we’ve never had to endure before. There’s no direction on how to get through this or past experiences for us to reference. I’m learning that it’s okay to not be okay right now and that I may not have a great work-life balance but I’m not alone in trying to manage it all. With that said, I have found a few things that have helped me cope through these times.
- Prioritize and Sync Schedules
Syncing schedules daily and prioritize tasks as a family will help to define the day and allow for a less chaotic day of always trying to play catch up.
Every morning over coffee, my husband and I take a little time to compare work schedules. We each try and block off times to take the baby, so the other can work or hop on a call without the anxiety of trying to keep a baby quiet and entertained. This helps us map out the day and prioritize what needs to get done for both work and home life. We also plan on who’s prepping lunch and dinner depending on who’s busier for the day.
- Be Kind to Yourself
Be kind to yourself in knowing what you are typically capable of on a normal day and that you’re doing the best that you can with the time you have in a day.
I’m not at my “best” as an employee or a mom right now, but that’s okay. Rather than adding more stress and anxiety to my plate, I try and remind myself that I’m a hard worker and do typically give 100 percent to my team on a good day and I’m a great mom that will soon be able to give my baby all the attention she deserves.
- Take Care of Your Health
Being that it’s currently mental health awareness month, it’s so imperative we take care of both our mental and physical health right now. We’re stretching ourselves so thin with our families and work that we need to make sure to take care of ourselves too.
Most days there aren’t enough hours in the day to get a full workout in, but I typically try and find a little time at night after the baby goes down to try and get a quick workout in, a 10-minute meditation or just take an extra-long hot shower. Doing one thing for myself daily helps me decompress from the day.
- Weekends are Sacred
Relax and take the time to fully enjoy the weekend, be present, relax, and do fun activities with your family. Build memories and quality moments.
Weekends for us are sacred. We disconnect from phones, news, and the chaos of the week and make family time a priority. It’s my opportunity to take the family neighborhood stroll we can never seem to find the time for during the week, blow bubbles in the yard, and have a well-deserved glass of wine.
Finally going for that walk down to the water.
