I know everyone around me feels the same way, there are not enough hours in a day, not enough days in a week and not enough weeks in a year. Or at least you think about time as something you don’t ever have enough of….I’ve been struggling….A….LOT
The work life balance is something that I’ve been struggling with quite a bit lately, I’d say for six months now it’s been nagging at me a lot. I work a lot and even putting in as many hours as I do I still consider myself a stay at home mom and not a work at home mom. The reality has become I’m a work at home mom. I look around my house and see disaster everywhere. I’ve never been very good at cleaning, and to tell you the truth it doesn’t bother me enough to do anything about it. My house is messy, I’d rather spend the time with my kids, than have a clean house. So I suppose I shouldn’t be so hard on myself with my time management, but still, I feel like I don’t give enough time to my kids.
It’s hard to sit down and write personal posts lately because things aren’t all rosy or I don’t have a really sweet story to tell about my kids right now. All I have are my own struggles. My mind has been clouded lately with them, depression, and anxiety. My reviews have been negative lately, even when I love the product, and I’ve been trying to give most of the reviews to my contributors so I can have more time with my kids and to deal with my depression and anxiety. I’m even seeing a doctor who’s trying to help me work through all of it. It’s still somehow not working.
Maybe it’s just the clouds and rain and constant overcast that’s talking right now. Because a few weeks ago I was feeling like things were going pretty well. Today all I want to do is take a nap but I hate leaving the blog empty for more than one day, I hate leaving it empty for one day even. Sundays I’ve had no time at all for blogging. Two weeks in a row I was in my house less than 30 minutes between 8:30 AM and 9:00 PM on Sunday, it was lucky that last week I had a post scheduled but this week I didn’t. Last Sunday was my stepmom’s birthday and I forgot to call her. I was so busy, and still I felt guilty so I called her the next day and in my guilt I was frustrated and my conversation didn’t go well. which added to my blah! Other things happened this week that made me more blah! And today I have no motivation. Blah, that’s what I wanted to title this post. Blah has been my mood for about five days now. Blah….I’m going to go take that nap and wake up with a new attitude. And get some better content for you guys!
Yep, everyone has blah! periods in their life. This will pass quickly and you’ll be back to your “normal” self soon (I say “normal-cause we all know you Louise and you ain’t normal LOL). I’m here for you if you want to vent or chat. In the meantime, posts like these make you seem so real and they are so personal. Even if they are about the blah!
xoxo
Thanks desiree, and you’re right I’m not normal at all. Thanks for making me smile!
I feel your pain, and I pray for the sun in the pacific northwest, because even if a little bit, it sure helps a mood! Hugs sweetie, let me know if you ever need to chat!
Thanks Jen, I thought my drugs would be helping by now, but this weather is so depressing. I’ll let you know if I need to chat!
Take extra vitamin D and get yourself one of those sun lamps; some people truly have problems with depression in the winter due to the lack of sunshine. And don’t feel guilty for giving the blog a break so you can give yourself a rest!
Hi Louise!
You are totally normal, and on your way to being your wonderful sunny self once again! Promise.
I look at Blah-times as seasons…your just in a little “winter” season at the moment (no pun intended!) and the good news is, EVEN in the winter under all the snow and gray there are still living buds under ground just waiting to spring forth! SO while you’re letting your bout with “winter” pass, why not make the best of it?
The best part of being in a Blah is that it can be a great excuse to pamper yourself! Maybe you need a little R & R for yourself? Maybe you’ve been giving so much to everyone else that you forgot about you?
You could schedule a massage or pedicure (or both!) Maybe a hair cut or a new blouse? Or some other meaningful event…just for you! Then, you could really endulge your Blah further and get the most out of it for you and your kids! Use it as an excuse to take a break from your work-at-home life and try a little trip to the zoo or an indoor conservatory with your kids (great little winter time get-aways from blah weather!) I used to do this all the time when I lived in Ohio with my 2 little boys. The Aquariums were warm and empty and my kids and I could browse and enjoy hot chocolates together. Indoor conservatories were magical and often had warm misty waterfalls to sit and enjoy. Ours did in Ohio. We even used to go to the outdoor Botanical Gardens and woods in our area and walk the silent wintery grounds. There were geese, ducks and fish still living away! These became our Blah-breaking “mini-vacations in a day” and were wonderful times and memories we still talk about! All born of the wintery blahs!
You are a totally normal work at home mom who is learning to balance everything work and family bring! You add a lot of Wonderful to the world around you with your work AND family, just don’t forget to add that wonderful to you too!
“Spring” is around the corner, and before you know it, you’ll be your summer cheerful self again and all will be great! Promise!
Love the blog, tweets, website and FB by the way! I have enjoyed reading your entries. They put a smile on my face and so many good ideas! Thank you!
HUGS! I totally know and understand where you are coming from. I am in a not happy place in my life right now. I hope things start looking up for you soon.
Its nice to know that I’m not alone. As Mean as that may sound I feel better just knowing I’m not insane. (or am I ?) LOL Hugs to you GraniLyn
I hope this turns around for you soon and that your funk lifts. So sorry!
Sweetie, first hugs….second, take the weekend off. No one will stop reading because you don’t post, and third, talk to you doctor again and have him/her check your vitamin levels for D then take D3 not D2 which is what most tell you. Also ask if he/she will diagnose you with seasonal affective disorder, which is really sounds like you have, and get a prescription for a sun light.
I’ve been and am where you are and it’s so much easier not to do anything. I know from years of practice. But I’m going to push you ever so slightly because I love you and want you to feel better. I’d love to come and help you clean, cook, or just sit and drink Cokes….whatever you need. Just ask.
Love you.
Connie
You write what you know, not roses for others to read.
AHH yes Supermum Syndrome
….You cannot do it all without losing yourself!
Take some time without doing anything or sit down and watch a mindless movie with the kids,Then prioritize and put the kids at the top of the list.Maybe there are other ways of doing things ,like posting on your work breaks or making a game of cleanup with the kids.
As for the depression,youve jumped the first hurdle and recognized what it is.Im on the same road myself so remember to take care of yourself otherwise you will be in no shape to take care of others.
Hugzzzz…Michelle J
Remember that it’s winter which is prime time for seasonal affective disorders or depression brought on by lack of light. Get out there and take a walk.
I hate housecleaning. I do the basics. I get times when I feel overwhelmed by everything. When I do, I stop everything and plan family time away from home.
I hear ya. I suffer from S.A.D., but have been fortunate this winter that it’s been quite mild, even Spring-like. We’ve had many more sunny days than overcast/cloudy days. So I’ve not felt as “blah”. I’m sending good thoughts and prayers your way. And if I could send this sunshine your way, I would!
I say take care of yourself and your family first! Take the weekends off, don’t worry about the blog. I enjoy your blog and your posts and would be just as loyal of a reader without posts on the weekend (or even days during the week). I know I rarely have much time to get online during the weekends with all the kids activities and family stuff, I am sure others are the same way.
I’ve been struggling with depression, anxiety and guilt a lot myself lately so I can completely understand the BLAH and just wanting to crawl into bed (nap would be nice, but I haven’t been sleeping at all). Most of it is due to my dads very unexpected passing, my daughters health issues and then my mom being in the hospital. Ugh.. I just don’t want to deal with anything these days.
((((((many hugs))))) Take Care of yourself and we will be here when you are!
Hugs Louise….You are doing an amazing job and you should definitely give yourself a break. The fact that you’d rather spend time with your kids than have a clean house…that shows what a great mom you are….honestly….those moments with your children are the most important….and the blog….your readers understand if you need a day or two off…sometimes it’s actually good to take a day or 2 away to come back refreshed with a new perspective and fresh writing ideas……Miss you….hoping things get better….
I have been feeling the same way lately. never a moment to catch up and everything piling on top of me!UGh! hang in there… I think this exhaustion comes in waves and I am riding this wave out!