Knowing When Enough Is Enough!

Well, these last few weeks have been strangely busy, odd, and stressful to say the least. Yet somehow, I finally feel like I can breathe. As a woman, more so a mom, we try to manage it all. I am a believer in the whole "have your cake and eat it too" dream. I believe it is definitely possible. As a mom and wife, I try very hard to manage my home life, my kids, my own school, and everything else that comes along. What suffers? Me. I find myself going a couple of days without sleeping, or getting about 4 hours sleep in two - three days if I'm lucky. I get up at 330am to workout so that I don't disrupt my kids, or don't have to face them crying if I leave to go to a gym. I am on-line what seems like all day trying to get my son's school and my own schoolwork done. I cook, clean, care for my kids and husband, make time for my friends, until I feel myself losing my sanity, my grip on things. And then I realize...it is okay. It's okay for me to escape, if you will, and make time for me. For me, I now know that I have to set boundaries. I have learned that there comes a time every so often when I have to say "ENOUGH!" And I mean it. I get dressed and vanish. Usually I'll go to my favorite spot - my neighborhood Starbucks. It's my haven,...my fortress of solitude! I go there and I'm able to just...be. Sometimes I'll visit an old gal pal and we'll sit with coffee or wine and just chat for hours. The thing is that my husband used to make me feel guilty for doing this and it worked on me. Now however, I know that I can't worry about what he or anyone else thinks because I know what I need for ME to operate at maximum efficiency, and one of the things I need is time for me. I need time to recharge and since weekends trips to the Caribbean isn't an option, Starbucks or girlfriends will have to do.

The moral of this rant? Know yourself. Know what you need to be your very best and give it to yourself - without guilt! You'll be a happier, better person for it. And eventually those around you will realize the benefits too. It's okay to deserve and indulge in yourself from time to time. :)