Comments on: Finding Me

By: elizabeth channel

elizabeth channel — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 03:30:31 +0000

If I had a dollar for every book I've read in the past three years on "simplifying."

You are so not alone in the way you feel. I think our culture pressures us to "do it all" and we are being obliterated by our supposed obligations. This "busy-ness" keeps us many times involved in exceptionally good activities; they just might not be the right activities.

I'm blathering as usual. Thank you for being so candid.

By: Trish

Trish — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 01:53:36 +0000

Thank you all so, so much for your encouragement and support. Just getting it off my chest makes me feel better and hearing from so many of you who deal with the same issues makes it all less overwhelming. Being there for each other when times are rough, that's what it's all about, and I appreciate it more than you can know.

By: Spring

Spring — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 19:51:14 +0000

Me too, me too, me too! How surprising that there are so many who feel the same…!

I'm trying to have 5 minutes of fun daily, just spontaneous stuff whenever the mood strikes, and for only 5 minutes. No pressure. No right or wrong. Somehow, it's contagious and 5 minutes of fun seems to lighten the mood for all of us.

For you, I say good job for talking about it, for not pretending, and for going to chocolate. In any crisis, chocolate is always the right answer

(((hugs)))

By: Jen P

Jen P — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 01:37:12 +0000

Welcome to the Workaholics club! We're always 'working on' something!

By: Melody

Melody — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 22:43:01 +0000

Wow! I think you've been inside my head. Breathe, I keep telling myself…because all those expectations of me are really only in my mind.

By: Michelle and Elliot

Michelle and Elliot — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:31:22 +0000

Hmmm – I was reading and thought that you were describing ME! And, I forever get lectures from my husband, "You need to enjoy life, Michelle." Well, yes I do (and do achieve that goal a lot of the time), but so much seems to get in the way! Cocktails anytime soon!?

Have a great day.

By: Julie

Julie — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:04:41 +0000

Ugh. Wow. EXACTLY what I needed to hear. That quote is right on the money. I'm going to be thinking over this one all day. Thanks for sharing. Hope your weekend is nice,
Julie

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:38:43 +0000

Ah, we could be twins, Trish…

I identify with every single line of your post. I had to laugh at your "I'll work on it comment" — a favorite pet phrase of mine. I think I even said something referencing it in my post that just went up — I'll have to go check

I think it's because when you put so much into getting your child what they need to survive, life becomes a checklist. If we don't remember everything and do everything on our list for our children, consequences are dire. Then we extrapolate that to everyday life and feel like failures.

I don't know what the answer is either, but like you, I'm trying to be more aware of the fact that my children are not the only souls with needs and that everyone suffers when I pretend that mine can survive on four hours of sleep and a childcare "to do" list.

Hugs from a mom who totally gets it…

~Michelle

By: Tammy and Parker

Tammy and Parker — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:36:22 +0000

Sometimes it takes real effort to simply enjoy the journey, doesn't it?

I'm share your feelings and tendencies. Maybe we need to be around to remind each other to breathe…and enjoy.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:13:08 +0000

I relate very much to what you say about yourself. Time and maturation have helped me – I'm much more relaxed in my 6th decade [Oh, that sounds old] – maybe that will not make you feel better just now. Sorry. Perhaps this is better – over time I decided that some things are just not important any more. Getting ONE item off my "this must be this way" list has helped. Then one more….Best wishes.