Today has been a wacky day. The kind of day where my socks don’t match, and the house looks messy, even though I’ve spent all day cleaning. The kind of day where no amount of sleep can actually make me feel less tired. And of course I’m not the only one affected. The girls have been more combative and cranky but refuse to sleep.
I thought we were going to make it through the time change unscathed. That was naïve of me. But hope is naïve, and I wouldn’t change my fallible expectations for pessimistic ones. Besides, I don’t think we could have prepared better to change the outcome. I’ve found the best way to handle these situations is to be flexible and to focus on self-care.
I’m sitting here with fuzzy socks and warm tea, sipping away at a moment of glorious solitude. A moment before nap time ends and the crazy begins. A moment where I can recoup, recharge, and restore myself.
Do you take these breaks? I’m aggressively productive, and I have to remind myself that the pauses are just as important as the momentum. Just like a car has to gas up, we need to refill ourselves. And it’s a smart practice to refuel before you are completely empty. You don’t want to break down somewhere unexpected or without fuel. Sometimes when we really need a break, we no longer have the opportunity. Factor it into your lifestyle, and see how you can transform from surviving to thriving.
Jacqueline Pinchuk 