Goodness Gracious…ly Grateful

Hey everybody! I hope you’re all staying safe and are doing well! I’ve been managing to stay healthy, but sane is a totally different story! I, like so many others, am still trying to adjust to this new normal! Honestly, I initially felt like I should be used to it by now, as long as it’s been going on, but then I had to show myself some grace because the “old normal” was my normal for 30+ years so this is all still very new!

Today was interesting to say the least. I started writing this a couple of days ago and because of all the adjustments I was going through, I wasn’t able to revisit it until today. I knew that teaching remotely while helping my three children learn remotely would be interesting, but these last two days have been the longest week ever! It was extremely challenging to teach my classes, keep up with all of my other job related duties, and help all three children and that was only between the hours of 8a-3p. I hadn’t even gotten to the after work duties like cooking, cleaning, and working on my business matters. I was done! However, I told myself that like everything else, this too shall pass, and it will come together as we work on it.

I was really beating myself up because I had been working so hard to maintain a schedule to make sure everything got done. Two nights in a row, I got to sleep way too late and that meant I missed two workouts two mornings in a row. I was so frustrated because working out had become a habit and to get to that point was difficult enough in itself. By the time my kids were done with school, I felt like I had nothing left. I was discouraged because my rings on my Apple Watch weren’t closing (the rings track movement and exercise and I have to do so much of both each day to close them). My hard-earned progress was dwindling. Then…wait.

I know you probably think I was being dramatic, right? Honestly, I was! I didn’t see it like that at first though! Like I was really hurt by it all! Then I had to remind myself, “you just started something new…give it some time”. I needed to take advantage of the adjustment period. What I mean by adjustment period is that when you start something new, there’s always a time frame (usually not extensive) that is used to discover how that new thing is working out for you, how it affects your schedule, how you like it, etc. I had to remind myself that my previous schedule and routine was no longer relevant because I’m throwing new things in there now and I have to figure out how to make them all work. That is exactly where I am right now. I also thought about how I tell people all the time to be patient and gentle with themselves and how I am more patient with others than I am myself. It was time I took my own advice and practiced what I preached.

So, today when I woke up and felt like I needed more sleep, I went back to sleep for a little bit. I woke up feeling a little bit more rested and started my day. No workout, but I told myself that I’d make smart decisions as far as nutrition went and if I had time and was up for it, I’d work out. I informed all my students and teachers with whom I work that my kids were home learning so unless I needed to say something or my voice was required, I’d more than likely stay on mute. I also told them that from time-to-time, I may turn off or freeze my camera. That is what I did today, and I did it with no guilt. I got through my classes and I got my kids through theirs. There was a moment I was slightly frazzled because I got this burst of energy after my classes were over and wanted to utilize it quickly and smartly. I wanted to get dinner ready and clean up. Wouldn’t you know the second I got into my cleaning groove all three kids needed me at the same time?? If I heard “mommy” or any variation of it one more time, I thought I’d just fall out. We worked through that, too though.  I had to pump my brakes, figure out who needed what, and get to it. It’s as simple as that. Now, dinner is done, kids are done with class, I’m done with class, and I was able to come and write to and for you. Even though there is still a lot to be done, it will get done and we will all be fine.

My point is this: be kind to yourself. Be gracious with yourself. I’m pretty sure I’ve said it before, but when it keeps coming up, I feel like I may need to keep saying it…to myself as well. At this point, we are all doing the best with what we have. If something gets left out for the day, note that and make it a point to try to find where it will fit the next day (so long as it’s nothing super important like eating or sleeping!). If you have to take a moment throughout the day to collect yourself, do it! At the end of the day, we tend to put ourselves last but the fact of the matter is you cannot pour from an empty cup and you can’t give everything and not have anything left for yourself.

That wraps up Goodness Gracious…ly Grateful. Be on the lookout for the next article! As always, if there’s something you want me to address please let me know! In the meantime, don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe!