The (Joy)Full Plate...


Oh my goodness. I can't believe how long it has been since I posted!

Hello, everyone! I have missed you.

Honestly, I have missed ME!

Since my college classes started at the end of September, I feel like my life has been stolen from me. Somehow I got thrown onto this neverending treadmill and I have been running and running and running, praying that I don't trip and fall down. All of that running consists of what is actually lots and lots of textbook reading, homework assignments, group project meetings and research, about 2 hours of commuting twice a week, and about 10 hours a week of lectures. Did I mention that I have started clenching my teeth again?

Yesterday I was driving home from work, preparing to spend about 5 hours studying for an exam...feeling exhausted, missing my friends, dreaming about organizing my house (YES! I was actually day dreaming about cleaning!)and I realized that I can't spend the next 3 years finishing my college education just trying to survive like this. Like I have been the last 4 weeks. (Has it only been 4 weeks!?!?!) While I have been struggling to stay ahead in my education life, I have been severely neglecting my personal life. Now I know that my social life is bound to take some serious hits over the next 3 years, but when it comes to my personal life, by that I mean ME, sacrifices are not an option. It's a question of my sanity.

I decided yesterday that each week I will take a ME day. Well, a ME "night" actually. I need a chance to decompress...to stop clenching my teeth...to breathe. Of course this schedule will be depend on homework and how much of my weekend I am willing to sacrifice to make up the difference, but it must be done. I need a time out. Starting tomorrow...the day after my second exam...I will breathe. The plan is to bake cookies, light some candles, kick up my feet, watch my favorite Thursday tv, cuddle up with my cat in slippers and pjs, and drink a glass of wine. To take time to check in on this blog. To not think about school, or work, or group projects, or my lacking social life. To recharge and reconnect.

The plan so far has been to do homework during the week and spend the weekends relaxing, but that hasn't been working so well. I have been go-go-go during the week and when the weekend comes I sleep too long and end up doing homework that my tired eyes couldn't focus on during the week. I've been trying to keep promises to friends, but I have been severly failing. I feel like the Queen of Cancelling right now. I am hoping that recharging for a few hours during the week will give me more energy for the weekends and the ability to keep my promises. The ability to be a better friend. To be a better ME.

So, when life takes over...how do YOU balance everything? I could really use the input. (Click "comments" below this post to leave a note.)

1 comment

  1. I'm proud of you hun, that sounds like a very healthy choice to take a day for yourself! I'm going to keep asking you to make sure you keep it up : )
    I Love you!
    Jen

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