Whew

These past few weeks of training my replacement at work have been so exhausting. Training is one of my least favorite things to do in a job. Luckily Thursday is my last day, so the end is finally in sight!

Here's something I've been thinking about lately: As a woman, mother, wife, friend, sister, etc. How are we supposed to do it all? From being a good mom (with all it includes), to being a good wife (ditto), providing a clean home, providing nutritious meals, being a good employee, spending quality time with friends and family, fulfilling my commitments as a volunteer, when do I find the time to do the things I'm supposed to do for myself?

I've been so sick this winter. I am currently battling my eighth cold of the season (no, this is not an exaggeration). There is no good reason I should have been so sick this winter. I eat relatively healthy, I take vitamins, I'm wash my hands often, my home is clean, so why have I been so sick? My answer: stress. This winter with Nathan turning one, the holidays, travel, work, changing jobs, and the regular every-day stresses has me totally maxed out ... and I didn't even realize it. It took my body trying to force myself to rest for me to realize it.

So even though it's a bit late to start anything for Lent, I've decided to try to do something for myself once a day. I have to force myself to relax. But how do I find the time? There are always better things to be done, bathrooms to be cleaned, Nathans to be played with. I guess it all comes down to the guilty feeling I have for having someone watch Nathan for me ... again. My sister watches him one day a week, and my mom watches him one day a week. A lot of my evenings are taken up by meetings, so he's home with his dad. I feel like weekends should be reserved for time with family.

I'm really not asking you all to solve my problems or answer my questions. This is more of a therapeutic post which will hopefully put things into perspective for me. So, starting this week, I vow to do something just for myself at least three times a week. Be it something huge like a massage at a spa, or small like reading a magazine and lighting my favorite candle. Hopefully this will give me the energy to be all the things I want to be, and stop the sickness.