Doing too much? My 6 Steps to REFOCUS!

Making choices that are right for you and no one else has always run through my mind when I get overwhelmed with things.

As parents, we create options hoping for our kids' best interests without talking about it. I sometimes do this for McK (oldest) or Summer (baby girl), and at times I realize quickly, they do not care. I do talk with McK, but I also know that sometimes she does not want to do it, yet she is surprised with herself and glad that I had 'voluntold' her to do certain things. For example, McK loved singing, but it was not to the point of really singing ( just singing with the radio or music was what she wanted), BUT I signed her up for voice lesson classes. At first, she was like, Really, Mom? However, my kid quickly realizes her potential and can actually sing, and she loves singing. (photo: girls as toddlers)

As for Summer, it is a little more challenging with autistic and all because we'd sign her up for something, and there are just times she does NOT want to leave her room or be around people, whether its because she did not have enough rest or her sensory is just getting to her. However, that child of mine can be happy building forts somewhere in the house and playing with her dolls. With their schooling, I'm good with both of their progress.

On top of my daily family life, I have been looking into these side hustles that can be done online, and OMG, it's so exciting yet exhausting. The learning curve is super exciting, learning how you make

changes to your camera to get the perfect lighting, and edit a video so you can talk, have music playing in the background. I am also getting to enjoy creating voice-over videos, etc. My brain gets so excited about learning new skills, yet I get exhausted all the time lately. That is what people refer to as information overload. The learning even keeps my brain active when I should be sleeping. Before, I would be so tired while Summer was full-on active at night, but with all these exciting reading and skills that I have been learning takes me a while to sleep after Summer's knocked out at about 3am or 2am if I'm lucky. It is NOT good at all. Why? Since McK wakes up and needs to get out to catch her bus to school a little after 7, having 3 to 4-hour sleep is NO BUENO! (updated photo of my brats who are about to be taller than me)

I decided to do something about that….so here's what I did:

1. Made a list and wrote down all the goals I wanted to complete for the week and the month and revisit my yearly goals. (I got different calendars for each, lol)

2. Identified tasks/goals that can be completed immediately or quickly by putting a deadline. These would be my top priority…

3. Assigned a level of importance to each task based on its impact on my "goals" monthly and annually (I don't bother with weekly as that needs to be done right away)

4. Estimated how much time I would need to spend on each task to accomplish/complete my goals

5. Identified tasks that may be dependent on other tasks or goals and prioritize them accordingly

6. THEN GO GET IT DONE….TRY NOT to complicate anything (add or take away from what it is… simply get it done)

From there, I had to remind myself that I am getting older (losing my marbles at times, eyesight getting worse etc), and need to pace myself and that it is about the journey and not the destination with these goals/tasks. In addition, I need to give myself some flexibility because things do happen, and I can change things around as I see fit.

This week, I feel better about my choices to refocus my perspective and life. It would be easy to ignore everything, but as a wife, mom, and just being me, I have standards for myself and my kids. It sure has changed since I had children. I am more open to being more flexible, or as McK would remind me… You're NOT PERFECT, Mommy, and I AM NOT as well, so let's take it easy and keep trying again. Do you know how powerful that statement is? Ever since that kid said that to me, I have always checked myself or reminded myself to be less crazy over things and be more open to trying again and relearning. I sure am grateful for my babies and what they teach me daily and for their father because my oldest is sweet, kind, and loving, and those who know him will agree.

Well, that's my piece of sharing for this week. Here's hoping you and yours are well and have a fantastic weekend.

Till Next time...