I have a list of all the things that I do. It starts like this, full-time job, masters student, wife, mother, homeschool mom. This is just a basic function list. Day to day life takes all these things and makes them into many tiny things through the day. Daily I have to make a choice on what to prioritize first. Being a mom is a full-time job on its own. Even with kids that are older now, they still require time. Being a homeschool mom takes even more time and somehow we make it work.
There are days when I look at my list and wonder how I can do it all. I wonder how I am going to make it work. There are too many things to do and I can't do it all on my own. Thankfully I have a husband who is helpful, but it doesn't take away from my responsibilities. For my mental health and my life, I had to start letting things go.
The responsibilities that come with being a mom are not ones that can be let go. It is the other things in life that need to take a back burner. Being a graduate student is not easy but it is one more thing on my plate. It will be over soon but it is still another thing to add to my plate. Classes and homework and non-negotiable.
The job is not something that is negotiable either. Full-time supervisory duties and often working overtime is unavoidable. Everyone has to work. I enjoy what I do but it doesn't take away from the stress and the work that comes with the job. Another non-negotiable in life.
It would seem like with all the non-negotiables with work, kids, and school that there is nothing to let go. There is. It is the little things that are negotiable. It is the stress of the daily things that we put on ourselves. It is the look of perfection that has to go. It is the little stressors that I can't do anything about.
Each day I take a look at my list. I take a look at the things that matter and reprioritize. I can't do it all on my own. I strive for perfection but I have to be able to let the perfection go. Simple things like a step counter can cause more stress. I was trying every day to reach a step count that I was barely managing. At the end of my day stressing, trying to get those last few steps in. It is a stupid step counter! I know that fitness and health are important but at the end of the day, if your step counter is stressing you out, it is not worth your health.
Let it go. The little things that will not make a difference in a year, or even a day. Let go of the things that don't matter at the end of the day. Being a mom is hard enough. Working a full-time job is hard enough. Being a graduate student is hard enough. Life is hard enough. Don't make it harder.
