This month, I have been fighting an uphill battle against a force that is either compassion fatigue, burn out or something by another name. While criss-crossing the country these past two weeks for HIV-related work, I have felt so worn down. It wasn’t so much that my body was tired. My soul was tired.
How is it already August?! Knowing that this is the last month of summer makes me sad because I can’t believe how fast it flew by. More importantly, I feel like there are so many things that I didn’t do yet this summer.
Last month, I didn’t get around to going through my Powersheets like in previous months but I did set a couple of high level goals for myself that I did accomplish. They included:
With Valerie Jarrett and Commissioner Kari Steele (right) at Galvanize Reception
While I am proud of those accomplishments, I know that I could have checked off a couple more things. This month, my focus is maximizing my output without the burnout. This concept doesn’t just include work-related tasks but also relational ones as well. I’m challenging myself to have meaningful conversations, put my efforts behind things that truly matter, and throw my heart into my home and marriage.
Here is my tending list for the month.
Monthly
Weekly
Daily
To keep me on track, I am planning to do #TendingListTuesday, which is something that I heard about in the Powersheets Facebook group. By checking my list every Tuesday, I am making sure that I am staying focused on my goals and making adjustments as needed.
What are your main goals for this month? Whatever they are, I am praying that you have the mindset and stamina to take them on full steam. Let’s do this!
With summer brings endless invitations to cookouts, festivals, weddings, happy hours, and more. That’s not to mention your own personal plans to take the kids on field trips, complete projects around the house, and whatever other plans are on your agenda. Even though summer is the perfect time to slow down, it can be so hard to actually do that because who wants to waste a beautiful sunny day?
Last year, a friend introduced me to the Yellow Conference, an event for creative women who want to do good. Both inspired and intrigued, I logged on to their site and the rest has been history. I haven’t been able to make it to the conference yet but I get to enjoy the next best thing: membership with the Yellow Collective community.
Can we talk about “mom guilt?” Why is it a thing? Like a crippling, debilitating AWFUL thing? A thing that we as moms *whispers* sometimes do to ourselves?”
Motherhood has taught me many lessons. Among them is the fact that kids will outgrow clothes in the blink of an eye. I count it a true blessing that Caleb has more clothes than he needs and doesn’t want for a thing (besides this shirt). When he can no longer wear something, I decide if I want to save it or donate it.
When I have adult clothes to give away, I usually take them to the Goodwill. However, I feel differently about baby clothes. If a mom needs baby items, I want to make sure that she can find them for free.
Welcome to June aka summer time! Well, at least if you are in Chicago. Last month, I didn’t set any official goals in my Powersheets, but I did commit to some things so May wasn’t a total wash. That being said, I set some intentional goals for June related to parenting, fitness, faith and relationships. While May ended on an incredible note, the middle weeks were a little all over the place. Without having a clear sense of what I needed to accomplish, I was flying by the seat of my pants as far as what I was and wasn’t doing. That is not what intentional living looks like!
Last week, our family left rainy Chicago in search of sunnier skies on the Gulf Coast. My oldest stepson graduated from high school down there so our trip was the perfect excuse to celebrate his accomplishments, catch up with my husband’s family, and honestly just whoosah.
Leading up to the trip, I was burnt out to the max from work and some other tasks on my plate. I have been saying “Yes” to too many things, people, and projects. And, it finally took a toll on me. Honestly, I’m still in “generosity recovery,” but that’s another post for another day.
Last week, I was showered with love and fuzzy feelings as I celebrated my second Mother’s Day. Motherhood has brought me so many incredible moments but I have to admit that I am still struggling with some of the physical aftereffects of carrying Caleb.
Thanks to Whole 30, I’m below my pre-baby weight, however parts of my body just aren’t the same as before. One of the biggest insecurities had to do my how poorly my bras fit post-baby. After breastfeeding, my girls just weren’t themselves anymore.
All of my life, I have held myself to incredible performance standards which propel me far but not as far as I know that I can truly go.
I cut myself off at the knees and think things like, “Well, those things worked because you were fortunate. Don’t go any further or people will see you for who you really are.” That last part… That fear of being “exposed” has haunted me my whole life. It has affected everything from personal relationships to passion projects. Remember Real Women Give?