No, I’m not going to be talking about throwing balls up in the air. I’m talking about juggling the many roles and responsibilities we all have. I had planned, when I wrote my list for the A to Z challenge, to try to offer some advice, and some ways to deal with juggling both promoting your book and writing your next one. But at the moment, I don’t feel like I have any advice to offer.
I was so excited, the first week of this challenge, to be achieving lots both with my blogging, and with editing Reckless Rebellion for the Camp NaNo challenge. The first month was great. But as is usually the way with these challenges, the second week is dragging, and the two weeks following that are neverending. I’m struggling with juggling both challenges, and I’m feeling like I’ve completely dropped the ball on parenting, cleaning, and of course, my day job!
Sometimes, juggling too many things leads to you dropping some. And I think, it’s important to be selective about which ones you drop, so that it’s not any of the important ones! I’ve always said on this blog, that my family comes first, and I need to keep remembering that. Not sure yet if I’m going to be dropping any of the challenges, or just scaling back a little, but I do think it’s time to re-assess my priorities.
How do you cope with juggling too many things? Or are you better at only taking on things you can manage in the first place?
All this month I’m participating in the A-Z blogging challenge, writing a blog post for each letter of the alphabet, on every day of the month except Sundays. Check back regularly to see what else I have in store for you.
I feel your pain….I ‘cope’ with taking on too many things by panicking, freaking out and sleeping less so i can get up and try and fit it all in. Having said that I’m probably the wrong person to ask for advice 🙂
I’ve been working on that principle lately! Only trouble is when I have to drive somewhere on too little sleep, which it seems I have to do far too often!
And still you find time to come and comment on my blog! You’re amazing! I think if it’s affecting your health or humour then the extra challenges have to go, but if it means letting the house get a bit mucky or making the family pitch in a bit more then challenges are a great way to show you what you can achieve. That said, it’s 1pm here, I pick the kids up in four hours, and I haven’t written a word yet today., I’m trying to reclaim my house now hubbie is finally out of it during the day and it’s taking soooooooo long. I had to spend 45 mins ironing stupid fiddly toddler shirts because little man has decided he wants to be like Daddy. And can I find his precious footie t-shirt that seems to have vanished? Can I hell! I think the Mummy is the hardest to drop, not just because it’s the most important, but because it results in the loudest complaining.
Good luck with your challenges, keep smiling and know we’re all rooting for you! If all else fails order takeaway and send the laundry out to the Laundromat…
I enjoy commenting on blogs, and seeing what everyone else is up to inspires me. It’s what I do when I’m avoiding doing everything else!
I agree that Mummy is one of the hardest to drop. And cleaning! No matter how much I do, I never seem to catch up with the washing or the washing up. But I’ve given up worrying about it too much. It will still be there later.
I have a couple of posts scheduled now, and the difficult scene in my novel done, so I’m feeling a little more in control now.
Well done. There’s nothing like getting ahead of yourself to ease the panic. I’m trying to be one post ahead now hubbie is back at work so I don’t get too stressed. It’s kind of working although I did too much cleaning and not enough writing today!
Yeah, it does help. The only trouble is, I get complacent, and I don’t stay ahead!
I think I used Juggling for my J last year. Sometimes I juggle well and other times I don’t. I knew going into a to z I might start to get pressed for time.
Yes, I’ve seen a couple of J for Juggling. And here I was thinking I was being original.
Glad to know I’m not the only one feeling like I may have overcommitted.
I think you are being a little hard on yourself, Rinelle. It’s obvious you are making the best of your time and being productive. I’m sure you are doing as much as you can, and it’s learning to accept that somethings will have to be put on the back-burner for a while. The main thing is not to abandon everything. Just scale back the amount of time you spend on certain things for a while. You’re posts for the challenge have been great so far – keep going!
Thanks MrKelly. Glad you’ve been enjoying the posts.
No, I definitely don’t plan on abandoning everything. (Although I admit, it did cross my mind there once or twice, LOL.) Scaling back should be enough, though I’m feeling better about things now.
I am definitely dropping balls all over Massachusetts lately! I signed up for the challenge knowing it would be good for me and simultaneously committed to working 20 hours this week for a new client because I want their business, and also we decided to put our house on the market this week.
Guess which isn’t getting done right? People will just have to overlook the messy house when they come to see it!
I just try to remember my personal advice – I always ask myself, which will matter in 10 years? Of course, the answer to that might be selling our house because we are trying to buy our dream home! Hmmm it might not work for this situation. But I guess it won’t matter in 10 years if someone saw the mess I live with on a daily basis! (As long as they still buy the place!)
OH well.
You are doing a great job. Keep it up!
There is always that unexpected thing that comes up, right when you think you have everything under control, isn’t there? Selling a house is stressful! But I really don’t think mess matters that much, most people can see past it!
Hi Rinelle, juggling balls is tough. I think the A-Z is a tough something too! I like to keep on top of things, and when I feel overwhelmed as I often do, I sleep badly, am ratty and any other lousy emotion you can think of. When sooo down, it is hard to remember to go for a walk, attend my yoga class – but when I do things seem to flow better!
Susan Scott’s Soul Stuff
Yoga is very calming. I used to go to a mummy and me class when my daughter was little, but where we are now, the only classes are at night, and I don’t do evening classes.
I did a lot of writing in advance of the A – Z Challenge, but even at this stage I’ve still got two more letters left to do. The actual ‘tour’ is time-consuming too, but meeting other bloggers and getting some new subscribers are the real objectives, not so. All worth it in the end; hang in there – you can do it! -Belinda.
I always intend to plan ahead. At least this time I did have a list of posts, otherwise I think I would have given up. But writing ahead somehow never seems to happen.
Visiting the other blogs is definitely the most time consuming, but also the most fun. And it’s great to meet other bloggers. I’m really enjoying that part of the challenge.
Good – keep at it; I’m enjoying your posts.
Rinelle, you’re doing a great job. I’m amazed at your posting, being able to comment, continue tweeting, read blogs, write novels, work on promotion… Phew! You are so right. The 1st week of A to Z – what fun. 2nd wk – dragging… BUT we will be halfway there as of Saturday! Woo hoo!
Half way on Saturday! That’s just what I needed to hear! Thanks for visiting.
I know too well the challenge of juggling many responsibilities.
TaMara
Tales of a Pee Dee Mama
Hi fellow juggling poster. 🙂
I’ve always taken on too much so that’s nothing new. Now, however, I give in to fatigue by taking a one-hour nap when needed after lunch, I keep carefully prioritized To Do lists, and when truly overwhelmed, I ask for help.
To Do lists do help! Naps too. Although I’ve always struggled with the waking up after them.
Right now I am the absolute worst at juggling. My sickness has turned my brain into mush. But typically I’m a decent juggler of two relative activities, unless one is very serious, like composition or mediation, in which case I’ll simply block out time that’s exclusively for it.
Sickness makes everything more difficult!
Blocking out time never seems to work for me. I could blame that on having a child, but the truth is, I’m not good at structure! I go with inspiration far more than structure. Sometimes it works really well, sometimes not!