I realize that when I’m busy, blogging is one of the things I tend to push aside. Maybe because it’s optional, whereas other things in my life aren’t. I don’t like it, but I’m learning that it’s okay, especially when it’s in favor of real life relationships. Last week, I went home to stay with my parents for a couple of days, and I had every intention to blog while I was there. But my 9-year-old nephew was visiting, & I haven’t seen him in almost a year. It was Cio’s birthday, & a birthday dinner was in order. Staying up talking to my dad & showing my mom hilarious Youtube videos (“Bed Intruder” may or may not have been brought out) took higher priority than the posts I had planned. Then, when the weekend came around, my sister & I went to a wedding on Friday night, & spent Saturday floating the river & laughing until it hurt. Sunday was spent in the car driving home, then subsequently crashing on the couch that night.
So here we are, & it’s Tuesday. I need a post. I need to tell you guys that my bruises are healing nicely, but I got two more small ones (one on each leg, because I like to keep things balanced), running into a bed at my sister’s friend’s house. That I went to Pilates last night, & it was the first time in a long time I’ve set foot inside a gym, & I really felt accomplished as I left. I’m planning on going to spin class tonight, & I might need someone to carry me home (please pray I don’t vomit everywhere, I hear that’s a concern).
Right now, I need to catch up on so many things. Blogging, my Project 365 (I’ve been taking the photos but am so behind in uploading!), laundry, dishes. My suitcase has yet to be unpacked. I need to make a trip to the grocery store in a bad way. There are emails I need to return & people I need to call. But I’m learning it’s about priorities. Sure, some of those things are important, but others can wait. If I’m tired, certain things can be put on hold in favor of others – or, better yet, nothing at all.
I’m looking forward to many things later this month. August has marched right into my life & said “I am going to keep you very, very busy.” My sister is coming for a visit this weekend. Later this month, there will be other trips to see friends & soak up the last bits of summer. We will be moving, & I haven’t even begun to pack. I’m sort of dreading it, actually – didn’t I just do this? Whenever I think about everything I have planned or everything I need to do, it’s easy to get overwhelmed & want to throw in the towel. But then I make my list, I prioritize, & I realize: it will all get done. And stressing out about it isn’t going to help me or anyone else. Not enjoying the good times because I’m too busy worrying about what I have to do is just a waste.
So in August, I will take the beginning steps to get back in shape. I will spend time with loved ones. I will move to a new house that I adore. I will not worry about cooking over a hot stove & will instead take shortcuts & fix simple dinners. I will continue blogging recipes & ideas & stories, because that’s what I love. I will fit in the things that take priority, & those other things will just have to take a backseat.
And dang it, I will be okay with that.
What do you need to catch up on? What things need to take a backseat right now?
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Comments on On priorities, catching up, & that elusive backseat.
From LCW:
I definitely need to catch up on blogging and prioritizing better. My OCD has seemed to take a vacation, not good at all. I depend on my OCD to keep me in line and get things done.
Good luck with the move!
From RootsAndRings:
My life is also a whirlwind… I’m with you, friend! The only difference is that I have a 35 pound countdown timer attached to my front!
The important thing to rememeber is this: It’ll get done whether you stress about it or not.. So it’s probably best that you just don’t stress.
From Sue:
I also need to upload my Project 365! pics. I’ve been taking them but haven’t posted them since June. I keep thinking I’ll do a big catch up post, but then some glorious summer fun comes along and it doesn’t happen. Maybe in Winter? I also think of it in terms of hard goal (take a photo a day) and soft goals (post them weekly) and don’t sweat the small goals.
From Cio:
photography definitely took a “back seat” this summer. It’s time I dust off the old camera, and try out the NEW one…
Thanks for that reminder. : )
When are you going to start packing? Maybe I can come help you….
xoxo
From Lindsay:
I tend to get overwhelmed by things and then stress out more than I need to. Lists help calm me down, too. Good luck with everything you have on your plate!
From steph anne:
I’m overwhelmed because I seriously don’t know where Summer just went!? I can’t believe it’s August. So yeah, I’ve been getting my priorities in order and doing them. I need to focus on health & fitness this month for sure.
From Kyla Roma:
It seems simple, but this “I will fit in the things that take priority, & those other things will just have to take a backseat.” philosophy? It’s kind of amazing!
I’ve been trying to stick with it, and it’s been really wonderful- the things that just don’t fit in? They slide, and I don’t torture myself about it. I’m a fan :)
From Jill:
Man…priorities and backseats. My house and laundry have been for sure taking a backseat, as has my blog and for the past week my fitness. But have no fear, I spent some QT with that ***** Jillian Michaels tonight. I hate her, but I didn’t want to go to the 90-degree gym, so she was the lesser of 2 evils. Now if I could just find someone to clean my house and do my laundry, i’d be all set, haha :)
From Kaci Johanna:
The great thing about the internet (and subsequently, the people on it) is that it’s always there when you make time for it. I obviously can’t speak for everyone, but it’s pretty understandable to sacrifice time staring at a computer screen for time with family not seen often enough. And yeah, I know there’s more to blogging than “staring at a computer screen,” but you know what I’m saying. I don’t think blogging should ever feel like a HAVE TO, but always a WANT TO.
From deiala:
I’ve been neglecting my blogging a bit over the last months, because with the nice weather outside (which we don’t get very often) I felt I had to make as much outdoors as I could.
But as an early fall approaches I feel ready to get back to the blogosphere again…
From Cole:
My blog is very small, but I’m working on trying to build an audience and monetize it (a little bit – Mommy stays at home with me, so it’d be nice to be able to put some pennies in my college savings account)… but real life comes first! Spending time with Daddy and my grandparents is definitely a priority over getting that post up and hanging out on Twitter…
Sounds like the second half of your summer is shaping up to be as busy as the first!
From Nora:
Can one catch up on sleep or need to? Cause if so, that’s me. I also need to send out the cards that I have written, just not stamped and mailed (evidently that’s SO hard for me to do!)
I’m glad you had such a great week/weekend last week. I missed you but I know that the work/life/blog/real life balance is key (and tough to get!). So kudos to you on all fronts.
Also, I’m definitely thinking a trip to TX is in order for early 2011. What do you think!? =)
From Kristin:
Bring on those simple meal ideas baby! And life must always trump blogging. Don’t ever feel bad about that!
From Thea:
Okay, so I am so glad to hear I’m not alone in that I get completely overwhelmed by everything I need to do, and that’s even before I start to think about all things I *want* to do, and then…I freeze up. Seriously, I become the overly-cliche “deer in the headlights” and I can do nothing!
I’m working on it though and lists are my friends as well :) I seriously need to shake it off a bit and get tack to my regular blogging too …
Anyhoo, thanks for sharing miss L and keep up the good work, just love visiting your little corner of the internet!
From Sturgmom:
Well, let’s just say I’ll never make any money off my blog if I continue to blog as irregularly as I do now. However, my children expect to eat (sometimes 3 times a day!) and wear clean clothes, and I have to sleep a few hours each night, so blogging is pretty much last on my agenda. Or next to last, right before organizing my garage.