All you "do-ers" I need your help ...
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All you "do-ers" I need your help ...
I've been taking stock of my life lately (don't worry - no sordid confessions) and I find that I really am a terribly lazy person - very much a procrastinator. I can't seem to get motivated to DO anything.
I'm great at making lists and I come up with great ideas - but I'm not good at putting ideas into practice. I don't want to be this way, but the fatigue, the apathy seem to overwhelm me at times. I also feel like I have to force myself to be present and focused - my mind wanders and the thoughts are not pleasant. I try to fight them off, and I do, but I'd rather they didn't come into my head at all.
Has anyone been through this and come up with strategies that worked for them? You moms who seem to get the world accomplished before your morning cup of coffee, how do you do it?
I want to change, but I don't know how. I want to be the mom who runs her kids to places, bakes for the bake sale, always has a beautifully neat home and a wholesome meal on the table.
My guess is the first way to start is to get off the darn computer , but I need some advice from my mommy-board friends.
Hope you can help ... was going Anon, but maybe I'll get more honest and helpful advice if I don't.
Ame
Ame, you crack me up...some days I'm ON and some days I'm like, "Yeah, the dishes will get done...one day..."
You and I have the same problem, getting off the computer...LOL!
What helps for me is actually inviting people over so that it makes me clean the house even better.
I also set little goals like, "I can't do this until I do this...etc."
And, just make sure your lists are small...not monumentous tasks that are unrealistic.
I also like to tell DH my goals so he holds me to them too. Although, it WOULD be nice to watch as much football as he does!! LOL
First, I wonder if you are struggling with depression. One of the symptoms of depression is apathy, and another is procrastination. Being on the computer all the time may well be avoidance - are you truly interested and focused on what you are doing on the computer, or are you just doing it to keep from having to think about other things? If the latter, that is avoidance, which is right there with apathy and procrastination. I strongly urge you to take a serious look at your inner self and see if maybe you are struggling with depression. (Before the internet, I read, anything and everything, and when I was depressed I didn't care what I was reading, whether it was interesting or amusing, or even if I had read it before and knew the whole story. Or I watched television, even the stuff I usually hate. )
Depression is an insidious thing. It sneaks up on you, a little at a time, and it colors your whole life and your whole day - mostly gray and foggy and drab. Depression tends to detach your mind from what is going on around you, avoid dealing with things, and retreat from the people and life around you. Here is a site which I skimmed, which I think is informative, may be helpful, and is not "selling" any particular medication, herbal treatment, or therapy. Give it a look-see: http://www.depression-guide.com/
Second, don't set yourself such vast goals. It is impossible to - overnight - become the person you say you want to be. Instead, set attainable goals - and underestimate or under-task yourself. Let me give you an example. Say you want to have your kitchen fully organized so that you can work in it efficiently. But tackling the whole kitchen - even for the mom you describe - is too major a project. Pick one cabinet or one counter and organize that one fully. Anything that you don't want in that cabinet or on that counter goes in a box or in a temporary holding place elsewhere in the kitchen. Then look at the stuff in the temporary holding place and decide which things go together and group them that way. For the largest group, decide where you'd like those items to be kept, and organize that space next. And so on.
If your goals are too great they are unachievable, and you will be even more unhappy when you don't achieve them. If you set goals which you can, with not much exertion, reach, you will build a sense of accomplishment, particularly if the things you accomplish are things which you can see and appreciate for some time. That's why, when I am feeling that I am falling down on the job, I pick a task like sorting out a closet or cleaning the windows - I can see that closet or those windows for the next several days or weeks and enjoy my accomplishment.
As for moms who are organized before they have their morning coffee, I suspect that they do a lot of that organization before they go to bed, and they get up early.
I realized, when I had three children going in three different directions in the morning and a husband going in a different direction, that geting up just a few minutes before I had to wake up the first person wasn't working. I started getting up first half an hour and then an hour before I had to get the first person up. That did two things - it gave me time to shower and dress without having to share the bathroom with anyone else, and it gave me a head start on the day. I did any number of different things during that "extra time" - put a load in the washer or dryer, or folded yesterday's dry clothes, or did some straightening up, or emptied the dishwasher, or made lunches, or just sat down and read the paper while I had my breakfast. Whatever I did, by the time I had to wake up the first other person, I had my head together and I wasn't feeling rushed and frantic. It wasn't easy - I had been a night person for most of my adult life before then - but the payoff made it worth it. Now I am definitely a morning person, and I still relish that extra time in the morning when no phones ring, I don't have to interact with anyone, and I can begin my day at a leisurely rather than frantic pace.
Ame, I have struggled with and dealt with major and minor bouts of depression most of my life. For the major ones, I went into extensive psychotherapy. For the minor ones, which usually but not always related to some stress event, sometimes I sought short-term counseling, and sometimes asked my family doc for a medication. The longer I have dealt with depression, the more I have been able to recognize my symptoms early on and start taking steps to counter and deal with it, but I still seek outside help sometimes. It is truly the most insidious disease, and it is not "my fault" that I am depressed - I am just a person with a weakness that translates in to experiencing bouts of depression, the same way I am short, nearsighted, and getting arthritic. I wear glasses for my vision, take medication and do exercises for my arthritis, and take medication or seek counseling for my depression - same/same. Some of the things that I have learned are signs that I am beginning a depressive spell are procrastination, pulling back from people and not going to events or doing things I would ordinarily do, sleeping more than usual. And the world around me seems dreary and drab and just too much trouble to bother with. I remember one time I had been in a depressive spell without knowing it and, without knowing it, was starting to come out of it. I was walking to work one morning and realized that the world around me looked very bright and colorful, as if I had taken off my sunglasses - but I hadn't been wearing sunglasses. So now I recognize that if the world looks like I am wearing sunglasses, it's that old devil depression.
Break things down to manageable parts. Don't think, I'm going to clean the bathroom, think I'm going to clean the toilet.
Time yourself to see just how long things take. I used to avoid emptying the dishwasher and then I timed myself one day and it took less than 2 minutes and now I think - just do it now bec it only takes 2 minutes. I could have procrastinated 20 minutes for a 2 minutes activity!
Make sure you are eating right!! No fast food! Eat fresh fruits and veggies. Take walks everyday.
Simplify your life, your house, your storage, your stuff, your schedule.
Excellent advice above about depression.
Ditto Ginny on many points. I found that when I was experiencing PPD after the birth of my daughter (which was serious) I felt like I couldn't get anything done, everything was a major chore, and I just felt overwhelmed by things that should have been simple. I WANTED to be on top of things...house clean, happy, baby well-cared for, etc., but I just didn't feel ANY motivation at all and it was the depression that was making me feel that way. My PPD resolved itself around the 10mth. mark but up until that point I can't remember a worse time in my life.
You may not be experiencing depression, but it was the first thing that came to mind when I read your post. Ditto Heidi on making short lists of daily goals, getting up a bit early if necessary, and really prioritizing. I was someone (before dd!) who got a million things done in one day. I'm VERY task-oriented and a busy bee, so having a child has really slowed that down and sometimes it's so frustrating I think "Why am I even trying to get this done? It'll never happen!" When in reality it does get done, just slower then I originally planned due to outside influences.
Ame, I am definitely not on of the "do-er's"! I can really relate to what you have shared. I think part of the problem for me, is perfectionism! If I can't manage being the "perfect" mom, can't do the "perfect" job, well, I defeat myself before I start.
I also beat myself up for the house not being as neat and tidy at all times, and a wonderful meal on the table each night. After all, my mom managed this when she was raising my three brothers and myself. Yet, at the same time I remind myself I have very, very few memories of my mother spending quality time with me. She was really busy cleaning all day!
I'm sorry I am not giving any helpful advice. Ginny's post is so insightful. I only wanted to let you know you are not alone!
I didn't get to read all of everyones reply's so if I repeat I am sorry. I agree depression could be some of, some of it could be Adult ADD. I struggle with keeping on task, keeping the house clean, etc.
Here are some things I have found to help me stay on task. I didn't used to have time for breakfast...if I eat with the children I can focus more, so eat balanced meals and snacks. Exercise. I sign up for things so I HAVE to do them, I sign up for the PTO board, I sign up for the bake sales, etc. I started something this year that really helps me to get involved in the kids class, I told the teacher I have an hour a week I can give them I can do anything grade papers, bulletin boards, clean the bathroom, whatever would help free them up a little. It has been a great experience (but I have to FORCE myself to go every week). If you are depressed getting out of the house will really help but the first few times you will have to really force yourself.
Find a friend and plan trips with them. My friends and I do this all the time, we went to the river Friday and had a picnic. But we have to set a time and date, where we will meet up with each other (her house or mine) or we won't follow through.
I also turn my phone ringer off and don't allow myself on the computer until after noon everyday. I usually stay off the computer until the evening (Saturday and Sunday I do get on it more frequently during the day).
About the house I found if I pick a room a day it really helps. For instance if I do the bedroom on Monday on Tuesday I do the living room but I spend 5 minutes straightning the bedroom.
Please understand by no means is my house spottless or even close to clean. By no means do I spend all the time I think I should with my children. I think we all think we can do better (and that is good because that is how we improve). But I struggle with your exact problem and these are a few tips I have figured out over the years to help.
I want to thank you for posting this thread. I could have written it myself and you are definitely NOT alone.
For me, right now I think I may be experiencing a bit of depression myself but have been too "ashamed" to admit it. I am adjusting to working full-time, commuting a long distance each day and having trouble adjusting.
I often get overwhelmed with all the things that need to get done that I don't get anything done. I feel stressed to the max. I'm not sure if that is depression or not and if it is, how will medication help me?
I know I haven't been much help to you. I just wanted you to know that you are not alone. I have enjoyed reading the responses to this post and hope that it might inspire me as well.
I wake up at 6am, listen to the news on the radio, go to the bathroom, take the dog out and then go on my computer for 20 minutes or so. Sometimes, I think I should just take a shower, when I'm on the computer and no one in is in the bathroom, but I still go on my computer anyway. Around 6:45, I wake up the kids, then start working on lunches. I just can't get up any earlier than 6, unless I just wake up by myself, before 6am, which happens more often than I would like!
Thank you everyone, especially Ginny for your thoughtful and kind responses.
I've wondered about depression. I'm not unhappy, but I do vacillate between feeling like I'm going through the motions of daily life, and feeling like the luckiest person on Earth.
Don't get me wrong, my house is not a sty. It is clean - I have a daily routine for doing stuff - but it just seems so pointless sometimes and such an effort to do the little things. I do get them done, it just seems to take forever to start. Then I don't have the time to get into the projects that I need to get done, or thing I would like to do. I also just get so tired that I don't have the motivation.
I have a 3 1/2 year old and a one year old at home so I have my hands full with them and my husband is the principal and founding partner of his law firm, so he works long and late hours. He absolutely helps when he's around and is a gem.
I do have feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness, but they are not so frequent that they stop me from doing what I need to.
I feel like I could be so much more productive, though. I feel like I could be much more "present" and "engaged" in my daily life.
I wish I had more control over when I wake, but that is dependent on my one year old alarm clock, so getting stuff done in the am is hard. I was working out in the morning before my kids got up, but my little one is now up at about 6:30, so that's out. I have to get stuff done in between caring for my kids. My son goes to preschool and my daughter naps at that time so that's when I work out. So I do get in my exercise.
So many moms seem to be able to get so much done, though, even with their kids. Take Kris for example with her housepainting. I would die to have that kind of energy and ambition!
I do set goals, little ones, and I seem to turn over a new leaf like magic. For a week, I'm working out, getting everything done, making dinner every night and then, I get into a funk and just drag myself through the day.
I am honestly afraid of going to a professional with this. I don't want my life insurance premiums to go up, or my health insurance. I still feel like I am just lazy and need to take control and everything will be okay.
Paula and Nicki, thank you for your posts. You've been a help just by sharing.
Chrissy, Deanna, Mommmie, Dawn and Heidi, thanks for sharing your tips.
It's great to have a place to be able to explore this.
Ame
Ame, I'd suggest you keep a diary. You may well have some hormonal thing going there. Chart the days you feel up and the days you feel down, keep track of your period, and keep track of what you eat and whether or not you exercise (and by exercise I mean working out, a good walk, or something - not just "running after the kids for 8 hours. Heaven knows that's work, but it doesn't really count as "exercise").
Your health insurance premiums will not, or at least should not go up if you take advantage of the services for which you are paying. Would you avoid seeing your gynecologist or taking the kids to the pediatrician because you are worried about your health insurance premium going up - and would the premium go up? As for life insurance, well, I suppose it is possible that life insurance premiums would take into account whether a person had several mental health hospitalizations, but I am certain outpatient counseling would not factor in.
Given all of the publicity in recent years, depression is almost acceptable (not quite, I know - it still has that "mental" stigma, but almost).
I don't think any woman who keeps up a house and a 3-1/2 year old and 1 year old is lazy. Harassed and harried, perhaps, but not lazy.
Amen, Ginny.
Honestly I am right with you.
I find that the more time I spend on the computer, the less likely I am to get ANYTHING done, much less accomplish tasks over and above the normally required ones. We have been trying to sell our house, and we have done a lot of work this summer. The joy of life has been taken over by the constant cloud of doubt and wonder, the foreboding tasks of cleaning and packing and painting and fixing. Lately, spending time on the internet has been an escape for me.
If I turn off the computer it is tempting to turn on the TV, which accomplishes the same results- nothing. With the internet, there is more to keep my mind occupied and busy, but I can't hide from the work that needs to be done.
My goal is to start an ebay business when/if we get that new house. Until then, my priority is getting this house packed up and ready to sell.
Maybe what is holding you back is that you are overwhelmed by all the things you want/have to do, that you give up before you get started.
Sit down with someone, like your dh, or a minister/pastor, someone you can hold yourself accountable to besides yourself, since you seem to give yourself permission to let yourself down (at least that's how I usually feel). Make your list of priorities with that other person, and allow them to give you feedback. Maybe that will help you at least get started on the road to accomplishing the things you want for your life.
Just a thought.
Ame, I think you are more in the toddler/infant mommy groove than anything else from my vantage point. A few thoughts:
*Are you getting enough sleep every night?
*Do you have a group of women friends (or even one special friend) who you spend time with on a regualr basis? Like 2-4 x/month?
*Do you have something you do just for yourself?
*Do you get time away from your children--even if only 1 hour a week--on a regular basis?
I think the above all are very important in being able to maintain your sanity as a SAHM. When I was a SAHM I found it very helpful to make lists and complete tasks, no matter how small, and then I could look back and see what I actually did that day. I also think that in the 21st century we have a VERY warped view as a society about what being a SAHM means. We think it means being at home with our children, keeping the house immaculate, baking and cooking, while providing constant enriching activities for our children. If you think back to the early to mid 1900s or even to present day third world countries who we would all classify as SAHMs, there was a huge sense of community with the women getting together throughout the day and accomplishing tasks together. Also, every SAHM was a working mom in that they were constantly farming, sewing clothes, baking from scratch, making quilts, doing laundry by hand, etc. Their kids had to entertain themselves most of the day and then were expected to pitch in at very young ages.
All this to say, first of all, don't hold yourself to an unrealistic "desparate housewives" image of the cookie-baking, PTO mom whose house is immaculate at all times. I think you'll also find that Flylady is very helpful in teaching you to maintain your house and start off in "babysteps" that won't be too overwhelming. Start taking things that you want to do, like scrapbooking or something, and allot yourself 30 minutes a day to do what you can. Your kids can keep themselves busy for that long and it will be good for all of you! Or get together with another mom once a week. When we lived in MO, my best friend and I got together every Wed. and quilted together from about 9am-noon. We both had boys around the same ages and the younger ones loved playing together while the older ones were at school. We chatted while we quilted and got a lot done. Then at lunch our hubbies would come home (we alternated houses each week and our DHs worked together) and we would all eat lunch together. Those Wed. were lifesavers for me!!!
I also think an acountability partner is a great idea, as is a journal. Now, so that I can be productive, I'm about to get off the computer--LOL
Just a thought but your baby is not that old and if you have been expierencing this for awhile it could be post partum. Some of these other ladies that have had it could probably comment more. I also think that getting out and finding time for yourself is key. I remeber you saying before that you used to do opera. Could you do something with that. Good luck! Being a mom, wife, housekeeper ect... I such a hard job and there are many days that I don't want to do it.
I feel like you mentioned in your first post but I don't consider myself depressed. I have BTDT and know what deep depression feels like.
Part of my problem is I'd rather do something else like go outside and play with dd. I spent way too much time freaking over a clean house when the boys were little and drove myself to real depression. But I'd rather play with dd when she's home than do some of the stuff that needs doing around the house. Then I find myself overwhelmed and don't know where to start. I just know I need to "CLEAN THE HOUSE". So to get myself started I pick one room and one thing in that room to start on like clean the clutter off of the kitchen table. Usually I pick something that will make me feel better when it is clean. Once that looks clean, I pick the next single item. Don't make a list. The list looks too awful and uses time to make it that you could be using to actually do something. And then you don't feel bad when you don't finish it all. You can look around and see what HAS been accomplished and feel good.
Now I'm going to get off the computer and go clean the stuff off of the kitchen table.
One thing that's helped me a lot is a morning routine. I have a coffee and a good, varied breakfast while I check emails. Then I have a drink of water and go for a walk.
Eating in the morning and the walk have affected my life tremendously. Before I was tired and fuzzy headed. I even have a diagnoses of ADD and can take ritalin. But honestly, just eating and walking in the morning has made more difference then my prescription for ritalin did.
The one thing I hate about it. It's what my mother has been telling me to do for years and I have to admit to her that it works.
Ame, you've gotten a lot of good advice. I do a lot of the things mentioned...ROUTINES, and using a timer have especially helped me. (I'll set it for 15 min., and just work on something for that length of time. I found that some things I dreaded doing I could completely finish in 15 min! Then I'll set it again and rest or play on the computer for 15 min., then go on to the next "15-min. thing.")
I also wanted to mention IRON. I don't know if you're taking iron, but I found out not too long ago when I tried to give blood that my iron was way low. I started taking iron and WOW!! I have so much more energy. Just a thought. ((((HUGS))))
Ame, you've gotten a lot of good advice. I do a lot of the things mentioned...ROUTINES, and using a timer have especially helped me. (I'll set it for 15 min., and just work on something for that length of time. I found that some things I dreaded doing I could completely finish in 15 min! Then I'll set it again and rest or play on the computer for 15 min., then go on to the next "15-min. thing.")
I also wanted to mention IRON. I don't know if you're taking iron, but I found out not too long ago when I tried to give blood that my iron was way low. I started taking iron and WOW!! I have so much more energy. Just a thought. ((((HUGS))))
I've been wanting to answer to this post for a while but i couldn't find the time, but i thought i'd better do it now before the post gets too old!
Ame, i also wanted to tell you that you are not alone. Like Paula said, i also feel i could have written this myself, so thanks for bringing it up. I will take on the advice given here, a lot of it sounds very useful.
What i would love to do is to wake up earlier every morning, i think that that would make a lot of difference. But i find it so difficult because my dh works nights so i can't go to bed before he leaves the house (around 11.30) and by then i'm not tired anymore and stay awake until 1 or 2, so the next morning i'm a wreck!
"For a week, I'm working out, getting everything done, making dinner every night and then, I get into a funk and just drag myself through the day".
I feel like that a lot of the time and i know i's just a matter of a little of organisation in my house, which takes a bit of time but can be done little by little.
Also, as one of the ladies said, your little ones are still little (so what's my excuse? LOL) so give yourself a break, i'm sure you are doing better than you think.
Maria
I go for a walk every day. I need to do it else I feel not as good.
I really just try to do my laundry and dishes everyday. Anything else I can do is icing on the cake. My walk is more important than any house work.
I am queen of cutting corners and throwing everything out.
I go for a walk every day. I need to do it else I feel not as good.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
That's so true! My standard for feeling good has been raised since I started walking. It used to just mean 'not sick'. Now it means feeling full of energy and ready to get things done. A day of feeling like I did before I walked just isn't good enough anymore and is a bad day.
Thank you, everyone! You don't know how helpful you've been!
Ginny, when you wrote of avoidance, something really clicked for me. That's exactly what I've been doing in so many ways. I get caught up in my routine (my rut) and rather than engaging in what I'm doing, I am trying to disconnect.
I've never liked housework - there are some people who do, I know, but I'm not one of them. My idea of housework, pre kids, was one day on the weekend and then not touching the vacume again. I also was used to doing something and then it was done. There are things that are NEVER done. Laundry, countertops, etc.
I do exercise almost every day. I alternate between 30 minutes of cardio and a full body workout with weights, but even during my workouts, I find my mind wandering to all the stuff I have yet to do.
This has been a good week, so far. I have been going room by room and really deep cleaning so that I can once again be at the point where a quick wipe down and vacuming every other day will keep the house sparkling.
It is hard when I have a morning like today, though. Helen woke crying at a little after 4:00. Since she and her brother share a room and I could see she wasn't going back to sleep, I put her in the pac n play which is in my bedroom. It is set up like a porta crib. She played, fussed and then finally fell asleep. I had just gotten back to sleep when my son woke and of course Helen could hear him through the monitor, so she woke. This was 6:30. No fun.
I's very hard to ground and center yourself when you have no idea what time you'll be forced to get up in the morning....
Anyway, thanks again for everything. I am going to print this so that I have it to look at on those days when I start sinking.
Ame
I too have been meaning to post. I completely understand where you are coming from. What I can say is it does get a little better as the kids get older. But I am still always amazed at just how lazy I am. I mean I don't live in a sty and I do plenty, but I just don't like to clean and that gets put last. What I found that does help me is flylady. I need the routines and I need to feel like I am not really cleaning. I do feel like I am finally catching up (we moved 2 years ago...i still have boxes). I also try to make a weekly list, these are the must dos and the would like to dos, I do break it down by day. I also try to keep it simple, I used to make long lists, never finish, never have time for me, etc. today is a busy day for me, I am playing tennis in the morning, I will do my 20 minute cleaning (mopping, kitchen bathroom, wipe the kitchen counters down and vacuum). I can normally do all that it about 10 minutes if I am caught up, but I am not today! I also need to spend about an hour putting some stuff away (from the evacuation). I am having a girl scout meeting, so this stuff has to be done. Oh that is the other key, I started having functions at my house to "force" me to do stuff. A weekly meeting really keeps me on top of clean up! Anyway, for tomorrows list, I have class, I will do two loads of laundry and then mess a little with my pta job, i need to print some paper work and set a meeting date.
I am a "do-er" like your title suggest and when I read your original post, depression never occured to me, you sounded to me like a mother of small kids that has lots of lists and are running all the time.
A simple thing that has helped me, I'm the mother of 4, work at home and on 3 committees outside of home/work, is one I never wake past 5:15 except my HMH days (honoring my hemmorrage)I spend 5 minutes getting my coffee and checking out the sunrise opening the windows/doors of my house. than I sit quietly for 15-20 minutes and things start coming to me, I start making mental notes. If I get overwhelmed, I "come out of it" and make a written note. by the end of the morning I have made a list of my top 5-7 things that MUST get done that day, and one thing I want to "raise my conciousness" about. This morning:
my List
2 Soccer Games
2 Haircuts
Groceries
Fix rocks on bike path
Power wash trim to paint
Proof 2 pages of catalog.
Become more concious about: Helping friend who's suffering from post partum depression.
I got my list done except for proofing the catalog, which I'll do after the kids are in bed most likely, or move 'til Monday.
For My friend: I got meals made for her for 2 1/2 weeks by calling and getting women to cook an extra dinner tomorrow and freezing it for her family.
I got in my 20 minute nap to restore my bones and will be in bed at 10 tonight, late because we are going to a birthday party, usually it's 9:30.
All in all a daily schedule has been so important to me and doing my tops list and checking them off before I allow myself to get distracted by other things.
A great book to read, to understand your personality is True Colors, you can actually take the test online but does not have too much info. www.truecolors.com it's pretty interesting. I'll be you are a green!
Hope this helps as well!
Ame, I can so relate to what you are saying! When you say you never liked housework, ditto. On my days off from work, I used to have to force myself to get anything done. Now that I'm home full time, I really struggle. I miss diving into a big project (other than housework), completing it, and standing back and thinking, "wow, I did this and I did a good job." That sense of accomplishment. I never feel this way after I've done the dishes, laundry or floors! I know it will all start over the next day. Sometimes I just don't feel I'm the stay at home mom type. I mean, I love my daughter more than I can explain, and I want to be with her all day, I just don't do well being home all the time. I wish so much I was like some mothers I see who seem to embrace motherhood, and fit into the role so gracefully.
One thing I've found that has helped me is, I attempt to do things that bring me that sense of accomplishment. I am the creative type, and I am so much happier when I can tap into that part of myself, and indulge for awhile. Right now I am trying my hand at scrapbooking. I only do it when Lara is asleep. (Of course I only have one little one). It surprises me how much better I feel after I've had some time to "create", and even housework doesn't seem so painful, lol. I actually get inspired to do more around the house when I'm feeling better about myself.
Again, no good advice from me, your post just really hit home, and I think I can so understand some of your feelings.
You sound like a wonderful mother, and I would never, ever consider you lazy!
kym,
5am!...Really! If I got up at 5am all I would get done is staring at the wall, if I have to start working before 9am I don't really get anything accomplished I really think my brain doesn't turn on until then. I am a late night person that would KILL me.
That was an interesting quiz but it is at truecolorscareer.com, I was blue by the way.
I took the test. It says I am a Gold but I'm not sure what that means.
I'm a BLUE.
Your heart-felt communication style creates peace and harmony in the workplace. You know how to bring out the best in others. As a Blue personality you are gifted with tremendous people skills.
You're a heart felt communicator who has a strong need to make a difference in the lives of other people. This strength is immediately noticeable in the way you make connections and bring out the best in those you encounter. People usually feel relaxed and comfortable in your presence.
You love to build self-esteem and make others feel good about who they are. You can easily motivate and inspire people to make changes in their lives and reach their potential. This natural talent makes you excel a counselor, teacher, social worker and journalist, but the list is far greater in the book.
Well, I'm a nurse, so I do work with people, so I suppose it rang true for me.
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