As we approach the new year, let us consider how to best spend our time and where to better focus our energy.
Let’s face it, life can feel overwhelming, and having options is a blessing. Most of us enjoy a sense of abundance compared to impoverished people. We’ve got it good, and yet “it” (the house, kids, work, and extracurriculars) can stress us out, especially when operating with high expectations (or low energy, due to grief, sadness, sickness, or hardship).
This fall, I shifted my focus from writing, marketing my novel, subbing intermittently, having time to clean/cook, and being more available to my family. Instead, I taught full-time in a new role at a familiar school, and I gave over 100% to that class over the course of a semester. It was rewarding, educational, tiring, taxing, and temporary. Considering the meetings, special events, conferences, correspondence, and camping, I definitely stretched myself and practiced what I preached, regarding encouraging students to foster a growth mindset.
Once I got into a groove, the experience was fun—most of the time. I enjoy creating daily lesson plans, and these third graders got to write small-moment stories (complete with sensory details and dialogue)! I won’t forget the memories, laughs, and struggles we shared. There was a familiar family feel to it. Also, I got to wear a “new” wardrobe, which mainly consisted of clothes and jewelry I inherited from my mom. I’m thankful for the school lunches, sweet treats, helpful coworkers, friendly parents, supportive administrators, organized materials, and an opportunity to substitute teach long-term. Being on campus with my daughter was really special, as well.
There were trade-offs to this commitment, of course. For example, my fireman husband did more laundry and housework (he’s better at mopping anyway). Admittedly, our kids ate last-minute dinners sometimes, too. We made do. Still, we got home late. I rarely wrote. Didn’t exercise. Hardly walked the dog. Missed my son’s game. And I was not that in-the-know about the news. Thankfully, I occasionally made time to read and dance.
I admire parents who work full-time year round, and I reflect on this because with the onset of a new year, we get to ask what matters and why. Unplugging helps. As does nature time and self-care.
This brings me to these end/start of the year prompts: Can you afford to prioritize changes to your usual dynamic? What is the cost, financially or figuratively? What are some gains? Could you manage more? Will there be a sense of work-life balance? Another question is: Do we have to prove ourselves? And if so, to whom?
As individuals, we have strengths and limitations. Plus, we’re all aging. The reality is our babies are growing up, too. It’s important to take stock and reevaluate how we want to spend our limited time here…with the gift of each new year.
Happy beginnings to you and yours.
Aw I love this! That was so great that you got to experience new things this fall semester. I spent 3 nights with my younger sister’s family for Christmas, and I point-blank asked her, “How do you function?” She and her husband both work full-time, are raising two young girls and don’t really have family near by to help much. So I, too, admire working parents.