TheMommyBlog

I know we don’t know each other but can I recommend some things for you to consider to address this incredible stress in your life?

1.  Define your priorities.  Things that are most important to you should get the most time.  Time is more important then money.  Money only helps you enjoy time more.  Even bill gates only has 24 hours in a day.  Define your wealth by time vs. money.  It really puts things in perspective.

2.  Take off an afternoon and go to a day spa and get a half day workup.  Seriously.  You need some self pampering big time.

3.  Make sure you are getting enough sleep and taking multivitamins everyday.

4.  Plan a vacation.  You need something to look forward to to help you through the hell.

5.  Hire more help.  Identify the things that are causing you the most stress and delegate them.

6.  Surround yourself with supportive people and let go of all negative energy vampires. 

Ballsy of me to write this and I could be way off base...but you sound like you are going to implode.  You need some serious YOU time.  I have no idea what you do for a living...but I’ve been where you are.  Now Im retired.  So it’s easy for me be objective :D

Hugs to you… take care of you.

I have a 1995 Cakebread Cellars Benchland Select Cabernet?  I’ll share!?

Da-Quiz was HI-Larious!  Isn’t strange how some people don’t get it and the humor?! Oh, well… tomorrow is another day.

I’m completely normal too...who knew?lol

Kym, thank you for the thoughtful suggestions! Honestly, I am a very rational girl, and this is not normal for me by a long shot. I work for a private foundation, and our endowment took such a beating in the tech downturn that we underwent a 40% reduction in force last year. For the previous 10 years at this organization, my hours were strictly 9-5 and I had plenty of time with my family.

With the cutbacks, I lost most of my budget including all funds for consultants and temps (I am currenly raiding my boss’s budget to cover the temp I do have). However I DID retain my job, which is paying for our house and the children’s schools, so I am not complaining (much). My husband lost his job in the downturn two years ago and is now the stay-at home parent. I am incredibly grateful to him for that, and it is the only reason I can live with myself and my current workload.

This is the first year I have had to tackle the big projects by myself that were formerly staffed by the two staff members I had to let go. You will all be relieved to know that I threw in the towel today, and sobbed my little heart out in the Foundation Counsel’s office, begging for help to get me through this intact (she flew into action, and she is truly my hero). Fortunately, the end is in sight (when we file the organizational return), and I do have a trip coming up, even thought it’s a work-related conference--I am building in extra time to decompress and work on my book.

Being the sole source of support for my family and the leader of an anemic department is a new thing for me, but I am coping as best I can. Right now, I am writing to stay sane, and all of you are helping more than you know. *sob* I love ya, man!

Having said all of that, Genuine, BRING ON THE CAKEBREAD!!!

I didn’t know all the details of the overwork. Thank you for sharing. It sounds like there’s light at the end, etc.

P.S. Kym, I just caught the bit about getting enough sleep. Whaahafuuuaaaa? Have you noticed that I have three children, aged 5, 3 & 2??? Sleep is not on the menu. Wine, fortunatly, is. *glug*

I am a “Victim of your own hell”.....whatever that means. Maybe I should tak eit again and lie.

I am in a “HELL OF YOUR OWN MAKING”.  Just what does that mean?  Mindy, I’ll pay you if you give me your answers so I can be “normal”, too, but I don’t want to look like that guy on your post.

I am a dreamer, dreaming my own life away. I have to be careful, as one day I may not wake up.  LOL

Lee- you must have given some pretty warped answers to get that result, you oaf, you!!!

I wrote this big long response this morning and hit post before I took my daughter to school and it’s GONE!  GONE I TELL YA!  Ugh.

ANyway, in a nutshell I was saying that I am glad you took the comments in the spirit in which they were intended.  After I hit the post button yesterday I kinda was wishing I could take it back.  Cause I know I didn’t have the whole picture, but still, I spouted off advice.  But that’s because I am a solutions kinda girl.  I just didn’t want to pat you on the arm with a “there there” and not offer something constructive kwim?  So… thanks for being gracious about it.

And while Im at it… I do think you are normal and rational, just overworked.  And you seem to put everything else first and not you… which I guess many of us do. 

And I relate to the stress of being in a new leadership role at work and trying to find your bearings… I was there too.

And I relate to the no sleep thing with three kiddos myself.  Ages 7, 5 and 3.

And I relate to the stress of being in the provider role.  Same in our house.  My hubby is laid off.  ANd I was always the bring home the bacon girl.

ANyway… I have a playdate coming over but wanted to respond and let you know that I am sending calming zen thoughts your way, white light, prayers, or whatever you are into.  The good thing about these stressful times is knowing… it will get better and cycle back around soon.  Then it will suck again… but we wont talk about that right now. {grin}

Here… have some chocolate.  Screw the advice...that’s really what girlfriends do… provide chocolate, wine and validation right?

Hugs,

--Kym

What’s with this three kids stuff… amateurs!