Do you
ever have a day when you just need a few extra hours of sleep (or maybe half a
day’s worth), but will yourself out of bed because the household will not make
it without you? Last week, I had several of those mornings; by Friday, I was
done. What’s a homemaker to do?
The
constant cleaning and cooking (and homeschooling) can put us in a rut. You know
the one – “I’m tired,” “I can’t take it
anymore,” and my favorite, “If I see
one more dirty dish I’ll…” Yet, we continue to plod through our to-do lists
and daily routines, all the while, deep down inside a little voice begs for a
break.
Ladies
and gents, that’s what I call needing to recharge your batteries because
the Energizer Bunny has left the building! As busy as we all can be at times
(whether it’s doing household work, schooling children, volunteering in our
communities, or anything else), we must remember to recharge. We’re not made to
run perpetually and as I’m often reminded, even our Creator rested.
How do
we recharge in the middle of a busy week? I’m glad you asked!
Relax
Enjoy
Care
Hold-On
Ask
Realize
Get Over It
Enjoy2
Relax: I’m
not saying you should grab a fruity drink with a tiny umbrella in it and sit by
the pool (unless you want too!), but to simply take a moment to be still in
your favorite spot. If that means you’ll have to be up before the kids, than
get hopping! You’ll be glad you got a few golden moments in before the daily
grind.
Enjoy:
You need to enjoy the simple daily things in addition to the larger than life
events we experience periodically. Take time for your child’s knock-knock joke
(no matter how many times you’ve heard it!) or swing by a neighbor’s house for
a small chat.
Care:
I know you’re thinking, “Care? I care
about everything!” Really? How often do you care about yourself or take care
of yourself? Remember, the well-oiled machine of a household may break down if
the home technician is under the weather. Again, take some time for yourself
each day.
Hold-On:
As a homemaker, days and weeks sometimes fly by; however, during those weeks
that linger a little too long, make sure to hold on: to your sanity, your perseverance,
your faith, your motto (my personal one: Keep Calm and Carry On), and your
ability to see the good in the not-so-good situations.
Ask:
Ask for help. This is one of my biggest areas of inadequacy. I rarely ask for
help; but after last week, I’m trying my best to reach out to friends and
family for a little more assistance. It may just be my personality, but I’m
hoping to overcome the I can do it all
myself attitude.
Realize: Oftentimes, the issues which
seem important or stressful to us are only important or stressful to us.
With the exception of major household damage or emergencies, most issues can be
dealt with in a timely manner. I often realize most of my stress comes from
first-world problems (the garbage didn’t get picked up; the grocery store doesn’t
have our bread; or I double booked
myself). Realizing the life I have is a blessed one helps me to reduce stress.
Get Over It: Why do we let the little things
get to us? My husband, who is wise beyond his years, has a simple answer to
this, “Get over it!”
Enjoy2: Enjoy made it on my list twice
because it is the most important way to recharge. We are given these special
moments in life – great ones, little ones, one of a kind ones – and we need to
take the time to enjoy each of them. When we lose these moments or miss them
because we are not recharged, we fail ourselves. Take the time to enjoy all of
life’s blessings.
The next
time your days seems a bit crazy and you find yourself wishing it wasn’t
Monday, remember to recharge your batteries so you can keep going!
What are
some ways you fight stress and the exhaustion of being a homemaker?
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