Busy is what I do. Sometimes I am so busy that I forget to eat. Busy can mean I get maybe 4 hours of sleep and a couple of cat naps. I thrive on busy.
But busy is not good for me. The lack of sleep leads to heavy consumption of caffeine. The endless cups of coffee leads to an upset stomach. The upset stomach and other feelings of yuckiness lead to lack of completion of work due. Lack of completion of work leads to feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy. Busy is not a good place to be.
But the work I do is all consuming right now. I’m running around one minute trying to find a fax machine in my small town. The next minute I am staring at the computer wishing for more time to write, tweet, promote, network. Busy is not my friend right now.
So, what am I doing to change my life?
– I gave up caffeine. Yes, it is possible for me to live without caffeine. I did it while pregnant with all 3 kids. Occasionally I would ask my husband if I could sniff his Diet Coke — sad, but true.
– I set a goal for myself to exercise. I knew I would ignore this goal, so I started a list in my journal listing exercise done each day. Now I have no excuse to assume I exercised every other day when I actually only exercised once a week. If my exercise routine is written down I feel as though I have accomplished something.
– Speaking of lists I now write down all foods eaten. This is eye-opening. Snacks add up to empty calories. A skipped lunch can lead to overating at dinner. A huge dinner makes me want to snack more. My secret…I don’t have one, but I do make sure that my snack sizes are smaller. I think out my food for the day.
I’m a work in progress. Today I did not exercise. I am now drinking a Diet Coke. Tomorrow is another day.
I hear you on the sleep deprived! My children are almost 4yrs, 2yrs, and 2 months… up at night nursing – scooter riding or batman and robin racing all day… and it does catch up to you!
Good for your for setting goals for yourself! I’ve started a new household schedule recently too – I am printing it out to hang in my kitchen so I am reminded more often to follow my goals!
Writing down what you eat makes a huge difference. I need to be better about that, because it works! Good luck! I could never do it without caffeine.
I had to lol at this post b/c every week I come up with a new “list” on how to be a better mom, wife, and overall person. Sometimes the list gets done. Sometimes I don’t. BUT I try and I think that’s the most important.
Kas