So I’m just finishing up my 17 day vacation and getting ready to go back to work tomorrow. I was very much looking forward to my vacation so that I could have more time, catch up on the mile long list of things that needed to be done at home, and have less to concentrate on overall. After all, those of you who have a full time job plus kids know exactly how hard it is. In fact, its actually exhausting. There are many days where I’ve sat back in my chair at work daydreaming how nice it would be to stay home. Thoughts run through my mind how much more time I’d have and how my life would be ultra organized.

Well, let me tell you what I’ve learned from being home with two kids for 17 days in a row… it’s damn hard! I’ve loved every minute with my kids and will miss them terribly tomorrow, but I have to admit it is kind of appealing to know that tomorrow when I go into work I get to sit down in a chair for eight hours and not have to move unless I want to. Not only that, I’m guessing that when I talk with customers over the phone they probably won’t start crying or throw a tantrum if I I say something wrong.

I can now compare the “working mom” life and the “stay at home mom” life. To my surprise, the same problem is still lying within in me. I feel like I don’t have enough time to catch up on my list, which then makes me feel like I’m not enjoying my weekends the way I should be because I’m trying to catch up before the next week rolls around. It’s a continuous cycle that I can’t seem to break.

My plan now is to find a solution. I’m going to start by scheduling one day off per month at home by myself. I’m hoping this will be a step in the right direction. We’ll see where that takes me and then I will continue to make adjustments until I feel a little more calm.

Life is busy for all of us. Especially this time of year. So much to do before Christmas and everyone is busy trying to accomplish a list that is a mile high and needs to be done before next week. We go and go and go and most likely overlook a lot of details or events that are happening right now in the lives of people around us.

There’s a pretty good chance a family member or friend of yours is struggling with an issue that is making their everyday tougher than usual right now. Whether it is losing a pet, wanting to have a baby, trying to get a job, etc. My challenge to you is to stop and think about your family and friends and try to see what is going on in their lives. I unknowingly did this by accident today and I’m so glad that I did.

Just a little while ago I finished putting the kids to bed and I was revved up and ready to get working on my never-ending to-do list. However, a friend of mine popped into my head and being the professional procrastinator that I am I decided to give her a call and see what’s new. It just so happened that she wasn’t having a good day and I could tell that she needed someone to talk to. She talked and I listened. It was equally as healing to her as it was to me. Having that connection with a friend was rejuvenating and I’d like to think that she felt a little bit better after we talked as well.

In any case, there is most likely someone right now that would be delighted to get a call from you or would love to know they are being thought of. You’ll feel so accomplished by giving support to a friend who needs nothing more than someone to listen, over running around trying to accomplish something off of your to-do list.