I read a quote recently that went: "You can do it all, just not at the same time." I'm realizing how true this is. I have the problem of wanting to do it all. I am inspired by everything. It stems from a passion for life, but it can be a nuisance!
For example, I want to blog daily. I am constantly thinking of new things to write about. I have things on my mind that I want to share ... but blogging requires mulling time, never mind the time it takes to actually sit down and write and edit. (If I can get the computer to myself for an uninterrupted hour.) So, many thoughts go unwritten and unshared.
I want to paint and draw everything I see. I see cloud formations; the colour of the sun hitting water and sky; rocks meeting fence meeting earth, and I want to sketch this or capture it somehow. But, I don't have the foresight to carry a camera or sketchpad on me at all times, so many images pass by, noticed, but allowed to dissolve into the ether of time and my memory, perhaps only appreciated by me, but never shared.
I want to keep my house spotless, too. I feel like I can't concentrate if I am aware of dust and crumbs lingering on the floor and furniture. I am haunted by the notion of dirty laundry lurking in closets or lint behind the toilets.
I love grocery shopping and cooking. I want to feed my family homemade meals. But, chopping and sautéing take time, care and attention.
And don't get me started about reading! I am passionate about reading. I have a bookshelf filled with unread books that makes me very excited, just looking at it. I usually have two books on the go at all times. I like to read a fiction and a 'soul-vitamin' type book at the same time ... fiction at night, soul-vitamin in the morning!
Oh, and I love my friends and family! I love being able to visit with them! I try to see my Grandparents once a week, as well as catch up with friends and go for a tea.
And exercising ... I try to exercise daily.
Did I mention that I'm married? I do spend time with my husband ... chatting into the night, or watching a movie.
And I'd like to spend time meditating ...
And I volunteer with KWSA and the boys' school sometimes ...
You can see my dilemma. I want to do it all.
So what is the solution?
Well, I make lists, which helps. I keep a detailed calendar for future events. I don't get a lot of sleep, which is not so good and I hope it doesn't affect my long term health. I try to mentally slot activities into 1 to 2 hour time slots, doing my best to wrap up and continue on to the next thing.
But, the best thing I've found is to "Keep calm and carry on". I set priorities, focus on the big picture (when I get overwhelmed) and remind myself that 'doing it all' may not be realistic or necessary.
I try to focus on what is most important to me, in this lifetime, keeping in mind that life will continue without me and when I'm gone, most of what I've done won't matter too much ...
