NOTE: Many people can handle commitments and busyness that I cannot. I used to be one of those people, then I had my third kid. She totally changed things.
This week was extra busy, so I shouldn't have been surprised when yesterday afternoon was filled with high anxiety. Or when scrupulosity trigger thoughts bombarded me this morning.
Here's what this week's extras looked like:
- Monday: spent Memorial Day at the lake with lots of family; missed naps, weird schedules, and LOTS of activity in the sun
- Tuesday: Planted and mulched the rain garden
- Wednesday: made chocolate chip banana bread from scratch and enough homemade spaghetti sauce to feed four families (including ours) while hosting a play date; coordinated getting food to one of the families; counseling appointment
- Thursday: delivered meal to one family and had a play date; sorted pictures for parents' 40th anniversary party
The rest of June is also unusually busy:
- We start teaching summer Sunday school to preschoolers tomorrow
- I'm attending a several-day homeschooling conference
- I'm helping my sister and sister-in-law plan my parents' 40th anniversary party for the end of the month
- The kids have Vacation Bible School for 5 mornings at church
- I'm consulting and coaching participants in an education conference the same week as VBS
I'm hoping to navigate this month with a healthy level of self-care in which I steward my mind, body, and family well to the glory of God. But this won't just happen. I need to plan ahead specific ways to alleviate and avoid stress - simple meals, leaving early to be on time, etc.
I'd love to hear tips on how you avoid and alleviate stress in seasons of busyness! Leave me a note in the comments below!
