Back Burner

Now ya’ll know that I can make a kitchen analogy out of just about anything, but this one REALLY works! What do you think about when you think about the term back burner…something that’s done, something that doesn’t require any further attention, something you don’t have to worry about anymore? Yep, you guessed it, this has nothing to do with the kitchen, it has everything to do with things that somehow land on the “back burner.” It can happen without you even realizing it, until you realize it’s cold and not much good any more.

Guys, if I’m being honest, I’m really looking for a balance right now. There’s so many things that need my attention, and I’m struggling to prioritize. I’m struggling to complete anything. I’m struggling to feel like I’m doing a good job at any of the things that are mine to do. Can you relate? I can’t find a middle gear. I’m either high or low. I’m going nonstop, or I don’t want to go at all. I want to stay up all night long, or I want to sleep the day away. There’s no real reason for my wishy washy state of mind, at least nothing I can pinpoint.

In my own mind, I need to be all things to everybody, yet I’m not sure anybody else actually expects that from me. I expect it of myself. I want to make my family’s life easier, I want to make my own money, I want my home to look nice, I want to be a soft place to land, I want to do all the things, that way nobody else really has to worry about anything. Let me do that. I’ll take care of that for you. Don’t worry about it, I got you. Does any of that sound familiar?

So, it’s me, I’m on the back burner. Nobody intentionally put me there. It’s just that in the midst of me doing my best to do it all, I just kind of got scooted back. Now, what to do, that’s the question? That’s where I need your help. How do you do all the things that you innately want to do, while being the best version of yourself. I’m a serious nester, by nature, so I truly want to do all the things, AND I want it to look easy.

The idea of self care has almost become cliche, in my opinion. I mean, I love a hot bubble bath, I love all the lotions, and I take all the supplements that “they” say I should be taking. I actually do take pretty good physical care of myself. I think I’m leaning more towards finding a good, solid middle ground, mental moderation, if you will. Let’s just say, I’d love to put a stop to the daily pin ball game that goes on inside my head.

So do tell, where is your balance? Is it within a consistent daily schedule that you could share? Is it more of a shared load type of family model? If so, how do you get everybody on board? Shoot, maybe there’s that one particular wine that gives you superpowers! At this point, I’M WIDE OPEN to any and all suggestions, so come on friends, it’s time to spill the tea!