Desperately Seeking Balance

As working moms, we all want the same thing, balance.  Time for ourselves, time for our jobs, time for our children, time for our spouses.  Actually, I don't even think you have to be a working mom, I think you just have to be a mom.  Or maybe even just a parent.

Balance is hard.  For me, when I get busy or stressed out, the first thing to go is my gym time.  And ironically that is the thing I need to the most.  To work out.  Working out for me is not just about losing weight or how I look, it's the whole mind/body thing.  I feel better when I work out.  It's my me time.  It's my hour to myself where no one bothers me.  And I really need to stop answering emails on the elliptical.  One downfall to the whole iPhone is my iPod thing. 

The same can be said about blogging.  Blogging is my therapy.  It's my time to say what I need and what I've been thinking about.  What I somehow can't tell my closest friends but I can tell the Internet.  Blogging keeps me sane.

This post was written for Parent Bloggers Network as part of a sweepstakes sponsored by BOCA.

Comments

[mouthy_broad]

hmmm. maybe a small piece of your solution could be to treat yourself to a ipod shuffle or nano so you could "unplug" at the gym?

[Sheri]

You are right about balance. And with most moms the first thing to go is something that is just for us. It isn't fair, but we do it. And sometimes, I think we are shortchanging our kids when we shortchange ourselves. An unhappy mom is not always an effective mom, and the kids just know.

So, go to the gym and don't answer the phone.

[carma]

I agree about the blogging. Like you, I haven't told most people I know that I have a blog, which enables me to make it even more "therapeutic" ;-)

[Secret Mom Thoughts]

I couldn't agree more about the gym time. Unplug on the elliptical though you'll enjoy it more.

[Mom On The Run]

Gosh - I've been following you on twitter for like 6 months and I think this is the first time I've stopped by. I'm sorry - please forgive me :)

I also find balance by blogging and working out - it really helps me to get my mind right, yanno?

[Kitchen Vixen]

I use my iPhone as my iPod as well- when I'm at the gym, I turn it on Airplane mode. First command in the settings- that way, I can listen to my music and zen out- no e-mails pop up, no phone calls, no texts, no twitter. Then, when I get back to the locker, I turn it off Airplane mode. Viola! And no need for a new gadget!

[Corey J Feldman]

I am terrible at the whole balance thing. I am sure most working parents have this issue. Actually I am sure most parents have that issue, working or not. There are just so many hours in the day...

[Janna]

I have such a hard time with this! I always feel like I am on one end of the spectrum, always behind on something.

I sometimes wish I didn't have to sleep. I could get so much accomplished then! Then I thwack myself on the head for thinking such crazy thoughts....