Picking Myself Up

Friday did not contain some of my best mommy moments. I had a very difficult client to deal with that was turning me into a bit of a monster. I wrote version upon version of the same piece, only to be met with sharp criticism and a slew of edits. As one of the best skills I gained in Corporate America was a tough skin, I can usually take this all in stride. However I had finally reached my breaking point--I was just done! I put on my happy face and did my best to muddle through but this project was taking the best of me, and to be honest was not allowing me to focus on Faith or spend time with her as I should have been. The good news is that the project has finally come to an end (thankfully) and now I can focus on the priority at hand--my sweet little girl.

Things came to a head Friday when I felt myself getting frustrated as Faith awoke "too early" from a nap, infringing on my work time. It was at the moment that I got irritated at her sweet little cry on the other end of the monitor that it dawned on me--I need to find work life balance, even in a career that allows me the amazing ability to work at home with my daughter. I'm lucky, I'm blessed, I'm eternally grateful--but if I don't work it right, I'm also working through breakfast time with Faith, every moment of naptime, every night, and most of the weekend. Even for me, finding a healthy and normal work life balance is essential. I learned that after some tears and a bit of a mommy meltdown that caused me to wake up and figure out what makes for a workload condusive to my situation.

Back when Faith slept most of the day, more work may have been feasible. These days however when I have a toddler in tow and here, there and everywhere, I need to be realistic about the work I can take on. Jeff took what we were PRAYING is his last exam so that should help, but the reality is that I'm home because I want to be here for every first moment, word, milestone, laugh, and in order to do so I just need to be honest with myself about my expectations and workload. I am a mother and wife first and foremost, and followed closely by a freelance writer working hard to make my very own business work for me. I know that I can do it all with grace, but sometimes not so much with ease. Anybody who tells you that the newborn phase is the hardest surely doesn't have a toddler or remember those trying times of limit testing.....but these are also the most rewarding times and I plan to cherish every moment of it.

So mommy meltdown be gone, I am ready to take on the work at hand, work towards some realistic goals, and continue to be a great mom and exceed my client's expectations. I am back to it and I can do it all, the right way!