It seems like “busy” is the new status symbol. Everyone is constantly on the go and juggling so many things. The most common response to the question “How are you?” seems to be “busy”, rather than an actual answer. So, how do you balance work, life, fitness, etc. in your busy life?
Before I get to my thoughts on balancing things, I want to share some big news about Tuesdays on the Run with you. April has decided to take a break from blogging (details on her blog), so Patty and I have recruited a new co-host.
Please welcome Marcia from Marcia’s Healthy Slice! I’ve “known” Marcia for years. I love her blog and we have a lot in common (except she’s way faster than me LOL), so I’m super excited to have her join us. I’m also a little jealous because she’s already finished her fall marathon (Twin Cities Marathon) and is busy running around doing things like spectating the Chicago Marathon. Anyways, make sure you stop by her blog and welcome her to the link up!
So, back to balance, or my lack thereof. I don’t actually think that most of us can balance all of the things we have going on. Rather, I think we all go through the day juggling a ton of different balls and hoping that none of them actually hit the ground. Me? I go through life prioritizing which ball I’m going to drop each day, with a hope that the one that gets dropped is nothing serious. Bathroom not cleaned? No worries. Not quite ready for a meeting with my boss? Eh, not great, but I have an awesome boss who understands. Kid forgotten at school or a payroll deadline missed? OK, those are precisely the balls I’m trying to keep in the air.
Right now, I’m managing to keep the important ones in the air. Barely. I expected to be in taper right now, with extra time to finish some work projects and get some house projects done. Instead, I’m spending all of my time juggling chiropractor visits and trips to the gym to try to keep my cardio fitness up. This is not the Taperville that I was imagining.
I don’t know that I’ll ever truly keep all the balls in the air. I have a bad habit of taking on too many different things, all at once. But after the marathon, the priority balls will change. I was beginning to feel burned out. Once I cross the finish line at MCM, I’ll be cutting back on my long runs, adding in cross training, and actually picking up a few weights. I’ll be focusing on my house and my kids and my marriage. I’ll be working more hours at work.
But first, I have some races to run. The question of the day, is just how many races…
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Thanks for the warm welcome! I am right there with you living by the seat of my pants. Except yes, the marathon is DONE, which is huge.
In order to maintain balance, I called in some backup and had them help me clean my apartment before my mom came in. I just knew there was no way that was going to happen!
you know me. Absolutely no balance here. I don’t do it all. I just strive for harmony and what I do.
I’m good at balancing everything that may cause stress, but the minute I’m blindsided by something, I drop everything and spazz out. My mom’s always good at knowing when that is, and she’d catch me in high school and college. Now she listens to me vent (or reads my venting emails).
Work-life-training balance is super hard for me too. I think I’ve come accept that some weeks I’m just not going to get all my training in, my house won’t be as clean as I’d like and I won’t be able to cook as many meals as I usually do. I think that’s the key to my balance – accepting that I won’t always cross off all my to-do list items. It’s ok and it doesn’t mean I’m a failure. The best we can do is the best we can do.
I don’t have kids, and I appreciate that they are another ball to keep in the air! And injury is another one! I find that figuring out what is the most important thing is a big deal (kiddo’s aside). Good luck with getting to the MCM starting line!
Ugh, I hate the “busy” answer. Every day I ask my husband how his day was, and every day he says “busy”. Yes, yes, I get that. But how about details? What was good, what was bad? You are an adult, I don’t feel like I should have to ask you these pointed questions to get a good convo going. But I digress…
I try to keep lists. I try to say no to things when I know I’m already doing a lot in a particular week. I try to enlist help from my husband. “Try” being the key word here.
I think accepting and allowing for ourselves that we never keep it all in balance at the same time, but rather let things shift from day to day, is key. Unrealistic expectations can seriously derail things!
I love this topic, since it is my constant struggle to try to find balance: finding time to exercise, 4 kids, work and home-life all have me trying to stay organized and prioritized…I try to take a step back if I get frazzled, angry or burned out in my life in any way, and sort of see where I need to focus more time and let off the gas in another area. I have had some missteps that were real-life wake up calls to find the balance, so I know that for me, it has to be a daily focus.
I am so very lucky: no kids, no job. Just furkids & 1 big kid, and that’s pretty much my job. I don’t know how people do it, because it’s not like I’m sitting around eating bon bons all day, either.
Good luck with your taper & your race. And the juggling.
Marcia is great and I think will be a fabulous addition for you all! I usually don’t post on Tuesdays but I will try to jump in with you all soon
Welcome to Marcia! Balance is such a tough thing to make happen, really. Good luck with all your races. You’ll do great. 🙂
Yay welcome Marcia! I’m right there with you – juggling as fast as I can with ever-shifting priorities!
I think I have taken on more than I can handle too! At this point with training for my 1st marathon, there are 2 stages in life….Before the marathon and After the marathon, that’s it! Currently, it’s train to get TO the marathon, afterwards it’s all gonna be about some fun! After doing a full the half’s should be fun, right??? That’s what I’m telling myself anyway.
So glad you have Marcia on board! Look forward to participating more!
I like to *think* I have things under control and balanced, but in reality I don’t. I am single with no kids yet, but it’s amazing how things can get overwhelming or how easy I can lose track of what needs to be done. I guess all we can do is our best. Being perfect is over-rated anyway. LOL