Finding My Footing and Keeping My Balance
I began my first website with Wealthy Affiliate on Caregiver Self Care at the end of June. I've made progress and enjoyed all that I've learned about how to create a good quality website. It's been a great journey so far that I intend to continue.
The surprising thing for me, is not so much what I learned from all the courses, but what I've learned about myself and how important this website is to my own self care needs. When life gets stressful, whether you are taking care of someone who is ill or not, you need to take care of yourself.
I have had some stresses as home, but the biggest stresses came from a job that was ending due to a lost contract from the state, and the fear of the unknown about what will happen to me in the process. It affected me emotionally, but it also affected my health. I realized I needed time to take care of me, and I needed to add a lot of self care back into my life. Seems kind of funny to me that self care has always been so important to me, but something I seem to struggle remembering to do it.
In any case, it felt fairly hypocritical to be writing about self care for my website when I wasn't taking care of me. So, I took some time off from the website and everything in my life that wasn't critical in order to focus on enjoying life and finding a balance within. It has been renewing and refreshing, and I think I'm getting back in balance enough to add some things back in.
I do believe, however, that my goals for the pace at which I work on my website were a bit too aggressive for the kind of time that I have to give right now. So, I'm slowing down the pace while trying to maintain a consistency. It is absolutely critical that I maintain a balance in my life even if it means my website will just take a bit longer to earn money and rank.
I am happy with this decision. Balance is essential and even thought it's easy for me to go all in when I get excited about a new project, I cannot maintain the hectic pace for long periods of time. And, as this is a project for the long haul, it needs to be kept at a pace that isn't obsessive. I'm finding my footing and I believe it'll be at a pace that I can keep up with.
How did you find your balance? And what did it take to get you to that point?
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The biggest hurdle in self-care is to learn to love and respect yourself because if we don't love ourselves who else will. I've been there when it comes to losing a job and the fear of the unknown.
But then in my case, it was often that I didn't have the same opportunities in the workplace than my peers so I learned how to be self-sufficient early on. Once you learn you have the strength to get through any struggle it makes everything else easier to cope with
Exactly! I've spent most of my life learning to be self sufficient in one way or another and often changes are just challenges to me, but sometimes I stop and think about it and then it becomes overwhelming. That's when I have to step back and regroup as I have the past few weeks. Good to know I'm not alone.
GREAT question Terri!!
I was pretty obsessive myself when my world was toppled by the urgent need to switch gears because of an impending divorce, as you know. Being tossed 50 ft (figuratively) in the air with nowhere to land is not at all fun, but it has taught me that in these times that try the soul I have an urgent need for self care and resting in my heavenly Father's loving arms when I've done all I can do and it's still not enough.
He is teaching me to TRUST Him. Not scamper around...chasing my tail till I'm exhausted, out of breath, out of time, out of my mind. I need to come back to center...and just BREATHE!
I've also learned a huge lesson from a beautiful warrior princess who fought DIPG inoperable brain cancer and lost in August. (Julianna Lyn Sayler, my Pastor's daughter)
Her mother, Stacie, posted one of Julianna's 'wise sayings' ..."Life will not 'pause' on something scary. It will only be like a minute..and things will begin to get better." This is wisdom from an 8 year old who lost her life to cancer. I will never forget her bravery fighting this terrible disease that claims 200 to 300 children in the US each year...with only 4% being used for research to find a cure. Yes!! That's only 4 pennies on the dollar used to find a cure for adult cancers!! These children are given only 6 to 9 months to live. They fight so bravely...as Julianna did. Our church mourns her death along with her parents, our Pastor and family.
She gives me a big reason to keep fighting...because "Life will not pause on this scary time in my life...it will get better soon."
I will be looking for this amazing child of God one day when Childhood cancers will be gone and she will be alive and her exuberant self once again...until then, I will try to be brave like she was to the end. RIP Julianna...see you soon!
And Evon...Remember to BREATHE, REST, and let your Heavenly Father help you with all the leg work...He will be up all night while you're resting anyway. ;)
Thank you, Evon. Good reminders and I've done a ton of breathing through all this past few weeks. Today begins day 2 of my new job. Last night I went to bed at 8 and slept solidly through the night. New jobs are exhausting for me, but I think it will be ok. Love and prayers for you continue.
Bless you Terri...i pray your day goes well...and you have a reason for Joy in the midst of your struggles...preaching to myself here too...
God is there with you thru it all..both of us!! I am also exhausted...chasing your tail is very hard!! Ha ha!
Prayers continue for you too...Have a great day!!
Love,
~Evon :)
Thought-provoking questions! I do better than some with a schedule that is more on the hectic side. But I have learned exactly how often I need to schedule a night off, I allow myself at least 15 minutes a day to read strictly for pleasure, and I have a husband who will lovingly check me if I don't stay on top of taking care of myself.
I also think that loving your work can help. I'm trying to get rid of one part-time job that I LOATHE but from which I make about $10,000 a year. Right now, it's a financial necessity to keep it! Hopefully, in the not-too-distant future, it will be out of my life which will automatically keep me more in balance since I will love everything I do for work!
Good for you to have a solid routine of self care. I'm glad you also have the support of your husband to reminded you to care for yourself. That's so critical. I hope one day you can get out of that part time job. It always seems better to have only jobs you enjoy, but I'm sure you are learning something valuable from the one you don't like even though you may not realize it.
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Good afternoon Teresa,
It is so important not to forget oneself, with all these things going on around us it is too easy to do that. One should strive to keep a good balance between the physical, mental, and spiritual part like that it will function well and life will be beautiful.
Greetings from the south of Spain, Taetske
Thank you. I agree wholeheartedly, but sometimes I get caught up in what I'm doing and forget. Here's to a new beginning to keep the balance in mind.