Earlier today, I was at my witts end. I'm wrapping up a 6-week project for a client. It's the last week. I'm working on the second to the last deadline. I have a bunch of DIY Dog Mom Projects to finish up including some Bodacious Patchwork Doggy Quilts. It's noisy outside. Housework needs to be done. I have to bake homemade doggy biscuits. I still need to make dinner for the kids and prep dinner for Lisa and me.
And, I'm taking on another 6-week project for a client during the busiest time of the year. Originally, I wasn't going to take on another 6-week project until January 4th, but the opportunity was there and I knew the assistance was needed. I grabbed it. Between both of the 6-week projects, I only get a week off.
It didn't help that I slept like total crap this morning.
While sipping my morning coffee, I kept thinking about what I had to get done today, the fact I hadn't vacuumed yesterday, our kids were out of homemade biscuits, and everything else. My must-get-done-today to do list was lengthy.
I got overwhelmed.
Frustrated.
Cranky.
Irritable.
I felt guilty for snapping at Lisa before she left for work.
I didn't want to feel like this today. I didn't want to be snippy and snappy with the kids or Lisa. I didn't want to feel irritated with having so much to do.
So, I took a timeout.
That's right. I'm 43 and I took a timeout.
I got up from my desk and sat on the rocking loveseat in the home office. With my coffee.
I thought about everything I had to do today. Instead of getting overwhelmed and irritated, I decided to apply something positive to each item on my Work at Home Dog Mom To-Do List...
It went a little something like this...
1. Committing to a 6-week project for a client during the busiest time of year. My client is satisfied with my work and trusts me enough with these 6-week projects.
2. Carpets to vacuum every single day. Our kids clutter the floors with their toys and chew bones and fur. I love our kids.
3. Housework. Lisa and I love our home. It's small and cozy and safe. I'm grateful to have our home.
4. A sink full of dishes. Dishes and pots and pans get dirty because I cook and bake for our family. This means we have food in the fridge and money to buy that food.
5. DIY Dog Mom Projects in the works to finish. Lisa and I have the talent to make these projects. She cuts and sands the wood. I do the rest. We balance each other out. These projects would not be possible without one or the other. It's a team effort.
6. Baking biscuit love. I have over 30 years experience in the field of baking. I'm able to make homemade biscuits for our kids to have for snacks so they don't have to eat store-bought stuff. And, we're able to provide these biscuits for our fur-nieces and fur-nephews and our Bodacious Community.
7. Cooking for the kids, Lisa, and myself. I've been cooking for over 30 years too. There's a sense of pride in making healthy, homemade meals for our kids, Lisa, and myself. Our refrigerator and cupboards are stocked.
My timeout lasted for about a half hour. During this time, my perspective shifted. Instead of feeling overwhelmed and irritated at everything, I felt grateful.
Sure, my Work at Home Dog Mom Life is crazy. Chaotic. Overwhelming. Unpredictable. However, I wouldn't change it for anything or anyone.
I have so much to be grateful for, and I am.
After my timeout, I sent Lisa an email. I apologized for my snippiness. I let her know how grateful I was for everything. I thanked her for getting up every morning and going to work and working hard for our family.
We never go without.
By 10 a.m., I was in a much better frame of mind.
It doesn't matter how old you are, sometimes you need a timeout.
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