One Day At A Time...

Most evenings after I tuck Lisa and the kids in, I'll glance over the DIY Dog Mom Projects that I've worked on or skim a few blog columns that are almost ready to publish. Or, sometimes both. I think about the work I got done throughout the day and evening. At this point, I become my own worst enemy.

The same things repeat in my head. I could have done more. I could have better utilized my time. I could have written one more blog column. I could have finished another custom order or started working on a cool DIY Dog Mom Project to sell.

I wasn't joking when I said I was my own worst enemy. 

But then, my voice of reason kicks in. I put a bandage on my self-criticizing wounds. I did get a lot of work done. I did utilize my time efficiently. Our kids are happy and healthy and they had a great day. Lisa got a hot breakfast, a great lunch, and came home to a clean house and dinner. We're all going to fall asleep feeling loved and taken care of and content.

I'm fairly certain that my I-Am-My-Own-Worst-Enemy mode is triggered when I think about all of the interruptions throughout the day and evening.

For some reason, my brain associates a broken up work day and evening with lack of productivity.

That's not the case. 

The work gets done, but it doesn't get done in a typical 8-hour chunk of work time.

There are a lot of interruptions throughout my day...

1. Our kids demanding my attention. Whether it's playtime, fetch time for Willa, a belly rub, morning or afternoon snack time, and/or refolding a blanket because it's not folded right for naptime, I'm continuously tending to the kids.

2. Silence is not golden. When it's too quiet, an alarm sounds off in my head. Check. On. The. Kids. Most times, they're napping, but sometimes they're not. It doesn't matter what room I'm working in, I check on the kids twice an hour.

3. Taking care of the fur-niece and fur-nephew. Everyday. Monday through Friday. On occasion, we take care of 2 additional fur-nieces. There have been weeks when I'm tending to our kids along with our 3 fur-nieces and fur-nephew.

4. Meal prep. That includes meals and snacks for our kids and Lisa and I. Every. Single. Day. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

5. The unexpected. Stuff always happens. Life is life.

6. Schedule changes. Lisa's work schedule is the biggest culprit. My schedule depends on her schedule. Often times, any fluctuation is last minute. I've learned to adjust my daily schedule accordingly.

7. Emails and Facebook messages. Some days, it's light. Other days, I'm tending to both for most of the day. People are continuously reaching out for tips and advice, questions, comments, feedback, and other miscellaneous stuff.

8. The occasional wine and lunch date. As a Work at Home Dog Mom, I need these once or twice a month. They keep me sane and connected.

I'm certainly not complaining. This is my life. Our life. I wouldn't change a thing.

What I do need to change is being my own worst enemy.

I need to adhere to the One-Day-At-A-Time frame of mind.

I can't do anything about yesterday.

Tomorrow isn't here yet.

Today is what I'm working with.

Today.