I have been struggling lately finding balance in my life. For short period of time, I was able to focus most of my time on my family, but I wasn't doing enough for myself and I was not happy. When I decided to focus more on myself and swim more often, I wasn't very happy with how much time I was spending away from my family. The past few months, work interrupted my swimming schedule and other life happenings required most of my focus; now my swimming has been much less than what I want it to be. I want to find a happy balance between all three. I know that compared to some of you that I am still young, but I worry that my life is slipping away and I am not enjoying it as much as I can.
I am curious as to how to find that magical balance and be happy with all three, or if I am looking for something that does not exist. Thanks.
Agreed, if someone could write a book that tells us how to live our lives, they'd be set. And, obviously, no one else can tell us how to live our lives, so there is no such book!
Katie, I was under the assumption you had kids...
Anyway, I have 4 kids (2-9), teach full-time, and try to work out whenever I can. My husband also works full-time (albeit we are on opposite schedules so the kids don't have to go to daycare), and he would also like to swim.
My suggestion, since it's the two of you, is that you wake up early and workout. That would free up the rest of the day for work and hubby time.
There is no balance per se. But I know that there is a whole lot of guilt, at least for me. I can't give 100% to everything, so I do the best I can. My priorities are: kids, hubby, swimming, work. My work won't always be part of my life so it is the least important to me. My kids and my husband are the most important, so they often win out over swimming and sometimes even work. I drop everything for them. I've missed a couple of Nationals (airfare up in smoke) because of kids' events, and while I wanted to swim, I didn't want to miss out on a special event at home. There will be other swim meets, but I'll never get the Kindergarten Mother's Day tea back again.
My personal struggle with working out is that I like to do 3 different types of workout: running, weights, and swimming. I like to go to the gym, but I never make it there. I have to prioritize again, and I try to make sure I swim. I often swim when I have a long break at work. Most often it's at night from 7-8:30. I no longer feel guilty about letting my husband do the nighttime routine with the kids. I do it 4x/week by myself.
Sorry to ramble. One last thing though. I have recently discovered that I really need to get away from home about once/month. I went to Long Beach in Dec. and discovered this. I didn't realize how much I needed to take a break, just for me. So I went to the Las Vegas meet in January, with a friend for the day, also. Perfect.
I have found that it is critical: to sort out what's the most important in your life, do the best you can, try to be guilt free, and enjoy your life. As Hannah Montana sang, "Life's what you make it."
:2cents:
:2cents:
(since I rambled I figured that that was worth 4 cents) :D
Agreed, if someone could write a book that tells us how to live our lives, they'd be set. And, obviously, no one else can tell us how to live our lives, so there is no such book!
Katie, I was under the assumption you had kids...
Anyway, I have 4 kids (2-9), teach full-time, and try to work out whenever I can. My husband also works full-time (albeit we are on opposite schedules so the kids don't have to go to daycare), and he would also like to swim.
My suggestion, since it's the two of you, is that you wake up early and workout. That would free up the rest of the day for work and hubby time.
There is no balance per se. But I know that there is a whole lot of guilt, at least for me. I can't give 100% to everything, so I do the best I can. My priorities are: kids, hubby, swimming, work. My work won't always be part of my life so it is the least important to me. My kids and my husband are the most important, so they often win out over swimming and sometimes even work. I drop everything for them. I've missed a couple of Nationals (airfare up in smoke) because of kids' events, and while I wanted to swim, I didn't want to miss out on a special event at home. There will be other swim meets, but I'll never get the Kindergarten Mother's Day tea back again.
My personal struggle with working out is that I like to do 3 different types of workout: running, weights, and swimming. I like to go to the gym, but I never make it there. I have to prioritize again, and I try to make sure I swim. I often swim when I have a long break at work. Most often it's at night from 7-8:30. I no longer feel guilty about letting my husband do the nighttime routine with the kids. I do it 4x/week by myself.
Sorry to ramble. One last thing though. I have recently discovered that I really need to get away from home about once/month. I went to Long Beach in Dec. and discovered this. I didn't realize how much I needed to take a break, just for me. So I went to the Las Vegas meet in January, with a friend for the day, also. Perfect.
I have found that it is critical: to sort out what's the most important in your life, do the best you can, try to be guilt free, and enjoy your life. As Hannah Montana sang, "Life's what you make it."
:2cents:
:2cents:
(since I rambled I figured that that was worth 4 cents) :D
