Juggling my many roles has been second nature for as long as I can remember. Some days I feel like I am a champ at doing it all, others, it’s not so seamless. Mother, careerwoman, wife, friend, writer, photographer, entrepreneur, part housewife… All the hats, every day. Send coffee. Send wine.
The Good
My creative brain couldn’t be happier when there are things to juggle. I am always looking for the next project to dive into. My inner planner needs a list to check off. My big-vision self has her sights set on big things for my family’s future and all these jobs and tasks are in place to one day get us there. I enjoy being able to choose which tasks get accomplished. I like planning social events for my kiddo to go to just to breathe for a few minutes away from homework and the weekly after school routine.
Diversifying my income has always been a goal for every year. Add a job here, book photo sessions there. If things happen to slow in one area, I have a little comfort in knowing that there is still more work to be done elsewhere.
At the end of a busy day, after all the juggling is tucked away until the sun comes up again, I feel a happy twinge of satisfaction. That positive feeling of accomplishing what I set out to do for the day is what keeps me going. It makes me look forward to seeing the next day. Anyone else enjoy checking those boxes?
The Bad
There is definitely such a thing as having too much to do. The burnout is R E A L. Juggling many roles, no matter how few, can be hard. I sympathize with you on the most realist level…
I often find myself caught in the loop of “which do I sacrifice today? Time with my daughter, or the opportunity to grow in my career?” It’s a tricky spot to be in, but that is the constant push/pull, for me, of having more to do. I’m juggling professional responsibilities along with the personal ones and I can’t help but feel the guilt constantly trying to seep in. And also the frustration. It’s hard for an employer to sympathize when they are so far removed from their employee’s reality outside of the workspace or job qualifications. I get it. I totally do. But I still find myself always negotiating a little give and take, no matter which role it is.
I have gotten better about prioritizing the order of importance for each hat I’m juggling depending on the circumstance or event. So there’s hope! If you feel like you’re having more bad than good or balance, then take a step back, look at what’s important, and shift where you devote most of your attention. Weeding out the stress causers now will benefit you more in the long run.
The Balance
Cross your fingers that I have managed harmony while juggling my many roles. I wish to my core that I could say it’s easy all day, every day, but the truth is, it takes work. I know to check in with myself about prioritizing. Check in with my daughter over her needs for attention. Check in with my husband on what we want to have planned so we can both dedicate our time. If my planner has more things as a to-do for other people than myself or my family, that’s a note to take a minute and reevaluate what my big picture is. I ask, “How can I do more things for my core people?” That’s where it starts. If I can do all these things with a smile on my face, and most days feel like I accomplished what I set out to do, then that’s a win in my book.
A lot of you out there have volunteer roles, multiple jobs, handfuls of happy children, and even busier home lives, and you manage them all so well. You are doing amazing! Even on the hardest of days, you have done everything right. We need more people to reassure us of that, I know. So, from one busy mama to another, we kick ass! You keep up your role juggling! Do what makes you happy. Keep those babies happy. We are all in this together.
Who’s up for a working coffee/playdate? 😉
