Remaining at Peace During the Busy Days
“Let us go forward in peace, our eyes upon heaven, the only one goal of our labors” (St. Thérèse of Lisieux).
I had just jumped off a two-hour Zoom call with a client, my 18-month-old son on my hip for half of the time. While I had no clue the call was going to be two hours, I had to be present, and I had to maintain my composure. During this two-hour call, I was not only an active participant, but I managed to feed my toddler multiple snacks, keep him from climbing over the baby gate, entertain him from a distance, text my husband to pick up our oldest from school since I wasn’t going to make it, and step off screen a handful of times to take a deep breath.
After the call, I heard the garage door open (my husband with my oldest, since it was almost 6 p.m.), changed my son’s soaking diaper, turned on the stove to reheat leftovers, and managed to tidy up the mess my son had made. My daughter came running in and mentioned I forgot to take the trash out, and I felt zero peace.
That moment, I was nearing a minor breakdown, wondering what this life was I had gotten myself into. I used to have a 20-minute drive home to decompress after a long day of work, and now, there was no time for me to have a swift transition from work to mom life. I try my best to remain sane and keep a work/life balance. I find that there are tangible ways that I can keep the peace throughout the day, and I notice when any of them are off.
Morning Meditation
I have been using the Hallow app before I start each day. It includes a Lectio Divina for the Gospel reading each day, and you can choose a five-, 10-, 15-, 20-, or 30-minute meditation. I typically choose the five- or 10-minute one, since I usually take my son on a quick walk in the morning or drive somewhere and just need a few minutes of silence before I start my day.
If you have never done a Lectio Divina, I highly recommend it. Hallow has someone guide you throughout the entire length of the meditation, so it’s simple and easy to use. It begins with the Gospel reading, followed by a short pause. The guide then reads it again and prompts you to listen to anything that stands out—a phrase, a sentence, a visual, etc. Then, he or she asks you to meditate on whatever it is that stood out and simply be with God in that time, listening to what he’s asking of you.
A Consistent Workout Routine
After I had my second child, I had every excuse in the book to skip my workout. If it were up to me, I’d take the extra time to scroll through my phone instead of going on a run. I used to be a big runner, too, having participated in a few half marathons and a full marathon. However, now I seemed to lack the motivation to get up and out the door.
This spring, I decided to start joining my friend twice each week at the fitness studio I had belonged to a few years back. Not only did it lead me to a healthier and fitter lifestyle, but I also had the energy I needed to tackle the day head-on. I used to drag through each day, exhausted, overwhelmed and anxious with balancing work and life. I now had something I could participate in at least two times each week, and it reminded me that if I could push through a tough workout, I could push through a tough work week.
Saying “No” When Necessary
I am an outgoing extravert, a sanguine through and through, and I have major FOMO (fear of missing out) when I can’t or don’t attend something. Saying “no” is hard for me, but in recent months, it has become necessary for my well-being. Saying “yes” when I know I can’t fully give of myself is not fair to me, and it’s not fair to the people I say “yes” to. Whether it’s a simple girls’ dinner or a fun night out with friends, I have been trying to say “no” more.
Saying “no” means more time for my family and more time to invest in my own well-being. It means I have the freedom to let my next “yes” be more powerful and authentic. I don’t have to worry about attending three or four gatherings in a given week, because I’ve set the parameters that are best for my husband, my family, and myself.
It’s important to remember that we are human. I believe that, as women, we have an extraordinary gift to offer. We know we are capable of so much; therefore, we do so much. I don’t always use each of these strategies every day, but they are simple things I can do to avoid exhaustion and burnout, and keep my life in balance.
Colleen Godinez is a freelance copywriter living in Kansas City. She graduated from Kansas State University with a BS in psychology and a minor in journalism and mass communication. In her spare time, she loves laughing with friends and family and finding new wines to sip on (sparkling rose on warmer days). She has learned to appreciate the little things in life and soaks up every moment she can with her two kids and husband. You can follow her on Facebook or Instagram.