Working Mom Diaries - Home Office Edition

This week was stressful. While there were a host of people binge watching movies and TV shows, reading books and cleaning their houses, I was not one of them. And to be honest, what started out as jealousy, quickly turned to frustration when I felt like I was busier than ever. Impatient emails, urgent meetings, hungry kids, bored kids, kids trying to test the limits of social interaction, extended family, food, chores, shopping – it was a lot. Maybe you can relate?
 
Thankfully, my kids have been on Spring Break these last two weeks, so we have not had the added pressure of home schooling. But many of my friends who are now working their full-time jobs from home, are also expected to find multiple hours in the day to make sure their child is getting their work done. There’s this unspoken pressure to make sure your child keeps up and doesn’t fall behind.
 
In fact, there are a lot of unspoken pressures, not only related to work and school. There’s the unspoken pressure of using this time wisely, like increasing your workouts or eating healthy. The unspoken pressure of connecting more deeply with your kids. The unspoken pressure of getting all those household to-dos finally done. And of course, the underlying pressure of the virus itself, washing our hands, staying six feet apart and questioning every sniffle, cough and pain.
 
It is a lot.
 
Deep breath.
 
There have been multiple times throughout the week where I’ve felt trapped in my house. As someone who is always on the go, coming to a complete stop has been a challenge. Of course, I like to be out and have the freedom to go where I want when I want, but I’ve also realized something else. When I am in constant motion, the busy-ness lifts my responsibilities, they hover around me and appear weightless. This week I felt the weight of them all, big or small. My instinct was to go, anywhere, but I couldn’t. So, I had to feel the weight and choose which ones to lift off and set gently to the side.
 
In the midst of it all, the seasons are transitioning. I don’t think it is a coincidence. It’s a beautiful time to be outside; the flowers, plants and trees are blooming and the birds singing. The rain is nourishing the ground. The air feels cleaner. Going outside is now a special treat, an escape from the four walls of our houses. A time of reprieve observe and be alone with our thoughts. Nature has once again become our sanctuary.
 
It’s a lot to process all at once. There are a lot of feelings coming up, not only for ourselves, but for those around us. Now is the time to listen to those feelings and see what they are trying to tell you. Be patient. Take a deep breath.
 
We too are in a time of transition, when this is over things are going to be different. You are going to be different. I am already different.
 
I’ll leave you with these final thoughts:
 
In the face of sickness, we will heal.
 
In the face of scarcity, we will see abundance.
 
In the face of uncertainty, we will find strength.
  
Heart-FULLy yours, 
Kacey
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Image by skeeze from Pixabay