Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Reality Check

I very often get emails and comments asking how I do it all and I've been very proud of myself for being so "productive".

The truth, I discovered, is I don't.

In the last couple of months things have started falling by the wayside.
I stopped going to the gym.
I stopped making really good dinners for my family (fish sticks & tacos were at the top of the menu).
I stopped cleaning the house to my satisfaction.
Things started piling up everywhere and I couldn't find anything.
I stopped taking my vitamins.
I became a virtual hermit.
I started running around doing everything last minute and in a spin.

Most of all, I stopped making lists, which lead to all kinds of missed deadlines. I'm a list person. I can't survive without lists.

I started feeling like I'm losing control of everything.

Then, last week, I was struck down by the flu. I don't remember being this sick since just before my high school prom when I lost so much weight my mom had to pin my dress to stop it from falling off.

As I was curled up on the couch in the fetal position, I realized that this was a wake up call.

Take a step back.
Prioritize.
Plan.
Make time for me.

Breathe!

42 comments:

  1. Please take care of yourself. I'll be here when you're ready to continue. Your blog posts are worth waiting for!

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  2. Good for you for stepping back and taking the time to see what's important. We'll all be here when you're ready!

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  3. Def. take care of yourself first! Hope you get some good "me" time in.
    :)

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  4. Yes this is important! These are hard steps to take back and hard to post as well. Hope you feel better.

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  5. Head up, and let's move, girl. And chose "me" as a firts word for all your to do list...Take your time, we'll be here when you came back :)

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  6. Ooops. You and your family are the most important. Taking a break is a good thing!

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  7. Definitely take care of yourself! That needs to be your number one priority.

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  8. No fun at all. I bought myself a big daytimer last week to help myself get coordinated. I do that at work, why shouldn't I do it when trying to keep a handle on home life, kids, and quilting. A weekly to do list and my week at a glance are already helping with prioritization and perspective!
    Take care.

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  9. Well, at least now I know how you did it all and I don't feel so bad about not getting it all done. By all means, make time for yourself. Get well, we'll be here...Kathy

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  10. Amen sister!! We should all take this advice!

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  11. Hope you are feeling better soon. I think this happens to lots of us - take a step back & breathe. When you feel better you can begin again & we'll welcome you back
    Take Care
    Chris x

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  12. You know what - I think this has happened to me too! I stopped working out about three months ago, stopped keeping my lists, ran out of vitamins, and so on. Felt like I lost track of some things. And now I have a nasty sinus infection! When we think we can take on more, we realize that other things are falling apart! Hope you're feeling better!

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  13. I totally understand this. Things can get this way until you develop a new rhythm. But first and foremost you must take care of yourself and get well. Then begin to make lists again. This will definitely help with all the running around at the last minute. Just make it part of your normal day to day routine. I hope you get that new rhythm soon.

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  14. Get well soon, please!!!
    Yours, Martina

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  15. cough. cough. sneeze. sneeze. Sounds like you and I were in the same boat in more than one way. ;o) ooxx`jod

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  16. oh my.
    this is happened to me.
    just gotta step back and regroup.

    feel better soon honey.

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  17. I'd die without my lists. My sewing room was a mess and I finally got smart and stopped to re-group. The blog, the family, it all gets to be too much!

    Take time to get better and get re-organized!

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  18. No need to do it all. I hope you are feeling better. Take care!

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  19. Amen!! I've been feeling a bit out of control lately with too much going on. I feel like I'm not doing anything well these days and just doing too many things half-*ssed. Hoping you're feeling much better.

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  20. I love your blogs, and even though I'm not making That Quilt, I have enjoyed watching your efforts. My enjoyment -- and that of all your loyal readers -- cannot compare with the obligations you have to yourself, first & foremost. Please take the time you need to get healthy and back on track. Don't feel guilty if you don't blog much, soon, or at all. We've been the beneficiaries of your hard work, and our gratitude show free you up to do what you need to do for yourself.

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  21. I know that feeling. A timeout to regain a grip on your life and what you actually want to do and can realistically achieve is always good. I think I am perilously close to taking on more than I can chew as well at the moment.

    take care of yourself and I hope you feel rejuvenated soon.

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  22. Sometimes when we are too busy to take time for ourselves, something happens to not give us an option any more. MUST TAKE TIME TO DO WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IN THE BIG PICTURE. We all can wait as we are not that important in the big picture. Health and family are. Take care.

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  23. You and your family are priority #1!
    Taking a break from all your blogs will give you time and space to breathe.

    We will be waiting for your posts, whenever you feel like it!

    Take care!

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  24. Do take care of you and yours :)

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  25. i'm so sorry that you were sick. i hope you can find some balance in your life. and if you figure out how, i'd love some tips! :)

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  26. BIG HUG

    I understand. TRULY understand.

    I'll be here patiently waiting for your posts when you are able.

    Again, BIG HUG.

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  27. Yes! Deep breaths. Make some lists (I love lists too!). Take a time out (one not enforced by flu). Make time for you. It sounds like an excellent set of first steps. :)

    You are an amazing and inspiring quilter, and you give so much of yourself in what you do. I hope you are able to find the balance you need.

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  28. From one over-achieving, list making, OCD bedmaker to another. . .take care of you first, make sure and take care of what makes your world right, then taking care of everyone else is much easier. Rest...

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  29. REST sounds like a Great Idea! Get well soon though...I think we would all miss hearing from you!

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  30. Take some time for yourself. You're worth it! I hope you're feeling better soon. :-)

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  31. goodness sakes...i can relate to the flu and how crazy busy makes you susceptible! slow down, put yourself on the list, and take care.

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  32. Hope you are feeling better soon!

    It is good to regroup occasionally and examine what is working and isn't working. Businesses do it all the time, so why shouldn't we. It works. And lists are great for the process.

    Sending you best wishes and encouragement and big hugs...

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  33. Hope you feel better soon. You're absolutely right, make time for the important things first.

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  34. Hope you feel better soon. I know what you mean about the lists! Maybe you need a nice new notebook for some new lists?! :) x

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  35. I have a very good friend who is the creator of a series called "Schedule Masters" soon to be a best selling novel.

    Her link: http://iamaschedulemaster.blogspot.com/

    Her class is done via teleconference,and was inspired by exactly what you are describing. I have been through the sessions and feel it is a great program to follow to become "in charge again".

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  36. I'm sorry to hear that you were sick. It's not fun. I hope you are doing better and that you find balance. I think people make those comments though because they wish they could get that much done. I hope you find the balance you want. It's hard but it sounds like you are on your way.:)

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  37. Sending thoughts of perfection your way. You are a wise woman, listen to your intuition and you will arrive on the path that is the highest and best for YOU.

    Stop by for a visit and then click on the link for my website. You may find it helpful.
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

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  38. Oh my...the virtual hermit is scary. I did not realize it until I read it here, I better be careful. I'm guessing you are out of the flu by know, if not I hope you get better soon. I'm really enjoying your blog and your flickr group :)

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