This year is different. I now have a new definition for myself as to what busy means. I have several to-do lists that are starting to feel never ending. But, while I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment, while I find my stride in checking the boxes off of my list, taking care of my family and other responsibilities, I am definitely not complaining. Most of the tasks keeping me busy these days are voluntary, things that I signed up to do and in some cases have paid to be a part of.
This school year I have quite a bit more on my plate, my titles now include:
Mother
Wife
Homemaker
Band Mom
Boy Scout Mom
PTO Treasurer
PTO 5th Grade Liaison
Provisional in The Junior League of Austin
Substitute Teacher
Just reading the list is a little overwhelming for me right now, but I have full confidence in myself to handle each position and excel at them all. I am trying not to be hard on myself while I adjust and am giving myself some grace to reorganize my life and create a new way of scheduling my events. I am in the midst of prioritizing and making sure my family never feel like my new responsibilities take precedence over their well being and happiness. I'm not saying I'm having the easiest time accomplishing all of this but I feel like organizing my daily life and finding a way to make it all happen is one of my strengths.
I'm only a few weeks in. I'm imersing myself into both of my PTO Board positions and just starting my journey into The Junior League. While all three are a big commitment, I take them each very seriously and am passionate to succeed in everything I'm taking on.
Looking at my planner is a little crazy. I've got meetings or appointments almost every single day. My husband has plenty of business travel coming up. Each of my children have school events that are important for us to be involved in. But, looking at all I have coming up is also so exciting to me.
I'm beyond thankful for a husband who is so supportive. He supports my passion for volunteering, he encourages me when I start to feel overwhelmed, he is picking up my slack while I figure out how to be the woman I want to be and have thrown myself into becoming this year and he also gives me a reality check when I need one. He is incredible. We have been married for 15 years, we have been together for half of his life and more than half of mine. I have supported him in every way possible since he was 18. I supported his education (the first 10 years of our relationship we, eventually just he were college students) through the beginning of his bachelors degree (we met and started dating in his second semester of college) all the way through his graduation from Graduate School. I have supported every career decision and in every other way he needed me. It is such an odd feeling to me to have that role switched. Of course I still support him in every capacity, but now he is the one supporting me and encouraging me to do what makes me happy and what I feel in my heart I need to do. He keeps asking me if I am happy and feel fulfilled. During frustrating moments he will hug me and tell me exactly what I need to hear in that moment to push me forward. He now asks me about MY schedule to work around. The new dynamic is going to take some getting used to but I can't tell you how amazing it is to be on the other side of what I've tried so hard to do for him for so long. The feeling of knowing I have him in my corner no matter what, now that I am getting to do what I want to do for ME outside of just raising my children and taking care of our home, is indescribable. Happy doesn't begin to describe how I wake up feeling everyday.
I keep questioning why I feel so happy to be so busy. Is it because I feel more "needed" than I ever really have? I know my husband and children need me, but now I have so many others relying on me on our Board. Is it because I finally feel like I'm giving back, through our PTO but especially through The Junior League? Is it because I'm finally doing something that I have wanted to do since I was a little girl attending Junior League events with my Grandma Jane? Is it because I am so proud of the work that I'm doing? Is it because I'm volunteering my time and truly not expecting anything in return? Is it because of the pride I feel when my kids seem proud of me? I don't know, but I'll take it all. I am a busy busy bee and I couldn't be happier about it.
I work with friends that I respect very much at our school and within our PTO. The amount of work and teamwork that each event requires is huge and each of these people jump in happy to help. I absolutely adore the women I'm working with in The Junior League and am SO excited for the future with them.
Now that I've accepted each of these roles I'm discovering ways to make my life easier so nothing falls behind, or at least not too much. I'm taking a few shortcuts that I never needed to before, things like HEB Curbside pick up. I'm setting aside time in my planner to do things like menu plan so that I can order my groceries (and not over-shop by walking the aisles, who knew it would actually save me money?!) and have exactly what I need to cook what I've planned for the week ahead.
I'm so thankful for my neurotic organizing and planning skills, they're being utilized now more than ever before.
I guess my next post will have to be an update to my adjustment to my new, much busier, schedule.
For you working Mama's and busy volunteers, I would LOVE your input or any tips on making sure you don't drop the ball and how you manage your own busy lives!
It is just past 11pm, I guess I should end my post so that we can pick up our band girl who is coming home from her second away game and then get some rest before I need to be at the school by 6:45am to set up for the"Donuts with Dads" event at our school.
I can't wait! :D
Until next time, count your blessings!
Sara Jane
PS- I'm sorry this post is a little scattered, I'm tired ;)
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