Are you a busy working mom?

If you are a busy working mom (I really don’t know a mom who isn’t busy or who isn’t working – being stay-at-home mom is a hell of a lot of work) than you might understand how I felt this past week.

I didn’t make a home-cooked meal once this week. Guilt.

The house is a mess. Guilt.

I didn’t walk the dog one day and we could all tell. Guilt.

One (maybe two) mornings, I only saw Audrey for about 15 minutes before she hopped on the school bus. Guilt.

Hardly had time to talk with Mike all week. Guilt

I didn’t get a few things done for my clients. Guilt.

Lot’s of Mom guilt this week and you know what? It’s not only guilt, but sadness that I didn’t live up to my own expectations and do what I think is really important —-ALL of it!, but especially spending time with my family.

The other day I was having coffee with another businesswoman and mom and when I dumped all this stuff on her , she said “Me, too.” Oh, I was relieved! Someone else who doesn’t get it all right/perfect!

Sometimes it’s hard to do everything to our standards and just knowing I am NOT alone made me feel better.

However, it also made me realize that I have to focus on what really matters and stop wasting time on things that don’t matter as much and notice when I’m doing something that just sort of drift into my life because I’m careless with my time.

Exercise is a priority so I’ve got to get to bed on time and be off electronics earlier.

Healthy eating is a priority so I’ve got to make it to the grocery store instead of putting off.

Time with my family is a priority so I’ve got to leave work earlier.

I’m going to focus on doing less things so I can have time for things that matter.

It’s going to take some work. It’s going to take changing my habits. It’s going to take practice. It’s going to take mental strength!

On a podcast I recently listened to, a very successful business woman and wife (not sure if she is a mom, but I don’t think so) reminded me that if you don’t change NOW, it won’t be better next year. It will be worse.

It sounds obvious, but it just hit me! If I don’t change now….it’ll be the same or worse next year.

Hopefully, this e-mail inspires you to

1. Appreciate where you are right now and that, yes, you do work hard!

2. You’re not alone. Many women don’t have it all pulled together no matter what their social media life looks like!

3. Realize we can’t do all things well, but we can do fewer things really well.

4. Think about your priorities and what really matters to you and cut out or down on the other stuff.