I don't know about anyone else, but either I am getting worse about managing my time or I am over committed. I believe I have fewer obligations than a year or two ago, but frequently feel overwhelmed. All those balls I'm juggling seem to be equally important and have to be kept in motion.
Another thing I've observed is that kids appear excessively busy too. I don't ever remember feeling busy when I was a kid. Maybe the mists of time are getting too thick and I'm not remembering accurately.
I know some teens who stay up until 1:00 a.m. finishing school assignments. My last year of high school I worked 16-24 hours a week, but honestly don't remember ever needing to stay up late to do homework.
With all of the advanced technology available to us, shouldn't life be simpler? Or maybe because some tasks have become easier (mainly due to the widespread availability and use of computers) we are all taking on other responsibilities and commitments.
Perhaps we're wasting more and more of our time on things like Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and other social networking options and we're not taking care of things like housecleaning and yard work. It doesn't take long for mail and laundry and dishes to pile up; a dirty oven to become a filthy one or a few weeds to become a healthy crop if we don't keep up with them. When our chores reach that level, they begin to feel insurmountable.
These are just some of the thoughts buzzing through my head as I see my teen son struggling to keep up with the obligations of his life as my husband and I struggle to keep up with our work.
How about you, do you feel like a juggler. Do you think we are busier than ever?
Today's letter is J on the Blogging A to Z Challenge
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Raised five very active kids and was always running here and there; school activities, sports, church, taxi service.
ReplyDeleteNow the nest is empty, hubby's retired and since I was a sahm who only did volunteer work i find myself smack in the middle of a big transition.
We have a lot of free time. I find that I'm terrible at managing those empty spaces much more so now then the busy times, before i was a better juggler then free time person.
In the book, Eat That Frog that I blogged about last Saturday, the author said the busier we are the more we get done.
DeleteI understand what you mean about managing the empty spaces. Since I am no longer busy morning to night with necessary tasks, I should be getting different, additional things accomplished. But instead I seem to still be busy but accomplishing less. Does that make sense?
Lol, I have done juggling post today! We all juggle along.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog and your kind comment. I have to agree with you; I do think there is a lot of juggling going along; life seemed so much more simpler and slower without the technology we have that was supposed to make our lives simpler and slower. Maybe we need to unplug every once in awhile and learn to relax and rest :)
ReplyDeletegood luck with the rest of the challenge!
betty
You're absolutely right. It does feel like the entire world is doing too much. The world needs to take a mental health day or two.
ReplyDeleteI feel as if I'm on the cusp of becoming a juggler again. For the past two years, I was very careful about committing my time. Lately I've gotten on board with a few causes that I'm passionate about, and I'm finally ready to get involved again. I will be struggling though to keeping my schedule pared down to manageable while still remaining active.
ReplyDeleteGood post!
It's the balancing act that's so tough isn't it? We don't want to juggle a zillion balls, but we also don't want to stand there with empty hands.
DeleteFor several years I have kept my commitments to a minimum so that I could focus on the things that are most important to me. Right now I'm on the edge of making more commitments since I have issues that I'm passionate about that call for my involvement.
ReplyDeleteI will have to be diligent not to allow these extra commitments to take over my life. I really don't like that feeling of being overwhelmed!
Good post!