I am utterly exhausted as we complete the second (work) week of the year. Trying to balance work, finishing/writing a dissertation, university commitments, family responsibilities, and taking care of myself is entirely exhausting.

So much has happened in the last week that my head is still spinning. Of course, this is not the way I want to start the year off. Yet, with everything going on, I was able to accomplish things in all the areas I needed to this week.

Now at 3:00 pm on Friday, I sit here listening to a department workshop webinar, and all I can think about is how I can get organized and get done what I need to and what I want to.

Before I decided to start writing this blog post, I started making a to-do list. But I could not write one write. I have reached the point that I cannot put what is floating around in my mind down on paper. Part myself says I need to get away from things, but realistically I know that will not accomplish anything. The more realistic part of me says I need to dive and get things done – but how do you do that?????

How do successful people balance it ALL – work, family, personal interest, etc.???????

There are people I know who balance many things and thrive doing so. They do not seem to be exhausted and seem to keep it together. Why can I not do this??? Is it just that our bodies/minds operate differently?

The feeling that balancing life is exhausting is not just a recent feeling, but I have been struggling with it for a while. The reality of this feeling has become more intense over recent years with COVID, which has also coincided with trying to complete a dissertation (write and research).

… I just pushed end on the department webinar, which means I no longer have to be tied to the computer screen, thus I can get up and move about the house. So I am going to try to get things done. I will do my best to avoid the couch, which is life-sucking (energy-sucking) but also so comfortable and easy.