Elle returned to school full time, and consequently, I returned to work.  Things seem to be slowly settling in to a new normal.  It was a busy week with Papi now in soccer and Elle dancing three days a week. \

Saturdays are split between his soccer games and her recital practice.  I’m trying desperately not to fall into the bad habit of trying to do it all, and doing it all myself.  2020 was a hard pill to swallow, and an intense realization that I was way too busy. I’m trying to keep everything I took away from it fresh in my mind, but I also know that I’m naturally a goal and task oriented person. I find self-worth in my productivity.

I learned that it shouldn’t define me, but I’ve also accepted that it is a big part of who I am.  I get things done, that’s what I do (or at least that’s what I’m telling myself in 2021).

Finding a balance in what I take on is the new mission.  I need to figure out what is a realistic goal, because although we are capable of so much, it doesn’t mean we should do it all.  Burn out is real, and it’s not often cured with a Sunday of self-care or a weekend getaway (although it often helps, but it’s more of a band-aid than a treatment).

I’m going to share my game plan for 2021 in hopes that, if you’re anything like me and thrive on being busy, it might help you slow your roll.

1. Prioritize.  Figure out what and who deserves your time and energy because neither of these things are endless. When I say ‘deserve,’ I mean it. People who bring joy in to your life and that genuinely, whole heartedly love you and yours.   Those are the people who deserve your time and energy, the rest  most definitely do not.
2. Plan & Schedule.  There’s time for what needs to be done, but wasting time doesn’t help the cause.  I plan my day and try to figure out how to multitask so that I have more free time when I need it.  Example: I go home for lunch and eat while I fold a load of laundry,  and I have the kid’s bags ready for their activities ahead of time.  I leave everything out the night before so I’m not scrambling in the mornings.  I get everyone up 20 minutes earlier than scheduled so if something is off, we have wiggle room to be punctual.
3. Ask for help.  Things get done efficiently with a team.  There’s a role for everyone, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.  The “it takes a village” saying is not just a saying.  I have learned to ask my husband for help.  I know this not a novel idea but if I’m being honest, this was a hard concept for me to grasp.  I’m the kind of person (even as a kid) that wanted to do it all myself.  This does not translate over well in to parenting.

I’m learning, and I’m growing.  I don’t have this new reality figured out, but I do know that no matter what, moving forward is what we do.  We evolve and we adapt, and somehow, we always pull through.  So if you’re feeling any certain way about easing into your post-covid routine, the best advice I can give you is just to start. Know things are not the same as they were before and find the beauty in the new, find what has healed, and focus on that. So, change out of your sweats (or don’t), and embrace the “new norm” (yeah I hate that term too), but what are we gonna do!
XOXO Linda Parra