The Burden of a Working Mum: Slow down or else
Today’s society is complicated and stressful. Life is moving at such a fast pace and combined with the increase in living expenses, many families are struggling to survive. Mums juggling work and family commitments are increasingly feeling stressed; time poor and over committed.
Like many other mums, I need to work. In an effort to be as involved in my children’s life as possible, I chose to start my own business so that I could work from3 home and around my children’s schedules. While I do not regret the decision to create MumsDelivery, it has put a number of pressures on my family and ultimate has left me time poor, extremely busy and super stressed.
Over the years I have tried a number of ways to ‘manage the balance’ better; each with varying success. With two in school this year I thought I would finally get ahead and have extra time. I felt as though I was getting better at managing it all, however unfortunately so far this year my ‘extra’ time has been taken up with a lot of doctor’s appointments over the last few months with the final outcome: “You are overstressed and need to do something drastic or your body will continue to shut down; to a point where it will do irreparable damage”
Basically my desire to be an involved mum, a good wife, a good business woman and an adequate housekeeper has meant that for years I have been burning the candle from both ends and it has now caught up to me. I have hit the crux and my body is letting me know in a very dramatic way that if I do not slow down it will enforce a breakdown.
My doctor has given me the following advice.
De-stress: Cut down on work (his exact words were ‘quit your job’) and try not to stress over finances.
Slow down: get a hobby, take time out, have more sex.
Exercise: The endorphin’s stimulated by exercise will help your body function better and will make you feel happier.
Change your diet: Drink less alcohol, cut out dairy (sinus issues), and in general eat healthier.
I left the meeting feeling stuck between a rock and a hard place. I get what he is saying; however it is my own business – I cannot cut down on the work. I know that finances shouldn’t stress you, however money isn’t going to grow on trees, bills always have to be paid and when money is not in abundance; it can be stressful. In terms of slowing down, I explained to the doctor that I don’t even have time to take 5 minutes for myself let alone do exercise or get a hobby! His ultimate words “This is the advice I am giving you. Take it and get better or change nothing and the next time I see you, you will have more health issues.”
So with that, I left the office, feeling worried, deflated, scared and unsure. I now need to work out how I can get better and re-organise my life.
I know there are so many other mums feeling like this…join me on this personal journey and together we can try to discover ways to de-stress and to cope with the demands on today’s working mum.
Are you one? Have you been through something similar? What tips could you give me on how to slow down and follow the doctor’s orders?
