Tags
Balance a tabac, by Jean Poussin
Balance: It’s something I’m seeking in more ways than one right now. Being 5 1/2 months pregnant, I have to pause before I descend the stairs, or I am inclined to descend headfirst. Being 5 1/2 months pregnant, I also have to decide day by day how much work I’m going to pursue as a freelancer and try to predict (ha!) how much work I’ll be able to do once the baby comes. If I take on too much, my life will feel like falling downstairs, and I don’t want my baby to be neglected or overscheduled the moment she’s born.
I think I’m doing a whole lot better at this balance thing than I used to, but that’s not really saying much. Some days I’m happy to put up my feet and absorb the experience of not being harried–I know I’ll treasure it later–others I get anxious that there’s work out there I could be doing that I’m not searching hard enough to find.
Then I remind myself how serendipitous my move into freelancing (and motherhood) was, how things always work out, how God takes such excellent care of us and always makes good on His promises, and I go back to plugging away at the day’s work. One day at a time. One thing at a time. People before things, relationships and health before accomplishments. I look for more work when I feel able to handle it, and if it doesn’t like me back, it wasn’t meant to be. That’s the best I can do. And you know what the big difference is between today-Laura and yesterday-Laura? My best is good enough. Is that balance? It’s a balancing act, that’s for sure.
How do you achieve balance, particularly if you set your own schedule? It’s a challenge for everyone, but freelancers face this issue on a daily basis, and now I’m more aware than ever of what a challenge it is for the unemployed as well. Do you have a mantra that helps you get centered again, or a guidepost of how much is too much work (beyond just knowing you need to work enough to keep the lights on)?
From your writing it can be assumed that this is your first child. Your ability to focus will sharpen (parental instincts), your productivity will increase (pure necessity), you will quickly be drawn to center (childhood demands) and you will be able to relax and not hurry with personal things, because it becomes apparent that this ‘parent thing’ goes on for years. I have four, from 27 to 15, and it all still goes on. Don’t worry though, there are plenty of stories to be written along the way and you will soon realize that all of the experiences are worth it.
Yes, it’s my first. I know everything will fall into place; I’m just the type of person that likes to be as prepared and responsible as possible, so I tend to overthink. Thanks for the kind words.