I’m a working mom and wife, who travels, cooks, cleans, loves, enjoys exercise and is a social butterfly. I was recently asked what my personal values are. Family, passion, integrity, work ethic, efficiency, enjoying the pleasures in life and balance; these values are pretty high on my list. Lately I’ve been feeling a little imbalanced, so I’m inspired to write.
Writing is something I enjoy and lately I haven’t made the time to do it. The time is now, as I head home from our bi-annual sales meeting in British Columbia to see my son. I’m thrilled. I get to spend an entire 3 weeks with him before my next trip, which brings great joy to my soul. As I go about my ever-changing daily routine, I’ve caught myself thinking about what balance means to me.
My son is just over 1 year old and is full of energy; he doesn’t sit still; ever. It’s amazing to me how active and curious he is; and let me tell you, it’s exhausting! I wake up early, start my pot of coffee and anxiously wait to hear my son babbling in his crib. By the time 9pm rolls around, I finally have a moment to myself. At this point I’m usually exhausted and want to zone out in front of the television with my husband; romantic, I know. My exercise routine has been slipping, along with other self-care activities, such as journaling each morning, blogging and doing yoga on occasion.
I consider myself a highly productive person. I’ve always been this way; never one to sit still. I’m efficient and have a lot of energy, which makes life as a working mom more bearable! However, as of a year ago, the demands of my daily responsibilities and ambitions have, at times, been just too much; it’s time to give myself a break.
So I’m retiring.
Totally kidding! Our VP of HR subscribes to my newsletter, so this would be quite a shock! No, I just choose to change; to get up earlier, light a candle in the morning, brew my coffee and journal, even if its just for 15 minutes before I hear the cooing sounds of my little boy in the room down the hall. This is my time to relax. I’m also learning to delegate more both at home and at work because let’s face it, I can’t do everything.
I’m blessed with a loving, committed, husband who is more than willing to pitch in. At least one night a week he is now on dinner duty; which allows me more time to spend with my son in the evenings after daycare. When on the road for work, I go to bed early and I don’t over-indulge so I can wake up refreshed and ready for a workout. At home, I schedule time in between meetings or after work for a long run with my son in the BOB (he loves the fresh air and ride!) or I fit in a quick strength-training workout. Every little bit helps maintain balance.
One of the best pieces of advice I have received as a new, working, mom was from our CEO. I asked him how he balances it all and he said he chooses to be present wherever he is, whether at work or at home with his family. That really resonated with me and though I have not perfectly achieved this ideal, I’m working on it daily.
Being a mom is the greatest privilege I have ever embraced, and working with reckless abandon is a value that energizes me each and every day. I’m humbled and grateful for being able to work full-time in an industry I love and raise my son with a stand-up man in a city that we adore. Family, passion, integrity, work-ethic, efficiency, enjoying the pleasures in life and balance are all virtues and values that serve as a compass for each decision I make, and the time has come, once again, to balance them all.
