Balancing Act

Being a grown up isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be, am I right? Trying to balance work life with family life, not to mention maybe a social life or some hobbies mixed in there is very challenging. Even in good times it can feel like walking a tight rope while juggling. Add in a global pandemic and things get really interesting (and I don’t mean that in a good way). While things are certainly progressing, I think it is harder for women. Many working mothers take on more of the household and child care responsibilities than their husbands, not necessarily because they’re better equipped, but because that’s how it’s always been. Furthermore, whether we like to admit it or not, women still make less money than men, so it makes more sense for the mothers to be the ones to stay home or reduce their work hours if the situation calls for it. Before you assume that I’m biased because I am a woman, there is evidence to suggest that women in the workforce have experienced more losses than men during the pandemic (see link at the end of this post).

Aside from sweeping policy changes, not much can be done about this in the near future. I think women need to stick together and show up for each other even more right now. If this pandemic has taught us anything, I think it has amplified our common humanity and the fact that we all struggle. It may seem obvious and intuitive for most people, but I think we can easily forget that we are never alone. There is always someone experiencing a similar situation and if we reach out, we can gain strength from one another.

What else can we do to get through this? I am finding during this pandemic that focusing on gratitude and finding pleasure in small things has gotten me through some tough days. Gratitude truly makes a difference (see link at end of this post). I think sometimes gratitude is what helps us take things day-by-day. If your week is full of activities and responsibilities and you have no idea how to get it all done, just do the next thing on your list. Get through today and be proud of what you accomplished, even if it was “just a few loads of laundry.” Notice things. Instead of going through the motions, stop and look at the way the sunlight reflects things or shines on things as you walk around. Cherish the way your children smile and laugh with each other when they’re actually getting along (yes, I too, sometimes wonder whether my children remember they love each other). Thank your partner for making your coffee or picking up some milk on the way home. Little things add up when we are paying attention. Here is a list of some things I have been reflecting on and feeling thankful for lately:

Watching my daughter read to my son

Savoring the smell of my coffee and the warmth of the mug in my hands

More family movie and game nights

Watching my dog try to lick peanut butter off of her nose

Receiving a message from an old friend at just the right time

Writing actual letters again

The <crunch, crunch> sound my feet make when I’m walking on the snow

Soaking in the fleeting sun on cold winter days, especially when it makes little sparkles on the snow

Drop a comment for me about what’s making you grateful today!

https://www.rand.org/blog/2020/11/women-are-leaving-the-labor-force-in-record-numbers.html

/https://thriveglobal.com/stories/why-gratitude-matters/