Thursday, 15th August 2024 — Have you ever planned things to do? You’ve developed strategies, and you can see them working practically. But when life’s challenges start dancing in front of you like a performer in a cultural show, you suddenly find yourself unable to accomplish all you’ve set out to do.
I’m not just worn out but also stressed, tired, and unable to even think. This has been my reality for the past two weeks. When I say I’m unable to think, I’m specifically referring to the particular work I had planned. I just wasn’t in the right headspace for it. Every time I tried to focus, other pressing family needs kept pulling my attention away. By the time everyone else was asleep—well, I did mention earlier that I stay at home, looking after the kids—I just wanted to rest. You know how it is; after everything, even when the house is quiet, you crave some time for yourself. But functioning at your best during those late hours can be tough. That’s been my experience. It’s been hard. I kept thinking, time is ticking, it’s ticking away, and I need to get this done. Otherwise, it’s going to become a real pain.
Despite the limited time, I managed to look at my calendar and replan. I decided that even if I could only manage one or two hours a day, I’d focus on that time and make the most of it. On Thursday, 15th August, I put one of these strategies to the test. This week, my wife has late-day shifts, so I’ve got a few hours in the morning to myself. I quickly head to school, spend about two hours, and focus intensely on what I need to do. I haven’t been journaling simply because I haven’t had the time. Last week, she was on night shifts, and today has been incredibly busy. There’s just no way to fit everything in. When she comes back in the morning, she needs to rest, so I have to figure out how to balance everything.
I won’t lie to you; being a researcher is difficult. Why am I even busier than usual? It’s because the OA2 tutoring idea has officially started, and I’ve got a few students already. My busiest days are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Today, I’m trying to see how much I can do for the family, for myself, and for my research before heading off to tutor. Luckily, I’ve got a big mama here who helps out, so she looks after the kids while I’m tutoring, giving her a bit of a break too.
So, that’s a reflection on my day, Thursday, 15th August. We keep moving forward, no matter what. But it’s also important to remember that we need to rest. I need to give my body some downtime, like a restful treat. And by the way, when I’m too tired to write or read, I invest my care duties in listening to podcasts or watching a particular historic TV series, Vikings: Valhalla. It’s on Netflix—a fascinating history of the British Kingdom in its early days. The interactions between the Vikings and King Edmund, the young king who’s an ancestor of the current royal lineage, are particularly intriguing. But I’ll stop there for today. Let’s keep things moving.
Reflective Lesson:
Today’s takeaway is a reminder that while it’s essential to stay on track and manage our responsibilities, we must also be kind to ourselves. Life is a balance between pushing forward and knowing when to rest. The body and mind need recovery time, and sometimes the best way to stay productive is to step back and recharge. Remember, it’s not about doing it all at once but about making consistent, thoughtful progress—even if it’s just one or two hours at a time. And when you’re too tired to keep up with your usual tasks, it’s okay to switch gears—learn something new, find inspiration, or simply enjoy a moment of rest.
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