How do you find the time?
With all the roles I fulfill--woman, wife, mom, worker, writer--I am always asked where or HOW I find the time? I steal it. From my husband. Housework. Son. And from anyone or thing that is willing to let me steal five minutes of time I should be spending or paying attention to them.
I'm making no bones about it. I really do steal time away from something else (you know the saying... stealing from Peter to pay Paul)... and I do this ALL day long. Right now--I should be watching, interacting, or maybe even challenging my son in some educational or fun activity. But instead, I have water ready to boil on the stove for dinner, the television blaring The Little Mermaid, and my laptop open so I can write this. If I didn't steal this time--I would never write. And thus, not be trying to reach my dream of publishing a novel and honing my craft of writing.
Now, it isn't all the time I am stealing from my son or housework (or husband). Most times it is stealing time from myself. I haven't watched television since my son was born. Well, all right--that is a slight exaggeration--but mostly true. I don't remember the last time I sat down to watch television in the evening. Usually it is household duties. Dinner. Bedtime routines all round. Then--writing time. So, in essence, I am stealing valuable sleeping time from myself.
Some people call this time management--but it is more like juggling my needs versus everyone else's. This time around in my life, I am choosing to put my needs first. GASP! What a concept right? Well, I admit it isn't as self-righteous as it sounds. In almost all other aspects of my life, I tend to be a people pleaser. But this time--I am taking what I can get. I've waiting long enough giving my time for others to reach their dreams. Now, I'm in it for myself.
I'm making no bones about it. I really do steal time away from something else (you know the saying... stealing from Peter to pay Paul)... and I do this ALL day long. Right now--I should be watching, interacting, or maybe even challenging my son in some educational or fun activity. But instead, I have water ready to boil on the stove for dinner, the television blaring The Little Mermaid, and my laptop open so I can write this. If I didn't steal this time--I would never write. And thus, not be trying to reach my dream of publishing a novel and honing my craft of writing.
Now, it isn't all the time I am stealing from my son or housework (or husband). Most times it is stealing time from myself. I haven't watched television since my son was born. Well, all right--that is a slight exaggeration--but mostly true. I don't remember the last time I sat down to watch television in the evening. Usually it is household duties. Dinner. Bedtime routines all round. Then--writing time. So, in essence, I am stealing valuable sleeping time from myself.
Some people call this time management--but it is more like juggling my needs versus everyone else's. This time around in my life, I am choosing to put my needs first. GASP! What a concept right? Well, I admit it isn't as self-righteous as it sounds. In almost all other aspects of my life, I tend to be a people pleaser. But this time--I am taking what I can get. I've waiting long enough giving my time for others to reach their dreams. Now, I'm in it for myself.
