It has been a hectic Summer.
It is crazy to believe the kids are back in school this upcoming week? Our summer has been jam packed with activities, play dates, camps, and other commitments that have been both fun and time consuming. There has not been any down time. I decided to take some time off from my day job to hang out with my kids and have a lazy last week of summer. I do not want to make any big decisions, I want to sleep in, and I want my kids to feel they do not have to be anywhere at any particular time unless they want to. I do not want to dwell on what I did not get done today. The biggest reason is because I'm burnt.
I know every type of work is subject to burnout. We all hustle. I have been feeling the burnout symptoms of my day job for months. I am starting to think that I have to change my mindset to avoid staying in eternal burnout mode. I recently listened the the podcast Magical Overthinkers. The topic was on burnout. This podcast spoke to me, because it was describing me.
Burning the candle at both ends. Survival mode. Tired mode. Whatever you want to call it. I need a fucking break from it all. But I have not felt like I have spent any time with my kids this summer. I have seen them between work and carting them to a drop off or pick up from some activity to help them shape them into some sort of functional adult. But I have not seen them. We have not spent time.
I am also tired of planning and making decisions. I don't want to make the calendar for everyone. I do not want to plan dinner. I do not want to know what time the pizza needs to be in the oven for. I want to see where the wind takes me. And this is coming from me, I am a total type A personality control freak.
So, from now until the first day of school we are having the last lazy days of summer. There is a staycation involved because Oceanside is a great place to vacation. I need to get out of my house to truly relax. Otherwise, I will just be going around the house taking on tasks that need attention, but I will not get what I need or my family needs. There will not be any time tables, alarms, or formal plans. There will be sleeping in, pools, beaches, late nights, s'mores, eating out, eating in, sunsets, surf, laughter, night time talks, and movies. Right up until the first day of school.
Take your breaks. Take your PTO. Work will survive without you, no matter how important your job is. Take the girls trip away from your children. Take the trip with your spouse. Spend one on one time with your kids. Spend some time to rest. Spend some time to laugh. Spend time with your circle of people that love you most.
Work is something you do. Work is something that pays the bills. No matter what your role. Even if it is an important one. Taking time will make you better at what you do. Rest will help you regroup. It will make you better at what you do. The sad truth is we all can be replaced in our place of employment. No matter our skill level, no matter our specialty. They will move forward without you. There is no legacy. And no one gets an award for the most overworked. It is weird how work culture "awards" those who do this. But in the end will it really matter? Even if you save a million babies or find the cure for cancer, your circle of love is who matters most. Be with your people and enjoy our locals Summer. It is the most wonderful time of the year in my book.
See you around Oceanside!
