For the most part, I prefer to be upbeat when I write blog posts. No, I’m not Pollyanna, but I also think there is enough negativity in this world without reading more of it in the blogs I choose to read “for fun.” I love sarcasm as much as the next person (and sometimes even more which I definitely have to keep in check!) but I personally don’t love to read blogs that constantly revolve around bitching or stressing or whining. Guess that means I’ll never end up as a fav on GOMI, but I’m cool with it.
Having clarified that, I have been awfully hard on myself this week and I finally decided today that I was just going to ease off and simmer down with the self abuse. What am I talking about?
Here’s the deal: my life right now is out-of-control hectic. I know there are a lot of lurkers that hate it when bloggers claim to be insanely busy, but I honestly can barely stay afloat. Y’all know that I recently moved, but I didn’t really divulge that my bouncing around included stops at my old place, my new place, my parents’ house and a storage unit. I haven’t been able to locate my belongings for weeks now, and I’m essentially living in workout clothes because that’s the only box I can locate!
Additionally, we are smack in the middle of busy season for work and this year has been far more hectic than usual. We made the executive decision to hire fewer employees this year to maintain a tight-knit and cohesive group. I really think our current staff is awesome and I am thrilled with the results of that decision, but it has made our season of chaos a bit more overwhelming. I have been arriving at work between 6:45-7am and the first six hours are typically bananas. As I mentioned in this post, I do a lot of different things for our company, but I’m currently split between designing and air traffic controlling….for lack of a better phrase! Our suppliers have a noon deadline for the following day’s orders, so I have to get all of our installs designed and ordered before lunch. My mom and I have been tag teaming with this, but I also have to help the crew with the projects that they are working on every day. This typically involves lots of questions and phone calls, and some days are more ridiculous than others. Will was shocked when I told him that I had received 74 calls on my work cell before noon today, and no, that’s not a typo. (For my real life friends, this is why you aren’t getting phone calls from me!) I don’t like to complain about busy season because I still think that my fam and I are incredibly fortunate to have the small business that we do—the perks are off the hook (freedom of schedule, three months off in the winter, etc)! However, it does mean that the month of May is catastrophic of sorts, and all we can really do is put our heads down and push through it.
Moreover, I somehow managed to sign on for quite a bit of freelance work that all appears to be due within the next few weeks. Could I have made better life choices on this? Of course I could have, but these projects excite me and I’m stoked to be working on them. As I mentioned a few weeks back, I’ve teamed up with Active Junky for freelance pieces in the past, but our upcoming project is far larger than anything we’ve done together. They have a Women’s Backpacking Gear Guide coming out in early summer, and I’ll be one of the main writers/contributors for the guide. What does that mean? I’m smack in the middle of calling in products, testing gear in the backcountry, and writing reviews on each individual item. I’m reviewing well over 10 products, so it is a fair bit of work, but I’m definitely not about to start crying a river. I mean, I get to try out sweet new gear and test it out for review….if that’s not a first world problem, then I’m not sure what is!
Having explained my life-in-a-nutshell, let me now tell you why I’ve been so hard on myself: my workouts have completely leaped to the back burner. In fact, I’m pretty sure they’ve nose dived straight off the stovetop and are smashed into the floor below! It’s Thursday, and I’m currently sitting on a whopping zero for the week. Yup, I haven’t done anything remotely sweat-inducing since this past weekend’s backpacking excursion (recap to come next week!) In fact, I only went to CrossFit once LAST week, and my most recent run was on Sunday, May 19 when Will tried to kill me by speed. I never thought I’d be one to say this, but there honestly isn’t any time in my schedule right now. I’ve worn workout clothes to the shop for the past three days in hopes that I’d be able to sneak away to Big Horn for an hour, but I always end up glued to my phone or computer, hustling to get stuff done.
It’s the nature of the beast, but it took me until today to finally ease off with the self criticism and accept that this chaos is temporary. I’ve been mentally hammering on myself to do something, afraid that my current fitness level is ebbing away, but I’ve finally realized that a two or three week break isn’t the end of the world. I won’t fall apart, my muscles won’t atrophy, and while my sanity may suffer, I’ll trade that in for an extra hour of sleep. I’ve had a fever and a sore throat off and on for the past ten days, and I know that my body just needs a break. Work and writing are not optional, but stressing over every free minute to find a spot for a quick run definitely is not mandatory. It’s that whole priority thing. I tend to put everything in the number one spot, and I think I’m finally deciding to rearrange that. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to get back on track next week, but we’ll see. If I don’t, I’m sure not going to stress over it!
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When’s the last time you threw your hands up and cried uncle?
25 Comments
OMG. Too funny – I have almost the same post posting tomorrow! I feel ya, sista. Hang in there!
I’ll keep my eyes peeled 🙂
Wait, are you sure you’re not banana buzzbomb? 😉 Sounds like we’ve flip flopped when it’s come to all of this. What would Heather say to me in this instance? Hmmmm. Just chill my friend. Take life as it comes. With all that running around you’re doing I’m sure you’re getting plenty of working out in. Hang in there!
Thanks friend 🙂
Perfectly said!! You would make yourself sick if you arn’t careful… I had to take 2 weeks off after starting my new job because I was getting so little sleep and every free moment went to making sure I was on top of work and preparing for the next day.
Your body will appreciate the rest and you will come back stronger than ever when you do eventually find the time again!
I had to take 4 weeks off of crossfit in April due to time management and stress! It happens unfortunately! I hope you find a way to slow things down!! This is a great post that we all can benefit from!! Thanks for another great post! Have a RELAXING night if you can!
Thanks for the compliments, Andrea. Glad to hear that you were able to bounce back and get back out there!
Dang! I know you’re not one to complain–glad your family’s business is busy!! Hang in there, decide what deserves priority (Tals, obviously) and breathe. June will be better, yes?! So exciting that you have so many opportunities to review gear you really love and use!! Your body won’t forget how to workout either! 😉
Oooh, Tals and I are made at each other 🙂 She attacked a wounded bird in the backyard last night and I was so stressed that I just started crying! What a punk! And you’re right– at least we are busy which is so good and I’m definitely thankful for that– much better than the alternative!
I’m suffering through that today, though mine is the result of ennui rather than being too busy. I made the resolution to get back to the gym tomorrow because I’ve worked too hard lately to let it go now. Don’t beat yourself up, Heather! Priorities are priorities, and sleep is muy importante!
Thanks Art 🙂 And I promise, email coming soon!
When was the last time you cried uncle, you ask? Um, how about right now in my life. My boyfriend took a fantastic job—in Alaska. I took one in Helena, Montana. He moved last week. The movers came today for my stuff and put it into storage. I too am now living out of a suitcase. I have to have the house cleaned by the tomorrow for my landlord to hand the keys over. This includes the yard, mowing the lawn, planting sod, ect. Last weekend, my truck, which I was trying to last through the move took a turn for the worse and I had to buy a new car pronto. This meant all new roof racks, and a new hitch and hitch rack for the bikes for this move. In between I am teaching my first official college course at the University. From here, I live out of a friends’ house for a week finishing up teaching, then head to Salt Lake for another teaching gig and after that I can head to Helena to call the movers to move my stuff up there. (sorry to vent and go off on a tangent). I am so with you. But, you said it—chaos is temporary. Our hard work will pay off and when life settles down it will all be worth it. Good for you for easing up on yourself. I probably need to take a page of that book.
Holy cow, Kaitlyn! I think you definitely trump me because that all sounds INSANE! All good things (other than the long distance) but so much chaos and stress. When it all settles, you’ll have time to be so proud of everything you’re accomplishing. Good luck!
I wouldn’t say mine trumps yours, we’ve both got a lot going on. It’s hard when everything is in different places.Good luck!
it’s good to give your body a break everynow and then anyway. When you do get back at it you will be so fresh! Hope your sore throat and fever go away soon and things slow down a little so you can get back at it.
Thanks Christy! Hope you’re feeling better soon too 🙂
Moving is probably really just the straw that broke the camel’s back – it’s so stressful! In my last class the professor liked to say “you can do anything, but you can’t do everything” and I thought it was pretty good although I’m not one for inspirational quotes. I don’t know if I’ve thrown up my hands and cried uncle with workouts – sometimes other stuff just takes priority, and you are not going to lose years of fitness in a few weeks! I’ve definitely considered quitting my second job more than once though, especially when it was on top of two grad classes and tutoring and, oh yeah, that full time job I have. Good luck!
I often think of how busy you are because two jobs and grad school sounds so rough– and you make it look freaking easy!
It is ok chica. I completely understand 150%. We are in the uber thick of our busy landscaping season as well here up North. I have been to ballet once in the past 2 weeks, my blog hasn’t been updated in months, my website redo that was supposed to be finished by April 1st is still not launched, and did I mention we are adding onto our house an living in a construction?? (brilliant timing let me tell ya!) The good news is things settle as you know into a lovely groove come late June and then before you know it it will be November, and you guys will be settled in your house wondering where the time went. You are doing great! Just breathe and don’t forget to chant, it will soon be winter, it will soon be winter. 🙂
So glad you are just real, Heather! I am pretty sick of hearing every other blog post start with “sorry I haven’t blogged ’cause I’m so busy.” I love you’re “I’m not sorry, but here’s the truth” attitude. You sound way busy and the fact that you still do blog is amazing!
This month has also been crazy busy for me, and I wasn’t planning on it. I have a lot of goals with my blog, but it becomes the last priority because work and friends & family are more important. Doesn’t mean I don’t want to blog. I just have a lot of responsibility elsewhere!
Amen sister…seriously though we are all there. Just glad to keep reading about ya..Ed
Sometimes in life, something has to give. I’m sorry for all you’re in the midst of…hold on until you can come up for air! Your fitness base is there, too, so don’t stress over it. You’ll bounce back.
Big hug!
Funny that you had the perfect canine pictures to go along with this post! haha.
Sorry your life is so crazy right now, good thing or bad thing, it’s still stressful! At least you have Will there now, to help ease the pains, I know sometimes I’d never be able to handle everything on my plate without Patrick’s help.
And don’t worry about missing a few workouts; it’s even harder to come back after being knocked on your ass from a fatigue induced sickness.
I’ve been crying uncle for the past month or so. Life still isn’t listening to me. I totally hear you about life being crazy. It’s awesome that you have great freelance opportunities!! It’s hard to turn those down when you’re excited about them. Hang in there and I hope that things calm down soon.
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