Kristin von Ogtrop's book about working moms, 'Just Let Me Lie Down'
Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? (Author: Alice Bradley)
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This year I have let go of overcommitment, of busy-ness.
For the past six years I have been going crazy a bit.
I have been on the board of one organization or another. I have worked part-time (and sometimes full-time) from my home and cafes all over Silicon Valley. I have said yes to this project and that speaking engagement and to bringing the snack.
I have worked hard and learned a lot, but also made many friends. These organizations and commitments have been a big part of my community, especially since I have had kids.
But…I needed a break.
Last spring I had lunch with Kristin van Ogtrop, the editor of Real Simple magazine, as part of a Silicon Valley Moms Blog Book Club event. She was talking about her new book “Just Let Me Lie Down.” As much as I resonated with things Kristin talks about in her book from a working mom perspective, she said something that day that struck me as a way I do not want to live my life. She said something along the lines of having to give up friends, as her life was too busy.
I nodded, but my brow furrowed. What happened to my friends? I mean, really happened? What time did I have for them? Life HAD gotten too busy.
This was a sad, sad statement to me.
So I let go of a lot of things this year in order to claim some time and sanity back for myself and for my family.
Some were hard to give up – being on the board of my kids’ preschool, for instance. I love those people and I liked being a part of shaping what our school would be up to. But I decided I could do that in other ways. It is Ava’s last year at Explorer and I want to just soak it up and be there as a “regular” parent. I’m enjoying my time with my school friends without the added responsibilities of board work.
I’m much happier for letting go. And for getting back.
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This post is part of the #reverb10 challenge. Read all of my #reverb10 posts here and please let me know if you are doing the challenge too, so I can read your posts too!
