I've always used my vacation time at work for trips or events...not just for staying at home. But this year I decided to take some time off to work on preparing for baby-- and just enjoying some extra time at home. I'm having some conflicting desires within me on my first few days off though!! Part of me has a GIANT list of things to get done in this time (I might even post it for some accountability) and the other part of me wants to just read and relax and pray and take a break from meal planning and cleaning and such. You can imagine those two parts of me are NOT getting along. ;)
This past day is a perfect example of it...last night I stayed up until past midnight reading a Christian fiction suspense novel...and then sat on the porch for most of the morning finishing it. haha. I felt like a teenager again! But then the Martha in me got to work and organized the baby's closet and put all the washed clothes away (so stinkin' cute to see the tiny outfits!). Yet now I'm left with zero energy and time to make dinner...good thing we have some leftover taco ingredients.
So. Here are my questions to you this week:
How do you deal with the Mary/Martha syndrome-- when part of you wants to relax and enjoy life and the other part of you realizes there's so much stuff to do?!
Have you ever taken a staycation? What was your favorite part about it-- or how would you spend a week off at home if you could?
Have a sunny day, sweet friends!
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I remember doing that late in pregnancy! I'd go on a cleaning spree of the house or baby's room and then I'd be completely wiped out for the rest of the day.
ReplyDeleteYes!! It's so challenging because you have the nesting desires but not the energy to go with it!! ;)
DeleteFor me, I feel so much better if I am productive first. Then I don't stress later on and usually have more time to relax after the fact and truly relax instead of have my list at the back of my mind. That being said there have been plenty of late night/early morning reading sessions!
ReplyDeleteSo true. I think that's why I can't relax as much at the beginning...I feel like I need to get some things done first! ;) The challenge comes when there's no way to get it all done in two weeks...so I'm gonna have to find the balance of accomplishing a certain amount each day and then just chilling.
DeleteI don't think I've ever taken a full week staycation, but mine sound exactly like yours! I always have a huge "To-Do" list, that I go in with the best intentions, but then it's 6PM on Day 1 and all I've done is read and ate and napped, and I suddenly spring into "Martha mode" trying to get at least half of my list done before bedtime!
ReplyDeleteAh, yes...reading gets the best of me every time...but so worth it!
DeleteLaura, that's wonderful that you're getting a staycation! Oh goodness, I can so relate to this. Like Emily mentioned, for me it helps to be a little productive first-just picking a task or two helps me feel accomplished and then I'll be super chill about things. In fact, so-I randomly gave birth last Tuesday (at 38 weeks, 6 days), and when we came home from the hospital on Thursday, I went on a cleaning spree with my husband. Our apartment looked like a tornado had blown through it, and I knew I wouldn't be able to totally relax unless a couple of key things were done. So, we did a couple things, and then chilled out and left the rest to do at another time. In fact, this whole postpartum time period has involved me doing one or two "productive" things, and then spending loads of time reading, breastfeeding, burping out baby, and doing nothing on the couch.
ReplyDeleteAlso, as someone who procrastinated on everything baby-related, I just want to reassure you that it will all work out. (to give you an idea of how we procrastinated...we bought a car seat on Saturday evening-June 5-and it was sitting in our living room in the box. On June 7, I went into labor, so my husband hurriedly unpacked it, brought it to the hospital, and a nurse helped him install it. Everything works out in the end!)
Girl!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I am so excited to hear about your birth and baby boy!!! I look forward to reading more on your blog!!
DeleteAnd thanks for the encouragement-- my husband says the same thing-- we are technically ready even if it's not up to my expectations. ;)
Thanks! These past two weeks been a blessing and a huge adventure. Definitely some struggles in adjusting, but it's been really wonderful overall :) I'm glad that it sounds like your husband is being very encouraging, that's really great!
DeleteA staycation sounds like just the thing to prepare for baby! I've definitely come to the end of free time and wondered what in the world I actually accomplished besides reading. Then you get things done quickly and wonder why you didn't do them in the first place! I agree that getting something done earlier then relaxing is a nice order of the day. Maybe a to-do list to check off would help, but include fun things on it too!
ReplyDeletehaha. Very true about when you have less time, you sometimes get more done. ;) I agree about a nice mix on the to-do list, with fun things too!
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