Doing It All
“I don’t know how you do it all…”
“HOW do you get it all done?”
These are things that I hear a lot.
When I first started getting comments like the ones above, something in me felt so validated and proud of the fact that people outside of my immediate household basically thought I was superhuman. And it kind of tricked me into thinking that I actually was.
I’ll admit it, there are some days that I’m the dog and I OWN my to-do list and everything gets done and I feel so satisfied at the end of the day.
But more often, I feel like I’m the tree and I just barely manage to keep myself from drowning.
Quick side-note…there’s a saying that I like to use that goes, “Somedays you’re the dog and somedays you’re the tree.” So if what I said above had you scratching your head going, “Kyla, WTH you talking about dogs and trees and to-do lists, what’s that got to do with anything…” Just think about what dogs typically do to trees. 😏
Anyway…
Now, I’ve learned the hard way that those prideful thoughts that I was having, was causing God to let me have more tree days than dog days.
So now, when people make the “I just don’t know how you get it all done, Kyla,” comment, I emphatically reply, “I don’t.”
I NEVER accomplish EVERYTHING that I have to get done in a day. Never. It is absolutely impossible for one person to complete all the things on any given day.
If you have small humans that you’re in charge of, they literally make messes from the moment their sweet little angel eyes fly open in the morning until their wiggly little bodies finally hold still from exhaustion when they fall asleep at night. Every moment in between those two times is like trailing behind an active tornado. And if you’ve got more than one of those…🙈
Or if they are in your home all day, nearly every day because they’re homeschooled…that’s like not having a lid on top of the blender when it’s set on high.
If you have livestock to care for like we do…they depend on you to supply their basic necessities - food, water, and shelter if the weather is awful.
And if you have a garden or flowers - they need to be tended and cared for, otherwise you don’t get to reap the benefits of having them.
Even if your children go to public school, while they’re away during the day, you’re wringing every ounce out of your to-do -list trying to get as much as possible accomplished in those few hours as you possibly can.
But if you work outside of your home…there’s all these things to do after you’ve already put in a full day away from home doing all the things that are required be done to care for said home…
Adulting is exhausting. And sometimes defeating. And overwhelming.
I say all of this to say, when you feel like you’re at the end of your rope and you can’t add one more damn thing to the to-do list…
Re-evaluate the to-do list.
I know when I’ve added too many one more damn things to the list. I know when I’m at max capacity and can’t keep the lid on the blender. And likely, you do too.
It’s really hard to say no to good things, but sometimes, for the sake of your sanity, it’s essential.
And sometimes, it just takes some rearranging and re-prioritizing to make it all fit.
For example, here’s my bare minimum of what has to happen on the daily at this particular funny farm:
Feed the humans (x 3 meals, plus a snack…or 14, depending on how many times they get in the cabinet while I’m otherwise occupied.)
Feed & water the critters - an elderly horse, a flock of chickens, two dogs, and a ram. Sidenote - self-feeders are FANTASTIC for the animals that you are able to incorporate that with. We have a guard dog, 6 cats, 5 horses and 11 sheep that have free choice feeders that we have to re-supply every week-10 days, depending on the time of year and otherwise, all I have to do daily is refill their water.
Gather eggs
General household stuff that is never ending - dishes, vacuum, laundry,
Water the flowers
Homeschool lessons (we shoot for 4 days/week)
Pay the bills
Get the mail
Those are the things that I try and do every day as part of the routine that helps things run smooth(ish).
Here are the extra things that need to happen:
Milking the cow
Delivering eggs and jelly
Going to the bank
Going to the recycling center
Dropping off trash
Mowing the yard
Processing 2.5 bushels of apples that we went and picked at a friend’s house
Reprocessing some Sandhill Plum Jelly that didn’t set
Making Strawberry Rhubarb Jelly…
Working with the oldest on his 4-H Record Book…IYKYK.
A blog post
I’m sure there are things that I’m forgetting, but you get the picture.
I’m also sure that while it probably includes different things, your schedule and to-do list is just as full.
Everyone is busy.
No one truly has time for anything extra.
And I wish we would realize the damage we are doing to ourselves by thinking that we can come even close to doing ALL of that ALL of the time. Or worse, comparing ourselves to those that we THINK are doing it all, all of the time.
I’ve learned how big my plate is.
And I’ve also learned that I’m in a season of life when the plate is always full and if I add something to it, I have to take something else off.
I can’t just add and add to the plate without it getting too heavy and dropping it.
Say yes to the things that are important. Say yes to the things that are important to your children (within reason - don’t become a slave to an activity schedule, there has to be some limits or you will make yourself AND them absolutely insane.)
And sometimes, it’s all important and you feel like you can’t say no to the things that need done. That’s okay, been there.
Prioritize and conquer.
Divide and conquer.
Adjust accordingly.
I wish you a day of being the dog, rather than the tree.
Just some morning thoughts powered by quite a bit of caffeine…For What It’s Worth!