Weekend

Recovering from a stressful week

January 22, 2022

Well. This past week was . . . a week. Without going into detail, it just sucked on several fronts. My coping mechanisms were not great (to say the least) and of course I feel negative about that as well (meta-suffering?). I guess it could have been worse – I did not dive into social media, so there’s that.

I will be positive about the fact that it is now mostly over, though some of the things I am stressing over remain . . . unresolved. Unfortunately, I woke up at 4 am perseverating about said issues, including our floors (anxiety involving parallel themes of money + time + also compete disinterest in making any decor-related decisions). At 5, I finally decided to just get up because Cameron has a track meet and I want to fit in my own run prior to the (4 hour long) event.

G also has a soccer game, but Josh is taking her (yay). Then he will drop her off at the track meet and go to work, because he is on call. From this vantage point, all I can think about is how at 2 pm, I am very much hoping to take a nap.

My biggest goals today are to practice self-compassion and self-care. It was a hard week, but that doesn’t mean I am a bad person or a failure. Moving on to start a new day.

Things that are good:

1- Our weather for today looks pretty good for a track meet. I know it is downright frigid in a lot of the country so I should (and do) appreciate this.

2- I have a good number podcasts in my queue that I am looking forward to listening to. During today’s run: More Happier, Freakonomics MD, and New Music Friday

3- So many great book recs from you all the other day; am looking forward to compiling many of them into my 2022 TBR list. That is my main activity/goal for the day other than track meet + nap.

9 Comments

  • Reply Irene January 22, 2022 at 8:25 am

    I’m sorry Sarah, it was a hard week for our family too, likely for very different reasons. I think a lot of people are hitting their breaking point with the pandemic although life in Florida sounds more normal than where we are. I really hope you get that nap!

  • Reply Lisa of Lisa’s Yarns January 22, 2022 at 8:54 am

    100% you are not a bad person! I had a horrible stretch of weeks in December/January related to kid sickness and terrible sleep and stress about keeping up at work with a sick kid at home. When you are really challenge in one of life, other areas suffer. But it sounds like you were challenged in multiple areas. I hope the flooring decision is made soon so you can put that behind you. We went with the most basic option even though the sales person tried to talk us into some trendier stuff. My husband is good at just making decisions and just cutting through all the analysis paralysis that I can suffer from!

    I’m glad you are having good weather! You earn that with your steamy summers. I am getting ready to head out on a (short) run with my neighbor – the feels like is -8F. Ugh. I hate this time of year so much. We are visiting my sister in AZ next month and I just hope and pray we all stay healthy so we can go!!!

  • Reply Grateful Kae January 22, 2022 at 8:55 am

    I’m sorry you had a bad week! Hope you can reset a little bit this weekend.

  • Reply Elisabeth January 22, 2022 at 12:26 pm

    Sorry this week was so tough.
    In the mid-way point (paused over the cold winter) of renovations I can agree so much with the lack of desire to make decisions. I find it stressful and also knowing it’s so expensive/final just stresses me out to no end. I have friends that ENJOY this sort of thing and buy houses that need work and it actually boggles my mind.
    Hoping today is full of rest and good food and that you get a chance to feel all the feelings. It’s absolutely necessary to acknowledge the hard and I think that’s why your readership is so loyal; you make us feel okay when we admit that life can just…suck sometimes.

  • Reply coco January 22, 2022 at 4:35 pm

    bad weeks happen and they usually are less bad once we are over it. So endure a bit longer.
    how do you choose TBR list? so many recommendations and so little time. I’m curious how you choose, what are your criteria

  • Reply Shelly January 22, 2022 at 5:36 pm

    I’m also sending you support. Bad weeks are hard. Also the critical voice in our own heads is often worse after. We wouldn’t talk to friends the way we do to ourselves during the hard times. Here is one voice saying you do so much, are an awesome mom and have built such a great community here.

  • Reply Marie January 22, 2022 at 6:27 pm

    Sending warmth and calm your way! If you have a few minutes, can I suggest a slow stroll outside? I always feel more relaxed after a walk outdoors.

  • Reply Helena Murphy January 22, 2022 at 8:50 pm

    Practical suggestion
    The missing decor gene – I also have zero genetic disposition to such endeavors. What I do when forced to selecting elements for a renovation (we’ve redone a kitchen and a bathroom so far) is to ask the contractor “what are the 2-3 most popular choices people are making this year?” and pick an in-stock, non-offensive choice that is aligned with general trends in the interest of keeping the property HGTV-buyer-friendly. Unless you really care about any one element (I generally don’t, really, I care more about functionality and brightness, openness) I’d say go for easy to maintain, stain-hiding, overall likeable options, as if you were going to flip the house. Taking some emotion out of each decision might help make it less exhausting.

  • Reply HYJ January 23, 2022 at 10:52 am

    Also missing the decor gene, but learning the massive benefit of hiring help in this arena. I previously thought of hiring a designer as frivolous, but now think of a designer as one of the trades- necessary because I can’t do it myself- and see how they can help save money by helping to make the right choices the first time. You are a great proponent of outsourcing when needed, maybe this falls into that category? Sorry about the lousy week, we’ve certainly all been there!

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