I did a workshop a few months ago, and the topic was “I’m Always Busy” and basically talked about how whenever you ask someone how they’ve been, the response is “busy”. But who is making them busy? They are. We are. We, parents, have busy lives, to begin with, then you add to school, activities, play dates, sports, etc. and there goes your entire life. Okay, maybe that’s a little dramatic but you know what I mean.

I love being busy; I actually thrive off of it. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I went home from a 9-5pm job every day; going home to relax, just isn’t me. I’ve worked two (sometimes even three) jobs to keep me busy for as long as I can remember. I’m always signing up to be more involved, whether it’s boards, committees, or volunteering.

Example: A few weeks ago, I signed London up for baseball this spring; she has never played or really shown an interest, but it was her dad’s idea. So I found myself volunteering for a Division Director position, as well as the Opening Day volunteer. Almost immediately after doing so, I stopped and asked myself why it’s not possible for me to just do the minimum. I mean, that’s what a lot of people do, isn’t it? Why do I always need to sit on boards, and volunteer for everything?

I sometimes feel like I am overcompensating, and I constantly feel like I need to prove to myself that I can do everything.

During this workshop, we were asked to make a list of all the different “hats” we wear.

I AM:

A mom
A girlfriend
A baby mama
A daughter
A sister
An aunt
A friend
An employee
An assistant
A server
A parent council member
A board of director member
A baseball divisional director
A Meeting Planner International member

Plus the little things, that aren’t actually that little; a cleaner, a laundry mat, a time manager, a taxi, etc. Obviously, certain things take priority over others and sometimes things fall behind; I get overwhelmed when I am not on top of my to-do list; I don’t sleep well or sometimes at all when I have a million things to do. I need to stop putting so much on my plate, I need to be more in-the-moment with those who matter.

As I get closer to 30 and realize I have a little human watching my every move; I want to strive to be the best person I can be and when I saw this on someone’s Insta story a few weeks ago, I had to share:

A Simple Formula for Living

Live beneath your means. Return everything you borrow. Stop blaming other people. Admit it when you make a mistake. Donate clothes not worn to those in need. Do something nice and do not get caught. Listen more – Talk less. Take a 30-minute walk every day. Strive for excellence, not perfection. Be on time. Do not argue. Get organized. Be kind to unkind people. Let someone cut ahead of you in life. Take time to be alone. Cultivate good manners. Be humble. Realize and accept life isn’t fair. Know when to keep your mouth shut. Go an entire day without criticizing anyone. Learn from the past. Plan for the future. Live in the present. Don’t sweat the small stuff. (It’s all small stuff)

So, do you consider yourself a busy body? Do you thrive off being busy? How many hats do you wear?