Why does it seem that we can look at someone else and they have it all together while we’re struggling just to stay afloat? It hardly seems fair does it? The fact is, that no matter how much you may or may not have it together, there is someone else that has it more together. If you homeschool 10 kids and are never late with your paper work. . .I guarantee you that you’ll find someone homeschooling 12 kids who turns their paper work in early.
With that said, let me clarify my title. I am not a self proclaimed supermom. I have however, heard the word thrown around in the same sentence with my name. And I suspect I know why too. I am pretty sure it is not the fact that I have five kids under the age of 7. There are lots of homeschooling families who have more children. Neither do I think it is because I have twins–there are other homeschooled twins out there too. I am quite positive it is not my. . .er. . .uh. . .standard of cleanliness either.
My secret to “supermom-ness” is that I never burn out. I know you’re thinking, “Everyone burns out once in awhile right?” Nope–not everyone–I really don’t. Now, note that I didn’t say: I never get tired. Nor did I say: Everything always comes up roses for me. What I said was, I never burn out. And really, you don’t have to either. It’s a matter of perspective.
Your Choice
It is your choice to burn out. I really believe that. Why? Life is stressful. It always has been and it always will be. There is nothing you can do to change that. No amount of preparation will help you avoid all the dangers and perils of living life.
What you can control however, is how you respond. You have absolute and complete control over what you choose to do. Little things can build up until you reach your boiling point, or you can deal with them and move on. You can even let big things just do you in, or you can take a deep breath, step back, and start to deal with it.
Am I oversimplifying? Yes, a little. But the point is that if you let the little things constantly stress you out, you will burn out more quickly than if you choose to view those little stressors as opportunities to practice patience.
How do you avoid burn out? One step at a time. Try this: keep a journal for a week and write down, every night, the most annoying part of your day. What stressed you out the most? How did you deal with it? If you didn’t let it bother you too badly–then great! You’re well on your way to avoiding burn out. But, if you got all stressed out, consciously choose now, on paper, to find the opportunity in it.
Check back again soon for my next blog in this series.
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