Artificial Time Lines

For those of you that regularly stop by here you know that I have been struggling with exhaustion and being overwhelmed with my personal demands on my time. I have been actively trying to face this challenge and not succumb to the resulting depression. That seems to be a normal course of events in this situation. I have made several changes over the past few months, and they all seem to working for my overall good.

One thing that I am currently reevaluating is my perception of the way things should be done. In so doing I have been forced to think about the demands on my time and why they are there. What I have come to realize is that there are real deadlines and artificial time lines in all of our lives. We fall victim to social standards without really realizing it if we don't pay attention and make a conscious decision to be a free thinking individual.

As a homeschooling mom the most obvious one for me is educational time lines. Who says we have to start school at three, or five, or six, and why not ten? What about graduation? Why do we need to graduate at 18? Why not 14, or 16, or even 22? Since when do we all fit into the same mold? How on earth could our time lines all be the same? What would life be like if we were free to do EVERYTHING at our own pace? I think it would be pretty cool.

In this line of thinking I discovered that one of the things on my agenda, or artificial time line, that was bogging me down was the deadline I inflicted upon myself to have our chosen subjects of exploration completed by May 31st. Who says? Why? To what end? Why on earth does it matter if we complete the Ancient History curriculum that we chose to explore this year by May 31st? If it's not working for us right now, it's not working. Since we learn everyday what harm is there in taking a break when it is needed? My conclusion is ABSOLUTELY NONE!

We are not sitting around like lumps. We are not losing knowledge by putting off a self-inflicted schedule. On the contrary we are learning other things. My 15 year old is currently making a map collage of territory maps of times past. It's rather interesting and amazes me how he can just look at them and know exactly what empire it is strictly by viewing a blank map. My 17 year old is engrossed in writing. He has been writing stories a lot online at a website that others view your work and tell you what they think. Some criticism is useful, and some not so much, but he does enjoy it a lot. Think about the learning and creativity going on here. It's amazing and inspiring.

If my boys are self-aware enough to occupy their time with what fits in the moment, why on earth am I so unable to do so myself? Why do I struggle with doing what feels right for the moment? Why am I inclined to fight my instincts over and over again? When will I ever learn that there are some deadlines that are important like paying the bills on time, and then there are others that are not so important. Life is full of choices, and what we are inclined to think is right is not always the case. Sometimes a reevaluation is in order. When is the last time you took a moment to take a close look at what you are doing with your time? Are you focusing on what is important, or are you paying more attention to something due to an self-imposed deadline. Take a close look. You may be surprised as to what you find.

Exhaustion

This seems to be a general theme lately, but I really am exhausted. It only seems to be getting worse. I think I have finally just overdone it. My body is screaming at me to take care of it.. It seems that would entail just generally doing much of nothing.

I have been at a loss as to how to tackle this and move forward. After visiting Native Remedies I found myself realizing that I already know what I need to do, and the fact that I am struggling with it is no surprise. How do you increase your physical activity level when you are too pooped to get out of bed? How do you shop for and prepare a nutritious meal when you cannot even think? How do you drive to your body worker if you cannot even get dressed? Unfortunately, this is the all too common dilemma.

Native Remedies did give me one tool that I do think I will try, and that is some natural remedies that I can take to try to boost my energy without being harch on my system or suffering any ill side effects like you would from OTC medications. I am going to force myself to get out, buy some food, and pick up the following remedies:

Siberian Ginseng - Used for centuries in China and Russia, this plant is prized for its ability to restore vigor, increase longevity, enhance overall health, and stimulate both a healthy appetite and a good memory. In Russia it is widely used to enhance productivity and help the body adapt to stressful conditions. Siberian Ginseng is considered to be an adaptogen meaning that it restores balance within the body by targeting what is out of balance within the individual.

Olea europea (extract of olive leaf) - perfect compliment to the health regimen for the chronic sufferer of exhaustion.

Centella asiatica - Known uses include: wound healing, better circulation, memory enhancement, cancer, vitality, general tonic, respiratory ailments, detoxifying the body, treatment of skin disorders (such as psoriasis and eczema), revitalizing connective tissue, burn and scar treatment, clearing up skin infections, slimming and edema, arthritis, rheumatism, treatment of liver and kidneys, periodontal disease, strengthening of veins (varicose veins), blood purifier, high blood pressure, sedative, anti-stress, anti-anxiety, an aphrodisiac, immune booster, anabolic and adaptogen etc.

Based on the above information I could get a side benefit. As long as I can remember I have suffered from psoriasis. A welcome side effect from using these supplements to improve my physical state could also be an improvement in my psoriasis. What a welcome improvement that would be! Over the years I have learned that my diet and stress level directly effect my psoriasis. So, improving either would have positive effect. Adding the supplements will just be a bonus.

In addition to the above remedies and improving my overall diet and activity level I also plan to make and keep an appointment with a good friend that does body work. I have been putting this off for far too long. I will also be taking some time for myself very soon. It is much needed!

Running on Empty

I have been so busy that I feel just exhausted! There has not been a weekend in I don't know how long that wasn't fully booked, and my dance card is still full! I am holding out for next Sunday. At this point there is nothing on the calendar. The square is clean, and I plan to keep it that way.

I have a few things in mind for next week to help me gain back some of my energy and reduce the bags under my eyes. This summer was SO hectic that we never even planned or took a vacation. For the most part we usually camp here in Michigan. It's been a tradition for years that we go three times in the summer, and I am really missing it this year. We only have three at home now, and their summer was so busy, and dates were not determined until summer was here, that I just didn't bother planning anything. Now, summer is about gone, and fall is filling up. That is when I thought I'd sneak a week in. No go...

Anyway, back to my plans of rejuvenation. This coming Sunday I am going to putts around the house tending to my garden and just doing whatever feels right. Next Thursday I am secretly heading out for a massage at my massage therapist's new business. She's on her own now. How exciting is that? The the following Sunday I am headed to our old pop-up trainer that we put on our friend's property. They have 10 acres and we do a Girl's Night a few times a year. I am SO looking forward to seeing what she's done with the camper. She's been slowly redoing the inside and using it for meditation. We're going to hang out, eat yummy food, and relax. Hopefully, I'll get some cool pictures while I'm out there.

What do you all do to restore when you need it? Have you figured out the benefits of taking some time for yourself; especially you moms? I am so glad I quit beating myself up years ago and started taking time throughout the year to do what I need to be a better me, and I cannot wait for next week!