Ask Honey: Are You on Your List?

Dear Honey,

I feel like I am always taking care of everyone else — my husband, my kids, my house and I work full time too. How do I get some balance?

Dear Unbalanced,

As an (almost) fifty year old mother of seven children and a step mother of two more, I am the first one to agree with you that it’s hard (if not impossible) to find "me time."

Do this, grab a piece of paper and a pen. Write down the five most important people in your life. Where are YOU on the list?

It sounds like you are (like most of us) trying to be SUPER WOMAN!

FYI: she was only a cartoon character.

We take care of everyone except ourselves:

• Studies show women spend 17 hours a week doing household tasks
• 873 hours a year
• That’s 36 days a year of your life on "women’s work"

I agree with you that when you add in a full-time job and a husband and kids — it can be overwhelming!

Have you heard the Airplane Safety Speech?

"In case there is a loss in cabin pressure, yellow oxygen masks will deploy from the ceiling compartment located above you. To secure, pull the mask towards you, secure the elastic strap to your head, and fasten it so it covers your mouth and nose. Breathe normally. Please make sure to secure your own mask before assisting others."

Do you take care of yourself before others?

This is a great time for a wake-up call. Schedule that check up, mammogram or colonoscopy that you’ve been putting off. Do it now. Schedule in time to take a break.

And most importantly, try — just try — to put yourself at the top of the list.

Each week, Laura "Honey" Solomon brings real-life practical solutions to the issues of divorce recovery, relationships, and time management for Patch readers. Her book Normal Life is now out on paperback and available on Amazon.

Visit her website at wordofmouthconsulting.biz for more information.