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Loved your piece and also dislike the word balance. It gives me an image of a woman holding a giant platter over her while standing on a ball and the platter is filled with all the stuff she has to do and she has no free hands and she’s wobbling and looks ridiculous doing it. I just don’t know of a better word! Like you said, go all in on one thing at a time. Half assing is no good for anyone! I think the reality is that something always has to give. Some days I’m better at my creative work, and some days I’m better at being a mom, and some days I feel like I’m bad at both.

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Thank you Stephanie, such a good visual example - I totally see it too!! The last bit sums it all up perfectly "Some days I’m better at my creative work, and some days I’m better at being a mom, and some days I feel like I’m bad at both." We're all trying to do our best and yet there are always these "hidden pressures" from every corner trying to make that platter spill over. And it will spill over. Sometimes it's easier to "appreciate the beauty in the mess" and other times it's just straight out HARD. Appreciate you reading and reflecting my piece, Elin x

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This brought a tear to my eye. I’m sat in my car with a sleeping baby and I’ll soon be collecting my 3.5 year old from nursery. Today, I had ambitious plans to get some work related stuff done but first I had to attend to the home, and errands related to my children, and a fussy teething baby who didn’t nap as I’d have hoped — now I have very little gas left in the tank and it’s not even 3pm. I’m disappointed. I realise I haven’t been present and I’m slightly dreading the feeling that I haven’t done enough loom over me for the rest of the afternoon. Your words remind me that adapting to the unexpected is key. Having grace for this season of my life and not falling victim to the hustle culture is paramount. At this time in my life, my primary role is mother, and you’ve prompted me to find some resources which can support my work so that I can develop more balance. X

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I wrote a piece on this topic recently entitled “Wow, How Does She Do It? She’s Not. She’s Drowning.” I wrote this piece during one of those work breaks that turn into bout 14 minutes of focused time, and I was hanging by a thread. Thanks for this refreshing perspective, and also, it’s good to hear from another woman living this life.

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Very much relate to this dance between Mothering and Business and I love hearing how others manage it too. Xx

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