Creative Mamas

Yesterday morning I finally got myself out of my warm and cozy bed after hitting the snooze button three times. I let the dog out, showered and woke my daughter up for breakfast. I gave her breakfast then went into the kitchen to fix mine. I like the old fashioned powdered slim-fast in a tall glass of milk stirred up with a spoon. I got my glass. I got the milk. I walked over to the pantry, pulled out the cereal box and poured myself a full glass of Honey Bunches of Oats. I stared at the glass of cereal for probably 30 seconds before I was able to figure out what had gone wrong.

On a not so light note, later that day after picking my daughter up from school, I pulled up to a busy intersection to make a right turn. I was looking directly at an oncoming car when my foot slipped off the brake pedal and my car lurched into the intersection directly into the path of this car. It was too late to go back and too late to make a turn so I accelerated and flew across the intersection. Brakes squealed behind me and I waited to hear the impact of the collision I had just caused. Luckily everyone kept going and there was no accident. I thank heaven for that and pray for forgiveness from the other drivers who no doubt experienced the same moments of terror and panic that I did in that moment.

I can’t for a fact say this was entirely due to me being tired, because accidents do happen. But I do know that my reflexes would have been sharper if I had the rest my body and mind need in order to function.

Being too tired is a big deal. So what to do?

First of all let’s take a look at everything you are doing right now. I’m working full time, parenting a child by myself (with help, but without a second parent present), acting in a play that rehearses every evening, for this play I am learning to tap dance all over again after a 15 year hiatus, participating in committee work, attending meetings, ignoring the laundry, trying to maintain some semblance of a social life, eating fast food, writing my novel on any available scrap of paper while standing in line or wolfing down my lunch… I'm sure your list can more than compeat with mine.

What are we doing? Too much!!!

Again, so what to do?

1. Rest
   This is obvious, I know. But it can be the last thing that comes to mind. Say no. Give yourself a break and get some sleep. We have to give ourselves permission to take the time we need to care for ourselves. It really is the only cure. Now, what happens if you just can’t?
   
2. Ask for help.
   Don’t expect those you care for to notice that you need help. Don’t expect them to know how to help you. Make specific requests. Let’s face it mamas, we are the caretakers. It’s a great gig. We’re good at it. Unfortunately this may mean that those we care for can forget that we sometimes require care too.
   
3. Don’t try to remember anything!
   Get a notebook, calendar, legal pad – whatever you can carry with you – and write everything down. Empty your head! Don’t’ say to your self, “I’ll write that down when I get home.” Write it down right then and there wherever you are whoever you are talking to. They will wait.
   
4. Collaborate and Delegate
   Remind yourself that you are not responsible for the success or failure of all things. What responsibilities can you share with someone? What can you give away? You will have to make an objective assessment of this. Sit down with your list and only take on the things that require your unique genius.
   
5. Hire someone to do it for you.
   If you have the money, go for it. Your time is more valuable. I promise you.
   
6. Nourish yourself.
   Eat good food that supports your bodies’ needs. Avoid any food that subtracts from feeling good.
   
7. Stay calm.
   Listen to music that calms you. Take one minute and look at the scenery around you. Listen to the birds. Breathe! These little things can be forgotten and can make a big difference.

Okay, what’s the big deal? None of this is new to any of us. The big deal is that we forget. We think we can handle it. We think we can push through it and catch up on our rest when the weekend comes, when the project is complete, when the play is over. (Yeah, right!) We think we are invincible. There is a big difference between being powerful and being invincible. We are most powerful when we remember to care for ourselves.

Being too tired is a big deal. And as creative, intelligent, responsible women, we don’t have time to be too tired! I’ll say it again – We are most powerful when we remember to take care of ourselves.

I forgot this very simple fact and I got a couple of wake-up calls. I’m going to take the call. I’m going to take a nap.

Get some rest, Mamas! Then, let’s get out there and be powerful (and alert)!