Finding Balance

Lately, I have really been struggling with finding balance in life overall. The last few weeks, I have started to really feel overwhelmed and exhausted. I seem to always have something to do. I realized how exhausted I was, when I slept until 9am Sunday. I cannot tell you the last time I slept that late… 9 hours of sleep, and it was good, solid sleep. I was still tired all day and for the first time, did very little. I met a friend for yoga at 11, and it was exactly what my tired muscles and mind needed, then, relaxed most of the day other than laundry and grocery shopping. I was so exhausted, we went to dinner because I didn’t have the energy to cook. But, Monday morning, I felt refreshed, and had another good night’s sleep.
But the overwhelmed feeling, it seems to be a reoccurring struggle I have with life. Work is good and busy, and with my commute, encompasses 45 hours of my week. Then, running takes up a minimum of 5 hours a week (but I love this), then, cooking dinner, playing with dogs, cleaning/laundry, friends, house hunting, studying for my certification, etc… and before I know it, it is late at night, and I am tired with a long to do list I haven’t gotten to yet. I get it that some people have children, etc and make it work, but for me, I struggle (and seriously commend those that run families, work and play… you all amaze me!).
I am not going to divulge all the gory details, but there are many pans in the fire, so to speak, and goals that I am working towards. Some, although they seem daunting at the moment, are going to be better for me in the long run.  Mortgage vs rent will actually be cheaper, certifications for work will allow for more income, devoting time to exercise will improve my health. I know the benefits to all that I am doing, but finding the time and energy to do it all right now, is my struggle.
So, I decided I needed to get organized and prioritize. That’s the first step right? Why does strength training take a back seat? I don’t like it, so I don’t make it a priority. Back to the old, schedule it like an appointment trick…. Anyway… I went out and bought an organizing system. And honestly, for me, who is super organized, the signs that I wasn’t were huge red flags to me being overwhelmed. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my iPhone, but still struggle to go 100% digital. I am a scribbler. I have notes and post-its everywhere… when a thought comes to mind, I scribble it down. So, I needed to merge the work planner with the personal piles of notes. I literally had a work calendar, a personal calendar as a food journal, a notebook for ideas, notebook for to-do lists, a bazillion and one sticky notes. It was a mess. 
I bought the ARC by Staples set. I can customize, add and remove as needed (and it looked cool, it is GREEN!).
So, on a slow afternoon at work (my brain was tired from the Child Abuse Mandated Reporter training I was at all morning), I began to organize, and set everything up, and tabbed it all… and transferred all my stuff from many piles, to this one place! Please note that is the first and only time there will be a blank to-do list.

Next step, prioritize…. and for those that know me, I am a LIST girl.  LOVE lists!!! So, I am going to sit down this weekend and list what I currently have going, what I have as a plan, what is midway between a plan and occurring, and my wishes. Then, prioritize. From there… plan out everything, so I feel less crazy.  I will also be writing in ALL of my workouts (yes run coach ALL of them, promise!) so that I actually do them, not just say: I’ll work my core tomorrow.
I will also journal what I eat, so I can break my plateau and drop the last 15-20 lbs.
Your job in all this?  Keep me honest… I know this will be new and novel for the first few weeks/months, then after that?  Who knows… I fell in love with running, so maybe this will stick too. But keep on me, ask how it’s going, etc.  Thanks!!