The Most Important Things

(Reading Time: 2 Minutes)

I’d love to say that Friday night rolled around at a breezy pace, as a welcome arrival after a long week at work.

But it doesn’t.

Instead, it screeches into my life amidst a blur of meetings, being late for everything, a commute that is just too long, and generally dashing around like a madwoman trying to fit my family into my life.

I am just not ready for the weekend.

I am stressed.

My head is not clear.

I want to make the most of this family time and ensure that I am ready for the week ahead. I need to be organized and in control.

I’m anxious on the drive home. The already lengthy commute takes me an extra hour. However, this is not the source of my stress.

Instead, I am stressed out because we have booked to go away camping with friends and I simply don’t have the time. There is the washing to do. I need to go to the gym (I’ve already missed two sessions this week). I’ve got a ton of work to do in addition to all the ‘mum’ stuff – homework, reading, sorting out the school letters that need actioning – see, I DON’T HAVE TIME! I’m forgetting about the important things.

It would just be so much easier to call and cancel. Then I can spend the weekend getting ready for the next week so that when Monday morning comes, I will be ready. In control.

But then I stop myself.

A dawning realization rising like an uncomfortable truth – what am I thinking?!

Since when did spending a weekend getting ready to live life during the working week suddenly seem like a priority over actually living life itself?

I’ve worked hard on my career over the last 20 or so years. I have been successful, and I love my job. However, something here is out of balance. I have lost my perspective.

So. We went camping, walked in the country air and built a fire and toasted marshmallows. The kids built dens. Nobody asked to watch anything on YouTube. We drank wine under the stars. We lived.

When we returned on Sunday, I did the washing. I sorted out the school stuff and I even cooked a meal. Sure, maybe I didn’t get all the work completed that I had planned but I made memories with my family and friends. I caught up in the week because I was more productive.

I think many of us often feel overwhelmed by how much we have to do and it often creates a monster of the control freak within us.

Ask yourself. Are there times when you stopped living because you were too busy having to do other stuff?

John Lennon summed this up perfectly when he said:

 

“Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.”

Make sure you live.

Leave the washing in the basket a while longer.

Don’t forget about the important things.

Now, we’d love to hear from you.

Let us know your thoughts below.  

Remember, your observations may inspire someone else who needs help to act.

Looking for further inspiration?  Read these articles from The Rediscovery of Me:

Don’t Read This

Limiting Beliefs: The Rope

Letter to My Teenage Self