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As a young working mother, balance was a big thing. Work, family, kids, personal time...I don't know how I did it but I did; maybe not well but done anyway. LOL!
Now I'm retired, you'd think balance would be easy. Actually, I wonder how I ever got everything done when I was working and had kids at home. The longer I'm retired, the worse it seems to get.
After losing my husband at age 58, my love of motorcycling took precedence. Good weather - ride. Bad weather - read. Easy! That altered some when I sold my house and became a solo full-time RVer. That meant travel and sightseeing was added to the mix. But it still seemed to work out, at least most of the time.
Fast forward four more years, I'm remarried. I'm still a full-time RVer and motorcyclist but now I have to balance the travel and the motorcycling with hubby time, puppy time, and most recently writing time. Of course the last four years have also seen me join Facebook (perfect way to stay in touch with family and friends while traveling), Google+, Twitter, Goodreads, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
Then factor in this blog and four others in addition to the one personal one, several websites [writing - women riders - motorcycle camping - RVing] Of course there are also the blogs I try to read daily - RVing friends, motorcycle friends, computer/gadgets/software/photography, living a simple life (yeah, right). Phew!
I've finished my April A-Z Challenge, I'm still dabbling in flash fiction (once a week hopefully), almost caught up in reading backlogged blogs, still have a dozen or so emails I need to answer, hubby's PT for his double knee replacement is almost done. We're eating healthier but now need to add in more daily exercise for us both. Yup, one more thing to balance.
Do you have trouble balancing everything in your life? Do you have trouble finding time to read, write or dabble in your hobbies? Got any tips?
I just retired this year, husband will in a few more. I'm a motorcycle passenger on the BMW, (but a Harley is what we dream of). We'd talked about someday selling all and doing the RV life, but so far Gull Haven has become our focus. I want to sit on the deck there and write a novel. Now, if I could just think of one! If you ever RV to Maine, you must let me know!
ReplyDeleteI was once a single parent with two teenage kids. I taught full time and even taught an evening class for extra cash. I went to guitar lessons and went out to folk clubs four evenings a week. *falls asleep just typing about it*. Now Mr A has retired due to ill health and I don't seem to be able to balance any work any more. As for tips, I think you have to be young to do balancing acts.
ReplyDeleteBalance, good one! Since remarrying in 2006, it does get tricky sometimes. There's our security job, hubby time, doggie time, the occasional Reiki student, teaching CPR, cooking and other chores and "me" time to meditate, write, nap or what have you. Whew! I try to keep a good mix going, being sure to have "me" time, even if it's just snippets of five minutes now and then throughout the day.
ReplyDeleteI suppose my life is leaning a bit too far into the online column. It's the easiest place for me to live since it's a rare activity that doesn't cause me physical pain. Online, books, tv ... that's about it. I do take breaks to spend time with family, eat meals, clean the house a little, go to church, etc. so I don't think I'm too unbalanced. It's a struggle for sure though!
ReplyDeleteBalance? I've heard of it, searched for it, long for it, but can't figure out for the life of me how to accomplish it! Have a great weekend :)
ReplyDeleteI hear you. My online life is the first to suffer when I'm trying to re-balance :)
ReplyDeleteIf your hubby loves his BMW, not sure how well he'd like a Harley. LOL! Totally different ride and sound. I rode a BMW dual-sport when I first sold the house and went full-time. Never bonded with it and went back to the Harley.
ReplyDeleteRVing is wonderful, the best way to see this beautiful country of ours for sure. But you still have real life to deal with. Check out our personal blog: 2 Taking a 5th
We hope to take one summer for all of New England. Last time there, we had 4 weeks for 6 states. No where near enough...LOL!
It just isn't fair sometimes, is it. LOL! We'll just keep trying though! Thanks for stopping by, Rosalind. I hope the keyboard imprint on your forehead is gone now... ;-)
ReplyDeleteI just have to get better at NOT sitting at the keyboard for hours on end. LOL! BTW, be sure to read my post on Monday.
ReplyDeleteChronic illness and pain can make balancing life even more difficult. Back when I was working full-time (kids grown) and was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and Fibromyalgia, my pain and fatigue were so bad that I thought I'd be on disability within a year. Fortunately I was able to semi-retire and recharge myself.
ReplyDeleteHang in there, Beth!!!
ROFLOL - best reply of the day! Here's to a great weekend for you, too.
ReplyDeleteIt's much easier to close the laptop and walk away than we think, it's the staying away that gets me. I open it when I get up in the morning and end up on it until bedtime. Trying to get better at getting out and taking a walk when the weather is nice (before it gets too hot). May do mall walking today if we go to the movies. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThis blog really hits home. I've juggled riding (dressage), Scrabble club, fiction writing and blogging, publishing, and full-time college teaching. Over the last few years I haven't given writing the time it deserves. Retirement might change that, but only if I can keep everything in balance.
ReplyDeleteMary, take it from me...once you retire you have less time available. I swear! LOL!
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah, he knows the Harley is different, but he wants the ride, and he'll adjust the sound! He's talked about it for 40 years come September!
ReplyDeleteGot your A to Z flash fiction series for my iPad today! When I read, I become really unbalanced! Laundry, meals, pet care, hair combing... all set to the side until the book is done. I try not to read any more. It's best that way. But I'll do it one more time, just for you!
ReplyDeleteWell we'll have to ride together when we visit Maine again!
ReplyDeleteAwww, you're too sweet. Sorry to hear about the balance issue. That stinks! Hope you enjoy the stories.
ReplyDelete