Kids. Household. Work. Extracurriculars.
Some I these wont change no matter what we do, but others can be controlled. In a world where everyone is so busy they don't have time for themselves it becomes hard to make time for others.
When was the last time you sat with your kids and just talked about whatever tey were thinking about? When did you spend time alone in the peace and quiet and do nothing? How about the last time you didn't leave the house for an entire day?
I believe that in a world moving so quickly it's become easier and easier to become overwhelmed and lose track of important things. What you consider to be important will be different from what I think is important, but that's just a matter of prioritizing, which is possibly the most important planning tool. Once you know what is most important to you, you can plan that first and everything else works around it.
Do you have to work full time? Then chances are everything else is planned aroun your work day. They children need care. Extracurriculars must fit around your work schedule. Then downtime. So many people forget downtime. There's a few reasons that being too busy is detrimental to yourself and your children, which often goes against what people are doing. There seems to be a shift now that has people wanting to be busy all the time and to do everything. Whether it is because of a fear of being home and relaxed, maybe a fear of out own company (what happens if we don't like ourselves? if we've become someone or something other then what we intended?) Perhaps it's just a fear of judgement from others. Maybe people will think we aren't successful or can't afford to do everything we want. Well here's a secret: sometimes people WANT a quiet night at home, and can't have it. Why then should those of us who can pass it up? It's not always a lost opportunity if you choose not to do something, sometimes it's the best choice you can make.
Being too buy can cause:
Memory loss or confusion (short term)
Crankiness or frustration
Incomplete tasks
Messy house/car/life
Exhaustion
Loss of creativity
Loss of imagination
Feeling of being overwhelmed
Anxiety
New fears
Alienation of friends and family
Loss of self understanding
Changes in attitude and personality
Disconnect from children
Children can lose imagination
Children can have a confused sense of self
Children become exhausted, their brains need time to rest and grow
Children learn they need to continue that way of life, leading to the same issues in adulthood
If you teach your children you or they are too busy to spend time together, then who will care for you when you age?
Things just won't get done
Increased fast food and lower nutrition
Less money save for later
Increased stress due to time constraints, increased work to keep up, more energy spent, and money concerns
These are effects that I've both witnessed and been warned about. We need to remember that fun is fun, and activities are good, but too much is just too much. Without down time out bodies and minds don't get the rest they need to heal and grow and re-energize from the day. This means that every day you start behind already, with less energy then you deserve. The thought of everything that needs to be done also affects your stress and relaxation, and can cause both health and money issues. Save a little now and have more later, both energy and money.
It's important to choose an activity or two you enjoy, that helps manage stress and increase your happiness and enjoyment of life, but don't forget that your body needs and wants some quiet relaxation too. Everyone will feel better when you slow down and remember other things that are important too.
How much you and your family can do and still feel grounded and spend quiet time together is personal to each person, and I hope you find that balance for yourself and those you love.