Emotionally and Physically Drained

[Ella2687]

Evening All,

Just feel like I need to get everything out and vent a bit. I'm struggling a bit at the moment with managing my work life and personal life.

I'm currently going through a particularly heavy period of work and am working full days (working through lunch) if not more on top of this I am a mum to a 16 month old. My husband is currently away (been away for 1.5 weeks with another 1.5 weeks to go) so I'm doing everything on my own. 

I just don't have any time to sit down and relax and i guess look after myself. I wake up, get ready, wake up my child and get them ready drive to childcare drop them off and then straight to work. Once work is finished I'm off to pick them up before driving home. If I leave work early enough I'll drop by the shops for food before pick up. Once home we eat, bath have a small play and then start settling. By the time they are settled and in bed it is generally 2130-2200 in which time I'm exhausted and just do my night time routine before going to bed. No breaks on the weekend either. The time when they nap is my opportunity to clean the house because I haven't had a chance to do anything during the week.

Has anyone gone through anything like this? I just don't know how to feel in control again or feel like I have some me time. Struggling quite a bit and can't see any relief coming (I know there is in a week and a bit but it feels sooo far away)

Anyway thank you for letting me rant a bit, at least I've got me thoughts out of my head.

[Friday06]

Yep. Been there a lot. It is hard. It’s ok to just get by at the moment, and let some things go. Cook easy dinners, ignore some of the housework. You’re doing the best you can!

[rav3n]

hey @Ella2687 nice to e-meet you!

i'm glad you got to vent this out, and it definitely sounds like you've got a lot on your plate! i've never had kids myself, but working full time even through lunch breaks, and having to look after a baby while your hubby's away definitely sounds exhausting. i'd say, skipping those lunch breaks itself can lead to a lot more burnout at work, so please do try and take them - even if its a short 5-10mins one. sometimes i like to do things like listen to an audiobook/song while shopping - it feels like i'm doing 2 in one, enjoying a good book/song while also getting the grocery list ticked off. i do the same while washing dishes, cleaning, etc. not sure if that's helpful but thought i'd just share, it's small but for me, it makes a difference to my day. do you get time off on the weekends? if so, would you be able to schedule in coffee with a friend or even go for a walk to connect a bit with nature? 

please go easy on yourself - it sounds like you're working extremely hard and doing your best. you deserve a moment to breathe and look after yourself too 💗

[Ella2687]

Thank you so much. I love the idea of a coffee break but unfortunately hubby is away on the weekends as well at the moment. I did finish work a bit early today and had some me time and am feeling a bit more refreshed. 

I'm also planning to take bubba to the pool on the weekend and a play date so hopefully that will wear her out and give me some social interaction.

[tyme]

That sounds like a pleasant weekend @Ella2687 . 

What about a breakfast with bubba out? Not sure how hold your bub is.

I used to go to a cafe early in the morning, and this family would take turns taking their son to the cafe each morning for breakfast. It allowed them to have daddy-son time or mummy-son time. Oh, and occasionally, they'd go together. But it was just so nice that they spend the mornings together.