Now That The Kids Are Gone

Now that the kids are gone, it is time to snooze a little and catch my breath. I must recoup and restrategize my day. I have three emails to send before noon, I need to schedule appointments at the hospital, I need to prepare lunch before they return, I have to publish the blog post, and then network with my new contacts on LinkedIn. Speaking of LinkedIn, I need to take that certification before the week is over. I have to... is that a sock under the sofa? Why is that book on the coffee table? I must refold the throw and place it nicely. The dishes won't take themselves off the table; I'd better get to it, now that the kids are gone. 

Now that the kids are gone for a few hours, I want to snooze and catch up on social media, reach out to my friends and family, and be social. I want to hang out virtually, or get lost shopping online. Now that the kids are gone, I want to watch all those movies saved in my playlist or listen to unhinged podcasts. I want to get lost in my Spotify playlist, knowing I will be having a party for one now that the kids are gone. 

Now that the kids are gone, I want to lounge and not worry about wiping a nose clean or feeding a hungry person. I want to have a moment of quiet to myself, to lie under the duvet and not worry about a thing, now that the kids are gone. 

I want to do so many things at the same time, but I only have two hands, and I am not omnipresent. How do I prioritize the simple things? I want to be that mom who crushes tasks, is career-focused, and still has time to slay! 

How do we decide what matters most when everything feels urgent?

Now that the kids are gone, and I have a million and one things to attend to, maybe I am not meant to do everything, just to choose one thing and do it well. I will make a list, pick one item, and be kind to myself.