This week, it’s about expectations and the reality of burning out.
I, of all people, should know to go easy on myself, I would think... after all, isn’t that what I say to my friends? To my family? To my kids?
But I never realized when I got pulled into this weird competition with myself and the perceived “better than me”s...
I was competing to be the best spouse, best parent... competing against others who were not even facing the same issues as I do - on a daily basis!
The food is never good enough.. the house isn’t looking good either, the kids aren’t as well behaved as they used to be, I am not as patient as I used to be.. these are just a few of the constant things I used to think of on a daily basis... forget the fact that when anything anywhere was needed - every single person in my household called out to me. I literally didn’t have a single minute to myself!
And then it happened. That built-up frustration and annoyance had to come out. And it did. Tears flowed, words got said. I was burnt out!
It took me days (three to be precise) to reset my expectations of myself. Why did I want to be the best? Why?
I had to remind myself - I AM doing my very best - if that’s not good enough for others, that’s their problem - not mine. I didn’t need any certificate from anyone for anything!
As long as I am happy with what I do.
I am a very good parent.. it shows when other parents call to ask how to parent mindfully. It shows when the family hasn’t fallen sick even once (knock on wood) during this pandemic. It shows when there is laughter amid all this noise from people who don’t know how to value what they have.
I refuse to allow myself to get caught in it again. I am going to try my best to ensure I don’t get burned out, again.
Are you nodding? Did you tear up? Am I writing about you? It is you, it is I, it is every single one of us going through this every day...
And YOU will keep on trying until YOU succeed. And you know what...? That’s okay too. Brilliant, in fact!
🙏
| Sweta Shah Sakhpara is a pranic energy therapist and a pranic psychotherapist. She also teaches mindfulness and meditation to kids, adults and families. When she is not doing any of the above, she actively practices being a mindful parent to two kids. |
Having learned and practiced pranic healing for ~fifteen years, Sweta has been blessed with the trust of many clients for ailments as simple as a headache to complex ones like Tourette’s syndrome, from depression and anxiety to finding ways to embrace the idea of a new normal with a child being diagnosed on the spectrum. You could read more about her HERE.
Related articles:
 |  |  |
Macaroni Kid Lower Manhattan is the family fun go-to source for the latest and most comprehensive information in our area. Subscribe for FREE today.
