Well, it’s right at three weeks since I last posted and it feels even longer. How did that happen? I could give all kinds of reasons, and there would be many, but the truth is I just have way too much on my plate. I want to do it all. And I’m finding that so many areas of my life are suffering because of it.

How you ask? Well, I’m tired all the time. I can’t seem to get the time to work out which gives me energy. And I can’t seem to rest enough which also gives me energy. What’s this girl to do?

In seeking to find an answer, and contemplating taking on one more thing, part of me is saying: Yes, you can do it! And the other part part of me is asking: What are you thinking? Does this happen to you? Do you get excited about something new, but then realize you don’t know where, in your already busy life, to fit it?

Well, I have decided to put my new thing on hold. Now, that I’m working full-time Monday through Thursday, and trying to devote most of my off days to writing, book-marketing, and social media, taking on one more thing right now, which comes with its own demands, is like asking for a mental or emotional breakdown. In other words, burnout. Been there, done that, and it’s no fun.

So, instead, I’m re-evaluating what I’ve been neglecting since taking up my new job. And I’m trying to come up with a plan that works for me. I love creating and always enjoy that part of my job – paid or unpaid. And I love writing and inspiring, but only when I’ve got the creative energy to do it right.

In my current crazy life of building a little cottage, an interim to tearing down a hundred-year-old house full of someone else’s memories, cracking foundation, and leaking roof and building a new “last” home for us, it is a challenge to be creative with my office right smack-dab in the middle of the dining room. Even not being on the computer except in the evenings presents coordination with hubs who likes to take his breaks at the dining room table.

I get it. He misses me. Monday through Thursday, I’m gone most of the day. He’s even taken over as surrogate Puppy Mom to my Sammie-girl. He has the kindest of intentions in wanting to spend time with me. And yet, I need to focus and concentrate to get any writing or posts done as, at the end of the day, and you know what I mean here, I’m pretty wiped out.

Since I last posted a blog, I did get my first round of book edits done and typing up to Letter E completed. But this is a four-day weekend for me. I should have plenty of time to get it all in. Yet I haven’t typed up the rest of the edits, written my last book review, or completed my monthly newsletter. See what I’m talking about? And I have been too tired to think about it and decide if any of these things are important enough to stress over.

But because I care about my second book getting done enough to send to my reading/editing team, posting weekly blogs on here, and touching base with my newsletter subscribers, I’m making an effort to realign my priorities. What does this look like for me? I’m not really sure, except that I still want to make a difference in this world with my writing.

So, I hope you’ll hang in there with me as I figure this all out. As promised previously, my blogs will be shorter. I know we all enjoy our reading time but even that is on a schedule. The upside is I pulled my monthly to-do for September on the first, and I had already completed “replanting my succulents” back in the spring. So now, this project time can be used for typing up my book edits and catching up on other social media needs.

As also promised, I’ve included a few photos of life here on our little piece of heaven on earth. This is not all we do. I miss capturing a lot of fun moments with the pups and the grandbabes and the truly amazing weather. One thing I know for sure, life is an adventure. And I plan to make the most of it. I hope you do, too.

Until next time, keep positive, stay strong, and know that if you are struggling with anything, you can trust in the Holy Spirit to guide you. He will give you a nudge in the right direction. All you need to be is open to that whisper in your mind, your heart, your soul. If it’s “something more” you need, you will find it. If it’s a better connection to a friend, you will know and reach out. And if it’s slowing down to the speed of life you need, you will see the signals of when to pause, let go, or get up and continue.

Keep loving, keep believing, and keep smilin’….and see you next week!

Love & Hugs, Virg