Stop and smell the roses

I've come to the startling realization that I need to slow down and breathe. I just can't keep up anymore. Between my full-time job, my part-time job, ARTreprenuer, running my two etsy shops, my moms etsy shop, flickr, blogging almost every day, facebook, helping my mom with taking care of my grandma who has advanced Alzheimer's, and trying to start a photography business, I just can't do it all. I feel overwhelmed and I'm beating myself up for not being able to accomplish this all successfully.

I've also been forgetting important things like paying bills and my best friends daughters dance recital (I'm so sorry Hailey!) The other day I came home for lunch and warmed leftover pizza in the oven and I left the oven on all day until I got home from my second job! I can't even remember simple grocery lists.

Most importantly, I've been forgetting to take care of myself. I haven't been exercising like I need to, I haven't been eating well, and I haven't painted in weeks. I haven't had any "me" time to relax. When I am home, I'm working on stuffs (blogging, tweeting, cleaning) I haven't had anytime to sit back and chill out (which, by the way, I don't do well...)

I find myself cutting time with friends and loved ones short because I have "stuff" to do. And, when I am with them, I'm not fully present and don't give them my full attention because I'm too busy stressing out about the "stuff" that I have to do! 

Something has to give. I have to let go of the crazy idea that I can do everything all at once. And I need to stop beating myself up for not being able to do it all!!!

I'm going to stop obsessively stalking/reading twitter and facebook with the hope that I will be able to catch up. I'm going to cut down my hours at my part-time job. I'm going to stress out less about trying to keep up such a rigorous posting schedule on the blog. I'm going to let my etsy shops just hang out for a while and not stress out about them. 

I'm still going to work my full-time job (it does pay the bills!) and I will continue writing/crafting posts for the ARTreprenuer website because I love being able to share my photography experience and knowledge with creative individuals and help them succeed at their handmade business. I will still work with my dear friend and create our photography business because this is what I really really want. We had a (tiny) taste of it a few weeks ago and it was incredible and I loved every second of it. 

I'm also going to relax more (this will take some effort!) and enjoy more time with family and friends. I will take more photos "just because" and play more too!

Thank you so much for being a part of my blog, for your comments, and your thoughts even if you didn't comment!!! Don't worry-- I will still be around, but I guess I will be on "summer hours" for a bit! 

Hope you have a marvelous weekend!

-April