Exhaustion ~ A Note from Katy

By Katy Agro Myers

Every mom I've talked to this week has said the same thing. "I'm exhausted." Last week was tough. This week. This week was worse. It took herculean effort to remain positive. And you know that grace that I talked about a few weeks ago. The grace I was going to give myself. My kids. My husband. I failed miserably. I was grumpy like my kids. I yelled. I stomped. I lost my s#@*. And at the end of each day. I was so damn tired. My husband commented the other night after I climbed into bed right after tucking in the kids, "this is becoming a common habit".

I'm used to getting up early - in fact, my wake up time hasn't changed with the new time change. I'm getting the same amount of sleep! Maybe even more as I fall into bed before 10pm these days. But the mental exhaustion is wearing on me. Trying to keep my whining kids happy. Jumping through hoops to make special memories instead of focusing on how tired they are in the mornings. Rushing through all the things. "Hurry up, we need to get dressed, pack up your stuff, you need to shower now, it's time for bed, hurry up and fall asleep!" Sound familiar?

On top of it -it's been a heavy week. The news around the world, nation, and even locally has been heavy. Pasadena lost 4-year old Brenna to DIPG. I cannot get Eliza Fletcher out of my mind. I'm not a runner, but I'm a mom - I love to ride my bike. And I often do alone. Trying to fit it in around my family's schedule. And the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth yesterday. Regardless of the political ramifications - Elizabeth was a remarkable leader and a fierce feminist, all while also being a mom and grandmother. I can't imagine the immense pressure she's faced during her life. All of these families are in my thoughts and prayers today. And I'll be hugging mine a little tighter.

I was talking to my dear friend, Jaime, last night. I was telling her what a great job I did at meal prep last week. I chopped veggies, I put my fruit in mason jars to make it last longer. I had lunch snacks organized. It made life easier. This week. I didn't do any of it, and I struggled. Know what my smart friend said? "Well, next week you just try.again!"

And that's just what I'm going to do. I'm going to just try again to do better this week. I hope you do too.

xoxo,

Katy