I feel like an old lady. How does an old lady feel? I need suspenders on my underwear to keep my a$$ from dragging.

I know I’m older, but one little, eight year-old girl should not have the power to zap my batteries. Oh it’s not just taking care of our granddaughter that’s making me feel like Rip Van Winkle in need of a nap. Between working full-time, taking care of our granddaughter and learning how to help her with her homework, and occasionally take care of our household, I’m also CFO for our family business, and I’m still trying to write books. I know you’re jealous. How can this grandmother do it all? Honestly, I can’t. Something always falls by the wayside.

I’m dividing myself into too many pieces and starting to fall apart. I know many of you feel the same way. You’re working more than one job, trying to take care of your family, have a life, and be creative. It’s not easy to have it all. We’ve bought into that lie that we have to be Super Women or Men, in order to do it all, but eventually the very human bodies we live in start to sag, bag and drag.

Sometimes we have to force ourselves to rest. I know, it’s silly isn’t it. If you’re tired, stop, take a break, rest. But too often we put pressure on ourselves to perform. We want to do and be for everyone forgetting to do and be for ourselves. Take time to recharge whether that is going to bed early, getting take out for dinner or feeding the family peanut butter sandwiches, or taking a day off for some me time.

When I’m over tired I cannot create, I can barely do what has to be done. I can’t take care of anyone else because I can’t even take care of myself. It is especially important for anyone who is a caregiver whether you’re a teacher, nurse or stay at home mom, to take time off. Runaway and join the circus, no, not really, but maybe have a spa day. You cannot help anyone else if you are suffering from burnout. For me, watching a movie, reading a book, or spending time with family or friends renews me. I am so thankful for my girl gang weekly breakfasts and occasional getaways. What do you do to recharge? Do you have a secret for keeping going? Hang in there friend, retirements is coming!