Juggling is over rated

As I am going through and editing this website I have looked at the sentence "I juggle working and managing a family".  I hate juggling, I am not good at it and have only ever juggled two tennis balls at a time.  I could probably practice and get better, but what's the point.  When you juggle what is happening to those balls in the air - nothing, you can only hold two at a time - one in each hand.  And then you can't pay attention to those balls because you are too busy throwing them up in the air to catch the next ones.

And guess what when your child is at school their teacher is juggling as well.  A little bit of attention on this child and then pass them up into the air and on the with the next.  That's just how it is.  Stay at home mums and dads juggle too.  Dishes, washing, cooking, playing with my child, talking to my child, paying the bills....  

Reading my focus on the side, makes me feel exhausted.  All those things to do and be, to juggle all at once.

Juggling is an illusion of momentum.  It looks like something is happening, but the balls are just going around in circles.  

So what is the alternative?  You might be able to start with looking at those balls and maybe throwing some of them away, either for good or to other people in your house.  Planning, scheduling, compartmentalising, prioritising, and then being present - making pure, mindful time for the people and things in your life that are important. These are some of the keys to stop juggling.  

I also hate the word manage, but that is for another blog.