Hey Reader,

Chances are high by now you've heard of May-cember: that busy time of year with end of year trips, performances, plays, recitals, .. all the joyful end of school year activities that on their own are great, but can add up to be a lot.

As a solo parent with three kids who are all "seniors" at their schools (if 5th grade or 8th grade can be a senior), this year for me brings award ceremonies for all kids, new school orientations for the 3 new schools they are attending in the fall and senior trips (all which have packing lists with at least one elusive item we somehow don't have or I can't procure quickly...)

Not to mention Springsteen was on tour and I went to see him 3 times in 8 days. (I regret nothing--Mom needs to have fun too!)

I've also decided to do a small construction project in our house that means all four of us will be switching bedrooms a week from Friday (the day after I take 5 8th graders to a New Jersey mall for a birthday party for my 14 year old)

So it's been a little quiet here (also working on some new stuff... stay tuned)--because life has just been a lot.

I suspect this is the case for many of you too which is why I wanted to pop into your inbox today with a few tips that are helping right now--in case they help you too.

• Using the phrase "the beauty of a full life." Years ago, when I was recently divorced, a Bumble date used this phrase the describe my busy life with three school-aged kids. It didn't work out with us, but the phrase stuck: reframing all the hecticness in this way. Using the phrase "I get to" instead of "I have to" has been helpful.
• Reminding myself everything is a season. There are some very elderly folks on my block (ages 90 and up) that I often sit sitting in their wheelchairs outside catching some rays with a home health aide. Besides #goals, it also reminds me this season will pass--and when it does I'll miss it. One day if I'm lucky I will be the person watching from my wheelchair as a frazzled mom yells out the window "wait, did you remember the permission slip? What about your water bottle?"
• Using the quiet of the morning to clear my mind. Aging has meant I tend to wake up early--and I try to take advantage of that by using it in a way that sets me up for success. Often a brief meditation, doing some light stretching and then writing on a post-it what has to be done today. It's also a great time for me to think about all the mental to-do's hanging out there (did I get back to the friend coming in this weekend? Shoot, did I text the mall trip group chat about departure time from our house?) etc. Shoutout to the magic of the iphone "send later" text message. Couldn't do it with out.
• Really trying to get clear on what has to happen. My to-do list of what I like to do every day is getting LONG. I have been starring no more than three things each day to help me focus on those and not get distracted by the lure of the lusty checkmark--where I somehow cross a lot off the list but not the things that really need to get done. Today those three things are this email, a professional development proposal and a deadline for a project I'm working. That's it. I remind myself even if nothing else gets done today I will be a happy camper.
• Be kind to yourself. So many things I'd like to do are falling by the wayside (for now)--it can be a lot and get me down. (Why didn't I post the furniture on marketplace 10 days ago so I would have more time? Ugh I really wanted to get back to this person about a coffee chat soon...) Let's just say I'm getting good at exercising my self-compassion muscle. 👀

I hope this helps! I realize many of you are veryclose to the end of the school year, closing in on the final stretch--I'm cheering you on!

School ends in a month or so here--so I've got a-ways to go. (and who are we kidding, summer can be its own special brand of hectic 🤣)

So I'd love your tips--what do you do when things get nutty? Write back and let me know--I can share them with other Perennial Plus Signs and spread the love.

We've got this!

Take care,

Beth

ps. Seriously, I'm not kidding--please write back and send me your ideas and tips for what you do to stay sane in a busy season. This weekend alone has 4 play performances, a piano recital, a playoff football game, a birthday party for 2 kids, a softball game, my youngest sister in town for 24 hours and a friend in town for her college reunion I'd like to see if I can. It is indeed the beauty of a full life... your strategies welcome! 😊

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