That quote pretty much perfectly explains how I have been feeling lately. I have sort of felt stretched to my limits. When I shared my resolutions for 2011, I mentioned passing the CFA which is this massive 6-hour finance exam that I will take in early June. 35-40% of the people who take it pass, by the way. So the odds are not so great! So that test was already stressing me out.Then a couple of weeks ago I found out that I need to pass 2 licensing exams before I can really be effective in my job (the series 7 and 63). My boss thought these could wait until after the CFA, but I can't meet with clients or write any articles until I have passed these tests, so we moved them up to April. These 2 licensing exams are not bad, but coupled with the CFA - and it's a lot.
So now I am juggling work + studying for multiple exams + training for my 10 mile run + attempting to be a good daughter/sister/aunt/friend/etc. Truth be told, I have been feeling a little overwhelmed. I have actually started to dream about things like options and financial market regulations. No joke. In the grand scheme of things, I know the stress I am dealing with is a walk in the park compared to what others are going through (like dealing with the aftermath of an earthquake and the potential for a nuclear disaster), but it's a lot for me. So I had to make some small adjustments to make things just a little bit easier and life a little bit happier:
- Housekeeping. As I mentioned on Tuesday, I hired a cleaning service. I feel a bit sheepish about this because I am single and childless. I should be able to find time to clean, right? Well, I am gone at least 13 hours a day, and then I come home and study. And then I spend the majority of the weekend studying. So I finally accepted the fact that I just don't have time right now to clean my own condo. My mom told me not to feel guilty about this and she is the ultimate "do it all" mom. Hearing her tell me this was a good decision makes me feel a lot better. The service comes every other week. Walking into a spotless condo = priceless. I realize that this is a luxury and not something that is economically feasible for everyone. So I get that I am lucky that I can afford this. That said, I don't eat out often. I don't buy beverages from places like Starbucks. I don't spend very much money on clothes. I've decided to continue to drive my paid off car v. buying a new car. So I make choices in other areas of my life so that hiring a cleaning service is feasible.
- TV. The list of unwatched recorded shows in my DVR was starting to stress me out... Who gets stressed by their freaking DVR? So I cut the number of shows I watch down to 3: How I Met Your Mother, Top Chef, and Parenthood.
- Changing race plans. I had planned on doing the Fargo 1/2 marathon in May. I was so excited about this race as I have so much family in Fargo so I knew I'd know some spectators on the course! Well, the race is a couple of weeks before the exam and I decided that it is just not wise to go out of town a couple of weeks before the exam. So I have decided not to do that race. I am bummed, but I will just have to find a race in August. Then I will have the time to dedicate to training and can enjoy my training runs.
- Blogging a little less. My blog posts will be a bit less frequent and I might not get a chance to comment on as many posts.
The good news is that these exams will be behind me after June 4th - and regaining all that time spent studying will make a world of a difference. I am thankful for the fact that I will be able to enjoy my summer and won't be chained to my study materials!
What adjustments do you make when you find yourself getting stressed out?
22 comments:
I know how you feel so try to make whatever little adjustments help. The DVR thing is funny, I actually have the same problem and just start deleting stuff.
These are all really good adjustments - and I'm seriously jealous of your cleaning service! :)
Hang in there - you can do it!
Ha. Who gets stressed out by their DVR? That's hilarious. I would give my right arm for a cleaning lady, and it's just me and my cat :) I give up being a good daughter when I'm stressed. Even ask my mom. oops. That's a lot of testing. Sour patch kids make studying way better!
1) Good for you for hiring the cleaning service! Seriously, you have more than enough on your plate right now. Walking into a clean condo is a complete peace of mind. Well worth the money spent.
2) I miss Parenthood, they really need to have a new episode on soon.
3) Sorry to hear that you had to change your race plans, but with the CFA just a few weeks away, your thoughts would be focused on the test. Maybe the Fargo 1/2 next year?
4)Sometimes blogging has to take a bit of a backseat. It certainly has in my world. At the moment, job hunting has to come first.
5) You're fantastic! Don't forget that.
I empathise with your DVR recordings! I have the same problem with my reading materials - magazines and books I have stacked up and can't get to them! It bothers me because I've paid for them and I am too Scotch not to let it bother me! Durn it! You have lots on your plate so the cleaning lady is one thing you deserve! I would get one in a heart beat but we don't have cleaning services in our area!
Recognizing you have to make adjustments is healthy.
And, a relief! Take care of yourself.
How many sour patch kids do you think you've consumed, qwerkyqook?
Do you have a favorite study treat, Lisa?
Ouuuuuch that CFA! What usually gives for me is SLEEP! Which obviously makes things worse. I think the cleaning service is a GREAT idea. Not only does it save you the time of cleaning, there's something about being stressed and being in a cluttered environment that is unbearable...that's coming from me, the queen of small messes and piles.
Good luck-sounds like you've got a lot on your plate, but I can tell you're a master of time management and you'll do great on the exams! My boyfriend went through all that-it's tough stuff that I wouldn't want to TOUCH, but if you put in the time I'm sure you'll do great! Keep your head up lady, and don't be afraid to ask for help! I tend to shut everyone out when I get stressed, when sometimes i could use some support!
I don't blame you for hiring a cleaning service...I think it's a fantastic idea! Especially when you are so busy with work and studying. It will all be worth it once you ace all of those exams and have them behind you!
I am SO WITH YOU on getting stressed out by TV or your DVR. When I was really busy in January with my yoga challenge I was feeling stressed that I was missing my TV shows every week. Finally I just had to let it go and now I will just catch up when they are on DVD... Or not. Whatever! Lol.
These next few months are extra hard because of those licensing exams but you can do it and I'm really glad you've made little adjustments in your life to help get through!!
Like I said in my email, I totally understand where you're coming from (in terms of the 1/2, but in terms of everything else as well.) I'm glad you realize that it's ok to cut back on some things in order to save your sanity!! That's important!!
Good luck with studying and the tests! With all the time you've dedicated to them, I bet you're going to do great.
You do have so much going on right now; I say best to give yourself a break anywhere/anyway you can! You definitely deserve it. Fortunately less than 80 days until it's all over test wise and then we get to have a fun weekend!!!!!
So proud of you for all that you do!
That is a lot going on, yikes! I have to say though, I became the queen of eliminating things from my life during my first 3ish years of grad school. I would tell myself, "well you don't have time for that book, or that regular happy hour with friends, or that yoga class" but I finally realized that eliminating all my self-care was actually making me less productive!
I know this is a shorter term goal and yes, there is only so much time in a day, so there really is a need for cutting back. But remember that allowing time for self-care is just as important as finding time for productivity!!
Oh, and I have always said that a cleaning service and regular massages are the only 2 things I am absolutely sure I will not feel guilty about when I have the money for them! So kudos for hiring them and fully enjoy that clean house when you get home after a crazy day!!
Hey lady, that is a lot of studying you have to do. Try not to beat yourself up over it. Just do what you can and be thankful there is an end in sight!! It will all work out and having a sparkling condo will help you get through the stress a bit easier.
I totally get where you're coming from with the DVR. Last semester I wouldn't even notice when it was full and I would go to watch a show that was new that week and it had stopped recording anything new. It's smart to cut down on the tv -- it's relaxing but is really a waste of a time!
When I am busy I cut down tv time and try not to waste little pockets of time for leisure, like 10 minutes here and there. It makes a big difference in the little things! Even if I just sat down and said, Ok, I'm going to read blogs for 20 minutes and then I'm done. It makes a huge difference in my sanity.
You do have a lot on your plate right now and it's obvious that these tests need to come first. So much studying but at least you can see the end goal in sight! :)
Whenever I get stressed or overwhelmed, I usually let blogging go until I get settled again. It usually helps SO MUCH so I don't blame you for doing this. I think that hiring someone is a great decision. It's always easier to study in a clean house + you can't procrastinate and clean before starting your studying (...not that I EVER did that...)
I feel for ya, girl! I'm feeling the pressure of the next 8 weeks until graduation, but then there lies the next step of job hunting which I am NOT excited about one bit, heh.
You got this! :)
I don't know how you can get a lot of studying done after a day of work, I am a waste of life at night I have to say, even when I was getting my masters I did marathon work sessions on the weekend because I suck on weeknights haha.
These sound like good adjustments though and clearly you know I fully support the cleaning service. It's really not THAT expensive and like you said, people really can't judge if they go to Starbucks or out to dinner all the time.
Good for you, Lisa -- I overcommit and it's very hard for me to say no -- then I feel like I pay for it with my health and sanity. I applaud your recognizing it and taking charge. (And you will LOVE having a cleaning service!)
more coke and snickers. ;)
I feel you!!! I get stressed out by google reader. How do the feeds add up so fast? And when will I have time to read them all!!?
I miss top chef! Maybe I'll come over and watch your dvr with you!! ;)
Hang in there! Before, you know it you will jet setting off to DC for a fun weekend which should be a good de-stresser and most of all June 4th will have come and gone just like that! Then you will be enjoying your weekends at the lake and spending time with your nephews and your soon to arrive baby niece or nephew!
Good for you for hiring a cleaning lady!!! Don't feel sheepish or guilty at all!!
I have been feeling overwhelmed lately and if I didn't live at home right now I don't know how I would work, run, plan a wedding and do other things!
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