drowning.
I have told people that selling a house is a lot like treading water. You can't swim away- you are still here and have things to do like attend school, serve in church callings and make it to your activities. And you can't rest your feet on anything stable- things you depended on are packed away and things you'd like to start, try or buy are not compatible with new paint or don't look generic enough or neat enough for potential buyers... You just "make-do" the best you can and look forward to the day when life goes back to normal and you can put your feet on solid ground.
I have been treading now for 7 1/2 months.
The experience has tested my patience and my faith. As we work, pray, fast, and clean, I have felt myself getting stronger. Until February. I don't know what happened but I started to sink! Every day I had to fight to keep my head above water and now I am just so tired.
Tired of cleaning.
Tired of being without things.
Tired of feeling in limbo.
Tired of cleaning.
Tired of waiting.
Tired of not knowing.
Tired of cleaning...
Where did all that strength go?
I don't know the answer. But as I have thought this week about the last miserable month, I realized that somewhere along the way, I lost my focus. I started the year with 10 goals that seemed very achievable. I reviewed them the first Sunday in February and decided to keep them- I wanted to continue with the ones that were working and improve on the ones that weren't. That was the last time I looked at them! And more importantly, the last time I really thought about them!
I had a very busy month but I can honestly say, I did NOT have a productive month. I did not work on the things that I had decided were important. I did not re-work the goals I had failed at to make them more doable. I mistook my busyness for ACTion (my word for the year) instead of really ACTing on the goals I had set.
So, today, the first Sunday of March, I am back to setting some goals! And then I am posting them on my fridge- even if the experts say it is clutter to potential buyers, so I can ACT with purpose and hopefully go back to treading strongly!
(I started a book which I really can't finish until I have moved. But one of the ideas was to list the "Next Action" after each goal so that you know what you need to do. I hope this practice will help me!)
- Start each day with prayer.
- Study the scriptures for 20 minutes a day.
- Eat breakfast.
- Exercise.
- Blog.
- Get up before kids to get a jump on the day.
- Go Visiting Teaching
- Continue reading one book a week.
- Work on RS lesson.
- Have FHE each Monday this month.
posted by jenn | 3/02/2008
11 Comments:
Wow, 2 posts in a row, way to take ACTion!
I'm so sorry you've been living in limbo for so long. I know it's brutal and I'm impressed you've been able to do it for so long. I must be nice to feel that you're getting stronger.
Your goals are all great!
Sometimes making the goals public is all it takes to get you acting. Good luck!
I'm so sorry you had been in limbo for that long! and I know this is a selfish way of looking at things, but I had enjoy those "extra months" of having you and your family around. I had the blessing of working with you in Primary. I learned a lot from you! and I could feel the love you have for these kids. Thank you for your example!
Like Vicky we are glad you are still here but sorry things aren't moving along so you can get on with your life. If you ever think I might have something you are missing because it is packed away in the storage unit please call.
I am sorry that you are "drowning". You are welcome to come over to the higher ground on my side of the street anytime:)
I think that setting goals is a great idea. One of my goals is to be grateful for at least 5 things everyday.(As little as those things may be). It helps me get through the "drowning days". (Remember I get to stay in my house a few more years ;)
oh jenn, 7.5 months is a long time to tread water...no wonder you are tired.
i am so impressed though that you ARE able to do it and you can feel stronger? that is a gift!
(even if you are tired)
Good luck with march. it has to be better, right? :)
I like your idea of ACTion steps Jenn. Wow, my house has only been on the market for 13 days, I am afraid of how I'll feel after 7+ months. It isn't easy!
I know how you feel and you are not alone. I did that a year ago and lived in 500sq ft. with one bedroom , one bathroom and 5 kids! You can do it! It's so hard to go through, but you will come out of it stronger. Love your blog. thanks!
Hi lady--it was fun seeing you last night at the party and I'm so happy you blog to--of course you do, you're one of the most creative people I know and it would be silly if you didn't :0) you can check out my blog anytime--Good luck with your state of limbo, I hope everything works out for you guys soon--you're a great lady with a great family and only good things will be on its way-- i just know it!! I got your blog link through miss sheryl--
You have been treading water for FAR too long. Maybe that explains the way you seemed not quite yourself last night?
Writing out my goals and revisiting them often helps me a lot. Good luck! (Reading one book a week is impressive! That was my tentative goal as well, but I have not done it. at all.)
Hey Jenn - I wanted to tell you I showed your home about a week or wo ago and it is georgous and easy to show!! I think it should be sold anytime and I will and have mentioned it to a couple of my clients! You're doing a great job of making it look wonderful! I hope you know that not all homes look as lovely and homie(?spelling) as yours does! :) - Thanks again for letting me use the mics at the church that time after the Blue and Gold Banq. (in case you don't know who I am):)
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