4 Ways To Reduce the Stress of Managing a Full-Time Job AND a Household
As a millennial woman, you not only want it all, but you work hard to make “it all” possible. You work full time, manage to get the kids to and from school, friends’ houses, and extracurricular activities, make dinner every night and lunches every morning, and keep a clean home.
It’s hard work, but of course, as a millennial woman, you will rarely (if ever) admit it. That said, just because you don’t admit something to be true doesn’t make it a falsehood.
Whether or not you can even admit it to yourself, managing both your workload and your home life is taking a toll on you—both emotionally and physically speaking. Chances are that it’s taking a toll on your relationships as well.
The Stress Epidemic of the “Do-It-All” Generation
According to Huffington Post, one in four women cry at least once a week due to the stress of “having it all.” The Telegraph believes that the “do-it-all” generation of women is currently suffering a “stress epidemic,” citing that two-thirds of middle-aged women are more likely to suffer work stress than their male colleagues. If you constantly feel under pressure to accomplish it all, you’re not the only one. However, that doesn’t make the constant stress okay.
Proof That You Can Have It All
Chris Sacca and Chris Sacca’s wife, Crystal English Sacca, are proof that you can have it all. Chris Sacca is an entrepreneur, billionaire, and owner of the venture capitalist firm Lowercase Capital. Crystal is a partner at Lowercase Capital and the author of bestsellers, The Essential Scratch & Sniff Guide to Becoming a Whiskey Know-It-All: Know Your Booze Before You Choose and The Essential Scratch and Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert: Take a Whiff of That. The couple has three children whom they manage to spend time with, despite being full-time working parents.
Take Control of Your Stress Before It Controls You
While it will never be easy to juggle a full-time job, parenthood, marriage, and friendships, you can make the burden a little more manageable by incorporating a few stress-relieving tips into your life. Below are a few ways you can manage your stress levels and lead a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life.
Let Go of the Guilt:
The biggest cause of working-mom stress is the guilt of not being with one’s child. A lot of mothers feel guilty about missing out on huge chunks of their children’s lives, but such guilt is pointless. Whether you’re a working mom or a stay-at-home mom, chances are you’re going to feel guilty about your choice no matter what. Accept your choice and all the good and the bad that comes with it. If you choose to work full-time (which, if you’re reading this, is likely the path you chose), remember why you wanted to work in the first place. Was it to help relieve your partner of some of the financial responsibility, to save for college, or was it simply a way to allow you time to interact with other adults? Whatever the reason, you probably didn’t make the choice lightly, so be happy with it.
Revamp Your Routine:
If you find yourself getting stressed out before you even step out the door in the morning, you may need to overhaul your family routine. Pack lunches the night before, lay out outfits before bedtime, and make sure bags are packed and by the door in the morning. Also, make a to-do list and divide chores. Determine which parent gets the kids dressed and to school, who buys the groceries, who cooks the meals, and who cleans.
Master the Art of Organization:
While it’s okay to operate on-the-fly as a single person, a roll-with-the-punches approach is a recipe for disaster when children are involved. Buy a calendar and sit down with your partner and children (if they’re old enough) each Sunday to go over the next week’s schedule. Include everything from sporting events to bills due. If your kids are old enough, create a chore chart. By having your children take over some of the responsibilities, you can lessen your own obligations and instill in them a strong work ethic.
Limit Time Wasters:
If you are a working mom, you have limited time as is, so use your time wisely. When at work, limit interactions with co-workers to the breakroom or lunch hour. When at home, don’t check emails or make phone calls until after the kids are in bed—that time between getting home from work and bedtime is family time. Limit TV watching to one hour a week, and use the time you gain to spend with your partner or to do something you enjoy doing—such as writing, drawing, or reading. When you stop wasting time on things you don’t care about and start spending more time on those things that you do enjoy, you may discover that life isn’t so stressful after all.
You’ll never be able to relieve your stress of parenting and running a household completely, but you can get it under control. Use the above tips to lead a less stressful and more meaningful existence.
