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It occurred to me the other day that I am so used to living fast that I have forgotten to slow down.  Now I do realize that I have slowed down since Princess Tater Tot was born but I also noticed that there are days when I am rushing to get a task done in order to move onto the next.  While I think that some of this is normal, it’s time for me to put on my blinker, check my mirrors, and make a decision to move into the Slow Lane.  Not just visit it every once in a while but live there.  Drivin’ 55 in the slow lane.  Taking care of myself so that I can take care of The Tot.  I’ve gotten better at this but, again, time to take up residence in a slower pace of life for a while. 

Before I had The Tot, I worked as a school counselor.  Before that a school social worker.  And before that a therapist for adolescent boys on probation.  All jobs that are relatively stressful and never finished.  High potential for “taking your work home with you” both physically and emotionally.  I got so used to trying to do it all and more that I created a new syndrome: Wonder Woman Syndrome.  They really should include it in the DSM-whatever-revision-they’re-on-right-now.   It’s when you feel like you should be able to do everything that is on your plate and then the extra stuff you place on your plate “just for fun”, too!  There is no prioritizing involved in this syndrome, nor is there any letting go of stuff and just not doing it.  It’s basically going all-out until you collapse, regroup, and doing it again.  Not good for mental or physical health, as it turns out.  During my pregnancy I was pretty much a basket case because I was working so hard and didn’t slow down enough.  That is the one thing that I regret the most — not slowing down more so that I could enjoy my pregnancy more.  I did slow down but it was on the personal side and it was because I had to.  I just didn’t have the energy to keep up any sort of personal life because I was working and stressing so hard at my job.  But because of that I am doubly grateful to be able to stay at home with my child.  I am doing what I think is best for my child in our situation and I know that the rest (ahem, finanaces) will work out.

Anyway, enough random philosophical ramblings from The Mommy.  It’s time to stop at the rest stop and use the restroom.  I’ll be back on the freeway (clogging up the slow lane) again later.  Hasta luego, mis amigas!