Mixed Bag Of Rant

TODAY’S TOPIC: 
If you could be given the option to never sleep and also never be tired, would you take it if it meant you’d also never dream again?

My sweetly sleeping little boy

Maybe some people want more time in their day. Perhaps the option to never sleep again would be amazing for some. 

NOT ME!! 

I freaking love sleep. Love it. I would never give it up. Not because of dreaming, although I love my dreams at night, but because it is just such a necessary function. Yeah, I’m a mom so sleep is somewhat limited and often overrated but when I get it? Oh it is so, so sweet. I feel refreshed. Energized. My dreams are just the topping. Most of the time I cannot remember them, but many I do and I usually do not want to wake up from them. 

When you get sick what do you do? Sleep! It is so important.

Look, I’m busy. I’m a working mom. Yes, I wish I had more hours in a day. Yes, I wish I could deal with a sick kid overnight without being tired the next day. Yes, I wish I could’ve gone through college without needing to sleep… oh wait… that is exactly what I did. But when I am able to sleep. I don’t take it for granted. I love it. I need it. I’ll make whatever time I can for it.

What about you? Would you give up sleep? 

TODAY’S TOPIC:

TODAY’S TOPIC: 
What is your favorite way to recharge when you feel drained of energy?

Being a mom, I am pretty much always drained of energy both emotionally and physically. It has been important for me over the last four years to find many outlets as ways to recharge my batteries and keep myself energized. I need to do this not just for me, but for my son so I can be a better mom, for my job so I can be a stronger employee and for my husband so I can be a good wife.

Coffee. Yum!

1. COFFEE
Okay. Perhaps this isn’t the best outlet, but I freaking love my coffee in the morning in a can’t live without it sort of way. So, today, when I spilled it all over just as I was walking out the door? Not cool. I love my morning cup of Joe. It’s delicious and it warms me up. I’m not one of those people who slugs it down all day long. Just one simple mug in the morning and I am recharged.

Post Run- Runner’s High

2. RUNNING
Maybe some people get tired from their workouts, but for me, it is my greatest source of recharge. After a month of walking pneumonia, I was finally able to start training for the 7K I am running in March. Can you say runner’s high? I was amped up all night last night! The runner’s high is one of the reasons I have become so addicted to running. When I was overweight, I use to roll my eyes at the people who would say, “I get energized when I workout!” Liars! Then my body got used it it, and then my body started liking it and THEN? My body now needs it. When I was sick, I was really surprised at how much I was missing being able to run and workout. It’s real, people! Teach your body to want to exercise and you will gain so much from it!

Secret healthy snack stash

3. CHOOSING HEALTHY SNACKS
Truthfully, I really suck at this one. It is one of the things I have long struggled with; however the influence of Medifast has actually helped me a great deal in this department. It is true, that if you pack healthy snacks to bring with you to the office, you will eat them over choosing any other junk that may be laying around. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn’t. I do feel much more energized after eating fruits and veggies over a piece of chocolate (even if the chocolate is oh so good!).

My Bestie.

4. FRIENDS
I freaking love my friends. They make me laugh. They lift me up. Whenever I am in need of a little boost, I will send them an email or a text to say hi. Their response never ceases to energize me and add a little excitement to my day. Thank you friends for always being my constant source of entertainment!

Me & My Cute Movie Date

5. BEING MOMMY
Okay. I know that sounds hypocritical. I just said that being a Mom wears my shit out. While as a whole, being a mom is tiring, but spending time with my kid is the best. It is hard not to feel energized around him! He is hilarious, fun and the most energetic 4 year old boy I have ever seen in my life. I have the best time with him.

How do you recharge when you are feeling low on energy? 

In an effort to revitalize my blog as well as force me to be more creative with my writing, I have decided to participate in the January 2013 NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month). The theme for the month is “Energy” which I love since I didn’t have much of it to finish off 2012. I cannot even explain how pumped and motivated I am for 2013! I am nothing but energy right now so this theme is perfect for me.

Without further ado, today’s writing prompt:

WHICH DAILY TASKS TAKE UP THE MOST OF YOUR ENERGY

1. Waking up
I never used to have a problem getting up in the morning until I had a kid. Regardless of whether or not the 4 year old sleeps all night, I still wake up at least a couple times for a glance at the monitor to make sure he’s okay. It takes all of my energy to drag my ass out of bed in the morning. The only cure? Coffee. And lots of it.

2. Commuting 
There is nothing that beats me down more than driving to work. If I have had 4 hours or 8 hours of sleep, driving to work absolutely zaps me of my energy. Loud music does not help. Neither does my road rage. Taking the bus has helped; however, the bus clientele does not (this is an entire post on its own).

3. Boring Mindless Projects
There is nothing that sucks up more of my mental energy than boring, lame mindless projects. Are they a necessary part of just about anyone’s job? Yup. For example, cleaning out your email. UGH! Why can’t I just organize it right away than let it pile up?? I recommend a thumping Pandora station to get through it.

My sweet sleeping boy

4. Putting The Kid To Bed
This one should really top the list. Is there anything that sucks more of your energy than the endless nagging to get your kid to go to bed? The following are repeated numerous times:

• Time to go get jammies on. 
• Let’s go brush your teeth. 
• Go potty one more time. 
• Diego or Dora? 
• Sit down and watch your one episode of Diego/Dora please. 
• No, you can’t watch two Diego/Dora’s
• What are reading books on tonight: Nook, iPad or regular books? 
• Just one more book. 
• No you cannot have any water. 
• No you do not need a bandaid for your nonexistent finger wound. 
• I promise. I sprayed the monsters under your bed and they are gone. 
• Yes, I will turn on your light saber night light.
• Close your eyes and go to sleep, Jack.
• Yes, I will stay with you. 

And once ALL of those things are done, I stay with him until he falls asleep and I fall asleep. I usually wake up confused and uncertain of how long I was passed out or if he passed out before or after me. All thoughts of ambition post child bedtime are usually gone because I have now entered in the world of complete exhaustion and watching Soaps suddenly seems like a much more valuable way to zone out than running 3 miles on my treadmill. I then read the book, “Go The Fuck To Sleep” and feel better knowing that I am not alone.

5. Other People’s Drama
I love my family and friends with my entire heart and soul. I will always, ALWAYS listen to their problems and be there for them. Always. (ALWAYS). Did I say always? However… I’m not going to deny that it drains me. Depresses me. Sucks the energy out of me. I know I’m not perfect and not every day is going to be full of positive energy and roses for me- those are the days when I look to my team (a.k.a. my friends and family) to help pick me up. I’m sure I suck the life out of them sometimes too. This is why one of my resolutions in 2013 is to be a more positive and happy person. I fully believe in the book The Secret (and you should read it if you haven’t)- it teaches the power of positive thinking and how by being positive, good things are naturally attracted to you.

There you have it, my top five energy suckers.

So tell me, what daily things suck the life and energy out of you every day? How do you fight back?