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72 sats \ 3 replies \ @Scoresby 12h \ on: First day at my new school BooksAndArticles
This is a tough lesson to learn, isn't it. I very much agree with you, though: if you really want to do it well, you need to be ruthless with much of the other ambitions of your life.
Does parenting replenish or sap your energy?
It depletes my energy. Like, right now I have two hours before I need to pick them up from school. I need to rest (literally lie on my bed) for 30 mins before I go pick them up. The nightly routine of showering feeding interacting with them just exhausts me. My low energy is exacerbated by the fact that Iām an extrovert. Pre-fatherhood, I either went out with friends or attended evening networking sessions. Having to rush home every day requires a huge mental adjustment.
I do recognise that things will pick up from now on. My boy just turned six, and I enjoy taking him to watch movies or try out enrichment classes. I just wish that I could resume part of my social life asap. (I went out at night to watch a concert earlier this month. So happy about it that I posted a photo on my FB and attracted 20+ likes. I think my joy is palpable haha)
Are you always so relentless with yourself? š
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Yes.
Parenting is hard. Children are learning how to be humans and the process is messy. They have an endless desire for your attention and need you to help keep them alive (although sometimes with much less effort than we think is required).
Having my "one" project I'm working on, the one thing that I do has been my best armor against the energy depletion. I've always tried to carve out a little space (usually late at night or early in the morning) for working on my project and that has done a lot for my sanity.
I'm not a particularly social person, though. I'm sure an adult social life is harder to work into a family life than a project of some sort. It is certainly the case that it will get easier quickly. The baby, toddler years are the worst.
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Thanks for expounding on your thoughts.
This is how I have come to view my blog. Initially I regarded it as a side hustle, but gradually, it has evolved to be my passion project, something that I categorise in a different mental/emotional from my job and parenting duties. I attach part of my identity to it; it would be nice if people come to regard me as a helpful blogger heh.
I notice that you have been more active on SN recently. Is this increased activity linked in some way to your project? Like a warm-up ritual before tackling your project? Or stealing a few moments to interact on SN before resuming the project?
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