Dear Working Mom is our periodic love letter to working moms everywhere, where we encourage and support working moms through the issues and challenges they face.
Dear Working Mom,
You know the feeling…That tightness in your chest as the holidays approach and you mentally start adding up the litany of tasks to complete, gifts to purchase and various other obligations to attend to…The stress of getting everything done on time, from organizing the perfect Christmas to meeting all your work deadlines…You know it all too well, this nagging sensation of running a marathon without taking a break, and making it look easy and flawless in the process…They say it’s the most wonderful time of the year, but for you, it may also be the most stressful time of the year…
This year, the holiday season may look different, what with the pandemic and distress associated with it, increasing the already intense stress so many working moms feel around this time of year. Worrying about the safety of family and friends while still striving to preserve holiday traditions and somewhat of a sense of normalcy has now become the hallmark of what should be a joyous time of togetherness and celebration. This is in addition to the already heavy job loss, childcare and societal burden working moms like yourself have been saddled with as a result of the pandemic…
In spite of this onslaught of pressure, and maybe because of it, this holiday season may just be the reminder you need to put your sanity first. Maybe the stakes are so high in this season, from health to financial and human connection concerns, that they are forcing you to reconsider what you’ve been doing all along. Maybe this season is reminding you (along with all of us) that desperately attempting to control it all under the guise of apparent success is an exercise in futility after all. Instead, it may just be a loud call to preserve your sanity instead, cherish who and what truly matters, and re-invent an otherwise stress-filled time of unending errands and to-do’s into an intentional and purposeful family and personal time…
So, dear Working Mom, ‘tis the season to re-consider your holiday to-do list.
‘Tis the season to re-invent the holidays for yourself and your family.
‘Tis the season to preserve your sanity, your well-being, your joy and everything that makes you you…
Even if that means swapping perfect decorations for homemade paper ornaments crafted on the floor with the kids…
Even if that means disappointing a few people but finally approving of yourself…
Especially if that means being more present, more fulfilled, more you…
Take care!
The Corporate Sis.
