Throw Out the Planner - There is a New Boss in Town

Being on maternity leave I realize how scheduled my life typically is. So, in order to try and get done all of the tasks that I need to accomplish the next few months I have decided to continue to use my daily planner. The tasks range from printing baby announcements to working on my thesis. Each day I have a set number of items that I would like to get done. I started this new system on Monday and have at best been able to accomplish one or two items off of the list. My daily expectations may be a bit to high since if I am able to get a shower in before my husband gets home from work...I feel like I have achieved a great accomplishment. Today for instance, I have been wanting to call a cohort member to discuss thesis time lines and also work on some homework, but my little daughter has decided that today she wants me to hold her all day long. She is not fussy....that is if I do not put her down. Right now I am trying to type as she is cuddled up on my chest. She looks like a little baby doll in her purple velour jumpsuit. Every now and then she makes a little baby coo that could make any one's heart melt.

At first I felt a bit stressed out thinking of all of the school related items I have to accomplish the next few months, but then I realized that in the grand scheme of life....holding my newborn is more important than anything I can do today. Don't get me wrong, school is important to me, but my daughter will only be an infant once. I am sure in a few years I will long for the days when she wanted me to hold her all day. Having a baby has put my life into perspective a bit. Maybe my life is a bit too scheduled. Maybe I don't always need to have a plan. Maybe I don't always have to get it all done. So what if my house is not spotless. I have decided that I can either enjoy this time or stress over what I need to get done. I am choosing to enjoy this time with my daughter and take each day one day at a time. Some days I will be able to complete my list, and other days I won't. The key for me to remember is not to sweat the little things or stress over what ultimately I cannot control.