{Sigh}

I don’t know about you, but my mind is constantly inundated by sights and sounds, information, details involved in daily life, etc.

Even when that “stuff” is positive in nature — the beauty of the world around me, the sound of my granddaughters’ laughter, the request for “Nonni, play ring-around-the-rosie”, news of a friend’s all-clear after a medical test, etc. — there’s so much for my brain to absorb and process.

My body is also often overtaxed. At 60+, caring full-time for my two very-active — and dare I say, absolutely adorable — granddaughters (age 2 years 3 months and 11 months old) is exhausting. The last time I had 2 little ones in diapers, one running around and the other just beginning to walk, both of them excited and curious about the world around them and filled with more energy than I can begin to fathom, I was 31 years younger!

By the time 4:00 arrives and I’ve kissed my granddaughters good-bye for the day and am on my way to my quiet apartment, I am mentally and physically exhausted.

When I was teaching full time, I found ways to build into my day a few small pockets of time for pause and relaxation. After I initially retired, I was able to increase those few minutes into mini-breaks for Bible study, reading for pleasure, and healthy snacks. 

But now? An uninterrupted trip to the ladies’ room would be enough to make my day! 🙂

We’re still 5 months away from a 2/3-day-a-week preschool schedule, and finding a suitable woman (college age or above) to watch the girls one or two days a week until then has proven to be impossible (so far). As a result, it’s clear to me that I must develop some ways to incorporate even small pockets of spiritual and physical rest and rejuvenation into these busy days.

I know I’m not alone. Many men and women in their prime time years are still working full-time, caring for a home, etc., and many are also caregivers for an elderly or ill parent or spouse. According to statistics I’ve read, many are also raising — full-time, no less — at least one grandchild while working full-time and possibly even caring for an elderly or ill parent or spouse! 

So how do those of us in our prime time years and facing such demands find time and the means to give their spirits, minds, and bodies the rest and reboot they so desparately need?

That’s what I’ll be focusing on in the next few weeks. I’ll be posting here every Thursday, sharing with you what I’m learning; I’ll also be sharing tips and links to helpful information during the week on Instagram and Facebook (Patti Miinch, on both sites).

I hope you’ll join in the conversation, sharing your own challenges, any tips or solutions you’ve found, or simply whatever comes to mind.