"real world"

Well, it's back to the "real world" for me and I have had to hit the ground not only running but at breakneck speed.  After a week of being back in the "real world" and in a new position at work, I am either ready for another vacation or to invest in a life vest so I don't completely drown.  Yes, I am completely up for the new challenge my new work position provides for me but it is going to take some time to wrap my head around it all, get myself organized and make a new name for myself.  It is going to also take some time to get used to not only my new role but also my new work hours and figure out how to get everything else accomplished in my day.

I had gotten used to getting off of work, having time to run errands if necessary and then go to dance class or choir or any other appointments I had scheduled during the week.  With my change in hours my tight schedule is now even tighter since I have a very limited amount of time between work and class/choir leaving no time to get anything else accomplished.  It didn't help that I had two after work meetings this past week and I have one this upcoming week as well.  I know that I will just have to once again look at the hours I have in my work day as well as the hours I have outside of work and deem what goes where priority wise and just do the best I can every day.  If I have to take it hour by hour for a bit until I get used to things, that's just what I'm going to have to do.

In the midst of trying to learn my new responsibilities/job description at work, learning new dance choreography (and getting ready for some upcoming performances), running errands and just "life" in general, I am going to work at setting some new goals for myself in other aspects of my life.  I know that I've often said that I'm going to work at finding some sort of balance for my life and I haven't really done it.  This is something that I know I need to remedy and remedy sooner rather than later.  One of the problems with that is, I'm still not 100% sure how to go about finding/applying said balance to my life.

I guess one of the things that I need to do is approach this challenge as I approach using my sword during dance.  I know that with my sword if I attempt to do too much too fast, the sword won't stay balanced and I could potentially hurt myself or someone else.  The same goes with trying to find/apply balance to different aspects of my life -- if I attempt to do too much too fast, I could possibly hurt myself (in the physical, emotional or psychological sense) or there is that chance that I could hurt someone else (even if it's unintentional).  And neither of those is something that I'd really like to have happen...

Something else that I really need to learn how to do along this quest is learn that it's okay to put myself first sometimes.  For example, some time ago I did something to one of my knees.  On my vacation is was feeling much better; almost to the point where I thought I had allowed it to heal completely.  As soon as I get back, I begin to push myself again and my knee is right back to how it was - tender, sore and it occasionally gives out on me.  So do I take time off?  Of course not.  I just have to keep physically pushing myself and wonder if it's ever going to completely heal without needing to one day think about seeing a doctor or having surgery.  I don't want either of those things to have to happen.

If I don't want to cause permanent damage to my knee, I guess that is pretty perfect motivation to figure out a way to find that balance and make it happen.  Well, before I head to bed tonight, maybe that will provide some down time for me in order to start brainstorming of how to bring this balance into the different aspects of my life.  I think I'm also going to take the opportunity to use a heating pad or something on my knee.  Fingers crossed that it'll help...