The Four Ps

When I became a mother a friend told me that it would be nearly impossible to be the best of all the three Ps at once: parent, partner, and professional. She said she'd found that most people could handle being really good at two of those at once, but all three was often overload, and inevitably something suffered. I think she's right. It's really hard to be the best mother, spouse, and peace lobbyist I could be all at once. I find if I'm doing really well at one, I'm lucky to be at 60% on the other two.

I've also added a fourth P: person. Being my own person, living up to my values, and giving myself time for self-care may be what has suffered most over the past year. I did recently find a yoga studio near our house (maybe the most exciting find since the coffee shop), and I've made it to a class three weekends in a row now! So, maybe I'm doing a little better. And maybe the trick isn't trying to fill all the roles 100% but instead balancing the four Ps day by day, week by week, month by month, so they all add up right and no single part gets neglected too much for too long.

Speaking of Ps, you're waiting for more Pablo photos aren't you...