Before you judge my backwards title, think about what should come first.

The ultimate sacrifice; working. Why is this the ultimate sacrifice? Because I am missing moments now, to build a solid future for my kids. Saving up money for them so they have the resources to be whatever they want to become. What a sucky model for a Mommy and her kids, to haphazardly mottle my way through the present, for the future; it’s dumb.

Frustrating is an understatement. I know I have so much more to offer my kids, my husband, my family–right now.

This obsession with promoting work-life balance is really a farce, at least in my situation. First of all, let’s switch it around and get our priorities straight. Shouldn’t it be, life-work balance? Let’s put the more important of the 2–first, not second. My new mantra, life-work balance–my choice to change it up.

In lieu of the shit hitting the fan at work these days, I have to flip flop my priorities or I am really going to come undone and be worthless to everyone, including myself. So, this is my plan. I am putting the following into action. If I fail, I’ll try again. It’s not easy. But, the reward is worth the sacrifice. To live in the now, more holistically with my kids, with my family; that is my everything. Here’s the plan. We’ll see how it goes. My promise is to not be too critical and hard on myself if I fall short.

1. iPhone detox; less time spent browsing and scrolling through news feeds and Pinterest. More time playing with my kids.

2. Exercise; join a gym that will benefit my entire family. One with child care where the kids can play, while Mommy and Daddy take care of our health.

3. Slow the fuck down; there is no reason to do every social thing that crosses my path.

4. Stop trying to clean and organize; this is a pointless activity to obsess over and should not be a top concern because about 5 minutes after feeling accomplished, the house is just a mess all over again.

5. Let it go; yes Elsa actually knows where it’s at. But don’t worry, I won’t be freezing my family. Let it go. I cannot control everything and if I don’t let it go, my anxiety will sky-rocket.

6. Snuggle more; spend more time snuggling with my kids and husband. It’s therapeutic for everybody.

7. Stay in touch; while it seems like an impossibility to keep in touch with my friends. I can at least call to chat, even if it is just 5 minutes.

8. Pamper myself; this one sounds selfish, but, taking care of myself, everyone will benefit from it because I will feel better about myself. Also, pretty sure my husband appreciates when I don’t look like a hobo.

9. Family day; devote one weekend day to a family outing or activity of some sort. It doesn’t have to be extravagant. A day, together. We don’t have enough of them being the majority of days are spent working.

10. Interactive activity; a craft, playing outside, building a fort, painting. Some simple, basic activity that equates to quality time with my kids.

They are only little once. They are only the age they are, once. I want to enjoy them–now. I want to reclaim my family’s quality time through actions promoting life-work balance, and it starts, now.