Life has been full over here lately, and with the holidays coming up, everything kicked into a higher gear overnight. The kids have their own schedules with winter sports, appointments keep popping up, and the house always throws in a surprise the second I think we are in the clear. And of course, Harlan keeps me in check. If I'm even five minutes late for her walk, she gives me that look like I've wrecked her whole day. Honestly, she might be the only one in the house with a consistent routine.
Outside of trying to keep up with all that, I've been doing my best to hold onto a bit of time for myself. It helps me stay sane when everything starts moving in ten directions at once. I've been sticking with my Jiu Jitsu, especially now that I'm working towards my black belt, and it gives me a good mental reset. I'm also still keeping up with my Spanish and Portuguese classes, and they've become a nice break in the week. And on slower days, I'll dig through some vinyls and let a record play while I catch my breath. Those little moments where I slow down, breathe, and do something that's just mine go a long way.
Beyond those anchors, the rest of my days are built around small reset moments. A few quiet minutes outside before I dive into planning or writing, stretching in the living room while Harlan judges my form, picking up a couple of things so the house feels a little less chaotic, or talking with the kids when they wander in with some off-the-wall story. Between recording, planning workouts, and the usual family shuffle, those tiny pauses are what keep everything somewhat balanced. It's never perfect, but those small moments make the whole day feel manageable.
And speaking of the kids, watching them get older has been one of my favorite parts. When they were younger, they used to jump in on whatever I was doing, workouts, chores, fixing something around the house, even if none of it made sense to them. They just wanted to be part of it, and now that they are teenagers, they have their own routines and hobbies. Now and then, they'll still join me for a walk or hang out while I'm working on something, and those moments hit way harder than any big planned activity. It's those little moments now that help create a new balance as everyone grows and goes in their own direction.
Balance in our house is never one steady thing, and it changes all day long. Working from home means I'm right in the middle of everything: kids coming and going, Harlan reminding me when it's time to walk, something in the house needing attention, and whatever work I'm trying to get done in between all of that. Some hours go smoothly, and other hours feel like I'm just trying to keep up. I've stopped expecting it to look perfect. Instead, I work with whatever the day throws at me, take the small wins when they show up, and adjust the rest as I go.
That's the season we are in right now, a little chaotic and fun in its own messy way. If your days look anything like ours right now, know you're in good company.
So, Team, how are things on your end? Are you finding your own pockets of balance, or just doing your best to keep up like the rest of us? Can you find time to take care of yourself and stay on top of your workouts? I'd love to hear how you're navigating everything and what's been working for you.
See you in the next workout, Team, and here's to surviving the holidays together!
Creator Check In -Balancing Family Life
Hey FB Family!
Life has been full over here lately, and with the holidays coming up, everything kicked into a higher gear overnight. The kids have their own schedules with winter sports, appointments keep popping up, and the house always throws in a surprise the second I think we are in the clear. And of course, Harlan keeps me in check. If I'm even five minutes late for her walk, she gives me that look like I've wrecked her whole day. Honestly, she might be the only one in the house with a consistent routine.
Outside of trying to keep up with all that, I've been doing my best to hold onto a bit of time for myself. It helps me stay sane when everything starts moving in ten directions at once. I've been sticking with my Jiu Jitsu, especially now that I'm working towards my black belt, and it gives me a good mental reset. I'm also still keeping up with my Spanish and Portuguese classes, and they've become a nice break in the week. And on slower days, I'll dig through some vinyls and let a record play while I catch my breath. Those little moments where I slow down, breathe, and do something that's just mine go a long way.
Beyond those anchors, the rest of my days are built around small reset moments. A few quiet minutes outside before I dive into planning or writing, stretching in the living room while Harlan judges my form, picking up a couple of things so the house feels a little less chaotic, or talking with the kids when they wander in with some off-the-wall story. Between recording, planning workouts, and the usual family shuffle, those tiny pauses are what keep everything somewhat balanced. It's never perfect, but those small moments make the whole day feel manageable.
And speaking of the kids, watching them get older has been one of my favorite parts. When they were younger, they used to jump in on whatever I was doing, workouts, chores, fixing something around the house, even if none of it made sense to them. They just wanted to be part of it, and now that they are teenagers, they have their own routines and hobbies. Now and then, they'll still join me for a walk or hang out while I'm working on something, and those moments hit way harder than any big planned activity. It's those little moments now that help create a new balance as everyone grows and goes in their own direction.
Balance in our house is never one steady thing, and it changes all day long. Working from home means I'm right in the middle of everything: kids coming and going, Harlan reminding me when it's time to walk, something in the house needing attention, and whatever work I'm trying to get done in between all of that. Some hours go smoothly, and other hours feel like I'm just trying to keep up. I've stopped expecting it to look perfect. Instead, I work with whatever the day throws at me, take the small wins when they show up, and adjust the rest as I go.
That's the season we are in right now, a little chaotic and fun in its own messy way. If your days look anything like ours right now, know you're in good company.
So, Team, how are things on your end? Are you finding your own pockets of balance, or just doing your best to keep up like the rest of us? Can you find time to take care of yourself and stay on top of your workouts? I'd love to hear how you're navigating everything and what's been working for you.
See you in the next workout, Team, and here's to surviving the holidays together!
Brian & Harlan