Jolene Wilson shares her thoughts on making yourself a priority

For me, it is the embodiment of what happens right after having a child, but before and after as well.

This picture symbolises all the things not just women but adults have to juggle on a daily basis and if we look like this on the outside then what are our minds like?

I’ll tell you. I am currently awaiting appointments. One for two organs that are stuck together and the other because I have found another lump in my breast, so at least one or both will require surgery.

Jolene Wilson shares her thoughts. (Image: Jolene Wilson)

Although it’s not the surgery I am apprehensive of, it’s the recovery. I know it will be a matter of a day or so but I am anticipating still juggling everything during that time.

Lately, I’ve been overly conscious of making memories for our children as they are at that age where lasting and first memories begin. As well as that I’m trying not to spend as much money but some of the things I spend on create those memories, catch 22 number 1!

I am trying to work and set up my business but can mostly work from home until my youngest goes to school and I feel irrevocably frustrated that I cannot massively contribute, catch 22 number 2!

I want and need for my physical and mental health to get better and so to work on myself which means going to the gym or working out but can only do that at 4am or late evening when I’m exhausted from normal day to day duties that are never ending, life admin and making magic. Catch 22 number 3!

I want to look nice and put make up on but I have to give my boys a quick breakfast so I can do it or not do the washing up, catch 22 number 4, AND guaranteed at the end of everyday whether I’ve made an effort or not I end the day covered in wee, poo, sick, blood, mud, food and bogies. Catch 22 number 5!

So, you see even on the base level life is extremely contradictory and immensely annoying and I just feel like I’m holding onto something in the air waiting to jump on the fast moving train that is life down below, waiting for an opportune moment where it slows down even briefly, but it never does.

Do you feel like that too?

Life is a head spin, there’s always so much going on. It’s fine when people say take some time for yourself or relax but you can’t. There is a constant never-ending to do list and you are not on it because you are not a priority.

It’s all well and good people of different industries, hair, fitness, wellbeing, holiday, food etc saying make yourself a priority but the minute you do you’re very very behind and therefore more stressed than when you started.

Taking 'me time' is supposed to be good for your mental health and it is, when it fits in without causing chaos.

You should be a priority for your health and to set a great example but do you really want to go home to more washing up or the jobs that you didn’t make a priority?

I’m not saying don’t do things for yourself because you definitely should, but we know that it doesn’t come without consequences and so this image is life. Not just a woman that has been cut open but everyone juggling chaos.

The single dad who has to do everything and work full time, the mums who work and keep a house and educate their children, the people who choose to volunteer or study, everyone never gets time for them. Because life is too fast.

Jolene Wilson, Weston Mum.