Balancing Act Balancing Act T H E O N G O I N G

Balancing life is always a work in progress. From emotions to finances and time management, life is quite literally an ongoing balancing act. There is always a task that needs prioritizing. I’ve found time management is one of the key factors in finding a solution to the ongoing clash of priorities.

My relationship with time management has been less than stellar. A year or two ago, I was diagnosed with ADHD with OCD tendencies. At first, it was hard for me to grasp “being different.” After the phase of denial (and much research), the diagnosis helped me come to the realization that ADHD was the reason I had been struggling. I struggled to remember my depression medication at times and I constantly felt like I was being dragged in a million different directions with no resolution. My brain moved so fast that there was never a moment of quiet for sitting and planning upcoming activities or expenses.

Therapy and medication have helped, but I still have to work hard at it every day! I’ve had to lower my expectations for myself because the truth is neurodivergent individuals have different boundaries and levels of emotional tolerance for social activities. Along with limiting my social interactions to what my body felt was a good level, I also have taken some time management classes.

There have been a few online courses on LinkedIn and Coursera that have helped me gain control over my professional and personal time management skills. Keeping track of events and finances on an agenda AND calendar (both daily and monthly) have proved to be the most useful tools to me. Like they say, out of sight, out of mind! If I didn’t see the priorities and/or responsibilities on a to-do list, I felt overwhelmed (to a crippling degree). These feelings are also things that have to be a priority.

Since I began listening to my body and mind, I’ve learned it’s crucial to allow children to see their parents experience all emotions. I used to think shielding my kids from my big emotions was protecting them. Now I believe that showing my children that we have big emotions too, and how we navigate through those feelings actually helps them with their coping skills!

I never realized how emotionally dysregulated I was until I had kids. I had to be better for them and for me! Prioritizing my coping skills, selfcare, and validating my emotions has helped me through my bouts of depression and anxiety as well as my overall mental health. If I hadn’t decided to allow myself to feel these emotions and prioritize healing, who knows how stunted my personal growth would have been? My personal growth journey has been a wild ride, but I wouldn’t change it if I could go back.

On this journey, I’ve been yearning to find myself. When it comes to sexual orientation, self-expression, and career, I had no idea where I was or rather who I was. There have been many obstacles, including finances. My time management skills have helped with finances as much as they can. Figuring out what I wanted to do for a career was not an easy road to go down. After switching jobs for an option that was better for my family and caused less stress on me, I experienced poverty, went hungry to feed my kids, and wondered where our next meal was coming from.

Our community has been nothing but supportive and generous during this time, which we are thankful for. While the transition into this new job has been immensely difficult, it’s coming together now, and financial stability is becoming more feasible Although it is seemingly getting better, budgeting money and making sure that I can provide the necessary resources for my family is a priority every day So while I’m prioritizing my feelings and my family, I’m also constantly thinking about our future and how I can provide more for them

Time management skills are a blessing in disguise at times, but in order to get ahead in the balancing act of life, you must endure some of the hardest challenges in order to see results in the future.

Living an Alternative Lifestyle to me means that you live a lifestyle that’s not of the “norm”. Not something everyone is use to everyday. Living this lifestyle could mean you freely “do as you please”. A non traditional way of living.

WHAT'SYOURGUILTYPLEASURE?

Traveling Traveling Traveling

WHATISYOURFAVORITEFOOD? STEAK & POTATOES STEAK & POTATOES

HOWDIDYOURALTLIFEJOURNEYBEGIN?

My partner and I pillow talked of the idea for years. I was listening to a podcast and one of the guest mentioned the app called Feeld. I downloaded the app and my husband and I created a profile and began looking for people to connect with. After a few months, we met with our first couple and we’ve flourished in the Alt Life since then.

HOWWOULDDOYOUDEFINEYOURALTLIFE?

VERY SUCCESSFUL VERY SUCCESSFUL VERY SUCCESSFUL

It has brought so many positive things to not only the Alt Life we live but in our marriage as a whole.

HOWLONGHAVEYOUBEENLIVINGANALTLIFE?

WHATATTRACTEDYOUTOIT?

Dancing

My partner and I have been in the ALT Life

My partner and I have been in the ALT Life

My I have ALT Life for 6+ years. My want for spice in the for 6+ years. My want for spice in the 6+ years. in bedroom and to explore my sexuality is bedroom and to explore sexuality is bedroom is what attracted us to the alt Life. what attracted us to the alt Life. us to

WHATISYOURBIGGESTTURNON?

WHATISYOURFAVORITEVANILLAACTIVITY?

I’ve been dancing since before I could walk. I love dancing because it makes me feel so free! I can get lost in the music, move my body the way it tells me to and I feel so confident and comfortable doing so! I think that in every emotion I go through, I can express myself or relieve anything I need, through dancing.

WHATISONETHINGON YOURBUCKETLISTYOU HOPETODOTHISYEAR?

CLIFF CLIFF

JUMPING JUMPING JUMPING

EYES, & HUMOR KIND & EMOTIONAL HUMOR KIND & EMOTIONAL HUMOR KIND

EYES, SMILE & ARMS

EYES, SMILE & ARMS

WHATISONELESSON YOURALTL https://www.woodhullfoundation.org/progressive-policies-make-all-families-stronger/

Don’t have expecta y you! Remembering at the end of the day, your partner will always be there. And rejection is still a thing, even when you are married. Always be open minded and don’t forget when you are uncomfortable, to say no or stop.

A newly released report from the Center for American Progress confirms what many of us may already know, that strong families are linked to access to resources and financial stability. Family stability has been tied to the following progressive policies: increasing the minimum wage, strengthening collective bargaining, expanding Medicaid and supporting reproductive rights. You can read the report here.

This report flies in the face of conservative policies on family, especially the GOP platform on Marriage, Family and Society (content warning, but you can find it here). This analysis adds to a growing body of literature which shows that inadequate resources and financial stress contribute to unstable families. Strong families are tied to to adequate wages, affordable health care and other benefits, and access to family planning. States with a progressive stance on these four policies also tend to have higher educational attainment and lower levels of incarceration – which is also good for families.

It is important to note Republican platforms have a negative impact on families – the party of so-called “family values.” GOP policies, like unionbusting and anti-choice legislation, keeps families stressed and struggling. Strong families have nothing to do with marriage between a man and a woman, but rather progressive policies that empower individuals to create strong partnerships with whomever they may love, however they may love.