avatarDarlene López

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Abstract

aby sleeps and my hubby tackles the night shift. I’m surrounded by silence, only hearing the vents’ warmth.</p><p id="4693">At the beginning of the month, my sister came from New York City and spent the first weekend with me. After she left, my mother arrived for another weekend because I had planned my son’s dedication at my dad’s church. I’m glad we did it; I’ve wanted to do it since he was born 20 months ago, but I procrastinated.</p><p id="c7a6">During Thanksgiving, my teen sister came over. And I have to say, I wish I could entertain and understand teenagers, but I don’t. They are so hard to read. I was one of them, but this generation, glued to their phones, addicted to TikTok, it’s hard to beat that. It’s just different.</p><p id="6f54">All I can think about is this silent plea to the universe: <i>I hope I’m mentally and physically ready for the rollercoaster ride of my son’s teenage years ahead!</i></p><p id="9b48">The same day my little sister left, my best friend came over to spend the weekend after Thanksgiving with us — a visit we had planned for months. But life happens, you know. Sometimes, it’s impossible, and rescheduling is part of being a grown up.</p><p id="b262">As grateful as I am and as much as I love and cherish my small circle of family and friends, it’s finally time to say goodbye, take a breather, and finally have my ho

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use to myself.</p><p id="c268">Gratitude mixed with exhaustion — that’s my November saga.</p><p id="a30a">If I must cook and clean up after someone else again, I’m going scream — my toddler doesn’t count.</p><p id="9fe1">As I reflect on the whirlwind of November, filled with family, friends, and the exhaustion that comes with it, I realize the importance of balancing social interactions and personal time.</p><p id="fe99">In gratitude and exhaustion, I’ve learned that setting boundaries is essential for my well-being. So, to anyone feeling the tug of constant obligations, remember that prioritizing self-care is okay. Finding that balance is crucial, whether scheduling moments of solitude or expressing your needs to loved ones.</p><p id="c4db">Embrace the gratitude for connections, but don’t forget to nurture your mental and emotional space. In the delicate dance between togetherness and solitude, we find fulfillment and recharge for what lies ahead.</p><p id="1d7e"><i>slams door and locks it until Christmas</i></p><p id="b82f"><b><i>Thank you for reading.</i></b></p><p id="74dd"><i>To access more of my stories and stay connected, please consider <a href="/subscribe/@darlenelpez">subscribing</a> to my email list. If you enjoy Medium, you can use my <a href="/@darlenelpez">affiliate link</a> to sign up for only $5 a month.</i></p></article></body>

Thank Everyone for Coming and Get Some Well-Deserved Rest

Slamming the door on November

Photo by MART PRODUCTION

Okay, maybe slamming the doors is a bit dramatic and harsh, but I get overwhelmed easily as an introvert. I overthink, can’t stand crowded places, and crave alone time when I can.

So, when the plans for the month involve family members and friends coming over, I feel slightly anxious before their arrival and try to plan the days accordingly to ensure everyone is happy.

Additionally, I’m also a people pleaser. I hate it sometimes. It’s a constant battle in my mind — I’m excited to have people over, yet I feel drained at the thought of playing hostess all weekend.

The urge to write tugs at me, but fatigue hinders the flow, making me cautious of sounding annoyed. Yet, here’s the raw truth — it is what it is, and yes, annoyance is part of the equation.

I never saw this coming, caught off guard by the surprises this month had in store. Now, I am plopped on the living room floor while my baby sleeps and my hubby tackles the night shift. I’m surrounded by silence, only hearing the vents’ warmth.

At the beginning of the month, my sister came from New York City and spent the first weekend with me. After she left, my mother arrived for another weekend because I had planned my son’s dedication at my dad’s church. I’m glad we did it; I’ve wanted to do it since he was born 20 months ago, but I procrastinated.

During Thanksgiving, my teen sister came over. And I have to say, I wish I could entertain and understand teenagers, but I don’t. They are so hard to read. I was one of them, but this generation, glued to their phones, addicted to TikTok, it’s hard to beat that. It’s just different.

All I can think about is this silent plea to the universe: I hope I’m mentally and physically ready for the rollercoaster ride of my son’s teenage years ahead!

The same day my little sister left, my best friend came over to spend the weekend after Thanksgiving with us — a visit we had planned for months. But life happens, you know. Sometimes, it’s impossible, and rescheduling is part of being a grown up.

As grateful as I am and as much as I love and cherish my small circle of family and friends, it’s finally time to say goodbye, take a breather, and finally have my house to myself.

Gratitude mixed with exhaustion — that’s my November saga.

If I must cook and clean up after someone else again, I’m going scream — my toddler doesn’t count.

As I reflect on the whirlwind of November, filled with family, friends, and the exhaustion that comes with it, I realize the importance of balancing social interactions and personal time.

In gratitude and exhaustion, I’ve learned that setting boundaries is essential for my well-being. So, to anyone feeling the tug of constant obligations, remember that prioritizing self-care is okay. Finding that balance is crucial, whether scheduling moments of solitude or expressing your needs to loved ones.

Embrace the gratitude for connections, but don’t forget to nurture your mental and emotional space. In the delicate dance between togetherness and solitude, we find fulfillment and recharge for what lies ahead.

*slams door and locks it until Christmas*

Thank you for reading.

To access more of my stories and stay connected, please consider subscribing to my email list. If you enjoy Medium, you can use my affiliate link to sign up for only $5 a month.

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