Doe-MESS-sticity

I've often fancied myself a writer/editor type who jumped at the career change to freelance to be able to spend more time with my two young children. But this premise leaves me with a few life balance quandaries.

In the abstract, the hierarchy is simple: family, freelance work, housework. But the reality is a little different for a couple of reasons.

The first, quite simply, is that the housework interferes. Taking care of the kids and he spouse requires a fair amount of maintenance housework—at the very least, daily kitchen duties and laundry. And the dining room table needs to be cleaned to make a space for board games and crafts. And how can we possibly make a train track if the carpet hasn't been cleared and vacuumed?

Add to that my natural aversion to working amongst a mess—something I've had to simply overcome, because the alternative means I'll never get anything done.

My writing life can be just as big a mess as my house. First off, I'm a split personality, craving the money producing freelance work and the time to enjoy writing and editing my fiction. I need the freelance work, because there's something properly fulfilling about getting paid for something I like to do. But I also believe that achieving success in the fiction market requires keeping regular hours as a fiction writer. In essence, writing and editing daily. Treating fiction as my business.

That can be a real leap for me, because I often feel I'm stealing time for a "hobby" (god, I hate that word) because I'm unpublished. And wouldn't it be more productive to be cleaning house right now?

Well, I'll admit this is all mostly rambling because my core plan remains the same. I will still opt for writing over laundry often enough to keep me balanced and hope my spouse can forgive me when my absentminded approach to chores means I've accidentally stained his favorite college t-shirt (yes, really. Sorry, honey!)

What are you balancing in your life?

Required reading

For the last few years, my friends have been pressuring me to join a book club. And I've consistently resisted, not because I don't enjoy books—or the company of my friends. But the idea that I would have the free time to read and keep up with the club seemed somehow laughable, as I had a full-time job, a young son, and was expecting a second child.

This is a great irony for me, as I've always been a voracious reader. Have you ever watched the TV show Intervention? If I ever required one it would definitely be for reading books. In junior high, I had a book-a-day habit. Not surprisingly, my reading time has significantly fallen off since having kids. What's a girl to do?

Enter technology. I can now read a book on my iPod ... Or even have one read to me. I've fallen hard for the audio book. I listen all the time. While I'm doing dishes, folding laundry, or even driving. And this makes me a much happier person.

It's these simple solutions that can totally change our perspective. Having time to read—and a chance to celebrate it with friends—definitely makes me a better wife and mom. And maybe even a better friend!

Do you have tips or tricks to find time to enjoy your favorite hobbies? We'd love to hear them!