Exhausted From Doing It All

Always make time for you. You time is a priority so you may be the best you may be. Try physical activities that are relaxing yet engaging; dancing, cleaning up the yard, a game of b ball with the kids it doesn’t always have to be running or walking make it fun. 10-15 min a day makes all the difference. Good luck.
Mommy of 2 on a journey as well.

I can’t work out how to add you! But feel free to send me a friend request. 😊

You have a lot on your plate. Sometimes, we just can't expend anything more, and that is ok. When I was a single mom I would try to integrate more movement into my life while I was also doing the things that had to be done around the house or in my children's lives. It may have looked like walking around the gymnastics studio while a daughter was taking class, or doing 10 minutes of meditation while the rice boiled. Mainly, wellness looked like making space in my mind for my own thoughts, learning better coping techniques to the stresses of everyday living, and reading for a few minutes before bed. Being active with your kids can get them moving, and that's a great thing, when it's possible. Learning to embrace the unpredictability of single parenthood and opening yourself to the reality that flexibility is the greatest asset for wellness in that situation, can save you some discouragement. Take it day by day.

I can't relate to your particular situation (no kids) but have my own time challenges (working 2-3 jobs, one of which is full time+, commuting, boyfriend/dating, my sport, keeping the house and yard all by myself and finances not allowing for just hiring some help, pets....).

A few things I've had to do lately to keep my priorities, may or may not be helpful for you:

#1 thing is my "Win the Day" aka daily critical task list. I have my main priority categories (health, fitness, mental, career, "life"). First thing right after I let the dog out and grab my coffee, I sit down and choose 3-5 things that day to work on those categories (1 task per category max). These can be small, and may not be my bigger goal, but they are "touches" in the right direction. So example might be "track kcal" but I may not specify that I need to stay in range that day; another may be to visualize for 10 minutes; exercise or yard work for 15 minutes; read my development book; etc).

Fitting things in where I can - for example, I've been missing my visualization most days the past couple weeks after starting my new job (and the commute with it), so today I decided to use that commute time by verbally (out loud to myself) talking about my goals/dreams rather than my usual meditation style. I lift weights in the work gym during the breaks for 15 minutes - not long enough to get sweaty or gross, don't need special clothing to do some lifting, and I still am getting it in. Some days it's just taking the dog for a 15 minute walk when I get home first thing before I get distracted.

During my early am job (barn chores at a horse stable) I listen to a motivating podcast rather than music - helps start my day off with good information, and helps me keep doing the small things every day even when I'm tired.

I just bought an air fryer to help making cooking healthy meals at home easier and faster.

Strict routine is key!! I HAVE to stick to my routine - I plan in some time with the boyfriend, but if he's dragging his feet and putzing around, well, he misses out, because I simply have to be in bed and going to sleep by my bedtime, because that alarm goes off at the same time, and while I have learned I can live on less sleep than I ever realized, it DOES require a rigid routine and bedtime, because less sleep simply isn't an option.

NO is your friend. Realize that other people may not understand - even if they totally should understand, they probably won't (see boyfriend above lol). It will be on you to put your foot down and do the things. Saying "no" is a very important muscle to have, and will be essential to your sanity. At first you'll feel guilty (and other people will selfishly try to guilt you into their way), but once you get used to it, it's not as bad as it seems, and you'll get pretty used to just saying no and sticking to your priorities. Don't bother trying to over explain yourself - they won't get it. Recognizing that THEY are being selfish by not just accepting your no helps too

I just wanted to say that is a lot as you mention college/students perhaps they could support a little with some chores (not loads) something like learning to put a wash on or hand out clothes.