August 25, both of my kids will be back in school. Ian is starting kindergarten, and Gabby will be in 7th grade. But they aren’t the only ones in the Cogley household starting school. This mama is also going back to finish her college degree.
Now, for those of you who are close to me, you know I’ve been in and out of college since I graduated high school. With Mike and I having Gabby when we were 15, it’s changed our life in so many ways. And for the better. However, having kids and trying to navigate college courses is no walk in the park. Add working full time to that, as well as Ian’s medical issues, and my plate is full. All. The. Time.
I constantly kept trying to push myself to finish my degree. But I would push myself so hard that I forgot to take care of myself. And you can’t pour from an empty cup.
I would burn myself out and put school on the backburner, taking multiple “breaks” from school to focus on my well-being and my kids. I’m hoping, and confident, that this time will be different. Because my kids are getting older and less dependent of me. My work schedule has changed. My stress factors are no longer the same- they are much more manageable now. I have a plan this time: get off work at 3:30 and spend, at minimum, one hour after work to do schoolwork. That still leaves me plenty of time to spend with my kids, clean my house, or whatever else.
I’ve also decided to only take one class at a time. I overwhelmed myself trying to do more. I need to maintain a healthy work/life balance in order to be successful. I was always putting myself on this timeline, telling myself I needed to finish my degree by a certain point. If I didn’t, I thought of myself as less worthy. But that’s simply not true. Who cares when I finish my degree? Who cares if it takes me longer than everyone else? I’m doing this for ME. I know I am capable of this. And this isn’t a race.
My journey isn’t the same as anyone else’s, so why should I compare myself to someone who doesn’t walk the same path I do? I’m focused on my goal: earning my degree. No matter how long it may take me. I’m on my own timeline.
What’s that one goal of yours you didn’t think you could reach? Try again. You are capable of amazing things.
I’m excited to see where my life goes from here.
