Life Update: I'm Tired 'Cuz I'm a Builder

I realized something the other day.  I was pondering my life and why I feel tired and drained a lot (place twenty-something  "adulting" meme here), when I think I came upon a part of the answer...

I'm tired because I'm a builder!

I realized that I am in the process of building four very different things in life all at once. That might be why I feel drained a lot even though I get enough sleep.  I'm constantly thinking about how to make four different things better,  how to keep them going, how to build and grow them.


I'm building this blog, for one thing.  As any blogger will tell you, if you want your blog to grow you need to put a lot of effort in.  Photos, projects, new content... they all take work!  

my workout buddy Molly and I!
I'm also building a career.  Right now I'm working at two jobs to help my husband through his master's program, but I ultimately want to join the military.  I'm taking steps toward that, but it involves a lot of physical exercise, studying, learning, and effort along the way to be the best candidate I can and give myself the best shot at the kind of job I want.  


I'm building a church, too.  Obviously, not by myself, but I'm part of a team that has started a brand new church in our city that was officially launched last October.  It's a multicultural church, and we're in a very monocultural town.  It's pioneering type work that has never been done in our city, and we can't find many examples of other diverse churches in monocultural towns in the U.S.... so we're trying things and listening for God's guidance and learning a lot through trial and error as we do something new. 


Then, lastly, I'm building a family business!  Recently I've stepped into the role of managing my father's recording studio and music publishing company while they are out of the country.  While I grew up at this studio (my dad started it when I was in elementary school), I don't know all the technical aspects.  I'm learning office work, technical skills to do recording sessions, and working on marketing and expanding the business.  

All of this is a lot of learning and working outside my comfort zone, which often comes with new things.  It's a bit of a trying time, but I know I'm developing grit and moxie that will come in handy later.

I have to remind myself to be patient with me.  I think we expect ourselves to pick things up and run with them faster than we as humans are really able to do.  While we may be pretty bright, humans need time to adjust to change, and there's a lot of change in the modern world and in my current situation.  I need to be patient with myself and be willing to put in the work to see things grow over time, not just overnight like I may want.  Building things takes time.

All this to say, I know I haven't been posting as much as I used to, but it just might need to stay that way for a bit in order for me to keep my sanity.  I love this blog, and you readers are the best, so I'm not going anywhere!  I'm just building a lot of stuff right now and may post a bit less.  Some days I'm too tired to pin curl my hair and put on a nice outfit, and I know you guys understand.

Are you building any things in your life right now?  How are you adjusting to change or increased responsibility?

18 comments

  1. I'm wife, mom to six young people, working at starting a bookkeeping business, starting a microgreens business, in the middle of selling my home, packing, and moving my family back home a few hundred miles away. To cope, my sewing and growing are on hold, and I'm trying to take things one day at time, focusing on what needs to be accomplished today while stopping every once in a while to slow down and take a walk to the river with the super-amazing young people in my life.

    Your plate is quite full....with great things. It's nice to read about all the wonderful and worthwhile endeavors of others. It sounds like you're on the right track, being aware of how you need to accomplish while still keeping things together in your life.

    I wish you the best!

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    1. Geez, you totally understand, don't you?! You've got a lot going on! It sounds like you're handling it well, too. Taking things a day at a time and stopping to slow down and be with people is a really great thing to do. I think that makes it all worth while! Thanks so much for your comment!

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  2. Wow Emileigh you defiantly have a lot on your plate, it's no wonder you're tried. At the same time I know that us "builder" types can't stand not "building". So while you might be tired now I know that your hard work will pay off and when it does, you'll probably think of another big project to under take ;) Good Luck!

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    1. Haha, it's SO TRUE! "I'm not building anything... so nothing is fun..." mixed with "Now I'm building things and it's a lot to deal with! AAAA!!!" Such a paradox!!! Yep, you get it. :)

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  3. Loved hearing more about your life . . . You seem to be doing it all with much grace from my perspective!

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  4. Wow, you really have a lot on your plate! But it all sounds very exciting!! I started a new job back in March and was recently given a lot more responsibility as well as trying to blog 3x a week can be really hard so I can understand the struggle. I love hearing life updates like this from other bloggers though :)

    Lee - leethrifts.com

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    1. Yeah, bloggers can make it seem like blogging is an easy thing to do, like it just magically fits into one's life because everything in life is blog-worthy... but it's not true! I have to fit blogging in and get creative about it, especially in busy times. Starting a new job is always a very trying time, getting used to things and learning a new workplace culture. Keep up the good work, Lee! :)

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  5. Been thinking a lot about this post the last few days, it really resonated with me. My husband and I are both still at uni, and there's a lot of life planning going on at this stage. Some days it's tiring, but it's a stage of laying the foundations for the rest of our lives

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    1. So very true! My husband is also still in school. It takes sacrificing in the present, but you know it'll be worth it afterward! You can do it!

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  6. As a fellow follower of Christ, you should know that a woman may not preach in church...

    1 Corinthians 14:34-35: Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

    Love,
    Amy

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    1. Ha, well, that section of scripture doesn't apply to a preaching context and isn't applicable to today's culture by standards of hermeneutics laid out by many theologians. Happily, my church fellowship doesn't agree and is glad to empower women to get out there and do God's work. He's coming back soon and we need all hands on deck!

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    2. Dear Emileigh,
      I would be interested to know what you believe this scripture to say, then? Also, I am not familiar with your chruch and it's particular beliefs, but no personal outlook, worldly doctrine, or time can change the meaning or relevance of God's word.

      Isaiah 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.

      1 Peter 1:24-25 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

      For it is also made very clear in 1 Timothy 2:11-15 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

      As women, there are many ways to serve in the church that excludes preaching, and these are the things we should be busying ourselves with...

      With love,
      Amy

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  7. Blimey you're a busy lady - and one of many, many talents!! I've got a plate full too, but you know what? I wouldn't want it any other way. I'm at my most fulfilled when I'm learning. I'm a learner! x

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  8. Look it just sounds totally exhausting to me! I'm feeling very busy with home and child and business but I'm doing my best to go easy on myself and ease up on the things that can handle being left for a while. I try to keep my house clean but accept that it will be messy, I try to feed us all healthy food but accept it will not be new and exciting, I mostly ignore the garden (sadly) and I blog less frequently than before. Sustainably busy is the goal I guess!

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  9. Albeit with mostly different circumstances, this is so relatable for me. I'm a massive workaholic (always have been, likely always will be) and often feel drained/exhausted by everything that is on my plate - even when I want some/most/all of those things to be there. As Porcelina said above though, I'm usually at my most fulfilled when I'm very busy and/or learning, and really wouldn't want it any other way - though we do all need to be mindful that we don't accidentally get properly burned out in the process. I think that what you're doing is incredible impressive and commendable, and wish you continued strength to keep on doing everything that is presently nearest and dearest to your heart.

    xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  10. Man you are busy! And I am freaking out about brainstorming two different rooms, a quilt, and a new wardrobe. I am very much a focus on one creative thing at a time sort of girl. But to say I am not a workaholic in my own way would be a lie, I read so much, especially educational stuff. And I am trying hard to still do social things because I forget with my current jobs I need to go out of my way to talk to people my age. Good luck with all your jobs and projects!

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    1. Ha, I totally understand! I'm working on a couple projects at once right now... and I'm also a one project at a time person... Don't know why I'm doing that to myself...
      Good luck to you as well!

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  11. I feel you Emileigh! My life has had so many new things and levels of responsibilities added to it, I have found it hard to keep up. But as you said, sometimes you just need to take it slow and put in the work to watch things grow and get accomplished over time. I think sometimes we think we need to get everything done NOW! But that just puts a wrench in productivity because we are trying to accomplish everything at once. Learning to balance my time has been the hardest thing, but I am getting there, slowly but surely.

    How COOL that you are working at your family's recording studio! That must be such a neat job!

    Blessings,

    Brigid, the Middle Sister and Singer

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