The Real Work
This pandemic has brought about so many unique challenges for all of us and exasperated some of the challenges we tend to face even without a pandemic. I refrained from posting to the blog last week, mostly because I simply didn’t have the time, or the capacity to share. There are some weeks like this, when I can’t seem to catch up on work. The kids need me more for one reason or another, and I spent most of the week feeling like a bit of a failure honestly, because I couldn’t seem to quite get it all together.
Somewhere between all the half finished things, I realized this was work too. This is the real work. All the little things it takes to get through the week, because, really, the need to “work” will never go away. The deadlines, the reminders, the expectations, the need to pay bills. However, do you know what else won’t go away? You. Your life. Your needs. Your family, whoever that may consist of, and the reality that some days or even weeks, it is impossible to do it all.
I always find myself trying to compartmentalize my work, to separate it from my home life and the work I do at home. The only downside to this mentality is that I think it can sometimes create this weird dialogue in my mind about what is work, and what isn’t. The only reason this matters, is because it can then lead to feeling like I didn’t get any work done, that if only I had been more organized or less distracted, I may have accomplished more. When really, I was working. I was soothing a cranky, sick baby. I was reassuring and comforting a 10 year old, who is struggling immensely with online school. I was holding, and hugging, and resting, and breathing. I was being a good mother, and I was being good to myself for resting instead of working on this blog.
Heres the thing, this life, and the circumstances of this year, are absolutely unprecedented. Which means, that there is no right, or wrong way to get through it. As a business owner, as a mother, as a human with complex needs, there is no right or wrong. There is just this day. These moments, when we can choose compassion, and patience, honesty, and rest in whatever form is available.
I am exhausted, as I am sure you are too, right? As much as I wish I could host a meet up at The Burrow, with coffee and platters of food, to share in this experience with you, to hug you, and laugh and cry at the absurdity of it all… I can’t. So, instead, the next time you come in for a crepe, I want to offer you a cup of coffee on me, for you to redeem at any point this week, until next Tuesday 12/15. Consider it my way of saying, thank you. Thank you for the posts, and that TikTok, that one in particular, Jasmine, was just wonderful, and for all the words of encouragement you guys offer to us when stopping by. We have seen an increase in sales over the last week, thanks to all of you, and it helps us to breathe a little easier.
Coffee on me, to remind you that I am here with you. Through a screen, and a face mask. I am here, in my home feeling just as weary as you are.
Screenshot this blog post, for a coffee on me, with your next crepe purchase, and even if I’m not there to make it for you, know that I am cheering you on from home, with oatmeal on my shirt, a baby on my hip, and a confusing online class project to navigate.
Lots of love,
Mandy
One per customer, per visit. With any crepe purchase. Expires Tuesday, 12/15.