Oct 3, 2011

Relaxing, Sleepy Cats (and the State of Cute)

It's Monday and I've had a rough couple weeks. You know what I could really use? Some soft music and some soft kitties. Good thing there are plenty of videos of that on YouTube!

Here's one that's purrfectly relaxing:


And now a note from Cute: You guys, I know this probably isn't very "cute," but I need to let it out and you all are friends to me and this is a blog, which is where people talk about how they feel.

I have been totally and completely overwhelmed lately and I feel like I need a break. If you know me personally, you know I've been searching for a lost cat for the past two weeks. (NOT Pimp or Moo, don't worry, but Stubbie, a parking lot kitty I was rescuing. She somehow got out her first night at her rescue -- a place she has no idea where she's at -- and has been missing. I have spent all my energy these past days looking for her. Two days ago, we found her. She's safe, in some bushes, and has been there since then. I can't get her out yet, but we will.)

I write this blog and The Cat's Meow on Catster. I have a full-time job where I really do three people's worth of jobs. I am trying to find the time to organize my third annual Santa Paws Drive. I freelance for Iams' The Daily Cat blog. I am training for several half marathons, which means I do crazy things like run 14 miles on Saturday mornings... for fun. I have nine parking lot kitties who depend on me and a couple friends for food every day. I recently helped rescue a kitten who was stuck in a car engine, and want desperately to find the time to go visit him at Cats Exclusive, but I don't have the time. (This is his Petfinder page.)

I help Cats Exclusive when I can, helping promote their events and give social media help. I am constantly helping friends place cats and giving out cat advice. I just did a bikini modeling show at a firefighter charity auction to benefit the American Heart Association on Friday. Tomorrow I'm leaving for Vegas for three days for a work-related conference where (thank goodness!) I got out of speaking like I was originally supposed to.

I'm not listing all this out to brag or beg for sympathy, I just need to get it all out. I'm not sure at what point it became too much, but it is. I have no free time.

I love this, all of this. But I need to find time to breathe. I'm not sure how to cut back, or what to cut back, but I have to somehow allow myself to realize that I'm not Superwoman. It's in my nature to be, though; that's us how I am.

So this week I will likely still post Cutes everyday, because this blog makes me happy and it always has. I might take a break from a few other things. I am going to try and use my conference as a sort of "vacation" and enjoy being in a nice resort hotel and pay too much for fabulous spa services. But if a day goes by, and there's no new Cute, please know I'll be back, and please come back the next day.

Sanity is important. Health is important -- both mental and physical. One day I'll learn from all these cats I help and love so much and figure out how to just relax and take it easy.

In the meantime, I'll watch videos like the one up there and smile.

20 comments:

  1. How can videos of sleeping cats NOT be cute?  It's the same as watching the faces of your sleeping children -- no matter how horrible they've been that day, or how many things they've broken, it gives you hope and lets you see that there REALLY is some innocence and incredible sweetness in there.

    And for you.....You have GOT to take care of yourself!  A person can only burn their candle at both ends for so long, and then they crash....HARD.  And if you let that happen, it's not going to be a situation where just 3 days of getting away is going to help things!!  So many people & things depend on you, so, when you feel yourself getting close to the terminal burnout stage, that is the time to learn to DELEGATE!!!  Maybe you could ask your various friends to take care of your parking lot kids - for just a few days, or get a guest writer for a few days for your various blogs.  A fresh voice is always interesting, no matter how incredible the original one is -- and I know that you ARE incredible, because I read your blog on Catster all the time!  You've got to protect your genus, which means taking care of yourself & actually SLEEPING!!  I bet your little furry ones haven't gotten to curl up all night with you for weeks now!  They NEED their Mommy & WE need you!!  And, most importantly, YOU need you!!!  So know when to say "Uncle" and let some others take just small parts of your superhuman commitments once in a while!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!  How about next time you show us a video of YOU sleeping??That wouldn't be just cute it would be MOMENTOUS!!!

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  2. Ditto to everything Catmother just said to you.  Put more value on YOUR life.  You've only got one, so please take good care of it.  Lots of Hugs to you!

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  3. Ditto on everything they posted above. Nine lives would be great, but even kittehs don't have 'em, so protect yourself and cuddle your own furry ones!!!

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  4. Absoluteserenity123October 3, 2011 at 5:27 AM

    Enjoy your conference "break". Try to set yourself a new pattern, which may occassionally mean saying "NO"  to things, no matter how good the cause. If you are worn out eventually under relentless pressure you will become depressed or sick or both- you will be no good to your self or any good causes if  you become ill or have some sort of a break down. Take it easy, slow down and please make a habit of taking some time for your self as often as you can. Try to plan a busy day with a wind down time with a lovely bubble bath to look forward to and a glass of wine. Stay happy and healthy love my daily cute!
    Take some time to roll in the sun like a happy cat in clover!

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  5. You will not do anybody any good if you get sick from stress and over working. You have to say "NO!" sometimes. Saying no does not make you a bad person. We can do without our daily cutness so you can rest. I am exhausted just reading about what you do! Take a well deserved break. We will be here when you get back.

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  6. Wow...the work you do with kitties is heartwarming...it is a matter of deciding what you need to let go...maybe give up a marathon and toss the kitties in a stroller or a nice long walk...you are pushing too hard...sometimes you need to step back and do nothing...

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  7. You do so much for so many and I'm sure you need a break, a much needed break.  Why don't you pre-schedule a couple weeks worth of "The Best of Cute".  We'll be here when you get back and you'll feel so much better!  Purrs & Hugs!!!

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  8. I agree with all of the above! We'll always be here, don't worry. :-)

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  9. Catmother hit the nail on the head;Listen to her

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  10. I agree with all the comments. We'll be here when you come back. Enjoy your vacation time! :-)

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  11. We will be here when you get back Please relax a little and take care of yourself! Have a safe trip to Vegas!

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  12. I agree w/ Catmother. You HAVE to take care of you. You are a giver & giving is in your blood but no one will fault you if you step back & take a break & delegate a few of your responsibilities to someone else. To be there for others you must first be there for yourself!! 

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  13. As you get older you will realize that you need to take breaks to recharge and that you simply CANNOT do it all even if you want to. You will learn that it will still get done and if it doesn't life still goes on. Concentrate on the most important and let the little things go. Post three days a week. Post once a week. Don't kill yourself over a blog...

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  14. What do you mean, not cute?  It's adorable and very soothing.  Please take better care of yourself 'cause the kitties depend on you!!  IMHO, you are stretching yourself too thin.  I know the feeling of thinking that only you can do all of this.  But please accept some help!!!  If I could help you, I would!  But I'm in Omaha and I have no idea where you are.  But if there's anything I can do, please don't hesitate to ask!!!

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  15. These "Daily Cutes" make my day!  Sorry to hear that things are so stressful in your life right now, but thank you so much for trusting all of your "fans" to be able to just let it out and keep us in the loop.  You are not alone and you have friends out there, even friends you didn't know you had!  :)  Hang in there, and know that I'll be saying a prayer for you and I'm sure that many of your other followers will be doing whatever they believe in to support you and to send strength and encouragement your way! 

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  16. Take all the time you need - at some point you have to realize you can't do it all.  We hear you, we're with you.  First and foremost take care of yourself so you can take care of the kitties, then if you have time to share with us by whatever means, then keep us in the loop.  I've always wondered how you manage to cover all the bases you do - some kind of superwoman!!  Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah - an awesome place to go anyway - is having a workshop May 18-20 next year called "Giving Heart Retreat: a Workshop to Replenish the Animal Lover's Soul" which covers burnout - treat yourself to that!  All the best. 

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  17. Just READING about all that you do stressed ME OUT!!  I don't know how you do all that you do to begin with! The quality/balance in your life IS super important...do what you need to do FOR YOU....the rest will all fall into place. Try and remember, (although it is hard) that "God never gives us more than we can handle" xoxoxo

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  18. You definitely need to make time for you, too! Everybuddy will understand.  My Mommeh can't imagine doing as much as you do. 

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  19. Momster alias CarolineOctober 3, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    I see you got lots of positive feedback.  Remember we love you.  We will let you have a little vacation. . . :-)

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  20. Oh my, pally. You are stretched too thin! You'll know what you need to cut back on and where to put your energies.  Sometimes the blog is the thing that takes the brunt of the madness, but we have all been there, so we understand.

    Go, do what you need to do. We will all be here when you get back.

    And while you are away, make sure you think about what you are doing and what you can give up to make your life a little more sane.  Those kitties need you healthy--physically and mentally. :)

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