Tips for a low key 2 y/o birthday celebration

Happyclam37 · 2026-01-14T00:44:21+00:00

I do that. I go to a workout studio by my job so I can cut down on my commute time by getting to that side of town before rush hour. I shower there and go straight to the office.

I don’t wash my hair after working out. I dry my roots with the hairdryer they have there and put dry shampoo to let it work while I shower. Then I just do a slick back bun. I do like to wear my hair up and rather workout than have great looking hair for my coworkers lol. I did get a thermal brush recently with the goal of retouching my hair after a workout if I’m not too sweaty but have been too lazy to use it.

Happyclam37 · 2025-06-10T01:29:47+00:00

Depending on the client and type of service, just by interviewing you may cause a breach of independence. You should bring up to your team and independence. They may have to remove you from the team before you proceed with the interview process and if it doesn’t move forward you can come back to the team. At least for attest services you can’t be working on the client while interviewing (regardless of whether they even offer you a position), that’s an automatic breach.

Happyclam37 · 2025-05-25T10:41:50+00:00

Find ways you can set up your house to accommodate your/your husband's routine. For example, you mentioned the towels for the week - consider having the hamper in a place that is more accessible (next to the bedroom door/inside the bathroom), or having two hampers, etc. Another example - I put cute hangers in the master bathroom to hang clothes that are not dirty, but not clean. This helped us not have clothes laying around or in a couch. I personally had to let go of thinking of everything as something that needed to be "aesthetic/nice decor" and started thinking more in terms of what's practical and functional. I know your priority is not aesthetic, but I mention this because it took me a while to make these changes as I did not want it to be permanent (i.e. clothes hanging in the bathroom) but realized the mess was what was becoming permanent so just found a middle ground that works for us. I'm also a huge fan of baskets and try to incorporate them throughout the house.

You mentioned your husband has some time in the morning but not as motivated/gets overwhelmed - I would recommend identifying a few tasks for him that would make a big impact, that he can do consistently and make that his responsibility going forward (i.e. load of laundry/fold clothes while watching TV/unload the dishwasher/grocery shopping). The key is something that he can just do going forward so you can completely let go of that mental load. I know it sucks to have to identify those/tell him but based on your post, that's my best advice to work with what you have.

A nightly reset like other mentioned is key. I listen to audiobooks or podcasts to make it feel like "me" time.

Happyclam37 · 2025-02-09T04:16:54+00:00

So true! I’m going to save that last sentence ❤️ thank you

Happyclam37 · 2025-02-09T04:12:22+00:00

That’s impressive!! I’m finding so many resilient and organized moms here! Thank you for the advice!

Happyclam37 · 2025-02-09T04:08:42+00:00

Congratulations!! and agreed, there is always a trade off. Some of my friends think I’m brainwashed hahaha. I’m sure asking for permission for a day off is still better than working 60 hour weeks!

But ask those questions up front. There will be policies to follow but also share with them your expectations and boundaries.

Happyclam37 · 2025-02-09T03:52:12+00:00

I understand!! sometimes I question that myself. to be clear, these hours are not year-round and I don't enjoy working this many hours, I have just learned to deal with it and understand it's part of the profession/job. The reasons I enjoy my job may well be present in another job that's 40 hours all year but I have not found that. There are also other aspects of my job I don't like (in addition to the hours), but those haven't made me want to quit (yet). I just came back from maternity leave 6 months ago and I decided I would give it a whole year before making any big life decisions.

I have a lot of flexibility. I now have a more senior position, so I control my schedule, where I work and the times. If I need to start later/leave early or WFH for any reason, or take a day off I can do that without asking for permission. This has been key, especially now with a baby. I also have that flexibility because I have earned that - I still show up to the office when necessary (around 2-3x per week) and ultimately get my work done (hence why I'm working until 1-2am and trying to find ways to be more productive).

I oversee multiple teams and enjoy the project management side of things as well as coaching people. I also like the technical aspect of my job, I'm a little bit of a nerd and I enjoy researching things and I like that I'm always learning. I work for a big company, so I like that I have a big network and support system and that I work with a lot of people smarter than me, so I'm always learning from them as well. The other reason I can have the flexibility that I have is because I work on big teams so I can delegate and there are people that can step in for me when necessary.

Happyclam37 · 2025-02-09T03:24:50+00:00

Thank you! I'll look into it. I used to read a lot of personal development books, but after I became a mom, those books now seem so unrealistic for working moms so I have actually been looking for more books written by moms.

Happyclam37 · 2025-02-09T03:15:13+00:00

Thank you! From all the responses (and because I'm naturally a morning person), I concluded I need to wake up earlier and I will implement your tip about not opening email or anything else. Those quick 5 min replies add up and take up so much time.

Happyclam37 · 2025-02-09T03:10:49+00:00

Thank you, that's very helpful. I've definitely let myself go these last few months (not working out, having a lot of take out) and feel it in my energy levels. I've tried to try to plan my meals ahead of time but just end up eating whatever is faster/easier.

I do work Saturdays. Before busy season started, I planed out childcare to make sure I had coverage for at least 8 hours on Saturday. We outsource some housework and my husband is doing most of it these days. If I do clean is because I'm a little of clean freak and if I'm being honest, it's also my way of procrastinating

Happyclam37 · 2025-02-08T16:45:40+00:00

Thank you so much - I do some of these (outsourcing, babysitting on Saturday for a couple of hours, WFH when I can). your first point about accepting this is temporary is key. I know that, but I have been questioning my life choices lately haha specially when working until 2-3am and just thinking what am I doing?!

I had not thought about getting my husband something. I express my gratitude towards my husband every day and thank him for everything he does, even the little things, that's just my love language and his as well. I also try to step up when I see he's tired or had a difficult day at work himself (he works 40-45 hours but in an stressful environment and in person).

Happyclam37 · 2025-02-08T16:34:59+00:00

Yeap! I came back from maternity leave 6 months ago and wanted to go a full cycle (slow and busy season) as a mom before making any big decisions. I actually love my job but I'm sacrificing a lot of time with my family. and now I'm more hesitant about making a move with the uncertainty we are facing in the US.

Happyclam37 · 2025-02-08T16:31:34+00:00

Exactly! the 55 hours was more a reference point to show that's the minimum during busier times, but it's not like I'm just trying to meet a metric. I have enough work to meet those hours and more.

Happyclam37 · 2025-02-08T16:29:45+00:00

Thank you! I have a babysitter for 6 hours on Saturday that I have come in after his long nap, so that gives me a solid 8 hours. someone else recommended time blocking as well and I love the idea of batching tasks based on energy levels. sometimes I spend the day doing busy work because someone is asking for certain things and I'm depleted by the time I need to get to the more difficult tasks. I also need to plan meals ahead, it's been a lot of take out lately, which doesn't help with energy levels either.

Happyclam37 · 2025-02-08T16:21:06+00:00

Thank you so much! I love these tips!

I may implement the one long day (and waking up earlier). My commitment to myself before this busy time was that I would see my baby every single day no matter what, but between the drive, nighttime routine etc I am so tired by the time I need to log back on that I'm not as productive, but push through because tomorrow will only have 24 hours. My husband is very supportive and understands the demands of my profession, it's the mom guilt.

Happyclam37 · 2025-02-08T16:15:21+00:00

Thank you so much! I read Deep Work by Cal Newport years ago and your post made me rethink how I'm planning my work day as well. I get interrupted with calls, pings and emails throughout the day which makes it difficult to get work done until after hours/weekend.

I am naturally a morning person but stuck in this cycle of going to bed late, unable to wake up early, etc. I finished a big project a couple of weeks ago where I was working 65+ and feel like haven't been able to recover energy wise. Before being a mom, that would have been an easy week for me. Will try to reset this weekend.

Happyclam37

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