https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:46:17 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime#post-1035172 Fri, 20 Sep 2013 22:22:37 +0000 Sveta 1035172@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>:-) That's the spirit, darling! <br />Here is a beautiful thing came out of a stressful time - and memories to cherish as well. These things stay forever with our kids and with us.<br />Looks like your boy is setting nicely into a new school routine. right? He sounds like a wise little guy who is a joy to be around.<br />Big hugs, lucky momma Ornella! THIS shall not pass!!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime#post-1033053 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 16:03:52 +0000 Elly 1033053@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Beautiful-- I am so glad. Seems like the cone was an excellent way to put your love into what you were working on. I love doing things with my hands because I feel like I am accomplishing something, doing something beautiful, putting my love into and object, and it keeps me mindful of what I am doing now and why I am doing it. </p> <p>Big hugs, Ms. O and keep up with any of the slowing down and treating yourself that you need&nbsp; to. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime#post-1030709 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 09:12:29 +0000 Ornella 1030709@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've made these collages for my family's blog and thought I might share them here.&nbsp;I don't know how many of you revisit the old threads, but If you responded here I hope you'll stop by -&nbsp;I just wanted to say once more THANK YOU.</p> <p>It is so soothing to read that it's OK to feel overwhelmed. I know it, but I guess although we can easily see when others reach the limits and can encourage them to slow down and take a breath, when it comes to our very selves&nbsp;we expect so much and can't take that break until well and fully on the reserves.</p> <p>Yes, <b><i>i</i></b><span><b><i>t helps to know we're not the only ones</i></b>. If I've learnt one&nbsp;thing since moving to Germany, it is to never underestimate just how powerful kindness, empathy and understanding are.</span></p> <p>So, I slowed down, took a breath, read forum a bit, fed my family the simplest dinners, cleaned enough to keep the house in basic order, ironed only what we really needed, and went on o-n-l-y with priority no.1: the kid and his start of school.</p> <p>With clothes, shoes,&nbsp;school bag and&nbsp;basic routine planned, I had moved on to the little project that turned out to be a truly empowering experience. You may have seen on my <b><a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/proud-and-misty-eyed-on-our-second-first-day-of-school">First day of school</a></b> thread that the new school&nbsp;kids here carry a colourful thing with them on that first day. It's called&nbsp;<i>schultüte</i> and is basically just a big cone-shaped thing that is filled with school supplies (pencils, sharpeners) and some sweets and small toys. Kids can carry it around on the day.&nbsp;It's a fun way of gifting the school necessities to the children and the little treats should symbolise the sweet start of the education.</p> <p>Although you can buy cones,&nbsp;I wanted to make ours. It felt more personal and deep down I just wanted to do something&nbsp;with my own hands, to create something. It was almost like&nbsp;making up&nbsp;for&nbsp;all those craft projects I planned to make with my child and never got around to.&nbsp;So I studied internet for some basic instructions and gathered supplies.&nbsp;</p> <p>I opted for hexagonal cone shape because ever since he turned 6 my son felt like he is really big and grown up. And I knew I wanted Lego to be the theme. <b><a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-queen-of-the-lego-castle">We are big on Lego</a></b>, in case you haven't noticed that before :-D&nbsp;&nbsp;The rest evolved over time. </p> <p>It was so therapeutic and relaxing&nbsp;to make it. Now I know what form of <i>me-time</i>&nbsp;I'm missing the most in the current hectic circumstances - <i>making</i> things. I don't have work area for my hobbies at the moment&nbsp;and besides it felt like waste of time&nbsp;when there were piles of other things&nbsp;to be taken care of.&nbsp;</p> <p>While I was focusing on what my hands were doing, my thoughts became calmer and more clear. I gathered much strength and had a few insights along the way too.&nbsp;</p> <p>The result:</p> <p>*** My son had a beautiful&nbsp;school cone on his first day of school. He was happy.***</p> <p>And yesterday, as he was doing some&nbsp;colouring for the homework, he explained why he chose the colours the way he did and I realised that he noticed all the little details that I had put in place. Priceless.</p> <p>Over and out from this thread... I still have to catch up on sleep, other things will then&nbsp;come on top of the list.</p> </p> <p>Thank you all, once again. <b><i>Big, big hugs.</i></b></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime#post-1028582 Fri, 13 Sep 2013 17:22:45 +0000 Scarlet 1028582@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I know that feeling well. I think Sveta wrote some really great advice. I would add that once the homefront and new homefront are in order,&nbsp;giving yourself a concrete block of time to focus on language&nbsp;acquisition is really rewarding because otherwise once you start to&nbsp;work on top of everything else, language will always slide to last place even though it is very important for your quality of life here. I am constantly amazed at all you do and that you do everything so thoroughly. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime#post-1027804 Thu, 12 Sep 2013 19:17:22 +0000 cheryl 1027804@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sending big hugs and hope today is filled with sunshine and no stress </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime#post-1026586 Wed, 11 Sep 2013 12:29:27 +0000 Jaime 1026586@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ornella I really feel for you operating in a foreign language, foreign culture and building a house! To say nothing of being mother, wife and everything else you listed and more I am sure. Come by and moan any time! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime#post-1026518 Wed, 11 Sep 2013 09:15:00 +0000 Anonymous 1026518@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hang in there Ornella! We are all rooting for you. It will indeed pass xo </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime#post-1026301 Wed, 11 Sep 2013 01:17:20 +0000 Sveta 1026301@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hugs, Ornella! You do have too much on your plate and you need to sort the priorities and decide what you can drop for a while. Getting burned sown will make you accomplish even less and you will get more burned down...it is a vicious circle!<br />In a management course they teach that the most common problem is that there are too many projects going on in the company and resources are stitched too thin. Solution is to focus on a few projects only based on their priority and move to other ones when the first ones are complete. I think you should&nbsp;use this advice as well. <br />Focus on&nbsp;2- 3 most important things which you cannot avoid and which would be the biggest disaster if they go wrong. Obviously your kid is number 1, beats everything else iMO. Then I guess is the house construction. Because there are so many players and moving parts involved it is not easy to put on hold. Also I am sure when this is complete it will lift a HUGE burden and makes everything else much easier. How much longer it supposed to last? If you spend more time on it can it be done faster / better? That would be my focus #2.<br />Honestly when we have a big project going at home (like kitchen reno or ahem - deck construction) and especially when work is crazy in the same time I just let everything else slide. My house is not in a perfect shape and our meals are simple and I may not even have laundry done every week and weeds&nbsp;may grow more than I like&nbsp;but I prefer to have some rest instead and if I feel like it to spend a Sunday afternoon curled with a book rather than with the vacuum and a brush. Life is too short!<br />Please take care of yourself and don't get burned down! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime#post-1026236 Tue, 10 Sep 2013 23:57:01 +0000 Day Vies 1026236@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I know that feeling. You don't have to do it all. I have a lot of parallel things going on with me too. I think you need to drop the to-do list and adopt the good enough list and put yourself at the top of it. Usually when I feel like that it's because I feel like I'm running out of time and that things what ever they may be just aren't happening fast enough.&nbsp; At the root of the anxiety is the vague feeling that I'm off track and that there is some arbitrary line in the sand that I've crossed making me a horrible person. Ask yourself what exactly am I rushing to, and why does it have to happen all right <i><b>now</b></i> ? Then slow down and take time to really be present while you're doing something for you that you enjoy completely. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime#post-1026049 Tue, 10 Sep 2013 19:15:27 +0000 Elly 1026049@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not a mom, so I can only imagine how rough that is. I know what it feels like not to be able to recharge though. Keep your head up, and do something you enjoy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime#post-1025930 Tue, 10 Sep 2013 17:49:39 +0000 rachylou 1025930@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You know we understand without explanations, but it's also very nice to have you come by and "moan" </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime#post-1025899 Tue, 10 Sep 2013 17:06:23 +0000 Mona 1025899@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I know exactly what you mean, Ornella. I find juggling the every day routines so draining some times. Like last night, after a full day of work, grocery run and after school activities, I spent about half an hour just sitting on the couch and chatting with my kids. Nothing special, just sharing how our days were and I felt re-energized after that. Finding a few minutes of relaxation by your self or with family is very important. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime#post-1025867 Tue, 10 Sep 2013 15:49:30 +0000 MsMary 1025867@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>BIg hugs, Ornella!&nbsp; You have a lot on your plate!!&nbsp; Hang in there and remember we are all in your corner!!&nbsp; XXX OOO </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime#post-1025848 Tue, 10 Sep 2013 15:09:25 +0000 AviaMariah 1025848@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Man, I totally relate! &nbsp;New mom, full time career, business changes that need to be made, moving.... all good things too but have me completely depleted! &nbsp;I've been looking forward to winter because life can get a little "boring" and maybe I'll have time to unpack some boxes! &nbsp;I find that I get on-line too for a little "me" time. &nbsp;I find that I have to take some off nights here and there even if it mean not doing something "really" important. &nbsp;It helps to know we're not the only ones. &nbsp;:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime#post-1025798 Tue, 10 Sep 2013 14:17:51 +0000 Debbie 1025798@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The fact that you are building a house with language barriers is enough to stress me out. Then with school starting and the stress of that. I'm sorry but to me your are super woman. <br />I hope things let up soon. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime#post-1025736 Tue, 10 Sep 2013 12:52:40 +0000 Raisin 1025736@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Life just takes over sometimes. &nbsp;Don't feel bad for being away. &nbsp;I can only imagine trying to build a house when you don't even speak the same language! &nbsp;I know you don't have a ton of time to relax, but make sure you schedule yourself at least 15-20min a day to wind down. &nbsp;You need that to help you through the rest of the day and to stay sane. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime#post-1025729 Tue, 10 Sep 2013 12:45:12 +0000 Ornella 1025729@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Suz ::</b>&nbsp;I write and I write... you are right, lists help, sometimes even off-loading things onto the paper from the head is actually great release. I just can't escape the feeling I myself am the bottleneck. Again, Catch 22 - I need some YLF time to relax, but there are a few daily things to be taken care of which kind of 'suffer' at this moment because I'm on-line... but I know I'll do it all more cheerfully after the break, and this is not finding excuses, IYKWIM </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime#post-1025724 Tue, 10 Sep 2013 12:41:01 +0000 Ornella 1025724@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks <b>K</b>. Only the job search can technically wait, but I personally want to go back to work as soon as I find something that works for me and my family. Which is kind of Catch 22 I know I'll feel much better once I start working again and meet new people in the work environment where I know I can be efficient and productive and creative, while&nbsp;not having&nbsp;all this distractions from personal life. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime#post-1025721 Tue, 10 Sep 2013 12:39:07 +0000 Suz 1025721@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So sorry things are tough right now, Ornella. I absolutely understand this feeling and get it myself, too. It's so draining when we feel we have to carry such a big load.&nbsp;</p> <p>It helps me to write out lists and then set some things aside, or at least&nbsp;name them as lower priorities right now.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime#post-1025710 Tue, 10 Sep 2013 12:35:01 +0000 Kristin L 1025710@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm sorry you feel like you're spread so thin. You've got a great attitude about it, which is a huge part of handling all of the stress. Is there anything that can be put on the back burner to help relieve a bit of stress for a while? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-too-shall-pass-but-in-the-meantime#post-1025705 Tue, 10 Sep 2013 12:27:41 +0000 Ornella 1025705@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The post about the backpacks gave me a good excuse to log in and just immerse myself a bit more into all this serene dressing stuff. You know the feeling:&nbsp;write a few lines, feel like I have life under control and all the me-time I crave for.&nbsp;</p> <p>These days it feels too much of everything all over again all too soon - the daily chores, the house building management with Chinese-whispers style of communicating with the building company (can I get any more precise instructions of what I want than to draw it all and mark in several colors - only to get the wrongly drawn plans back, aaargh!), preparations to go back to the job market, filling tax returns, transition to Autumn (which I am so not happy with, I don't like seeing grey skies when I wake up), packing summer stuff away and - my son starting school. I am stuck trying to define which one of my roles is my primary one: am I a mother, a wife, a housewife, a project manager, a&nbsp; job hunter, a language student. I am spread too thinly and feel frustrated I'm not the super-woman, and no it's not because it's the wrong time of the month - although it does not help. This too shall pass, I know, and it's all good worries, thankfully, but it does not mean I don't feel emotionally drained. I eat well, I run, I try to sleep enough, I do take care of myself, but somehow 24 hours in a day just aren't enough. There are times when&nbsp;I somehow can't decide which is the highest priority at any given moment to give myself to it, everything seems to&nbsp;scream for my resources,&nbsp;which then gets me nowhere.&nbsp;</p> <p>I had to chime in and&nbsp;say why I'm absent recently despite my wishes to get back to blog- and forum-normal after the Summer vacation. And, I&nbsp;had to moan, as simple as that.&nbsp;Thank you for just giving me a feeling I know someone out there will relate to some extent. Sometimes it's all I need to recharge, understanding.</p>