The Paige is one month old today, and my daughter is 18 months. Admittedly, I had already posted celebrations for The Paige’s milestone all over social media before even remembering about Elsie’s.
Since she turned one, I haven’t been great at remembering the month milestones, so much so that at her 12-month vaccinations (when she was 13 months), I told the nurse that Elsie was 11 months, sending everyone into a panic that she had been given her vaccinations too early. According to my overtired brain, 1 year + 1 month = 11 months.
I’ve been listening to a lot of podcasts lately on women balancing work, running a business, and motherhood. The one takeaway that keeps coming up repeatedly is to be present where you are. If you’re with your children, give them your absolute focus, and do the same at work.Â
As I type this, I’m watching Elsie stir on the monitor. Fridays are our days home together, and her nap in the middle of the day is my chance to sit at my desk and get a few things done – often prioritised over eating, showering, or getting organised for the rest of the day – eg. right now I should be packing her lunchbox for this afternoon when my sister is going to watch her for me while I go to the osteopath. Instead, I’m writing this article and will rush the lunchbox in the last two minutes before we race out the door, most likely, running late.
But that’s the juggle right now, dragging myself away from my desk back to Elsie, then dragging myself away from Elsie back to my desk, with not a lot of time for lunchboxes, self-care, keeping the house in any kind of order (thankfully my partner is better at this than me), and while we’re on the topic – my relationship.
The hours are long, the inbox is overflowing, Elsie is in daycare more days a week than I imagined she would be at this age (four days), the profit is zero, and the self-doubt is starting to creep in. Still, I have loved every moment of building this publication, and every moment since its launch.
I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to do, and hopefully, I’m creating a space where other busy women can find a moment for themselves in their day – especially right now, when the world is feeling so heavy and complicated.
I want to thank every person who read The Paige over the last month. I watch my Google Analytics map and squeal whenever I see a little dot pop up in a new place – France, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Morocco(!!!), India, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Singapore, Canada, Japan, Portugal, England. The Paige has welcomed readers from 42 countries, almost every state in Australia (you’re letting the team down, NT), and some of the most exciting cities around the world – I see you New York viewers!
This is the start of the most exciting, terrifying, challenging, thrilling and amazing journey for myself, my family and this little publication. I’m so happy you’re here with me, and I would love to hear from you! What are you loving? What do you want to see more (or less) of? Who do you want to see featured? You can find my email on the contact page.
I would love it if you would also stay connected with The Paige by following on instagram here and joining the mailing list here. Thank you for being here, Alexandra xx
(IYKYK)
