AT THE GEDERA TABLE #9: Can we really have it all?
I wanted to chat to you about Balance. Many of us have full-time jobs; if you’re in a couple, most likely both of you have to work to pay the mortgage. This is life in the city. For us, having a child with special needs adds a little more complexity.
As a mom, I have to make sure Sidath feels loved and supported in his needs. At the same time, making sure our youngest, Samadhi, also has quality time with me as she navigates her pre-teen years. Every school term, I have hot chocolate, bubble tea, or mochi (yes that’s a thing!) dates with her. These are booked in my calendar as non negotiable for me!
Even though I don’t have it down pat, there are little things I’ve learned over the years to manage stressful and busy times.
And let’s not forget, life doesn’t come with a manual to follow. Adaptability, being organised, and having clear priorities are key. Week after week, review these, as some weeks it’ll be a “work heavy” week and some weeks are a “kids heavy” week.
I grew up during the Civil War in Sri Lanka, and uncertainty was a constant. We had to adapt to so many different things. Like, some days, we couldn’t go to school, so home became our classroom.
My Ammi was also a full-time working mom of two kids. She had a demanding career and was one of the very few people in the country (& the only woman!) with a PhD in her field In Sri Lanka. No matter how important she was at work, she did everything at home. Most importantly, we had access to her whenever we needed her. I know my Ammi made career decisions, to decline promotions to be able to have balance. She’s the best role model in terms of how to balance life, as a whole.
She used to always say, “When you leave home, start thinking of work. When you leave work, start thinking of home.”
My upbringing has helped me context switch between different roles, tasks, and responsibilities in life.
I have always been quite organised — something that I can see Samadhi has inherited from me!
Those who know me will know: we have a whiteboard in the living room that has all weekly dinners written down, along with the kids' school lunches. All the dinners are planned on Sunday and groceries ready to go; it’s written on the white board. Even my work colleagues know about this!
So, we have a little joke when my colleagues ask “What’s for dinner today?” I say, “I don’t know, just check the whiteboard!” :) On days that we’re super busy, Pav and I know what’s for dinner, and we don’t have to think or plan much, just have to make it.
That’s also one of the reasons I started Gedera & Co. A lot of feedback we’ve received — you can see it in our reviews! — mention that our Cooking Kits are so convenient. You just have to:
- Prep some protein + veggies that you already have in the fridge or pantry
- Add Gedera & Co's pre-portioned spices & aromatics, and you have a meal in less than 30 minutes
Plus, you have leftovers to take for lunch the next day!
I’ve understood that my 9 to 5 is just one part of me; there are so many things that make up a fulfilled life.
How are you finding your own sense of balance? What does meal prep look like in your life, so you can stay balanced & nourished? I’d love to hear from you.
With Love,
Jayani S.