...Of Many Hats

I'm a woman of many hats. The metaphorical sort, not the actual head-wear sort because I've found - in my case at least - hats are mostly a mistake. I was tempted to join in the craze during Will & Kate's royal wedding last year...but I kept myself under control because, fascinating fascinators or not, they were still hats...and my head is just not made for them.

But I digress.

I wear a lot of hats. I'm a freelance writer. A mom. And aspiring romance novelist. A wife. A radio station DJ. A friend. A fitness instructor. A daughter. The list goes on, and mostly I can keep it under control. I don't have to be a friend and a daughter and a wife and a writer and a DJ all at the same time. Sometimes I want to. . .but I know I can't be all those things at the same time. So I compartmentalize. I focus on the task at hand when its at hand.

One of my guilty pleasures is the reality show 'Dance Moms'. Don't get me started, I could go on for hours. But it amazes me the ability the kids have of taking the task at hand - a solo dance, a group dance, whatever - and run with it. They focus. They execute. They cry because it's what kids do. But they get it done.

I'm in awe of those kids because, even during my best compartmentalizing moments, I'm not always fully committed. I get distracted by a story idea or a demanding three year old or a call from back home or. . .well, fill in the blank. I'm getting better at the focus - its kind of mandatory! - but I still struggle with focusing 100% because there is always something else I'd rather be doing - I'd rather be writing fiction all the time, I'd like to be in a glossy women's or parenting magazine, I'd like to be volunteering at my kid's school. . .and those wants can sometimes keep me from doing my absolute best.

Do you wear many hats? And how do you keep your different selves all happy and healthy and . . . well, under control?