I have read about women who are detailed and organized sometimes feeling the way you have described. It probably just means you need to relax and not always having a busy agenda 24/7. A little unorganized time out might be just what you need. This could prove to be difficult at first for the detailed business person. It sometimes means taking a yoga class, or driving a different route to work, or finding yourself at a book store reading for hours and letting the time fly buy for no reason. I would not of course, make a habit out of that one myself because I tend to not be very organized or as detailed as I'd like. For me, I have to work hard at keeping time managemnt and paperwork organized because I make little mistakes that if I only would slow down and look things over more carefully I would not do this. Then to top it off I get mad at myself for it which creates more stress..go figure. I guess I am not the typical woman in that most women friends I know are very stuctured and often perfectionists too which I have noticed have a hard time of just accepting that it really is ok to just let the balls drop every now and then.

Glenda, it might be that you don't need additional activities, but more time for yourself. Most importantly, you need to enjoy life without feeling guilty for not being busy. Saying "no", becomes easier if you know you need to do something better with YOUR time.

I also feel like I don't have enough time for myself. I feel that my biggest challenge is actually making the time for myself without feeling that I'm neglecting my duties as a mother. Even though I do have some support to help care for my child, it's hard for me to ask for that help in fear that I never want my love ones to think I take them granted.

I've been there..... Now my children are 21, and 19, but I do remember feeling guilty if I took time for myself. What you might want to try is to actually schedule time for yourself in advance, when you know your children will be doing something that they enjoy. You can also show those who support you, how much you value them, and maybe when you drop your children, bring a homemade meal, or something you know they like, along with a card. But don't neglect yourself, understand that taking care of you will make you a happier mom, and your children will enjoy you more.

Woman: champion multi-tasker, juggler, and balancer of other people's demands.

Juggling's my favorite metaphor. My literal experience with juggling (tennis balls first) succeeded when I shifted to scarves. They gave me just enough extra time to be successful. Invisible tennis balls were my next act. Back in my real-world juggling act, when I notice I've dropped a ball or two, it's time to pull into myself and remind myself of my real priorities.

All the time management experts advise defining your personal priorities. As women, we often have to balance priorities against urgencies--and that can wreak havoc with a schedule. I'm not pleased to invite people into a house with toppling piles of books on every surface, but I've let housekeeping take a backseat to following my child's curiosity or giving time to lessons. This preference in priority is in no way intended to disparage those who choose to give housekeeping a higher priority. Giving yourself, your family, and your neighbors a serene environment that reinforces a sense of order is indeed a blessing. It's very much a personal--and changing--choice. But we do need to make the choice and relax with the consequences.

In the balancing, there's a moment of suspension that may hold the key to women's unique act--the moment on the tightrope between lifting a foot and placing it, the multi-tasking moment between stirring the pot and picking up the baby, the fractional pause between the scarves. I've found enormous comfort in using those moments to notice the beauty in the here and now, and that helps me keep my equilibrium.

It's those small spaces in between that anchor us in the present, and that moment of pleasure in the now can become a real present. The old "be here now" adage gives us a clue to the fulcrum that helps us balance our lives. Appreciation for the small beauties--the patterns of green in our commute, the contrasts of a child's hand in ours, the notes of a birdsong--anchor us in the Now.

That fulcrum may be especially important because we ourselves are often the fulcrum, the balance point, for others in our lives--children, spouses, team mates, co-workers. We must remember to cherish the small joys and beauties in the present. If we don't give ourselves that present of a moment of appreciation for who we are and where we are, we'll have less presence to give to others.