I highly recommend figuring out a way to take a series of Mondays or Fridays off. A 3- day weekend makes a huge difference, especially if no one else is home on one of those days.

OP, I know how hard it is to institute changes when you are already exhausted, but I think you need to find a way to make some. Your kids can be doing much more. Laundry is an easy thing to start with. They are old enough to do an amusement park without you, so take them to the park, agree on a family activity or 2, and then find a spot to sit for a few hours with a book while they run around and do their thing.

And you know, you don't have to visit colleges before they apply. You can wait until they know where they've been accepted and then go to accepted student events.

I also agree that it's time to see your doctor. I really hope you start to feel better soon.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I'm feeling that way. Can't wait to be an empty nester. Just changed at work to a less stressful, but more interesting, job, at same salary, which has helped.

This is my quote. 1 month after I'm just exhausted. Think I have the flu, trying to rest. Felt better and went into work for a little bit. It probably wasn't a good idea. 10 weeks until the school year ends. Youngest is going to stop doing most sports out of school when the spring season ends. Going on a lot of college tours for oldest. Have a destination wedding coming up. Got to skip wedding shower today, because I wasn't feeling well. Having a tough time, so exhausted. I do 99% of cooking and laundry, 95% of cleaning. DH and I food shop together. Have a cleaning person, but she comes quarterly and DH only allows it if I'm home. I only get WFH 2x per month. Just really struggling. Switched jobs and instead of being overwhelmed at work, I'm overwhelmed at home.

I know this is a tiny thing but whoa-- why can't DH do the grocery shopping without you? Doing it together is insane.

OP, people find joy in different things. I don't like putting up the Christmas tree. I hate it. Don't like the decorating either. Much happier once I asked DH do it all. I love travel planning.

Right there with you. I have a stressful job that can’t be done from home.

Sleep is number one. Even exercise has to give for sleep. Go to bed earlier.

Sitting outside and getting some sun. If I’m reading or texting friends, I’ll go outside and do it. It seems to lift my mood.

My spouse does a lot more around the house than yours. If no one has time to do it, it needs to be dropped or outsourced. Not sure if money is an issue or just time.

Saying no. I say no to almost all job-related social commitments. I worry this is holding me back in some respects but I can’t be at a fundraising dinner, get home late, and keep up with my other responsibilities.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I'm feeling that way. Can't wait to be an empty nester. Just changed at work to a less stressful, but more interesting, job, at same salary, which has helped.

This is my quote. 1 month after I'm just exhausted. Think I have the flu, trying to rest. Felt better and went into work for a little bit. It probably wasn't a good idea. 10 weeks until the school year ends. Youngest is going to stop doing most sports out of school when the spring season ends. Going on a lot of college tours for oldest. Have a destination wedding coming up. Got to skip wedding shower today, because I wasn't feeling well. Having a tough time, so exhausted. I do 99% of cooking and laundry, 95% of cleaning. DH and I food shop together. Have a cleaning person, but she comes quarterly and DH only allows it if I'm home. I only get WFH 2x per month. Just really struggling. Switched jobs and instead of being overwhelmed at work, I'm overwhelmed at home.

I think you might be depressed or have some other underlying health issue. You sound very hopeless here. Think about getting some help - maybe therapist, maybe trip to GYN or PCP - so you can enjoy these important years with your kids. Also, lower the bar for yourself on the house. People who think it's super easy to suddenly have your teenagers take over the chores have more energy than you do right now. I would have this be a longer term goal.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions and support. Taking in all recommendations.