Nowadays, many people suffer from a shortage of time. There are so many activities to be done during the day that a person must be in a rush all the day long. Constant tension begins to increase and can lead a person to depression or cause various kinds of diseases. Sometimes the incorrectly chosen sequence of performing daily tasks is the problem. When it concerns a young woman overloaded with tasks of various kinds: from household duties and children’s care, because of husband’s absence, to simultaneously handling study and work, she simply does not have time for herself. As a result, a woman forgets about the need to look after herself and maintain her health and beauty. She remains alone with the problems which increase daily with an understanding of the hopelessness of her situation.
Identification of the Problem in the Life of a Young Woman
For a clear definition of a specific problem and the development of a strategy for its solution, firstly it is necessary to get acquainted with the situation (“The problem solving process,” n.d.). In this exact case, the object for consideration is a scenario of a young woman’s life. Let it be Kate. The woman has two jobs; one takes her 9 hours from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm a day during the week, and one 8 hours job on Saturday from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm. She is taking two classes, one that meets from 6:00 to 10:00 pm, and one class online. Kate has two kids, one who plays soccer, and one who is in a band. Also, she has two elderly parents who no longer drive and two siblings, one living two miles away, and one living in another state. At the same time, Kate has two papers due in her classes the same week that one of her children takes part in a soccer tournament, and the other child has a band concert. Besides the mentioned activities she is coaching the soccer team and is in charge of fundraising for the band. The woman has a goal to complete her degree in two years. Unfortunately, her doctor tells that her blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight are too high and recommends several medications that cost her nearly 200 USD per month after insurance co-pay.
The scenario of Kate’s life allows defining that she is faced with the problem of the overabundance of duties and activities that completely absorbed her lifetime. Job, housework, husband’s absence, childcare, parenting care, education, children’s sections, and additional employment in the activities of children’s hobbies are the main Kate’s daily duties. Kate does not have time or money for herself. She forgets about herself. This constant tension negatively influences the health of the young woman, as evidenced by the recommendations of her treating doctor.
Kate ceases to be a woman, by forgetting about herself. She is losing female charm; she is burdened with problems; men are not interested in her, well, unless they use her; the only things she feels are fatigue and discontent with life; happiness becomes unattainable. It is not life; it is a breath without exhalation, eternal limitations accepted by Kate by her will. Thus, if she does not take any measures to solve the problem and does not change the situation, the difficulties will quickly collapse on Kate as a snow slip, which will lead to a depressive state and aggravation of the health because of the hopelessness of life that she arranged. The only possible solution option to the problem is to reduce the busyness and devote time and energy to Kate’s health and appearance.
The Steps to the Problem Solution in Kate’s Life
The correct way to solve the problem can only be the development of priorities in the life of Kate and bringing personal needs to the fore. Of course, the reorientation of life can lead to the rejection of some of its components, but this measure is extremely necessary for Kate. At the moment, Kate is experiencing problems with personal health and overweight, which once again confirms the idea of her wrong lifestyle. Therefore, Kate should make time for taking care of herself and make it the key moment in the systematic approach to solving the existing problem. Only with the help of a properly developed system, Kate may achieve success (Nezu, Greenfield, & Nezu, 2015).
Kate cannot stop working, because this is the only source of income, and beside herself she has two children and also needs extra paid treatment. Therefore, the time given to work remains unchanged due to the circumstance. Kate’s responsibilities include caring for her parents because of her proximity to them in comparison with her brothers. To make time for herself, Kate should completely transfer her duties of looking after parents to brothers.
The next step is to determine the need to continue coaching the soccer team, and fundraising for the band. These two activities demonstrate Kate’s keen interest in her children’s hobbies. However, they need a healthy and happy mother. Therefore, the young woman should find a worthy substitute and confine herself to attending one child’s competitions and concerts of the other. And Kate should maximally involve children in doing household duties.
Education is an important moment in Kate’s realization in life and a step towards improving the standard of living. The presence of a good education reinforces the greater self-confidence of increasing the opportunities and quality of employment. Education is certainly a work and time-consuming activity, but it is worth continuing for Kate. Only in case of deterioration of health, it can be temporarily interrupted.
Defining priorities and refusing part of Kate’s duties will create a significant amount of free time. The step to the real solution to the problem is made by this preparatory activity carried out in the system approach. The next Kate’s step is the search for a sports instructor and a qualified nutritionist who will develop a nutrition and training system to combat the pressure and cholesterol caused by excessive weight and wrong lifestyle. Also, days of visiting beauty salons and cultural events should appear in the week timetable. It will increase Kate’s self-esteem and will help her to get rid of depression.
Conclusion
The root of the young woman problem is a disregard of herself and her health. Kate can lead an active modern life, educating children, working, and studying. However, she should never forget about herself. Looking after herself should be the paramount task of Kate’s life. Otherwise, life can play a cruel joke on her. Kate must not sacrifice herself for the sake of her children and relatives. Now knowing the problem, she will not let the crazy rhythm of life absorb her; she will fight for her happiness.
References
Nezu, A. M., Greenfield, A. P., & Nezu, C. M. (2015). Contemporary problem-solving therapy: A transdiagnostic intervention. In C. M. Nezu & A.M. Nezu (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of cognitive and behavioral therapies, (pp. 160-163). New York, America: Oxford university press.
The problem solving process. n.d. Web.