It happens to the best of us Mommies, one day you are on fire ready to take on the world….kids, cleaning, cooking, homework, sports and laundry and the next day you have completely lost it (your Mommy Mojo that is)! If you are anything like me your mind races quicker than your feet and hands can fold the bathroom towels, your mommy agenda planner neatly placed on the kitchen island serving as a constant reminder of what’s on your growing list today. School snacks-check!, karate uniform washed-check!, back to school night-check! Some days I conquer it all and some days I simply “dread” my agenda planner…… Why are some days easier than others?
If you look just deep enough you may come to the same conclusion as I have….. In my personal Mommy opinion, I feel my Mommy Mojo lacks most when I haven’t taken the time out for myself I so desperately need. Now I’m not saying lets round up the girls and fly to Vegas for the weekend but what I do want to emphasize is taking time out for the little “itty bitty” things that make “you” happy and if it means letting hubby stay home with the kids for 2 hours than so be it! It’s ok to be a little selfish sometimes. When Mommy is happy EVERYONE is happy and I truly stand by the phrase, so much so I wish I could have it printed on a T-Shirt.
The little things for me are just that “little” but they add up and give me a sense of peacefulness:
1. For starters: Monday mornings I treat myself to a Starbucks coffee (by myself, no kids), I don’t know how Starbucks does it but I always manage to leave ($4.00 short in my wallet of course) a little more content upon my departure of the coffee bean palace. I don’t cheat and go through the drive thru as this defeats the purpose, park your car, burn an extra 15 calories and walk in to experience the Starbucks culture. That $4.00 was worth every penny in my opinion and contributed to a small portion of my sanity for the day.
2. A walk through Michaels Crafts (insert your favorite store here), I find the leisurely stroll through each and every isle helps my brain decompress. No, I do not mean go in with your purchase list handy, no agenda, simply walk around. Sounds weird but it works for me, it really does. I find my crafty mommy coming out within as I take mental notes of what my next holiday craft will be and maybe I buy the materials right then and there and maybe I just let my brain settle on the idea for a few days….I think doing this releases some form of endorphins in your body, I usually feel a bit renewed after I leave plus walk away with some great ideas!
3. Painting….Who has the time right? Well I’ll tell you when I find just one small area of my house, lets say a small wall or that one little spot in the bathroom that needs touching up, the mindless activity of painting something is unbelievable! It is a thoughtless project, it instantly clears my mind and well being the minute I dip the brush in the paint. My husband, dislikes painting (must be a guy thing) I secretly find it very therapeutic. Don’t care what it is, I’ll even go out and touch up the fence….my husband thinks I am working so hard painting (take a break honey, he says) when really it takes a calming effect on me and I couldn’t be happier in my own little world….just me and my paintbrush being a little selfish.
4. A good ol’ fashioned girls get together (especially if they are Mommies). I have 2 best friends since elementary school and when we actually “do” find the time to arrange a get together it’s like we didn’t skip a beat, remising about our adventures from our single days when the only responsibility we had was to make sure our hair looked good before we stepped out of the house and had our drivers license on us…... I find these far and few between get togethers so calming, so reassuring. Not only are these gals my closest friends and know every intimate detailed characteristic trait about me they are also moms and can relate to all of my diaper duty daily struggles with running the house, husband and kids. One girlfriend in particular doesn’t have an opportunity to get out as often as the rest of us do (even though we plan ahead and coordinate like we are training for the Olympics) she still manages to struggle in this arena. Because of this, I have noticed on repeated occasions that this very special friend of mine (and I love her just the same) is just a tad bit more wound up around her children, it seems her tolerance level runs border line trigger thin (now we ALL have been there, I get it, I have had these moments surely I am not perfect ) but, my point is we HAVE to make time for ourselves. IF MOMMY AINT HAPPY, NO ONE IS HAPPY….famous words to live by.
When I take just a few minutes (or even a few hours) to find time for me “Kelli”, Yes, I think I remember that curly haired girl! I am a better mom, a better wife, I have more patience, more time, more energy for my family and they deserve to have the best me there is! Suddenly my Mommy Mojo is back and in full force. YOU pick and choose what works for you, what gives you inner peace, calms you, what makes you a happier you and make the time each week, just a little bit of time for yourself. A 20 minute long shower? TAKE IT! Eating your lunch in a park for 15 minutes before you pick the kids up from school? DO IT! You deserve it….after all, you are still YOU!
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