Self improvement.
Ever since Harrison was born, I have felt like my life has been in a holding pattern. Don't get me wrong - between my job, family, friends, and the dogs, things were pretty crazy even before adding children into the mix. But having Harrison (and Elijah) made me re-examine my priorities.
My family? The most important thing in my life. My job? Also very important - although I hate being away from the boys, I would also hate not having a paycheck. My friends? Even though I don't get to see them as much as I used to, I still love them. The pups? They're still around, and they still like me to pet them and play with them once in awhile.
Something had to give - and I felt like that something was me. My days have fallen into a routine: wake up, get ready for work, get the boys up, get Elijah fed and dressed, get the boys out the door and dropped off at daycare, drive to work, work, eat lunch at my desk, work some more, drive home, cook dinner, feed Elijah, eat dinner, clean kitchen, play with boys, get boys ready for bed, read Harrison a book, get Harrison a glass of water, put Harrison to bed, feed Elijah, change Elijah, put Elijah to bed, get bags packed, lunches made, coffee ready, watch some TV, fall into bed. If I'm lucky, Elijah will wake up once during the night. If I'm not, Elijah will wake up four times. It's like treading water.
My free time is non-existant. But I realized that I need to make some time for myself, or I am going to go crazy. So I'm working on making some positive - if small - changes in my life. For example:
* Until recently, I was lucky to make it through the latest issue of Parenting magazine. Now I have been turning off the computer and taking the time to - gasp! - open a book and read, I'm currently in the middle of "The Devil in the White City," a historical account of the World's Fair. And I am loving it.
* Having two kids in two years meant that most of the new clothes in my closet are maternity clothes. So I have been buying a few new pieces for my wardrobe. And it feels great.
* Hubby and I have been doing things and going places - without the kids. In the past month, we went to a party at a friend's house and went to a local bar to hear a band play. Both times, kids were not invited, we had a couple of drinks - and it was fun.
* And I have been working out every other day. Do I wish that I could devote more time to getting back into shape? Of course. But this is a good first step.
Don't get me wrong - being a mom is my number-one priority. But it is so easy to lose yourself in the process. Taking the time to take care of myself has been awesome. And spending a few minutes a day doing something for myself has not caused my world to fall apart.
Now I just need to try and stick with it...
My family? The most important thing in my life. My job? Also very important - although I hate being away from the boys, I would also hate not having a paycheck. My friends? Even though I don't get to see them as much as I used to, I still love them. The pups? They're still around, and they still like me to pet them and play with them once in awhile.
Something had to give - and I felt like that something was me. My days have fallen into a routine: wake up, get ready for work, get the boys up, get Elijah fed and dressed, get the boys out the door and dropped off at daycare, drive to work, work, eat lunch at my desk, work some more, drive home, cook dinner, feed Elijah, eat dinner, clean kitchen, play with boys, get boys ready for bed, read Harrison a book, get Harrison a glass of water, put Harrison to bed, feed Elijah, change Elijah, put Elijah to bed, get bags packed, lunches made, coffee ready, watch some TV, fall into bed. If I'm lucky, Elijah will wake up once during the night. If I'm not, Elijah will wake up four times. It's like treading water.
My free time is non-existant. But I realized that I need to make some time for myself, or I am going to go crazy. So I'm working on making some positive - if small - changes in my life. For example:
* Until recently, I was lucky to make it through the latest issue of Parenting magazine. Now I have been turning off the computer and taking the time to - gasp! - open a book and read, I'm currently in the middle of "The Devil in the White City," a historical account of the World's Fair. And I am loving it.
* Having two kids in two years meant that most of the new clothes in my closet are maternity clothes. So I have been buying a few new pieces for my wardrobe. And it feels great.
* Hubby and I have been doing things and going places - without the kids. In the past month, we went to a party at a friend's house and went to a local bar to hear a band play. Both times, kids were not invited, we had a couple of drinks - and it was fun.
* And I have been working out every other day. Do I wish that I could devote more time to getting back into shape? Of course. But this is a good first step.
Don't get me wrong - being a mom is my number-one priority. But it is so easy to lose yourself in the process. Taking the time to take care of myself has been awesome. And spending a few minutes a day doing something for myself has not caused my world to fall apart.
Now I just need to try and stick with it...
posted by Daisy | 6:53 PM
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