Wednesday, December 3, 2008

It Really Is All About Me

I feel better today. The boys will be out of school tomorrow for dentist/ENT visits so Big Kid is going to work on his make up work during morning recess today. I decided not to do donuts, more so because today is the 3rd which means a busy banking day, but I will credit myself for coming up with the genius idea. BK did not, to my amazement, fall apart when I told him. I just apologized and promised I'd do better.

This morning they walked into the school at 7:59 a.m. Take that beeotches.

So, my sister in law gave me a book that I've been trying to find for a couple of years. It's called The Language of Letting Go and I think it's targeted at recovering addicts, which I am not, but I love most of the daily meditation thoughts. Here's some questions from yesterday's that had me and BFF thinking...

We do not have to put our life on hold. There will be repercussions from doing this. Go on with your life. Take life a day at a time. What is something I could be doing now to take care of myself, make myself feel better, get my needs met in an appropriate, healthy way?

BFF and I struggled to find something that we could do just for ourselves. Our entire lives as mothers revolve around our household and the needs of others, so how do you separate that from your own needs and wants especially after you've trained yourself for years to put your needs and wants last? We both realized that our identities are so tied up in that of our families, that we have forgotten how to think about just ourselves and I think that is a problem.

I told BFF we should start small... what was one thing that she wanted to do daily that she just couldn't seem to make time for? Hers was reading the newspaper uninterrupted. I suppose I should mention the fact that BFF is a SAHM to 3 children under the age of 7. So, she and I formulated a plan that could possibly give her 30 minutes of free time for just her. I don't know when she's going to implement our plan though because life is so busy that there is just no time for it.

Mine was the whole getting up earlier thing, which actually ties into my duties in my household, but I'm justifying it as being for me because I could then relax in the morning and maybe even have a cup of coffee before I leave the house instead of running around like a crazy person in the limited amount of time I give myself each morning. This should translate into lower blood pressure, less stress and an all around better day for this mom. Right? My family will just reap the fringe benefits from it.

So, my question for you guys today is: What is something you want to do for yourself to make sure that your needs are met and that you feel like an individual human being today? [i.e. not a mom, wife, Girl Scout leader, soccer coach, banker, teacher, etc.]

© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.

16 comments:

Joy said...

Unfotunatly since I am all on my own for the next few days, whilst hubs does something for himself as in taking a trip to South Dakota to go phesant hunting, my just one thing for myself will have to wait!

~Sheila~ said...

*I left a comment on your last post too.

Let's see, I want to actually make time, after work and soccer practice, to walk on my treadclimber that I bought from Bowflex and am still currently paying on.

That also means I have to bring it in from outside.
Ughhhh.

Sheri and George said...

Since I am working full time and going back to school I want to find time once a week to do something with my husband. Just the two of us- kind of a date night to keep the romance alive.

AFRo said...

Sheri - That's for you AND your husband. What about something JUST for you? That seems to be what I'm stumbling with... including the hubby or the kids in MY thing. It's got to be YOUR thing though.

Bad Mommy said...

To read a whole book, in one sitting, completely uninterrupted.

Chris said...

Big-boobied blonde!

Wait, what was the question?

Migraine Mom said...

For me it is running. I used to feel guilty that I go out the door for a run the minute hubby gets home or right after dinner but I've learned that once I get that run in I just am so much better at the other things. It helps me to relax and re-focus. Of course now that it is cold out I'm having a hard time getting out the door but I really try to do it at least 4 days a week...I'm shooting for 5 or 6 but that's pushing it.

misspro312 said...

I enjoy having my mornings to myself. My hubby leaves for work in the dark, so I have time in the morning to adjust to the day.

I have the bathroom to myself, and no one bothers me. I can take my time to get ready for the day when I have to be the worker, the wife, and so forth.

Great post!

bff said...

I felt the need to comment since you weren't slacking anymore.

But guess what? I still haven't read the damn newspaper in one sitting. But I am determined that within the next 15 years, I will sit with a cup of coffee and a newspaper and not move until I read it cover to cover. That's my goal, and I will achieve it.

You, on the other hand, picked a stupid goal. Baby steps, remember, baby steps.

Melodie said...

Attending my Mary Kay meetings once a week is something I do for me. Sure, I do it to try to help take care of my family, but spending 1-2 hours with a bunch of friendly inspiring ladies really lifts my spirit.

Also, once I start making some money, I can go back to getting those wonderful pedicures I've had to give due to the ex not paying his child support.

destin said...

I want to not have kids so that I NEVER feel like this! See, what's the reward of having a family if you feel this way everyday? When is it that they make you feel happy? Maybe we just get the shit end of the deal, but I mean really. By the way, tomorrow's my day.

Just Me said...

I would like to make time, EVERYDAY, to look at General Hospital that I DVR everyday. Since I usually don't have time during the week to watch all of them, I have to jam 4 or 5 episodes on the weekend before the kids get up:)

KatinCleveland said...

I don't know if this qualifies as "healthy and appropriate," but it's what I'm going to do:

Have a glass (or three) of my favorite wine and watch Gray's Anatomy with absolutely no interruptions from anyone else.

Shannie said...

Easy... Today, I would like very much to make enough time for me to shower... And not just shower, shave my legs while I shower... That's almost non-existent for me. My razor would have cobwebs if it didn't stay wet.

Mom Taxi Julie said...

Well I'm being kind of selfish and not getting a job. Not sure how long I'm going to be able to do that but it sure is nice not having to rush around in the mornings and go at a slow pace until the kids get home!

Lindsay said...

I think it would be work on a hobby. I'm wanting to learn digital scrapbooking, but I'm going to need some peace and quiet to get it done. I'd also love to just take my laptop to a local coffeehouse and write uninterrupted. I always feel so much better after I get it all out, but I never get the moment's peace between my husband and child vying for my attention. I'm owed a few personal hours by my husband (we trade off, it's how we roll), so I might have to cash in soon.

Great post!