Why is balance so difficult? There’s a short amount of time where I feel completely balanced, then one seemingly tiny change comes along and I am knocked for a loop. I know that this is a common occurrence, but I will not be deterred. I continue to strive for a balanced life. For me, that looks like a life where I have time with my family, time with friends, and time for myself. I realized about a month ago that I was spending an exorbitant amount of time with my blog and its associated Instagram account. I noticed that I was hardly posting about my family and time with Bird and Lulu. {I realize I am in discussing imbalance in terms of posts and social media, but this external imbalance was present even more so in my personal life.}
After a shift, from one extreme to the other, I now find myself having not written a post in almost a month — yikes! — nor have I posted much about my self care, including fun and important events! For instance, today was the first day that I went for a run, with the kids, since the kids arrived. I used to run for softball in high school, but really started to run faithfully after college, where I ran a couple of half marathons, some 10ks, and a bunch of 5ks. Let me be clear, I may be an avid runner, but I am by no means an excellent runner. I am slow and my gait needs work, but I enjoy it and I adore how it makes me feel afterwards. I am psyched to get back into the practice of running regularly, because it’s only for myself: my health and my enjoyment.
I am also working on being more ‘in-the-moment’ with the babes. I found myself checking social media, emails, and messages from friends and family when with Lulu and Bird, and it was getting to be too much, for my sake and the kids. I finally started a new morning routine that I’ve been thinking about for months: I wake up at 5:30 a.m. to get things done and get in some ‘mama time’, before the kids get up. I started setting my alarm two weeks ago, but, to be transparent, I only started actually waking up early late last week. My goal is to use this time for the following: shower/eat breakfast, practice yoga, meditate, and to journal, including making a list of what needs to be done that day/week. This helps me to wake up my body and mind, so when the babes wake up, I am mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared! Since starting to wake up early, I find myself in a better place as a mama and person, and am able to focus solely on them, as I prefer when I am with them!
Now that the weather feels like summer here already, we have been utilizing our neighborhood beach; I am thrilled that the kids are now to an age that we can enjoy the water and the sand, without the constant shoveling of sand into the mouth. We also play in the front yard and made more trips to the park. I find that this time outside, with nature, not only helps the kids, but also improves my mindset as well. Plus, I get cute pictures like this!
In addition to making more time for me and more time with the kids, Hubby and I have been able to enjoy some couple time and time with friends as well, which is lovely. We recently went on a vineyard tour with our friends and before that, I went to a Women’s Summit with some of my mama tribe, which was just what the doctor ordered! There were drinks, delicious food, interesting vendors, and terrific sessions. I chose the floral arrangement {see the first picture}, mindfulness, and parenting sessions, and they were all amazing! I learned, I relaxed, I laughed, and I felt like an individual again, not just a mama/wife/friend/etc. It was this Women’s Summit that encouraged me to start this new routine and get back into activities which make me happy and for that, I am super grateful!
What are your upcoming goals? Any new routines you want to try?
Thoughts du Jour 