Have you ever found yourself lost in the everyday routine, responsibility, obligation, etc.? Dropping off children at school, after school activities, picking up kiddos, doing homework, mending emotional and physical boo-boos, giving all your patience and guidance to redirecting a toddler or preschooler to a more appropriate approach, uttering “use your words” for the umpteenth time, dealing with sibling quarrels, maintaining a household, meals, and more is precisely what I signed up for when I became a mom. Those are my main, daily, priorities. I also feel that the behavior I model for my children is more impressionable than the words that come from my mouth. Thus, I feel that it is of utmost importance that my actions reflect the actions and attitude that I hope my children will one day adopt as their own. But I have to be honest mine have not. Over the past few days I have had trouble finding that ever so popular complaint that we moms have, BALANCE!
It dawned on me yesterday, Friday. We had just said goodbye to our little toddler princesses and guests who attended our Mega Blok Party (so much fun, will be vloggin about it later) and we were tidying up when I received a phone call. We had planned on Sponsoring Pizza & Movie Night with our Playgroup at a Local family shelter, The Beach House. We had everything in order, pizza, pop, brownies, cookies, etc. it was organized to a tee and then I received the call a couple of hours before we were supposed to pick up the pizza and head to the shelter, the voice on the other end simply expressed that we needed to cancel due to an issue at the shelter but we would still be on for the following month.
The first thing that entered my mind was that my kiddos are going to be so disappointed; they were looking forward to going down to The Beach House to serve. My second thought was crap, we already ordered all those pizzas…perhaps there is another charity/shelter we could sponsor dinner for? Never in my life did I think I would have to have a backup charity/shelter…I mean who doesn’t want free food? But I didn’t have long to think, I had moms I needed to notify and kiddo to pick up from school. Thankfully we were able to cancel the order…special thanks to Tammy and Marco’s Pizza (and Ashleigh’s hubby) for being so understanding and all the moms who signed up to volunteered their time and/or beverages/desserts. Then it dawned on me, how often does a charity/shelter pass up food? Was I receiving a sign or message? A sign/message to slow down…stop running from one activity to the next and filling your schedule to the max…even with good intentions…just, slow down. So I did just that…..
After picking up our eldest from school we headed to the park where I would leaf (totally intended), my worries behind. I totally cleared my mind of all the nonsense…the rumors of this person thinking I don’t like them…me not living up to other mothers’ standards… (When truth is told, I am just running on empty, exhausted, I have spread myself thin) I have literally scheduled every minute of my days. Exhaustion had me contemplating every aspect of my life… where I once had confidence insecurities were surfacing. While trying to be the best everything I could be for everyone else I lost something very valuable, me!
FOUND….
Walking, sitting, playing, eating, and running in the park…not having to rush off to this activity or that obligation freed me. The clean air, sunshine on my face, joy in my children’s voices, colors of Fall all Freed me from the shackles of routine, time, rumors, insecurities, and the nonsense that had clouded my confidence. Removing yourself from the online world, unplugging, and just being for a while allows you to have time with you….that is where I found something valuable that I have LOST…ME!
Last night I had the gals over from our Moms’ Timeout show to plan upcoming shows. I felt so rejuvenated, more like me than I have in the past month, it is amazing what a little bit of time away from “the crazy” can do for your soul.
Have you ever lost yourself in the hustle and bustle of motherhood? How could you tell you were lost, was it a single incident or a collection of activities that clued you in? How did you find yourself again? Or perhaps you have already found balance, what do you do to maintain that balance? Do you have a certain ritual you do or hobby that helps you stay connected with you?
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo 
I totally get where you are coming from. I know I have lost that balance when I lose patience with my daughter. I think I have more patience with her than I expected to have. Maybe even to a fault because I let more slide than what I should. When I get to that point where I seem to be losing my temper and yelling (I hate yelling at her) I know I need a break. I was a little relieved the dinner was cancelled. I really needed that time to decompress and chill. I curled up in our bed and took a long nap to recharge. It did help.
I know what you mean, although for me, when I reach the point of allowing them to get away with things it often means I have passed the stage of patience and yelling…I no longer have the energy for patience or to yell and have given up…which is often rock bottom for me.
I am so happy to read that you used the time to decompress…we tend to plan our days from the moment we wake till we lay our heads on our pillows. It gets to a point that we forget who we are and sometimes simply turning off your phone, screens, and taking a walk allows you to find yourself again.
like your squirrel! Perspective…when they’re away at college, you’ll wish they were still 24/7, but everyone needs a break now and again. good post.
I know you’re right but sometimes it is so hard to think past the mayhem…”I will miss this…I will miss this”…my new motto in moments of pure mayhem. Thank you for reminding me to cherish even the craziest of days Enchanted Seashells