Mommy Challenges, Feeling Overwhelmed, + Changing for my kiddos
Challenges, Overwhelmed, Change
I started to write my post on these things because lately I have been a stress ball. One big ball of stress. I’ve been frustrated, pushed, mad, sad, angry, happy, emotional, blah, blah, blah. All the feelings, as the cool kids say. But it’s funny how a long, holiday weekend can help rejuvenate you and reset your perspective {thank you, Labor Day!}. I’m tired of dwelling on the struggles. Yes, we all have them and have to deal with them in healthy ways, but lately I was fixated on them. Feeling like they ran my life. And they don’t. So today I’m taking a step away from the problems of life and I’m remembering who I am and what I’m like — outside of my daily mommy grind.
Someone asked me last week how I spend my time. I answered with doing dishes, laundry, cleaning, cooking, running my support group, and driving around running errands. Then they specified in my free time, and I couldn’t answer. In fact, my answer was the same as it was to the first question. As I thought about it I wondered “What do I do for fun?” My kids make me laugh and we have fun as a family, but me, just me? I don’t know.
So it got me thinking. I used to do a lot of stuff. I used to have hobbies, I used to do things. I always said I wasn’t going to become one of those moms who never did a thing outside of their kids. But maybe I have. And I think it’s taken a toll on my parenting. A while back we did a series on KMB where we shared what we did for ourselves. Now, I’ve increased to three kids, and I’ve quickly fallen into a place where I’m not doing anything for myself. It feels selfish to say I need time for me, but we all need some “me” time. It makes us better people, wives, and moms. That’s what I’ve always heard, and now I’m understanding it and seeing it play out in my life.
I’m trying to remember what I used to enjoy doing. I’m thinking about picking up some new hobbies — any suggestions? Back here I wrote about how exercising is a really good release for me. I want something fun and exciting to do exercise-wise. I also want ways to be creative and use some skills. I’m in need of suggestions! I want to know, what do you do for yourself?
How do you balance the mundane, the trials, and the busy so you stay in a good place? Help a stressed-out mama out!
