Working in Time for Mom

What have you done for yourself today?

Yes, for yourself.  As a mother, a wife, a daughter.  We are lovingly there for our families every single need and want.  What about our needs and wants?

Almost two weeks ago my last post was all about doing everything for everyone all hours of the day.  I wasn’t anywhere on my own To-Do list, not even penciled in. 

Last week I decided to do something about it. I went on strike and demanded that everyone do everything for themselves. I started working out. 

I had tried to workout last month but after two days I found myself so sore that I was unable to properly care for my family. I was literally dragging my legs and hardly able to lift my arms.  I ditched working out because I didn’t want to sacrifice my family’s needs for myself.  What good would it do if I was working out but eating pizza for dinner because I was too tired to cook?

The soreness faded and I got back into routine.  Children, husband, house, repeat.  As long as everyone was clean, clothed, fed, and relatively happy, my day was complete.  Or was it?  I still longed for the chance to do something for myself. All for myself.  At the same time, I wanted something that wouldn’t take me away from my family.  I tried working out again.

Dishes sat in the sink and clean laundry laid flat on my bed waited to be folded. The carpet below my feet needed to be vacuumed and I kicked some toys out of the way.  I slipped into my {cute} workout clothes, tied up my shoes, and popped in my workout DVD. 

Day one, complete.  Wooo! That felt good. I’m out of breath, but I’m not sore today.

Day two, done.  Yay, another one down, 28 more to go.  My children’s mess doesn’t irritate me as much today.

Day three, finished.  I made it to day three. Can I stick to this? I put on earrings after my shower.

Day four, done and done.  I’m smiling more today. I’m laughing more with my girls. I have more… energy?? So this is what having energy feels like. I like it.

Day five, start to finish.  Almost one full week!  Hello, new normal. 

Day six, completed again. And here I am.  Happier, healthier, less stressed, more energized, and possibly more organized.

I took 30 minutes for myself everyday for the past six days and a lot has changed around here.

I’m finishing my household chores much quicker and with less resentment.  Yeah, I said it, less resentment.  It’s easy sometimes to get those feelings when you do every.single.thing. for everyone else and not one single thing for yourself.  I would be lying if I said I love wiping toothpaste off of the counter and walls in the girls’ bathroom or picking up my husband’s socks everyday.

I’m taking more risks with cooking.  Trying new recipes and having good feedback from the family.  Cooking is something I love to do, but I was worried that a new recipe wouldn’t be recieved well by my husband or kids so I would stick to something safe.  Life’s too short to keep making the same recipes over and over.  My better temperment and extra energy has merged my duty and love of cooking together.

Working out and being unable to catch my breath for 30 minutes straight has given me more energy.  That barely makes sense to me, but it’s true.  I want to do more when my workout is complete.  I take my new found energy and put it right back into making my family’s life a happy and comfortable one. 

I am in a much better mood.  My kids may think I’ve lost my mind.  I gave Jenin back her markers and ink pads that I’ve had in hiding for over a year.  She would always make these horrible messes and draw all over herself.  Lately I’ve thought to myself, “so what?”  There isn’t anything a little soap and water can’t fix. 

One of J's recent marker and ink pad creations.

Maybe I’m just on a high from working out.  All these endorphins and scientific happenings going through my blood.  But what if it’s simply that I’m just over the moon to have exactly 30 minutes every single day just to myself? 

Maybe taking 30 minutes to sew, knit, bake, run, sleep, blog, paint, do yoga, or read will have the same affects.  Just 30 minutes. Just for me. Just for you.

Do something for yourself today.  Your family will thank you.

3/1: Please, be sure to read the follow-up post to get the full story.