Let the Small Things Count

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When I first became a mom, I thought I had to have it all together. I tried to keep the house in order, work part-time, and keep myself and my newborn daughter on the go. Like being a mom doesn’t keep you busy enough?

So, in my quest to do it all, I enrolled my daughter in infant music classes, mother/daughter gymnastics…you name it, we did it. After my third daughter was born, I finally realized I cannot do it all. I was experiencing more days of weariness than happiness.  I knew I had to make a change.

Learning to Manage Time

Learning to manage our time is often tricky. Now, as a stay-at-home mom, I often feel guilty if I am not volunteering at school, cleaning the house, tackling the pile of laundry, etc. Learning to let go of the “mom guilt” is also tricky, but completely necessary. Moms, if you have a choice of laundry or meeting a friend for coffee, go for the friend. The laundry will be there when you get home. Let yourself enjoy being a mom, a wife, a friend, and a woman.

It’s been a slow process, but I am learning to make time each and every day to find joy in the small things. Not every day is going to be a grandiose event. Learning to appreciate the mundane is a beautiful gift. A gift that will keep on giving. It will change your heart, your mind, and your sense of being.

Appreciating the beauty around you helps you to refocus your priorities. In this season of my life with three active girls involved in school and extracurricular activities, I have learned to pace myself and try each day to take time for me. It may come late at night when the house is quiet, or first thing in the morning before anyone is awake.

The important thing is to give yourself a few minutes to stop, look around, and be thankful for your life. Some days, for me it’s as simple as sitting down with a nice cup of steaming coffee. You’ll find what works for you, and once you do, you will make it a priority.

There’s No Formula for Motherhood

Remember, there’s no formula to motherhood. It takes time and practice to find what works for you and your family. The seasons of parenthood change, and yes, some feel like they drag on forever. Friends, they don’t. Diapers will be a thing of the past, trust me.

Before you know it, your little ones will be in school, and life will be a different kind of crazy. Enjoy having your littles home and watching them grow into amazing people. The whining, the constant reminders to use polite words…it all will pass.

Make today count. Sit down and play barbies or legos. Laugh until your side hurts. Let the laundry go and treat yourself to that cup of coffee. Don’t live looking back and regretting being too busy to see the beauty of life right in front of you.

How do you find joy in the day to day?