Changes. I have decided that I like the idea of writing. I used to despise it-like when the teacher gave a writing assignment I secretly hyperventilated. (Anxiety wasn't a thing when I was growing up-or at least it wasn't something we ever talked about and it definitely wasn't a word we ever used.) As I am getting older it's a great way to have my thoughts out of my head. I have recently deleted facebook and instagram-any of you do that? I'm so over social media and all that it brings with it. It reminds us that we want things we either can't afford or that we don't need and for what? So we can appear to be like everyone else? It also gives a false sense of life. We tend to only post the happy stuff, the good times, etc. I have also decided that when I take a picture of my kids doing something they tend to say "are you going to post that on facebook?" Which tells me-I'm on there way too much. In addition to the fact that my oldest is constantly asking for some form of social media-and she's not legally old enough according to those outlets terms. So, the easiest thing for me to do was to just cut those out of my life. I'm on day 3 of the detox-so far-turns out-I'm not missing much, or at least I don't know that I am, and that's ok with me. I'm going to write in this little corner of my world and one person may read or none and I am OK with that because I'm writing and documenting here for me. So, it's back to old school for me, with the exception of Pinterest and texting of course. What about you? Have you cut things out lately that others deem "normal" or "necessary"?
Sleep. Apparently is overrated. You would think that once you no longer have a newborn your sleep patterns would go back to pre-baby sleeping. Nope. Here it is 5:00am, the one day that I don't have set time to be somewhere, the one day I can sleep in and what am I doing? Writing-because well, I got tired of tossing and turning and having all these words jumbled in my head. So, I got up, made myself some coffee and sat down to write the thoughts I had been thinking for weeks actually. All the professionals suggest at least 8 hours of sleep for an adult-I would like to know who these people are, where they are getting their data and HOW they are managing to get that 8 hours of sleep? Do they not think? Have children? Have a life? I can't figure it out. Nothing I do usually lets me get 8 hours of sleep. 6 hours seems to be the longest for me. Do you have something that works for you? Do you have a trick to getting 8 hours of "suggested" sleep?
School. We are homeschooling this year-this is going to be our new norm. The catch is, mama is also in school. Turns out-that combo is HARD. It's the end of September and I am still trying to find a balance for everyone. It stresses me out. It gives me anxiety. (I'm using that word because it is acceptable now). Apparently I wasn't thinking things through when I made all these decisions for my family. Truth is-I prayed all summer, I knew what I was supposed to do and I chose to ignore it and do it my way-so now things are stressful and I am not my best in any area. I am keeping my head above water until December-that's my goal and then I am making some adjustments.
Movement. I have recently started moving my body a whole lot more. By a whole lot more I mean 3-4 times a week. I need it for my physical and mental health. I am doing everything I possibly can to get me to optimal health for my people that depend on me. This is one way to do it. I had started walking a few weeks ago while the kids were in activities-turns out I like walking outside. Last week I enlisted some help and I weight train 2 days a week-because at this moment that's all I can manage. I am loving it. Will I see overnight results? No. Do I wake up frustrated that I don't look like a supermodel? Sometimes-but I also deleted facebook remember and that pressure is now gone too. I have to remind myself daily I'm not doing this for anyone else. I am taking steps to change my lifestyle so that I can be my best self for those who count on me to take care of them. (aka my children).
I guess that's all the basics for me today. What are you doing to get back to basics? What are you doing to take care of YOU?
