13 January 2010

today is a new day...

It is only January 13th and already I seem to have lost my grip on my plans for a nice, well-balanced, quality over quantity year. As I sit here this morning looking ahead at my day, the only word that comes to mind is "whirlwind". Somehow, in my attempt to be more purpose driven, things became a bit ambitious and my days have become JAM PACKED with things that need to be accomplished. What happened?!?

Now, I know I am not alone in this. I know that many of us start out with the best of intentions. We think that we are going to focus on just a few important things - really give those things our all. For me, it was going to be my photography, cooking healthier and more balanced meals, spending time with friends really enjoying their company, running, and studying my French.


However, somehow, my photography has been horribly neglected (unless I am taking photos for my etsy shop), dinners have been nearly non-existent (as my husband hasn't been here for dinner since the new year and I tend to get lazy without him around), and while I have booked some time to get together with friends, I find that my mind is already on what else needs to get done that day, rather than really just enjoying my time with them. How awful!

(on a good note, I have been running and studying my French more than usual - come on, let's focus on the positive, shall we?)

The beautiful thing about life is that every day is a new day. EACH. AND. EVERY. ONE. So, on this NEW DAY, I am going to wipe away my current plan du jour (quick coffee with friend, shop for things for a project I am working on, groceries, home to work on said project, post office, running, homework with boys, drivers ed for #1, work on said project again, bed) and instead, enjoy time with a girlfriend, get to the shopping ~ if I do ~ , go for a run, and then make a lovely dinner for my boys (sans mon mari). The rest of it can wait (#1 has arranged a ride to drivers ed - yeah me!).


Sometimes, I get rushing so quickly in one direction that I can't seem to see things clearly. I tend to scramble my priorities and instead just get this "GO GO GO" attitude that is really no good for anyone - especially me.

So please, please, pretty please - tell me you do this sometimes. Really, one of you must?

21 comments:

Debra said...

Yes-of course we all have times like this darlin'. Deciding to delegate and to say NO are very hard- but so worth it in the long run. You are already accomplishing greatness raising your boys. Now just hand over a few of the other things and you'll have more time to concentrate on those things that fulfill you.

Kathy said...

Oh my, us women put so much pressure on ourselves to do so much......take it from a mom who's kids are out of the house and wish she had a few minutes back to stop and smell the roses. Close your eyes, take a deep breath what ever you get done today (which is far more than most) is enough sweetie.

Sheila said...

Ohhh how I hear you so LOUD and CLEAR

I will confess... I ay not be getting all the things done like I want, however, I sure am learning to say NO can do to make my life less complicated. So on the NO note I find it helping me out so much... this way i do not feel the pressure to take on and then be disappointed when not completed :) Please have a wonderful day!

Sheila

Robin Johnson said...

List upon list of to-do's and too few daylight hours to get it all done! It seems I haven't had a moment to catch my breath since the second week of December.

I'm so happy to hear you are taking the time to slow things down, and enjoy a little friend time. Good for you! Have fun!

Chez Zizi said...

I think we all do this. I need to do that myself sometimes as well - slow down, not expect so much of myself, take time.
Maybe tomorrow since today is almost over, or at least I will try for the rest of the day. For you my friend, for me.
Zizette

WhiteWhispers2u said...

A Wife & A Mother's Job is never done....If you can add just a few other things in your day, you have accomplished a great deal.Just Simply Enjoy!

stephanie said...

i understand what you mean - i've been running around like crazy with lists upon lists of things to do. bravo for stopping and enjoying the moment!

Mikal said...

I do it too! Take the time to fill yourself with joy (friends, coffee, runs) and then the next day of craziness doesn't seem so bad!

And remember, you ARE a wonderful mother, wife, friend, artist, photographer.....even on those days when it doesn't feel that way!

Mikal

Martha said...

I am definitely guilty! And when I make the time for "fun" my mind is elsewhere...love the reminder to be in the moment when I'm in the moment! Have a fantastic night!

Simply Mel {Reverie} said...

You are definitely not alone in this frenzied way of living! Sometimes I find my head just spinning and forget exactly what it was I needed to do because there are so many things being thrown at me all at once. I'm getting better because it is SO much more enjoyable to just be...go with it and whatever doesn't get checked off the list today, make it priority the next day!

Ange said...

I challenge any woman to put her hand up and say this doesn't happen to her. Having said that sweetie - I'm with Tattered Goods! We have to learn that we can say no, and life will still be as exciting, and people will still love us - sometimes even moreso!! Live in the moment. Focus on each moment. You don't even have to be a superwoman in your own mind... you are most valuable to others when you respect yourself! NOW - YOU THERE - SAY NO!! (But not to running, French, or a sit down yummy dinner with your children of course ;-)

A Gift Wrapped Life said...

Oh Mimi.......you already do so much. I am 55 and still haven't got the answer to this question. Just know it's an ongoing question that would be more easily answered if we didn't have 3 meals a day to make! And in your case 4 boys. XO

Blondie's Journal said...

It sounds like you have more than your share on your plate! Wow...you pack a lot into one day. But yes, we women have learned to juggle with the pro's! I think when you make your To Do lists, you need to pencil yourself in. And not just time with a friend. Time alone...to read or watch a movie or just take a nap. Let something else go...the world won't fall apart!! And you will be a better you!!

xoxo
Jane

jules @ The Diversion Project said...

Between an intense career, single parenthood to two young boys, family, friends and not to mention my own little dreams and hopes...i hear you!!

We're all in the same boat, sometimes you're on paddling duty and sometimes you can sit back and enjoy the cruise...the main thing is to remember you're not in the boat alone :)

jules

SeaWorthy said...

Im not sure if I have ever posted here before, but, heck, I think you were writing that post about MOI!!
I told myself that I would try to be a better planner, organizer and a little bit of a calmer mama this year. So far..hmmm. not sure. I guess this post kinda let me know Im not alone. Thanks for that, girlfriend. I read some of these blogs and wonder how in the world some girls can get it ALL done..
Then I snap back to reality and remember I dont need to post "perfection" or do some magnificent craft or cook something fabulous everyday, mostly I have to be the best mama I can be.
Im off to a teetery tottery start, but...Dinners in the oven and homework and laundrys done and the house is "fairly" clean...and luckily, daddy will be home soon....sigh.

Elle Moselle said...

I have lost grip on my plans too. It's hard getting adjusted to my new class schedule :/.

But, as you said, every day is a new one. I really hope that of all things you get to enjoy your day tomorrow. Those days tend to make the others seem worth while!

<3.

Shelley in SC said...

I'm thoroughly loving your beautiful blog. I came to you through Lola B's. Love your musings, your photography, and your love of all things beautiful. And yes, try as I might the schedule rears its ugly head regularly and almost eats me alive.

Bonnie said...

I've really been trying to slow things down. I try to tell myself, I really don't have to go shop for this tiny little thing that can be done another day when I have more time. Instead, it would be so much better if I spent that shopping time preparing a thoughtful meal for my husband when he came home.

Somedays it works. Some it doesn't. Some I do the opposite and don't get out of bed for a while...

I'm always a work in progress! :)

Cathi said...

I think at times we are all guilty of putting too much on our plate and not feeling able to say - enough is enough...I know I felt like that for many years. But now, my kids are grown - I still have a very busy life with work and the non profit that I run - but I truly have found a balance in my life. I say NO very easily to things and priortize the things in my life..I do the best I can each day, and if it doesn't get done then tomorrow is truly another day....You are doing a fabulous job with everything you have going on in your life - the important thing is you need to feed your soul, or you can't nourish all of your loved ones...that took a long time for me to learn....have a restful evening! xxoo

Lori said...

You have to make time for you ~ I am a true blue believer in that Kim. I hope you put all that go, go, go stuff behind you and enjoyed that coffee!

Pandorah's Box said...

I do this EVERY DAY of my life. I wake up and tell myself it is going to be different, and then I got lost in the whirlwind of life.

Thank you for this post. It has made me stop and think about taking that time out for important me things, not everyday life things. I am going to take this advice and use it tomorrow!