Wellness Wednesday

There’s a reason why I was a Librarian for almost 13 years.

I love order. I love quiet. I love calmness.

It’s stressful for me to be in an environment that doesn’t include at least ONE of those factors. I can only handle it being that way for a short time. It annoys me. It eats at me. It makes me crabby.

There’s nothing better than sneaking in a few minutes with my coffee in the morning before I start my “adulting” for the day. I’ve learned that, if I just have a few minutes to myself (which is usually when I do my morning devotional), the day feels better. It’s become my favorite part of the day.

As hard as I try to stay stress free, it tends to sneak its way into my house more than I would like to admit. Having two hyper kids, it is rarely in order, quiet or calm…can you see my problem already?

If I were to pinpoint when my house stresses me out the most, it would be in the evenings. This is when I’m worn out and typically would rather be spending some time quietly blogging or reading a book. You know those moments—the moments when you feel the kids should be playing. In fact, can’t they be “seen and not heard?” for a few minutes?

Sometimes, a mom just needs some time to “clock out” from the whole “mom job” and just be “me” for a bit. I want to selfishly take some time to prioritize myself. Pamper myself. What’s the harm in that, right?

As a mom, I can’t just “clock out” like I would a 9-5 job.

I have an obligation (rather the blessing) to care for my kids and satisfy their needs. It’s the best job in the world. But, at the same time, being a mom is a TOUGH JOB. There is no doubt in that.

Since we can’t “clock out,” I think it’s important to still find ways to “take a 15” as we called our scheduled breaks when I worked at the library.

I recently wrote about how I carved out that time for me to “take some time for myself.” You can read about it here: How This Over-busy Mom Made Time for Herself

Like I said, for me, the most stressful part of the day is during the evening when I’m just plain tired! Opening up our calendar in the evenings so that I can have my “15 minutes” (which is usually longer than that) to myself gets me refreshed and recharged.

It gives me what I need to tackle the rest of the evening.

I can enjoy that time with my family because I took some time for myself.

There’s a reason the workplace is required to give its workers a “break.” We physically and mentally need breaks from time to time. We are more efficient and happier when we do. Having a “mom job” isn’t any different.

My kids deserve the best version of me.

When I am stressed out or feeling I “need a break” they aren’t getting the best of me. They are getting the worn out, short fused, crabby version of me.

They need mercy from me. They need me to be loving them. They need to have me taking care of their needs. I need to be respectful of their time and appreciate them wanting to spend it with me.

When I became a mommy, I imagined playing with them. I wanted to be the mommy who ENJOYED being with them.

They don’t deserve to be at the blunt end of my response to stress. In order to prevent that and in order for me to be the mommy they deserve…I “take a 15.”

So, ask yourself…

Do you tend to get stressed out or crabby with your family/kids?

Do you think it’s because you don’t have enough time for yourself?

When are some moments during the day you can set aside for yourself?

I mentioned reading as what I like to do in my “alone time.”

What do YOU enjoy doing?

What recharges you and gets your mind refreshed?

Whatever it may be, I encourage you to make it a priority.

It’s easy to overlook ourselves…especially as moms.

We tend to put everyone else first. But, that’s only good if they are getting the best version of us! Give them the best of you by taking the time to do what you enjoy and get refreshed! The people around you will appreciate it 😉

With Aloha,

Lacy

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