I confess.
I'm not good at making time
to RELAX on a regular basis.
I do plenty of things I love, things I really enjoy and things that are fun for my family, but I wouldn't call it relaxing. I spend my days doing things for my family, the house, chores and taking care of my sweet little people and my husband. Let's be honest. Motherhood is exhausting and there's not a lot of relaxing involved. I get a few moments here and there to do things I want to do and I usually end up scrolling through social media, writing a blog post or watching a quick show on the DVR.
The last time I went and saw a movie in the theaters was when I was pregnant with Olive back in 2013. It was a Nicholas Spark's movie Safe Haven and I ended up bawling my eyes out at the end. Like walked all the way back to my car with Kevin and I was a slobbering, crying mess. We laugh about it now, but I'm sure he thought I'd lost my mind. I blame pregnancy hormones and Nicholas Sparks. haha
Back to my point.... I love to cross things off my to do list, to do things for other people and to keep a tidy and organized home. All of those things keep me busy and I RARELY just sit. I'll catch up on shows late in the evening, but I'm ALWAYS multi-tasking. I watch TV while making lists, folding laundry, writing thank you notes, addressing Christmas cards or cleaning.
The other night I had crossed everything off my to do list and it was still early. Everyone else had gone to bed so I started looking at my options of things to watch. I came across The Intern with Anne Hathaway and remembered how much I'd wanted to see it when it came out.
I got excited for a second and realized that I could actually watch the movie right that moment. I hit play and made the decision that I wasn't going to do anything but SIT AND ENJOY THIS MOVIE. I didn't clean up the family room while I watched, I left the dishes in the sink and I just relaxed. I really loved The Intern (minus Anne's movie husband and his story line) - have you seen it??
I grabbed a snack, a cozy blanket and really enjoyed myself. I caught myself just sitting and smiling because I was having a nice time. It was wonderful and it served as a good reminder to me that I need to make time to relax more often. Not just to do things that I want to do, but to do things that make me happy, I find relaxing and things that I really enjoy. I woke up the next day with a little extra pep in my step because of my relaxing evening.
Can you relate?
What kinds of things do you do to RELAX?
Topher loved the late night company.
"High Five for taking it easy, Mom!"
"Let's pretend that I'm an only child, okay??"
Girl I hear you. I do lots of fun things with my family, but actually sitting down to craft or do things just for me has fallen to the side most of the time.
ReplyDeleteTopher is so cute!!
ReplyDeleteGood for you Whitney! It's crazy how busy motherhood is, isn't it? I hadn't thought about it, but you're right, even when we're sitting down we're doing other things. You'll have to keep us posted if you get to do this more often.
Jon and I sit down to relax at about 10:30 each night. We'll watch 45 minutes of something and then head off to bed. I've been trying to get up early and have some time in the morning to just sit and drink coffee and check the internet. I really look forward to that time!
Yay for some relaxing time! Sometimes I have the opposite problem that when the kids go to bed I do absolutely nothing which leads to piles of laundry...
ReplyDeleteOh girl I CAN relate. I suck at taking time for me. Like really, really, REALLY stink at it and then when I do, I fight feeling guilty about it. So proud of you and this little victory to do something just for you.
ReplyDeleteI am the exact same way! I'm always thinking to myself "hmm what else could I be doing right now?" Which is good in one way but bad in another. We have to make time for ourselves or we get really worn down. I love sitting and watching a good chick flick or drama movie when everyone else is asleep. :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you! You definitely deserve some Mama time!
ReplyDeleteYes! Yes yes yes. I totally relate to every word on this one. I feel so... "unaccomplished" if I'm not doing something productive. But I have to remind myself that "me time" is so important! Good for you!!
ReplyDeleteI think all of us mamas have a hard time relaxing. If I'm at home I find it hard to just sit without doing something else-the guilt always creeps in or my mind will start reeling with everything I need to be doing. The only way I can even get close to relaxing is to wait until everyone is asleep and tell myself that I can take one hour to just do what I want to do. Usually I pick watching tv with the computer in my lap. I can't remember the last time I just only watched a movie but you have inspired me to make that happen. Your post remins me of the topic "Moms Deserve a Magical Holiday Too" from my favorite podcast The Mom Hour. I need to make a Mama Christmas Bucket List so I can make sure I get in plenty of relaxing moments this holiday season.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I am eager to do more in the new year is do something once a week just for me. I find that I don't do enough of things I want, I'm too busy wearing a hat that comes with a list of must dos. But I vow to give myself the break and the pleasure of giving back to myself more in 2017.
ReplyDelete