Time….sigh….. never enough in a day. How do we as moms, find the time for hobbies among all the other daily demands?
Well, first off, since my blog is about BALANCE, I thought I would write a little about how I TRY to balance everything I want to do, on top of all the things I NEED to do. I don’t claim to have the answers, but all I know is that it’s a lifelong quest. The good thing, is that I’m becoming more aware of when I’m NOT in balance. Sometimes I get a little too excited about something, for example, when I have an idea of what I want to blog about, or when I begin making one of my movies, it’s hard for me to stop until it’s finished. I tend to focus all my attention on that, and suddenly realize that I’m neglecting the IMPORTANT things. So, once I recognize it, then I can quickly make a change and make up for the things I failed to attend to, for example the house. All I have to do is go ONE day without picking up, and this is what my house turns into.
I know all you moms can relate 🙂 I’m just really passionate about staying in balance and know how easy it is to fall off the wagon and get lost. That’s when those unsettled feelings come and you realize somethings off. LACK of balance is always the case. Mind Body Soul, it’s that simple right? Not really, there are many subcategories that come with each one of those. I don’t even want to think about them otherwise I get overwhelmed. Inhale…..breathe…….relax
We’re women, multitasking is in our blood. We’re good at killing 2 birds with one stone, or probably more like 3 or 4 :). Like right now, I’m at the gym, on the treadmill, and writing this post at the same time. Gotta love all these cool gadgets we have these days that makes multitasking even easier. Pretty soon we’ll be killing huge flocks of birds with just one tiny pebble.
I find that a lot of my ideas come to me at night as I’m lying in bed, or when I’m at the gym. Peace and quiet, without any interruptions. So it’s nice to be able to email myself with the ideas that pop into my head.
This blog really accomplishes a lot for me, so that’s how I can justify spending the time on it. I feel like I’m fulfilling an important part of life, which is, recording significant events, in other words, this takes the place of journaling 🙂 I’ve decided that it’s much more fun sharing my journal now, rather than after I die, like journals are usually intended. I love the fact that you can turn your blog into a printed book. No more scrap booking for me, I’m not passionate enough about it. I’d rather just print it all off, and spend the time on other things. So anyway, other reasons for my blog is because it’s become a hobby for me, something I really enjoy, and we should ALL have something that we can do as part of our “ME TIME”, aside from all the mommy stuff. It’s easy to lose yourself if you’re not working on or toward something. Also, this has been a fun way for me to connect with fellow mommies.
I have a few weekly and monthly goals I put together to help me balance everything.
- Blog 3 times a week. I figured that was a good balanced amount.
- Make nice dinners at least 4 times a week.
- Spend more time teaching my daughter to help pick up around the house. I tend to just do it myself, which isn’t teaching her anything and only leaves more work for me to do.
- Read or listen to something spiritual once a day. Even if it’s just one paragraph.
- Spend special quality time with my kids multiple times a day. My daughter and I play a game we call, CLEAN AND PLAY. The timer has become my new friend. I tell her when the timer goes off, then it’s time for mommy to do mommy stuff, like dishes, laundry, ect. I set the timer for everything now, and I seem to get a lot done that way. Thirty minutes here, thirty minutes there keeps me going and focused on what needs to be done, also allowing time to rest and just play with my kids.
- Work out 4 times a week. I use to try to do 6 or 7, but realized that it’s rough trying to fit everything into one week when I do that.
- Read one chapter of a book each day. I’ve found this to be very doable for me. I used to have a goal to read one book in a week, ha, that idea failed miserably. What was I thinking?
- Weekly date night. My favorite day of the week 🙂 It’s so fun, and greatly needed at the end of the week.
- I like to have a babysitter come once a week to help me get caught up on things, run errands or just have a little “ME TIME”.
- Girls Night Out once a month. It’s always good to get together with your gal pals regularly for some good old fashion GIRL TALK!
That makes sense Crystal… I often wonder how you & my sister & all the other 'power mommies' =) out there do as much as they do. I often get overwhelmed & feel like if I'm on top of one thing, something else is falling apart… I guess you just have take it one day at a time. And do what you want to do & what you need to do in planned blocks of time… Love it! Thanks!! (why didn't I think of that?) Lol
This is like a breath of fresh air! There was a point in my life when I was burning the candle at both ends and 3 places in the middle. I burned out so fast, it wasn't funny. Live and learn, I say, live and learn.
We have a lot of the same items on our 'balance' lists…I knew I liked ya for a reason. 😉
~melody~
LOL!, a mom's job is never done. My house on occasion looks like your picture and most of my children are old. I have learned to multi-task over the years but sometimes I let things go because I need a little time to be me.
Those are great goals. Very balanced! 🙂
And yes – I can absolutely relate to the photo.
I will be looking to you for further inspiration for balance because heaven knows I need it! 🙂
I absolutely love this blog! SO much fun!!!!
I love the list!! That is so me, I love "To Do" list, there is just something about being able to see it and check things off when I finish them. It's true with so much going on it's often hard to find enough time in a day 🙂
PS. I'm a new follower – love your blog, too cute!
Thanks for stopping over and visiting me. I like your list. I need to make a list. I spend so much time her at the computer.
I am home 24/7, kids are grown so I have all the time in the world.
I do have asthma so I am limited in what I can do. Blogging has given me a new lease on life. I am really loving it but it rules my entire day. I know I follow way too many people. I don't even give myself me time. I like that about reading a chapter each day. I buy books but seldom take the time to sit and read. I should go outside with my puppy and read that chapter and it would be great for both of us. Okay, I must make that list, thank you.
Once a week babysitter – totally brills. Definitely going on my list.
-Jae (How Not to Dress Like a Mom)
I need to do this – make a list of goals for the week and month – that would really give some purpose to my days. I am totally in agreement with Girls Night Out.
Good goals! It could have easily been my list…
I've started the weekly goals list. That helps me to feel like I'm accomplishing something, cause you know a woman's work is never done! 🙂
I'm following you now too! I enjoy your blog and thanks for stopping by mine.
Thank you for this post. One that was much needed for me! You are truly an inspiration Crystal!
You are so my hero! My woman hero, that is! I need to follow what you are doing. I've started writing things down, but then it gets lost on the counter with junk mail, school papers (my daughter's teacher sends me like 12 stacks a week!), etc. Ugghh, it's frustrating. I love that you admit that we can't do it all. We want to as moms but we become bigger people when we admit that we can't, and boy I CAN'T DO IT ALL! Awww, that felt good! Thanks Crystal!
So so true. I feel ya on the picture. If I go one day without constantly picking up and putting things back and doing the dishes, everything mounds up and it turns into a weekend clean-a-thon. I love you list. Great inspiration.
Happy Sits saturday sharefest!
I am sooo glad I'm not the only one whose living room looks like that!!! We do the timer thing too…especially on days when the kiddos are not in good moods.
It's a crazy, crazy life. I would make a list, too, but someone has taken on 30-something pens off my desk….where could they have gone too? And what will I find on the walls in my daughter's room?
you go girl. i feel like nothing in life is consistent. especially for us moms. the best advice i was ever given … is to just go with the flow of things. when the kids are sick … you just chill. when you have to put your efforts into a project or something for yourself, and the house falls apart. well there is always tomorrow to pick it up. i have learned to live in a little more clutter and mess over the years. but i definately find ME time. have to have it. nothing is ever perfect when i get home. but oh well. i love your goals. we all need to work on stuff like that.
and every mom needs to see other mom's houses fall apart… it makes them feel like they aren't the only ones. LOL
The timer idea is brilliant. I might have to try that. I am so bad at balancing my time and my life.
This is a good post!
The timer is my friend, too! I so hear you on the one day of not cleaning and yes, I think you have the right idea about teaching your daughter to pick up. 🙂 My 10 year old is now what I call my cleaning ninja. I blogged about it if you want to see….
http://momofjstk.blogspot.com/2008/10/cleaning-ninja.html
Anyway, I'm also using my blog as my journal and we plan to invest in getting it printed in yearly journals as a keepsake. 🙂
Love your ideas on balance. We ALL need it!!
Stopping by from SITS to say Hi and Happy Saturday!!
I love your goals (and your blog is gorgeous BTW.) I am also focused on balance. So important and so hard sometimes! SITS sent me and I'm glad they did. Looking forward to reading more! 🙂
Charlene
The Balance Beam
http://www.beamingbalance.com
LOVE YOUR GOALS!!!!
I'm trying to get my life in more balance as well ~ it's difficult, but definitely needed.
I loved your ideas for staying in balance. I just had a whole day to myself on Saturday. It was peaceful and divine…
great ideas! i definitely do better if i put my goals/tasks on paper and go from there. checking them off is a big plus:)
I think multitasking is a requirement to being a mom. My husband is always amazed at how I multitask. I have way too many things to do, and therefore multitasking is a MUST.
I love this post. I believe the same about finding balance. When I feel out of balance, everything seems so out of whack. I hate it.
And I love all your goals. We have a lot of the same goals. 🙂