Thoughts

We need to learn how to distinguish between our original thoughts and those that are inherited. One easy way is that our own original thoughts rarely need defending, but the inherited ones usually do. I learned this from Jan Phillips, author of Marry Your Muse.

If I can do this, then I can radiate my authentic self into the world. This is important to me.

Lessons

Learning and relearning some life lessons these days. Being happy is a choice and I can happy or miserable anywhere. There are always pros and cons to living somewhere. Self care is so important and actually is more selfless than selfish as it allows me to serve others better.

Bite-sized insights from a busy mom

Insight of the day: If you think about it, do it and do it now before you forget.

Ass Kick

Sometimes life just kicks you in the ass repeatedly and you have to ask yourself "What the hell am I suppose to learn that I am not learning?" And then, like, learn that thing.

Go Go Stop

I sometimes think the way to ward off depression is to stay busy. But then I get really wiped out. And what's wrong with a little depression? As long as it doesn't last for too long. But getting out of it can be really hard. Everything goes in cycles anyways, our moods, energy, the weather, the seasons, the tides.

Widening the circle

Since moving to a new home a few months ago, I find I am meeting and hanging out with people I may never have before. This has brought up some realizations about myself. Most of my close friends before were a lot like me. Some of my new friends have a lot of differences and this sometimes makes me uncomfortable as I compare myself to them. It is also awesome because I am able to see how some people are not as ultra sensitive or neat or into dancing than me, for example. Variety IS the spice of life and I am excited to be meeting different people, exploring my own limitations and learning from others.

Your outsides with my insides

You know the term compare despair? Well I compare myself A LOT with others. Sometimes it's that I think I am doing better, sometimes it's that I'm doing worse. Either way I am creating a false reality based on comparing my insides with someone's outsides.

Today I have already been faced with two situations where I felt like I was acting stupidly based on how I thought another person thought I should be acting/speaking/behaving, etc. I caught myself on both accounts and although I still felt the sting of comparing myself, I also was aware of what I was doing and that it was not reality, and had a little compassion for myself.

Let me check my schedule

Ever since we moved to a new town in November, I have been wanting to get into a daily and weekly routine. This has been really challenging for a number of reasons. When I think that I've got it somewhat figured out then it sort of falls apart again.

With the new year I am trying again and feeling somewhat hopeful. I am making weekly evening commitments for myself, as well as planned outings with my daughter to attend the various free activities around town on weekday mornings. I also just picked up a free calendar where I can start to jot things down as they come up.

Ok, nap time.

In a groove

You know the expression in a funk? Well I am in a groove. That means I keep falling back into the same groove on the record of my thoughts and emotions lately. That groove is not a pleasant one, and I am trying to help myself get out of it through self care. Exercise is one of the ways I can shake up my mind and lift myself out of the old familiar stories. I will start yoga class Ina few minutes. Here's hoping it helps.

Sometimes yes and sometimes no

As a parent it is really hard to know when to say yes and when to say no. I think about this every day as different situations come up with my daughter. Is the little tantrum she is having due to hunger or being tired, or is she just pushing boundaries and I need to be firm? Should I let her play with the computer keyboard or say no? Can I stay at the park a little longer or do we need to leave?

We were at a play group this morning and I was discussing the idea of boundaries with the woman who runs the program. She believes strongly in setting clear boundaries for kids and that they actually need them. I can definitely see the parents who take more of a lead in the raising of their children and those who led the child lead more of the time. Where do I fit on this spectrum? I think I am more in the taking the lead as a parent category, but I need to work on my consistency with what I expect and what I allow. That is so hard for me.


Sometimes yes, sometimes no, and sometimes just saying nothing and seeing what happens.

Hurry Up

With a 16 month old, my time for self care is often limited. This makes calming practices like meditation and yoga a challenge when I can just hear the clock ticking in my head, knowing that the end of my peace and quiet could be over any second. This also makes posting stuff on this blog a challenge. Right now she is in the bathroom with her daddy. Uh oh, I hear the toilet flushing. Times up.

And that is why I love to leave the house for my alone time.

Self Care For Dummies

So I've decided to focus on self care for the next year and I've decided to write about it. I see it as a way to keep me focused on my goal and also a chance to share my thoughts with others and hopefully offer some support and get some support. It seems to me that when I look after myself, I am a generally much nicer person and am of much more use to the world. So here it goes.