You don’t need to do everything. All at the same time.
Nope.
I think there is an unspoken idea out there, that mothers needs to be everything at the same time: a cook, cleaner, amazing child-rearer, teacher. Earn money and exercise; bake, create, socialise. Look amazing. Be amazing. You even have to feel amazing (be awesome today!), regardless of the amount of sleep you got the night before.
Seasons. Seasons to do different things. Be different things. Sometimes more, sometimes less.
Run your own race.
I’m saying this to myself today.
I’m reminding myself: it’s the things others can’t see, that are most important…most important to me.
It’s the lingering hug my son gives me before I leave him at school. Still little arms that don’t quite reach around me.
It’s the sweet and quirky words from my daughter, sprinkled through each day.
It’s the slam-into-me hug after school from my girl who will be in double digits this year.
It’s the interesting conversations with my eldest.
It’s that smile, from the brown eyed man I married.
It’s my sisters, when we are all together, and we laugh hard and loud.
It’s chatting on the phone with my teenage niece about her debating topic.
It’s a spontaneous coffee with a friend.
It’s saying hello to someone new and making them feel welcome with chatter.
Wisdom is knowing the tide will carry you if you don’t have an anchor to hold you firm.
Don’t get caught up in the noise.
That’s the something small I’m telling myself today.
Handmade clothes for my kids. Bought from Joyfoolery.
13 Comments
Peta
March 5, 2013 at 7:47 amOh Kelly.
Sometimes life can just be a bit overwhelming, can’t it!?!?
This blog post brought me so close to tears.
As a Mum, Wife, Church leader, Sister, Daughter, sometimes it can feel as if I’m being pulled in so many different directions and I want, I so want to be able to be everything for everyone. But the fact of the matter is that life is chock-a-block full of those wonderful little moments, and I don’t appreciate them nearly enough.
Thank you for sharing. You have brought light and encouragement to my day.
I shall make a point to look out for and appreciate those little things that make up the essence of my day today.
May your day be blessed, as you take a hold of the little things also.
Cat
March 5, 2013 at 7:51 amYou’re so wise lovely. I have had to accept I can’t be everything at the same time. There is only so much time and only one of me. I scrape by on the looking good and the socialising and increasingly the housework too as I work more and my babes need me so much still. Everything in it’s time and at the pace I can handle right? Xxx
Christie
March 5, 2013 at 8:38 amI need to remind myself of this too, you always say it so perfectly. It sounds like your children are telling you through their actions, that you are doing wonderfully in their eyes. And that’s not little, that’s huge! Well done Kel! xx (Thank you so much for the shout out xx)
Leah
March 5, 2013 at 8:56 amDear Kelly, I love your words “wisdom is knowing the tide will carry you if you don’t have an anchor to hold you firm”. You need to know that even though many of us don’t know you personally, that you are an extremely wise, switched on mum who not only is obviously devoted to her family but who also gives so much inspiration and strength to all of us other mums who are journeying along with you. Each and every day I read your wonderful words of wisdom, enjoy the quirky, fun photos and colorful ideas and have used so many of your writings as my own inspiration to try and ‘Be A Fun Mum’. And you are so right about reminding yourself that it’s the stuff you can’t see that’s the most important – well I wanted you to know that you have also made a difference in my life. Thank you. Hold you head up and let the tide wash you to fantastical places! 🙂
Tonya, TheCraftyMummy
March 5, 2013 at 10:12 amIf we still lived in the same town, I think I’d be inviting you to join my regular “let’s hang out” “peeps”, Kelly. What a shame we didn’t connect before you moved away!
I needed this little reminder today. Thanks!
Liz
March 5, 2013 at 10:36 amSo very true, Kelly. There are different times and seasons. A lesson to learn and re-learn.
Thanks for sharing your heart with your readers.
Neen
March 5, 2013 at 3:04 pmI’ve really been feeling like this too Kelly the last.. maybe 6 months when I think about it I guess.
Working more means being out of the house more and less time for things I was doing and in January I was so stressed out ‘I have to this’ I have to that’. Thus I haven’t blogged really for about 5 weeks now. It’s the small things that has me in a re-evaluation stage atm.
Some of my small things is going to dance classes on Tuesday mornings.
Listening to JJJ Hack on the drive home from work.
Reading stories to my daughter and teaching her colours and to count.
Reading my book.
Getting kissed “better” after a clumsy moment.
Yes it is the things people can’t see that are most important. x
Kylee at boomerang jane
March 6, 2013 at 5:58 pmBeautiful & poignant. Thanks for those words & the reminder. It’s a stressful place to be when we try to be something we know no one could ever truly be. xx
Debs
March 6, 2013 at 8:08 pmGorgeous post. A lovely read that brought a smile to my face 🙂
Elisha Wolter
March 7, 2013 at 10:33 amThis is a lovely post that encouraged my heart in knowing that this season of ‘simplicity’ in my own life is still of great value. It’s the little things in life that are the big things!
Thank you for this encouragement!
Penny
March 10, 2013 at 8:02 amIt’s my daughter when she is so excited she rushes to the mirror when I tell her she has got a new freckle.
Bernice Crabill
April 7, 2013 at 5:29 pmSometimes, we need to spend the whole day only to get relaxed. We can’t be everything at the same time and I like this statement. Just be honest and realize that we need others when handling something that is beyond our scope.
Monique
July 9, 2013 at 12:22 pmA moment in time, absolutely held in your memories and when least expected these come to you…sounds like most of us Mums here are not taking limitations too seriously…GREAT LIFE and KEEP THE POSITIVE ENERGY GOING!!