Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Recharge

My news years resolution was to find and follow my passion. This is the year I am going to stop putting myself second and start focusing on doing something that makes me happy.

"Well that sounds selfish," you say?

Actually, I gave it a lot of thought, but its not selfish to do something for ourselves. As mothers, as wives or as women in general, we spend a great deal of time doing for others. This is not to say that the men out there do not do "their share," but we work, take care of the children, the home, PTA, school projects - whatever it is, we run out of time and the person who usually is left to last is ourselves.

For example, I left work fully intending to pick the girls up from school and head to the gym. The hubs would take Little Miss and I would have an hour or so to clear my mind. Upon my arrival at daycare I was informed that Little Miss had a really rough day and from the moment I picked her up, she clung to my neck and wouldn't let go. After I got home, DQ had homework woes, Little Miss just wanted to be held and the hubs had a big paper due that he needed to focus on. So....I stayed home.

These things happen, I understand this. We make allowances for these things and adjust our plans, but what if we are the type who are willing to give in ALL the time or even MOST of the time? Eventually we need to unplug from life and recharge our batteries too. I know I am a better mother/wife when I've recharged, when I've had that hour away from someone screaming "MOMMY!!!" or staring at the mountain of laundry that is never ending or chasing the dust bunnies that keep reappearing (no matter how many I suck up.) I'm happier, I'm less stressed and I'm much more apt to be supportive of everyone else when I'm not running on empty.

Do you take the time to "recharge" when you need it?

12 comments:

kel said...

I don't think its selfish at all. YOu need to be happy too! When your kids are grown they aren't going to say "hey, our house sure was clean!" they can say "boy, mom was fun, wasn't she?" and you can't be fun and stressed at the same time! Life is way too short!

tootie said...

I think you're right. When you can take time for yourself, you'll ultimately be happier, which will make you a better mom/wife/etc!

Anonymous said...

It's not AT ALL selfish!! I HAVE to have my time in order to be a better mom & person, in general.

Kori said...

I don't thin it is at all selfish, and in fact think the opposite; it is selfish to assume that you can do it all without getting strung out and angry and resentful.I think that the "me" time-whatever you choose to do with it-is SO important-as women, as mothers, as PEOPLE. I struggle with it daily, but I know it is so necessary! I find it ridiculous that "we" are told we are slefish for taking care of ourselves-what a crazy world we live in.

tiarastantrums said...

NOPE - absolutely DO NOT - and this is one of my 2009 I resolve to!
I have not yet - it is terrible!!!

Danyele Easterhaus said...

i need time to recharge, but i don't take it as often as i should. you know, last night i took a little quiet time for me and then did retail 75% off therapy...and i felt better! oh, and i twitter, as u know!

Unknown said...

I get to recharge after 7:30 when the kids are in bed. Sigh. But I don't feel guilty going out with girlfriends for dinner once or twice a month, or when Dave takes the kids to Mizzou games and I stay home for the weekend and they all stay the night with Grandma and Paw-Paw. That is MY time. You need your time too!

Skiplovey said...

Oh totally! I find I'm much better at dealing with things and people when I have a little time to collect myself. Need to do this more in '09!

Kellan said...

It is very important for us moms to find time for ourselves and it is often very hard to do. I try to recharge when the kids are at school and once they are home I try to devote special time to them. I hope you find your passion this year - something that is just yours!

Take care - Kellan

Anonymous said...

I'm SO GLAD to see a post like this. There are so many of my friends, who are moms, that honestly, are just MOMS. they aren't their own person anymore, and everything revolves around their kids. i know kids take a lot out of you, i get that, but i think it's SO important to be able to have some "me" time, that makes you separate from mom. so GOOD for you, for doing this!

BlondeMomBlog (Jamie) said...

It's tough to carve out that time as moms, especially when our kids are little.

I went out with some fellow mom bloggers here in Nashville last night to the Celine Dion concert. It was fabulous and I had dinner and a night out ALL BY MYSELF. ;)

Then my 6-year-old woke up with a 101 degree fever. So I was glad I got out when I had the chance. Tee hee.

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

Definitely not selfish at all, if you ask me. I'm a better Mom & wife when I have time to recharge, and I take it when I can.