I'm really writing this post for myself, but I thought I might share it. We went on the nicest walk yesterday afternoon with one of my most grounding friends and her daughter. It just set me straight. I really believe that we bring those into our lives that we very much need to learn from.
The holidays can be such an unbelievably stressful time when really, that's not what it's about at all. Then, if you enter into crafty blogland, well... it's easy to feel as if you should be doing a whole lot more. There are so many amazing ideas out there, and an incredible energy, but let's face it. It can be hard to achieve anything close to what we see other's doing. It just depends, doesn't it? The variables are different for each of us... how many kids do you have, how old are they, how many hours do you work, how many commitments have you made, how many financial resources do you have, what are the family stressors, how's every one's health (including your own)? The list could go on and on.
I like to visit blogs, when I have time, to gain inspiration. There is an incredible river of creativity and parenting out there. I love to learn from others. Sometimes, though, I start to crater into a fit of despair. I am simply not doing enough, not creating what I want, or not parenting as well as I can. It's such a Catch 22. And here's the thing, I hear it all the time from others that visit craft blogs.
So, I'm reminding myself that it's not a competition. There are no judges. If there's an opportunity to create (and give) that makes me feel good (and fits my family's needs), well then, I'm all about it. I do the best that I can as a parent every day, and it is what it is. I'm going to continue gently reminding myself during the month of December to take more walks with my kids, explore, create, and enjoy. Living in the moment and enjoying what we have serves me so well. Worrying about the future, generating gifts, and becoming a driven work horse of craftiness starts to take it's toll. I will simply need to curtail my list of to do's if I'm going to be anything close to the generous, fun-loving, healthy soul that I desire to be.
It's all such a balance, isn't it? My word for today is simplify. I hope that you too, can gain inspiration from the idea of simplifying. Really, I think, we may all be better for it.
4 comments:
I hear ya' sister! I'm so overwhelmed by all the things to "try" that we are doing none of them this year. I'm trying less to focus on a list of crafts to cross off and more on the minutes I have with my family, just being. I know there will be other years for making things, and that's OK. Hope you are well and not drowning in your neck of the woods-- we're soggy and foggy here. Merry Christmas, right?
I feel your pain. I have a full time job, two kids and I bake/cook from scratch every night. I have also become a "workhorse of craftiness" preparing for Xmas. And I definitely am intimidated by some of the moms out there with all they do. I just tell myself that what I do is just as good, but different.
Hear hear!
The other thing to remember when we surf around on-line is that people only blog the good stuff, not the drudgery or battles that occur every day. Not that anyone wants to see pictures of my dirty bathroom or the boring dinner of pasta and red sauce, but that is my life some days. And other days I finish a quilt.
For the holidays I am totally retreating - for myself and my family.
It takes a concentrated effort on my part to simplify . . . but I am always happier for it.
Enjoy your holiday season.
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