Hi Friends! So this was actually a post I’ve been meaning to write for months but it’s been ringing so true to me recently with all the time spent at home. It’s no secret that life has changed a great deal for me in the past year and while it’s been full of challenges it’s also been full of a lot of joys. I’ve learned a lot about myself in this period of life, as a mother, a wife, a friend, a business owner, and just as a person. I wanted to share what I’ve learned about my life lately (the good and the bad), in the hopes of possibly inspiring some of you to do a similar analysis. Also, have to call out this pretty dress because it’s my favorite recent find! Quality is so good and the price is even better- honestly thought it was mismarked!
SHOP THE POST
dress {can’t tell you how good the quality of this dress is!} . jacket {comes in 3 other colors too!} . shoes {super affordable, vegan leather, and a great heel height!} . bag {going to be wearing this ALL spring!} .
What I’ve Accepted About My Life Lately – The Good and The Bad
My Time Is Not My Own – Becoming a mom, especially a mom of two, I’ve realized my constraints in time. Things that were once so easy for me to do (run multiple errands, get my nails done, clean the house, take leisurely brunches/strolls/phone calls/baths) require a bit more work and planning. My life kind of revolves around my kids now, but honestly that’s how it should be. I’m not saying my own wants and needs shouldn’t be valued {they still are!}, but my life is not about me anymore. I’ve had to embrace being a lot more selfless and put other people’s needs before my own. Not always easy, let me tell ya! I feel so incredibly blessed to have kids, though, and raising them well is my biggest responsibility, and one I don’t take lightly. While having me time is harder to come by, and takes more planning, I savor it just a bit more. And in turn, I’ve realized the necessity of having that me time so that I can be a better and more patient parent.
You Prioritize What’s It’s Important– Similarly to how I’ve realized that my time is not my own, I’ve realized I need to be selective with the time that I do have that’s mine. For years I tried to be a morning person and wake up early, but I just couldn’t. Why? Because I prioritized my sleep {and probably rightly so!}. Now, after years of beine pushed to the bottom of my To Do list, one of the things I prioritize is working out. I started working out late last spring and have been surprisingly, and uncharacteristically, consistent. It’s become something I crave from a mental and physical standpoint and I’ve seen how it’s positively impacted each day. I started working out to lose the baby weight but have stayed consistent with it because of how it makes me feel. I find that I’m so much more patient and energized after working out, I fall asleep more easily, and I just feel a lot better. I’m not seeing the physical changes that you’d expect based off my commitment {lol! you’ll see why in the next point}, but it’s still something I value and find important.
There are Certain Weaknesses that I Can’t Seem to Overcome- We all know that sugar is addictive and it really is! Try my best, it is very very hard for me to control my sweet tooth. Only now that I gave up chocolate for Lent, am I able to have a little more control over this. But give me a bag of cookies and I’ll eat them all, a chocolate cake, I’ll eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And don’t let me go to Trader Joe’s hungry or I’ll come back with every packaged sweet I can fit into my cart. Chocolate and peanut butter? You know I got it!
I Crave Human Interaction– With all of our restrictions because of Coronavirus, I’ve realized how much I crave human interaction. I’m so grateful to have Matthew and the kids, but I miss seeing my parents, my brother, and my girlfriends. My best friend was supposed to fly out last week to see our other best friend’s new baby and we were planning a fun get together. We only see each other a few times of year now with my best friend living on the East Coast, so when her trip was canceled it was such a disappointment. Obviously, it was for the best, but I just can’t wait for us all to be together again. What’s currently going on has made me realize I want to be more intentional with my time, spend it with those I love, and let them know how much I love and care about them. I’ve been prioritizing phone calls/FaceTime and I’ve even started writing letters again. I’m determined to stay close even if we can’t be together in person.
Things I Wish I Could Have Every Day – With our current limits I’ve realized the things I feel like I need each day to feel most like myself. The first, which you might guess, is exercise. I really crave it – whether it’s a walk outside or an online workout, I feel like I need to move my body each day. Another thing I really value is time for reflection. I’ve started reading my Bible again and it’s been so life-changing. I gain so much from reading scripture and I honestly feel that tug to open it every day now. In the midst of all that’s going on in our world, I feel so much peace knowing God is in control and has a plan.
The Hobbies I Enjoy Most- I’ve always known how much I love cooking and baking, but I’ve realized it’s really my biggest hobby. Give me an afternoon and I’ll probably fill it by reading through cookbooks and planning something to make for dinner. I get so much enjoyment from cooking a yummy meal that my family likes. My Dad is the same way, so I think I must have gotten it from him!
Our Marriage Needs Work– It sounds intense but in essence, it just needs a bit more attention. Matthew and I are very happily married BUT if there’s one thing I think we can both agree on, we need to prioritize our time together a little better. Life is busy and we’re in a very challenging stage of life with Augustine and Corinna, but we still need our time. My hope was that we’d be able to get out on monthly date nights this year but it just hasn’t happened (and now when will it??). We’re starting to have date nights at home though where we still dress up, cook dinner together, and just talk and catch up without having little ones vying for our attention. It’s been so nice and has made me realize what a strong team we are. All those things that made me fall in love with Matthew back in 2008 are just as true now, but more so! Once things get back to normal, I do want to continue dating and focusing on the relationship of just the two of us. We owe it to ourselves and our kids!
My Personal Style– Have any of you been going through and cleaning your closet? Lots of time at home has made me really analyze, and re-analyze, my wardrobe. I’ve come to realize that my style is a lot more simple and classic. I’m a dress girl through and through, but I also love jeans and a tee. Prints that I seem to accumulate a lot of include leopard {like this gorgeous leopard dress – the quality is so good too!} and stripes of course! I also love layering pieces and this utility jacket seems to work with SO many of my outfits, from dresses to jeans. It’s comfortable for mom life but still stylish, and a great weight. I’ve been shopping at Walmart more often these days because we have one that’s 5 minutes from our house {and they’re stocked in all the quarantine essentials!}. Every time I’m there I’m so impressed with their Fashion Items. Like seriously impressed! They really know what they’re doing. For example, I got these white sandals last month and I know I’ll be wearing them all spring and summer! Might need to get them in the pink color too! Next time I want to try on these jeans because they look like a pair I have that’s much more expensive. I put some of my favorites below from their Fashion section, so you can see for yourself!
Shop Spring Styles
Have you been spending this slower period reflecting? Feel free to reach out if you want to chat!
xox
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Walmart for partnering with me on this post! All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own. Thanks so much for supporting me and my sponsors!
photos by Priscilla Frey
