Last month was supposed to be leisure. I was supposed to focus my attention on the things I love to do and bypass the stress. Well, let me just tell you it was not that easy. I think last month was the most stressful month I have had in forever! Work was crazy, kids were crazy, my schedule was crazy- everything.
It was super hard because things being the way they were I couldn’t run and I have realized this is essential for me when I feel the anxiety and the feeling of being so overwhelmed creep in. It seemed like last month all the little things that I always do turned into really big things all going on at once. For instance, I belong to this wonderful MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) group. I am a group leader and I love it. Usually it does require some work, but I always make it happen. One of my jobs is to remind the ladies in my group when it is our turn to bring food. I totally forgot until 8 o’clock the night before. This, in mops group standards, was huge. It all worked out but seriously, my brain was just so not there.
I didn’t cook because we had something going on it seemed like every night.
I think the worst thing I decided to do last month was try to be a couponer. I thought I would love couponing. I like to shop, I like to cook, I like to get a deal and I like to be in control of organizing things… I thought. Well, not so much when it came to couponing. I spent all my extra time trying to come up with a good system for it and then I just felt like a loser because I was missing deals I should have realized. I think I spent almost the same amount of money without the gourmet food. I did save on some things, but mostly I just constantly felt like I was out of time to do a good job with it. Problem is that now that I started I cant stop. I have decided to only clip the coupons for the things I buy all the time and try to not let my brain get so wrapped up. Yes, I did save some money, but the enjoyment I get out of making a grocery list out of cookbook definitely outweighs making a grocery list out of my coupon stack. All the numbers just stress me out and cooking is supposed to be a stress reliever
The other issue with last month is we did not go to church at all. We don’t always go and usually it is not to big a deal because I listen to the sermons on my ipod when I run- it is very inspirational. Since I have not been running I have not gotten the inspiration and reminder of the great miracle of our lives. I need the reminder.
I had all the craziness, but I ended the month in total paradise. Carl and I took our honeymoon in Long Boat Key, FL at my grandparents’ condo and every year we try to go back. For the last week of this past month the whole family spent 7 days in heaven on the beach. No worries, no stress, some bugs, but for the most part it was just amazing! We spent each evening at sun down by the water watching all the boys in our fam play football and chasing sand crabs with the kids. It was awesome!! I will post some pictures.
Now back to reality and getting rid of stress in normal life-
Tomorrow morning I am going running. I am going to listen to Todd (our pastor) and laugh and be inspired. I am going to hug my kids like there is no tomorrow because that is what really matters. And I am going to enjoy this beautiful, crazy, amazing life.
