Hey Lovelies,
Does this scenario sound familiar to you?
The kids are taking a nap after all the hurly burly, shushing and hushing. FINALLY!
Now it’s time to take my time and do what I feel like, but hell no…
It ain’t working because I still need to sort out my one million and one priorities. And now, I no longer have a ‘Help’.
Ok, air pods on, I may need the musical inspiration.
Then I think, ‘Time to get some work done.’
‘Oh, wait, there is still laundry to do…’
‘I need to get dinner started…’
‘Maybe I can hold it off for an extra half hour so that I can get some work stuff sorted out.’
‘I should probably blog, it’s been a minute’
Oh yeah, maybe I need a few hours break from mum life. Do you ever feel like a typical 24 hour day is actually 11 and a half hour long instead?
Here are some new rules that I’ve set for myself. No more procrastinations; I may need to go a bit harder on myself to snap back into my ‘A’ game.
You may ask, ‘Why?’
Here’s my response, ‘To feel fulfilled and positive.’
Yea, it’s that simple. Were you thinking of something else?
Ok, here we go;
Make Plans
No one will know more than mums that with kids around, things don’t always go according to plan, which is ok. I mean change is dynamic right?
So, while making your plans, have a plan B. This makes you to be flexible. But yeah, I now make plans from simple ones like, ‘Which kid is hanging the laundry?’
‘Which kid will tidy up the toys?’
To more complex ones like, ‘Which spouse is doing the grocery shopping?’ ‘Who is running other outdoor basic errands while the other babysits?’
We move with the flow and when the lockdown is eased completely, it will need some more adjusting I know, but it will work out just fine with proper planning. This will also require establishing an emergency system in cases of unforeseen circumstances. You never know.
Avoid Social Media Distractions
This is important because I noticed that with kids, they tend to emulate our ways a lot. I know mine do. I’ve caught my 2 year old on several occasions, pretending to use a remote control or her toy phone to make calls to an imaginary being who happens to bear the same name as someone I may have spoken to not too long ago.
Or my 5 year old pretending to be having a video meeting with imaginary friends.
All these have their downsides because kids are more vulnerable; now I’m more self-conscious and aware. For instance, I try to completely avoid lying on the bed with my phone or other devices- no matter how hard it is-, especially at bedtime when I love to read ebooks on my phone. I’d rather wait until I’m sure they’ve slept off and won’t bother checking up on my activities. But being less active on social media has helped my lifestyle way better, despite the fact that I’ve never really been a media addict per say.
Spend Time With Partner
Spending quality time is a new rule for me because yeah, after I read an article recently about How Much Quality Time To Actually Spend With Your Spouse, I discovered that I may be winning a novel award soon for ‘The World’s Most Distant Spouse’ due to no fault of mine though, so don’t judge please ok?
All the telltale signs are there, so now I try to be more intentional.
Do you wanna know how?
I try to watch football and develop more interest. I ask to know why Messi is not on the field with other Real Madrid players?
At least I’m making an effort, even if Messi isn’t actually a Real Madrid player after all.
We even have gym time together. Ok, it was only once and that was a fail for me because I almost dislocated my hip. I’m still limping from the twist but at least I made an effort here too, but it is what it is…
I’m working towards more complex goals like a date night together. We will get there soon; it’s one step at a time. The date night idea may be more like cuddling up on the couch to see a movie together, as opposed to a weekend getaway due to obvious reasons.
Finding Balance
This, I think is very important. For now, I just listen more than I hear and see more than I look, if you get what I mean. I will definitely let you know how all these work out for me soon.
Also, if you’re interested in knowing the details of the reason behind my decision to set new rules, please let me know and I promise to disclose that part of my journal in a future post. I hope some of my rules were helpful. Till my next post, it’s still Yours Truly.
XOXO
Yours Truly.
Nikimandi
