A simple shift of the mind…

Let’s begin a conversation about how constant and consuming and creative motherhood is.

Let’s talk about how each day can hold exactly the same as the day before (whew!), but each day can also hold totally new things (also, whew!) that take your breath away, leaving you in wonderment of how great motherhood is.

Let’s talk about how each day can be so consuming that you collapse on your bed at night, leaving the tiniest pool of drool as evidence on your pillow as your husband reaches over to turn off your bedside lamp.

Let’s talk about how each day is a new chance to feel much creativity, show your creativity, be taught creativity as you flitter between children and chores and conversation.

Most of the time motherhood feels immeasurable. Does it feel that way to you? So much takes place through feelings, so many emotions and hearts involved. I pour into my children and family and if I’m paying attention, the sown seed takes hold of the soil which sends a boost of affirmation my way. I’m then able to remind myself, YES I CAN DO THIS AGAIN TOMORROW!

Happy confetti falls from the heavens.

But, I don’t always see the measurement of motherhood, at least not right away.

Motherhood takes courage. It takes pruning and positivity and (the making of) plans. Just recently I started planning a few tasks that are more-easily measured. With almost four children so very close in age, boosts of affirmation are so life-giving. Yes, writing the following on my paper to-do list…

laundry

budget

write thank you notes

return a call to [x]

organize front closet

…is measurable. But it’s also a bit of the regularly scheduled programming. What I’m talking about is making fun plans that bring excitement and empowerment to me as a mama. Something that allows me to see that the seed took hold of the soil ~ something that feels more challenging than folding a load of laundry faster than the load prior ;)

Because of this, I’ve created a simple change of the mind to help me as I “mother” about my day: do something each week, each day even, that brings a bounty of measurable empowerment and affirmation.

Here are actual notes from my paper list…

learn a new skill (embroidery? running? book club? volunteer?)

start a project that requires making a mess (yard work? switch the children’s bedrooms? re-pot a plant? organize the garage?)

make fun plans to get out of the house alone

See what I mean? Give yourself something that’s more easily measured. Push yourself to do something outside of your constant and consuming and creative box of motherhood. Do something to help yourself SEE the wonderment of how great motherhood is.

And by all means, make sure you write it down as you go! If you’re someone who doesn’t need the reminder, “I can do hard / different things,” write it down to give yourself a double shot of affirmation that YEOW, I DID IT! :)

A simple shift of the mind is SO empowering to me as a mama! Can you relate?