A few days ago, I had a conversation with one of my besties. She was asking about how the transition to the new school year has been for my son, and I was telling her about all the struggles I’ve been having with the change in routine.
But, after letting out all the stress I’ve been going through lately, I stopped myself and said to her: “Despite all of this, I love it. I really do.”
She paused for a moment, then asked why.
It’s normal for us to focus on the negatives and to vent about things that challenge us. I’m guilty of this too. Though, what usually happens after I released my stress, is that I quickly realize all the joys I experienced from going through with it. We often forget about the good things when there is so many bad things in front of us. Remember, life is all about perspective. You can’t change the facts, but you can change how you see them and respond to them.
Waking up at 6 a.m. when I go to bed at 2 a.m. has not been easy. Walking to and from school is sometimes tiring when your body feels exhausted. Finding less time to work on my writing since I’m helping my son with homework or making lunches is sometimes frustrating. BUT … and I say this with a huge BUT … I enjoy all of it.
Most moms who work might have to leave the house before their kids go to school, or don’t have the opportunity to drop off and pick up their child. Also, some parents don’t take the time to be involved in their child’s schooling frankly. I, however, prefer to be an involved parent and at the very least know what they’re learning in school to engage in conversations with them, and to be able to help when they ask for it. It’s tiring, yes, but that’s parenting in a nutshell. If you’re going to be a parent who is involved and want to be there to support your child, then it’s like having another job.
I remind myself to live in the moment more often. It’s advice I tell people all the time, but do a terrible job practicing it myself.
With the past few months being overwhelming with career changes, there might come a day in the near future when I can no longer be the mom that I’ve been being for my son. The more I think about it, the more I feel torn. Most people don’t return to office work once they’ve found a career that offers flexible hours. However, I also recognize the stability in an office position. Project-to-project based work can be hit and miss sometimes. Plus, I know all my fellow author friends agree with this statement: self-publishing books and marketing can be really expensive if we want to do it professionally.
But, until the day comes when they require me to head into work, I’m going to continue enjoying the pleasures of being at home in my current career. I’m going to enjoy receiving those extra hugs when my son says goodbye and greets me after school. And, I’m going to appreciate those thank yous when I work through a tough math problem or explain a reading passage to him.
The greatest gift I’ve ever received in my life was my son. Being a mother is the greatest title I could ever have, and I’m proud to be saying this. No job title or personal milestone could ever supersede this for me. I might dread some of the extra responsibilities I have when I’m overloaded with work, but I know it’s just a part of life.
So, whenever you feel overwhelmed about anything, take a step back and breathe. Look around you and appreciate all those little things in your life. Think about them and how because of them, it makes your moments worthwhile.
When you learn how to live in the moment, you will begin enjoying things you experience everyday more. You’ll feel happier knowing that things happened the way they did, and feel less flustered when things don’t.