"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once
in a while, you could miss it."
-- Ferris Bueller
As moms, we are used to routine. Our kids
thrive on it. It helps us maintain order in an otherwise chaotic world.
It makes us feel safe. However, living life "inside the box" has its
drawbacks. It doesn't take too long before you suddenly
find yourself stuck in a rut. For most of us, it is hard to break
free from our old habits and do something new.
Who has time for it all? As a mom, you may find your list of things to do
someday gets pushed
aside by the demands of every day. Well, someday is TODAY.
You have more than you think. Stop procrastinating. There's no time like the present for sculpting the life you've always wanted to
lead.
Start your adventure in self-exploration by taking
notes and making a list. What kind of
person do you want to be in five, ten, twenty years? Your list should
include things you’d like to learn, places you want to see, what your
professional goals are, and so on. Seeing your goals and objectives on
paper are the first step to making them a reality. Here are some
things to consider:
Take Care of Your Image
Your physical well-being and appearance can often
take a back seat to other things in life, especially when you have kids. Rejuvenating your image may be
as simple as trying a new haircut. Or, you may want to shed some weight or
start a fitness program. Are you doing all you can to be to look and feel
your best, inside
and out?
Nurture
Friendships
Do you have a
network of supportive friends and family? Studies
suggests
friendships can help to ease stress and even help you live longer. If
you don't have a strong network of friends, start building it now. When is
the last time you called a new friend to get together? Be the one to take
the initiative, don't wait for others to call you.
Plan a Weekly Adventure
Get out and explore the world around you. You
can see new things without even leaving your hometown. Try going somewhere such as a new
ethnic restaurant or volunteering at a charity in your community, as long as it's
something you've never done before. By making a point of doing this on a
weekly basis you'll have lots of fodder for interesting conversation, too.
Never Stop Learning
Most of us have a hobby or skill we'd like to learn
"when we have the time". There's no better time like the present. A
little creative or intellectual stimulation will make you a better mom, wife,
and more interesting person. If you find yourself short on time, budget
for a babysitter. Even if you can only devote an hour or two per week to devote
to your endeavor, you'll be glad you did.
Face Your Fears
Facing your fears doesn’t have to mean enrolling
at the nearest skydiving school. It can be as simple as committing to make a
change in your daily life, such as turning off the TV for a week (relax, you can
tape Desperate Housewives) or applying for a part-time job. Confronting your fears is a
great confidence-builder. You just may surprise yourself at what you can
do!
Make Time for Fun
All work and no play... well, you know the saying.
Your kids may get plenty of playtime, but do you? Moms need to experience
fun just as much as anyone. When is the last time you went to a movie with
a girlfriend? Went shopping with your mom? Had a date with your
hubby? Make time for those things you used to enjoy before having kids.
Life is an adventure. It's all there, yours for the
taking. Stepping outside of your comfort zone can build your confidence,
improve your outlook on life, and empower you to try even more new things.
Let's face it. None of us are getting any younger.
You don't want to wake up one day and find yourself regretting what you didn't
do in life.
We all could
benefit from the Ferris Bueller philosophy and take time out to look
around. What are you waiting for?
advertisement
