A couple of weeks ago I made a big change in my life. It wasn’t big in a visual way, but it more so big for my Maggie heart:
I took control of the “out of season” messages that were flooding my inbox and social media feeds, especially those making me feel less than.
FOR SURE, I love posts and emails and updates and products that support a variety of work, but right now my work is primarily focused on being at home with our babies. Yes, I have dreams about re-joining the handmade community, yes I love podcasts and how-to posts and webinars and other creative/challenging projects, but right now I’m pretty much at my capacity. I have reserved room for a few things, but I definitely don’t have room for all that was coming my way.
Every once in a while I enjoy branching out and engaging in something new. This is so healthy! But one day I realized most of the anxiety I have been feeling isn’t because I have a newborn at home, it’s because the Internet was making me feel like I needed to be doing more. And guess what, I am (happily) doing enough — I don’t need to add any more.
It was such a freeing task to either unsubscribe, unfollow, or auto-file the things that were causing me to doubt who I am. Note I’m not totally closing the door on these things, but rather reminding myself I am choosing to keep my focus on other things (and people) while preserving a little bit of margin for extra. It’s a great feeling, for sure :)
Do you need to make a freedom change? What would that look like?
Happy Friday, loves!
YES!!!! I am at the other end of motherhood! I have 2 years before my oldest graduates, next year is his last summer with us as a family. After that he will be a senior and that summer he will be preparing for college and he may not be able to travel with us etc.
I have shut down my Etsy shop. Big step. I have pulled away from social media. My time is running out. And I do feel such a need to unsubscribe and unfollow things on my feed and inboxes.
Thank you for sharing your heart. It speaks volumes to me.
It is SO encouraging to me that we can relate to each other so much, despite the differences in our kids ages. You are so right — your time with your “original” family is about to change, so proud of you for recognizing this!
I couldn’t agree more. I started getting anxious about all the things that I saw others doing that I wasn’t. I had to step back and realize that I was comparing myself to people from all other walks of life. I stopped following a couple of blogs, dropped a few Facebook and Twitter pages, and cleaned out an email. Just trying to live in the moment and be the best for my family and myself. Good job mama!
YES! That’s exactly how I felt. Especially comparing myself to other women who were doing totally different things! Or, they had a totally different daily plan than me. And what I realized is pulling back from all of the noise was actually giving me more. Thanks for your comment, Cali! xx
I commend you for doing this. I had to do the same thing a few years ago when our youngest was born. It wasn’t her that was stressing me out, it was the noise of the internet, and the pull I felt to be more. Good on you for putting in on hold to enjoy these precious moments. I have no doubt you’ll take the creative communities by storm when the time is right for you.
You have no idea just how life-giving your comment is to me, thank you friend!
Not only can you take the creative community by storm when you return, but it seems that because you’ve unsubscribed and stepped back in such a clear way when you return it will be with a fresh new vision! You won’t be the same person, you know, having enjoyed pouring out in this season of littles and with your hubby and so you may find new places for creativity that you couldn’t have if you were hanging on to the old. Oh praise God for seasons and change, newness, and the courage to step forward into all that He has for us! Thanks for sharing the ways you are leaning into your season!
Betsy, thank you so much for taking the time to comment :) I love the insight you shared when you spoke of “hanging on to the old,” I think that’s exactly what I had been doing, and turns out it wasn’t helping me in any way! I appreciate you so much :)
This is great! I’ve also been thinking about clearing out the mental/emotional/physical clutter that makes me spread myself too thin, or feel overwhelmed. I am a work-at-work mom (I work full time and take care of my 1 year old at my office M-F), which is both wonderful and stressful. With trying to figure out how to keep up with all the awesome stuff stay at home moms do, or the productivity of moms who have a peaceful work environment while their kids are in daycare, I recently realized that maybe I can set myself up for excellence and success if I focus only on the things I want to do well, and not worry about the rest–no matter who else I know does this or that really cool thing. We all only have so much time! I’m excited about really investing in the top “big things” I really want to do well: my work, being a mom, corresponding with family, working on a novel, preparing healthy meals, and enjoying nature. Ahhh, I can let the rest go and be okay! :) It was a bright confirmation for me when I read your post!
Yes! You are so right! And I was thinking recently, part of why we only have 24 hours in a day is so we prioritize how we spend our days. There’s a limit each day for a reason! Be encouraged :):)
I get this feeling periodically, that I’m hearing too many “voices”, getting too much input. I’m reading too many books, getting inspired in too many directions. When that happens I take a break from blogs, put down all the books, and go organize my linen closet or do a craft project with my son. Something real, something tangible, something right in front of me that I already know I want to do. Then, after a while, I’m ready to go be inspired again. :)
I’ve thought about taking a week-long break from some habits, and honestly I wouldn’t miss anything important :) I love your idea to organize something as a personal reset. So good!
I love this. I read your post a few days ago and have not stopped thinking about it. I am beyond the baby/toddler phase and am now working full time with both my girls in school. It is a balance, one that I am trying desperately to maintain. Every once in a while I feel like I need to step back and remind myself about what is important for me, what my priorities are…and then shut out and/or put aside all the voices that tell me that I should be doing something else, something different, or something more. I am doing what I need to do right now – for myself and for my family – recognizing that and accepting that is so freeing. Thank you for your encouraging words.