Being on a budget means setting goals for yourself and knowing your own limitations. Not only do I need to budget my spending, but I also need to budget my time as well. I am an expert at setting goals, but not the best when it comes to following through and so I have half-finished projects all over the house. The Hubby took down our shutters a month ago, and I have yet to finish painting them. I clip coupons, but forget to bring them to the store and then they expire. I am a procrastinator and I am late for EVERYTHING. I am not really sure how or why this happened, but since I started writing to you, that all seems to be going away… I am planning meals ahead of time instead of waiting until 5, then complaining because I don’t have time to make a “nice meal.” We have had fabulous meals this week (the smoke detector hasn’t gone off once!!) And the kids have actually eaten what I have made! I also got Ms. H to school on time and I punched in to work at – which is SO good for me, and still well within the 7 minute grace period… There are still lots of other things that need some tweaking around here, but we are getting there.
I feel much calmer now that I am not rushing around to do everything and I am getting more accomplished as well. I have turned off the TV in the house during the day and I am savoring the quiet – as anyone with a 2 and 4 year old would. The kids are playing with toys that they haven’t played with in forever, and I can’t believe the imaginations that they have. They are growing up so fast, and pretty soon I know I will be wishing for the days when they were this small.
When money is tight and the house is a mess, the kids are crying and everything feels so out of control, it’s hard to find yourself. But now that I have unwound a little, the kids and The Hubby have started to unwind as well. You don’t realize how much everyone around you reacts to you and your attitude. We are all in such a hurry nowadays, and everything is go, Go, GO! This weekend we should all take a few minutes to turn off our phones, TVs, ipods or any other electronics that connect us to the rest of the world. Sip some tea. Look out the window. Read a book. It doesn’t matter what it is, just do something for YOU and enjoy it. And remember to SLOW DOWN… Our lives are flying by and we don’t even realize it!
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| A scene from simpler times... This is the first photo of Ms. H holding her new brother. It seems so long ago!! |
Isn't it so true? I have found the more that I am home the more I like just being home. Ever since I've been part-time we've done the no TV during the day too unless it's a rainy day, then I let Chase watch 30 minutes or so of one of his favorites.
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful I am not the only one that has half finished projects around the house and usually late too. When Katie and I have playdates, we always say around such and such a time because we both know we won't get there at a set time.
I am thinking about starting a Mommy & Me to meet every other Friday or so. LMK if you are interested
Enjoy reading your learning to simplify life.