Mom plus free time just wasn't happening--til I hit 40. The first ten or so years of parenting was all about the kiddos and the job and housework. I was a robot and a zombie. What a great life resume, lol.
Well, as it happens, the kids got older and I found myself with some free time. What is this strange thing, time that is free? What does one do with such a thing? I am nervous--do I clean it, file it, feed it, take it to a playgroup? For awhile I sat around watching a lot of crappy TV, but my stomach was flip-flopping. I realized I had to do something, but what? Do I have any interests? Wow, what the heck did I do to myself?
I guess I avoided a midlife crisis by discovering that I am indeed, multifaceted, with likes and dislikes. With the things I like,I can replace some free time with hobbies. Hobbies are good, free, and I am allowed to have them! Now I have hobbies and my life is fun. I have all kinds of cool stuff to do and look forward to. Now I have a life outside of being a mom.
Well, as it happens, the kids got older and I found myself with some free time. What is this strange thing, time that is free? What does one do with such a thing? I am nervous--do I clean it, file it, feed it, take it to a playgroup? For awhile I sat around watching a lot of crappy TV, but my stomach was flip-flopping. I realized I had to do something, but what? Do I have any interests? Wow, what the heck did I do to myself?
I guess I avoided a midlife crisis by discovering that I am indeed, multifaceted, with likes and dislikes. With the things I like,I can replace some free time with hobbies. Hobbies are good, free, and I am allowed to have them! Now I have hobbies and my life is fun. I have all kinds of cool stuff to do and look forward to. Now I have a life outside of being a mom.
Contents at a Glance
An introduction to me
I am Everymom, really, because I have learned that so many moms go through this. This is what I have found that works for me in the hobbies department: reading, finding creative ways to save money, finding creative ways to make money, yoga (a shout out to Sportskool, Free on Demand from IO Cablevision), walking the dog, taking hundreds and hundreds of pictures on my digital camera and making stupid movies to send to my loved ones, learning new stuff (like Squidoo for example), going to thrift stores, finding cool sticks and tree stuff outside and making collages out of it, making vision boards (thank you Oprah!), and getting together once a week with my awesome friends to have really deep conversations (the kind you could never have with your husband--well you could, but they would not understand our secret language), hiking with my dog and my camera, and entering free contests. Yay!
People who inspire me
Suze Orman, I've read all your books and I love your show and I read your column in Oprah every month, and I think you are so smart and beautiful and I will always remember your Buttercup Bakery beginning. Oprah-- I think your Soul Series on http://Oprah.com is the best thing on the internet, and I thank you so much for your 10 week webcast discussion of Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth--it changed my life. Deepak Choprah, thank you for all your books and wisdom. If I ever have an extra few thousand laying around, I am going to a Chopra Center Event....Tess of the d'Urbervilles, the depth of your love for that undeserving Angel Clare brings me to tears every time I reread the book. Martha Stewart, you go, you so have what it takes, super ultra achieving entrepreneur woman--you deserve all the good in your life! Finally, all the moms out there juggling careers and family while trying to navigate and find joy in everyday life.
The best book I've read lately
by lisaherbik
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