On Finding Satisfaction Where I Am

I feel like a broken record. Didn’t I just write a post about finding satisfaction right where I am? Did I? I wrote about making where I am awesome. Maybe that’s what I’m thinking of.

But with every few months in the lives of parenting littles, times change. I even chatted with Brigid and Elise on the Caritas Podcast about how something as basic as how I approach Lent as a Catholic has changed since I had kids. Listen to it here and read the show notes here. As being a mom is already challenging (yes, I still give up treats as is our family tradition), I no longer have to find things that are penitential haha (mass with small kids. enough said).

I’m dissatisfied with a number of things about my life. And I was even more sick of hearing me b*tch about them, over and over again. My house is untidy, I’m out of shape and compulsively eating fudge <<before lent!!>>, I don’t sleep enough, often dinner isn’t made or made well.

So I drew a big ole list up.

What I want to change

Followed by another list.

How I am going to do it

I did have to face the reality that somethings got crossed off. I’m just not going to get to them. And that’s okay.

I tackled what I could and made a plan. Reading Better than Before is really helping me with making new & better habits, too.

1) Cluttered House.

We planned ahead for a Sunday when AA could take the kids out to the Lodge in Wisconsin and I had 9 hours to tackle the purging that needed to happen. I worked the entire time as did my mom & amazing sister. I had made a list ahead of time of what I wanted to accomplish in each room. And we didn’t finish the basement or get to the attic, but the first & second floors got a real going-over. I’m going to plan another day when he can take the kids and I can do those areas.

You’re thinking: what could take you that long? It’s the blessing/curse of a very large old house. Lots of closets to stash crap.

2) Out of Shape.

I can’t join a gym and am not using my yoga pass like I thought I would. But I reorganized the basement laundry room and made it a playroom with a stationary bike in it. This way I can supervise playing//fighting and bike in whatever I’m wearing. Bathrobe. PJs. Slippers. I have yet to get into proper shoes or a sports bra. I sit there and bike, even if it’s on the lowest setting, for 15 mins or so. Everyday.

Sweets are gone for Lent, but I also inhale carbs at every meal. Toast with breakfast? Sandwich at lunch? Baguette with dinner? I’m trying to be aware of what I’m eating. I refuse to cut out dairy or olive oil or all the healthy food groups that some diets suggest you completely avoid. I don’t need to heal a leaking gut or cure candida. I just need to eat more vegetables. Like my mama always says.

3) Poor Sleep.

One of the issues many at-home mamas I know who run businesses on the side face is the reality of how much time it really takes to get a thing “done” that isn’t homeschooling, feeding, napping, diapering, or cleaning up after, or reading to, ones’ children. I used to cut into my sleeping hours tremendously to sew for Whole Parenting Goods or do sponsored posts for this here blog.

I now get into bed by 10:30pm. I may still work from my phone or read, but I must be physically in bed. Otherwise when someone pops up at night or the morning starts at 6, I’m dragging so so badly. I cut out most sponsored posts and advertisements here because I didn’t have enough time. I can’t cut out the sewing because I love it sew so much. But I do more seasonal collections which helps.

4) Dinner Made.

Crock pot. Knowing I can put a slab of meat in there at noon and crank it to high and have something for dinner at 5? Amazing. Also I grocery shop once a week now with a loose meal plan in my head. I always keep carrots and onions and celery on hand so I can make the base for any soup or chili. I plan for breakfast for dinner at least once so I’m not disappointed I didn’t make a fancy dinner! Expectations low & meetable!

I’m not going to be great at everything I do as a wife, mother, and maker. I know that. But I want to be satisfied with what I am able to do. And be able to tell myself it’s a job that’s done. Not necessarily even well done, but it’s accomplished. The kids are fed, I am affirmed by my various outlets (Blessed is She, Zelie & Co, you all here!), and I have a few evenings of time with my husband. That’s enough for now. That’s satisfaction.

I hope you’re finding a pace of realistic expectations that’s satisfactory to you!!