Lighten Your Load
When we moved to our new place this year I felt incredibly overwhelmed. I had been dreaming of this day for nearly a year and my mind went in a hundred directions as I looked at the boxes and piles of “life”. Where should I start? The kitchen came first and then ever so slowly other rooms fell into place.
Nearly three months later I am still looking at a few piles and bags and a random box or two, and it makes me feel near crazy. A busy life with three kids has shown me that in order to accomplish anything I need to give myself grace. I need to give myself time. Time to organize as well as enjoy life. The balance between the two can be incredibly weary.
I can’t unpack, clean, feed little mouths, shower, work, sleep, and be somewhat alive all in the same hour. It is impossible. So this week I asked myself, ‘what can you do right now that will make this feel like home? That will make you smile?‘… and then it hit me. I cut and cleaned some fresh herbs and flowers, pulled out some favorite jars of mine and placed them on the counter. Then I stepped back.
They were lovely and smelled of both earth and mint. The afternoon light shown through them and I felt at peace. I vow now to do something simple each week to brighten and lighten my load. Whether it be fresh herbs, a new candle, or asking my husband to keep the kids for an evening so I may get out alone.
As women, as mothers, we not only crave, but need these things. For fuel, for life. We need to be easy on ourselves and know that we are amazing and wonderful creatures. I hope you too will vow to do something like this for yourself. It will be one of the best decisions we can make.
See more from Everyday Storyteller –Angie Warren here.
oh, so true!
I’ve just moved into a new house, and this post really resonates with me! It is such a long process, getting settled in, and anything we can do to help it feel more like home really helps. Thanks for the boost. Now, back to unpacking boxes.