Here's the deal...I'm the type of person that does lots of "things" and each of those "things" have a special time in my life, but I move on or they just become a natural part of my life and are not things anymore.
Here are a few examples...School was one of my "things" growing up. I was good at it, I excelled, it enriched my life and brought me joy. Eventually I graduated from nursing school, got a real job and became an L&D nurse. And Nursing became my new "thing". Having a real job brought in great money, I helped people, I loved my co workers, I loved my job.
Then I had E, we moved to Texas, and got settled into our house. Right now in my life I can't go back to nursing because of Ry's crazy schedule and I don't want to put my kids in daycare...yada, yada, yada.
Fast Forward to now and recently I've had a few fun "things" that I've been into lately. The past year I've done couponing and that's been a fun "thing" to do. It saves my family tons of money, I love doing it, it keeps my mind quick, and it teaches my children about the importance of saving and not getting everything you want right now.
Well, now couponing has naturally just been added to my everyday life. I don't really consider it a "thing" anymore, it's just part of the normal routine. So then I tried doing the whole half marathon thing. I had my daily running/exercise routine and enjoyed seeing all the progress. I accomplished my goal and then joined a local gym after the race to keep up the great exercise.
I'll have to be honest, I have been at all this week since Max WILL NOT GO to the play place so the jury is still out about that. Anyway...exercise just seems like part of the normal, everyday life. It just doesn't feel like my "thing" anymore.
Moving on, I'm also part of a book club. I love to read and I have a little bit of time when I'm waiting in the car to pick up E to read a few pages or I'll read a little bit before bed, but I don't really consider it worthy of being called "my thing".
Obviously motherhood is my main "thing" right now, but I'm just looking for that little extra something that adds a little bit of color to ordinary life. I don't want something that takes away from my family or is super time consuming. I just want something that I look forward to doing and do well at it. What are some of your "things"? Any advice?
15 comments:
I understand the need for a "thing." It keeps life exciting and colorful in a way outside of your routine. For me, it has been sewing this year. I decided in January that I wanted to be able to sew. I have a machine I had used once before. I got it out, read the manual, found a few blogs with fun ideas and got started. It's not something I can do every day, but when I can, I can make some fun things. It saves my family money, because I can make things for the house or for the kids for less than I could buy them. I've made the baby a tie, all the kids t-shirts, pillows for our couches and beds, a backpack for Emily, a skirt for myself, a sleep sack for the baby, a nursing cover for my sister in law, etc.
If you don't already sew, and think it might be fun, I'd recommend it. I can give you the names of some great blogs with fun and fairly simple ideas!
(Sorry, that was long.)
I have lots of things too. But I guess I'm not as good as incorporating them into my daily routine. Or maybe they're just a different kind of thing. But I like to work with my hands and make things. Usually that means sewing, but sometimes I have to put that away and knit or make jewelry. I like to create new things, it gives some variety because you can always work on something different. Consequently - I always have several projects I'm working on (may or may not be a good thing). When I get bored with one, I put it down and start something new or work on something old. Sometimes I get stressed out, but sometimes I go on a finishing rampage and that feels so good! I love the feel of the finished product and that I made it!
Free yourself with macramé Brittney. ;)
I know exactly how you feel- I've been trying to find my thing for years, it seems. It sounds to me like you already have a lot of "things", all of which you are good at. :) But good luck trying to find that perfect one!
And if you do, please share... I need one, too!!
What about photography, digital scrapbooking, or sewing? Any of those things will keep you busy for awhile :o)
I have about 10 "things" I love to do but photography is the one that is so easy to add to your everyday life. It is one of those all encompassing "things". Get a nice camera that you love and enjoy. In the end you will have wonderful photos of all of those memories we seem to forget. I have a picture of Macy when she was about 1 making a silly face that she only made when she was little. With out that photo I am sure that I would have forgotten it. I can never have to many photos but that is me. Hope you find some"thing" that makes you super happy and enjoy!
I totally get it.
Right now mine is cooking.
For me, I need my "thing" to be something that my family needs.
However, I have also kind of diversified my "things" so I'm keeping them all up. Recipe hunting on MOndays, sewing on Tuesdays, Photos on Wednesdays, baking on thursdays and scrapbooking on Fridays.
I'm anal. :)
Small knit or crochet projects are fun - and they fit fairly well into a busy schedule. :) I know a few people who knit socks, and they LOVE it! You could also make preemie caps or baby blankets/quilts for hospitals...
I tend to want to be a jack-of-all-trades, so if I see something interesting, I'll probably learn how to do it at least once, LOL!
You might look into herbal medicines and stuff, too - with your background, you'd be able to figure out more what's going on, and using natural things would really come in handy in the event of short supply of official things. For example, this morning I learned about an herb that you can inhale to counter an asthma attack, and another one that acts as an antihistamine for stings & venom - really good if asthma or sting allergies run in the family!!! :)
Anyway, good luck on your "thing hunt!" :)
That's part of the reason I joined MK. It's something for ME. I get to go to uplifting meetings, meet new people, make some money... So, I guess for now that's kind of my thing.
Oh- and I'm also trying to learn ASL. I'm taking an online course and Stephanie Hunt is going to tutor me some. You're welcome to join us!!!
First of all, you are so sweet for the thank-u card. You didn't have to do that!:) I'm glad you guys liked the box!
As your "thing" - you said you wanted something fun but that also enriches your life so here's some ideas. You could start your own once a month do something for someone else box! They really are SO fun. Since you like to read & cook, what about writing your own recipe book? Put a creative twist on it maybe. Maybe do a recipe a week and in a year you'll have a book! (want to publish? check out deserets website. or self publ.ish & sell in boutiqes, etc.) Start a journal for each of your kids. Include photos (at least one a month to see how they are growing), things they say, challenges you are having with them, resolutions to those, their fave things, etc. Put it all in a book and do one per year. At the end of each year, you and Ryan both write a meaningful letter to them and stick it in their book. They will appreciate these books when they are older. One last idea - have your thing be to relax. :) Be sure you do that for yourself cause every mommy needs it. It's ok to set the timer for 30 mins each day and take some "you" time...meditate, sleep, or just stare out a window! It'll keep you sane! Good luck! Let us know what you decide on! :)
I know what you mean. I've never really had a "thing." I keep trying new things and keep doing the old things, and I feel good because I've learned to do lots of things but there's nothing that I'm great at -- you know, jack of all trades but master of none.
Good luck and I can't wait to see what your new "thing" becomes!
You should try sewing. Your Mom is awesome at it and she could teach you. You would be great at anything you tried Brit!!!
Why add 1 more thing? Just enjoy what you are doing!! But I do get the idea that you need something to keep you going and I think challenging yourself or setting goals is great so here is what I have been up to lately. Along with photography and our little baby boutique I have been really trying to get my Family History going. It is addicting once you start and it always feels good to take your family names to the temple. It is very rewarding and puts you on a spiritual fast track
i thnk you should try sewing too!! it's one of those things that is GREAT to know, plus if you're get good at it that's even better, and you could open a little etsy shop.. then you could feel your success! I know Karen loves her etsy and she and i could help get you a little shop started!
hi there, wow I was a l and d nurse also and then a work at home mom that has done almost the same things you have done , Now as my kids are teens I love to sew, do crafts , paint , draw, write poetry, I found my thing is anything arty and that gets my creativity going, I also take classes for new stuff at the joann fabrics and hobby lobby , and i am pretty happy as long as I can do it for a little while each day, I also started to wear makeup every day no matter what and get dresses down to tieing my tenny shoes as if a friend calls I am ready to go and have some fun with other adults , and even though my kids are teens ,(i also have a 24 yr old daughter ) I am raising my grandchildren who are 3 and 1 and so we just pack it up and go have some fun, I hope you might try something artsy as It is a way to just express you , sending you a million pink rainbows today along with a smile,
regards
georgia from ohio
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