I’m not a flighty person. I’m an on-time, list-makin’, organized mama. Since babe #2, that has been slowly but surely changing. And after I dropped my phone in the garbage disposal and didn’ t know it until I called my own phone and saw it lighting up down in the drain…
…I think I finally have to admit what my good friend of three kiddos told me: this is the new norm.
I find this incredibly ironic given that I teach people about mindfulness.
So far this year:
– I totally missed one of my best friend’s birthdays
– I put two different shoes on my three year old and didn’t realize it until his little legs were dangling in the cart as we were running walking through AC Moore
– I spaced out for a minute and gave my six month old daughter sitting on my lap a full cup of water with no lid which she of course grabbed and dumped all over us while we were out AND I had no change of clothes and she was now freezing (thank goodness for friends w/ extras!)
– I have fed my three year old dinner at Target (Later: “Mom, I have a stomach ache!”)
– I double committed to throwing a baby shower for one of my best friends and having lunch at VOLT for my brother’s 40th birthday
– And the latest — dropping my phone down the garbage disposal and NOT EVEN REALIZING it until I called my phone and heard my sweet little ring tone all garbled and lighting up from down in the sink!
These are just a few of the things that I have been “mindLESS” about. It is so uncharacteristic of me that it makes me laugh! And it makes me laugh even more that this is becoming our new norm.
Do I embrace this new norm and just accept it? Or try to get back my “old” self and try to be “more on top of it all”?
I think for ONCE I’m going to choose the easier route — I’m embracing it.
I’m embracing the possibility that I may be late, forget important dates, not be as organized, and things may fall through the cracks, my kids may be dressed kind of funky, and my house may look like a tornado hit it.
This is TOUGH for a girl who has been about making other people feel comfortable and not putting people out. But I think I have to finally admit that I might be a bit flighty — at least for awhile. And I’m going to allow myself to not be so darn on top of things! I’m going to embrace it and try to be ok with it! I think this will be my NEW mindfulness practice: accepting and allowing what is…the new norm! So even being “mindless” can be mindful?!!! I sure hope folks in my life think so too!
Blessings,
LOVE it! So completely true…my husband and I often find ourselves making “rookie” mistakes after having 3 children. Not mistakes, just not enough time or mindfulness to get organized!
Suzanne, so true! I often read your posts on facebook and I think to myself, “OMG, she has THREE kiddos!” I’m amazed at your involvement, passion, and fire. You go girl!
I love this. I’ve written a post about something similar – days I honestly feel like I’m losing my mind. And that is so uncharacteristic for me! But I’ve left the oven on, sent the same book for Christmas and birthday to my niece, forgotten big occasions, etc. C’est la vie. I like the idea of just embracing it … xox
Lindsey, yes, it’s funny, this is so uncharacteristic of me! I was talking to a friend last night and telling her about this post and she was like, “flighty?! I don’t believe it!” But I’m embracing it. Yes, being a bit “mindless” is going to be my new mindfulness practice. Sounds like an oxymoron, but I think that I need to embrace rather than resist this new norm of my life! So funny. I hear you about leaving the oven on — i have burnt something on the stove…twice.
Thank you so much for just putting it all out on the table. It’s important to remember that we are not robots, we are parents. And most of the time we are not being mindful of all of the other stuff because we are focusing on being mindful of the things that matter most…our children! Keep inspiring us, Lisa!!!
Hello sweet Kyia! you’ve been on my heart for a long time now! YES, we are NOT robots! We are human beings! What a lovely reminder — that we aren’t necessarily being “mindless” but rather we are focusing on the things that matter most — our kiddos, our passions. Thanks for being a soul-sister in this world of parenting and continuing to bring our passions into the world. Blessings, Lisa
Phone down the disposal? That is just hilarious… I love it! I think you have to treasure these moments and bottle them up for those times when you need laughter. That’s right up there with the day I put my workout shorts on inside out– with the crotch padding showing on the outside– went and did my whole workout at the Y without even realizing it! Thought I was so on top of things because I was making time to exercise— ha!
Ok that just cracks me up — i can see you at the Y now! Oh so funny! Keepin’ it real, girl! I love it. I love your honesty!
Thanks for sharing this! Just the other day I felt like crying because I used to be so on top of things. I was always “responsible.” And suddenly, the last few months I’ve forgot to fill our questionnaires for my upcoming doctor’s appt., have lost my keys several times, forget when it’s my kids’ bath days, etc. And so reading this has made me feel soooo much better. Mindfulness in mindlessness. 🙂
Yes, you will eventually find yourself at McDonalds one day!! You see, they often have playgrounds at McDonalds, and when you are on a long car ride with 2 cranky kids you will need to stop someplace they can run around at to burn off energy . . . McD’s and Chik-Fil-A have saved our lives on many car trips!
Glad you are able to embrace the “mom brain” . . . and it will get better when you start getting more sleep!
The other day I blew up a casserole dish because I tried to saute some vegetables in it on the stovetop. I thought it would be ok because I was just planning on heating up some garlic for a minute or two, then was going to turn off the heat and add the veggies and other ingredients and put it in the oven. Well, I heated up the garlic, then added the veggies and started sauteing them, and BOOM!. . . and this was AFTER I’d thought about how I should only use the dish on the stovetop for a minute!
I’m sure I’ll end up there some time!!! that’s hilarious about the casserole! looking forward to hanging with you today — we always look forward to mondays w/ you all!