Lighten Up!
I’m realizing it’s time to lighten up. I’ve spent a lot of energy lately stressing out, and now I’m just going to take things down a notch. Appreciate a lot more of what’s going on than I’ve been able to do recently, all wrapped up in myself. Understand and claim what’s right in this moment, not looking for problems around what’s wrong.
I’m used to being on a constant mission to do something or to be somewhere, it’s just a habit. I hate the frenzy I create around coming and going, but I think it’s just familiar, I’m used to it. Without it, I often feel rudderless and lost. Slowly, those rhythms are dissolving into focusing on the moment at hand.
After a visit to the animal sanctuary with the kids today, I planned a stop at my favorite grocery store on the way home, one I don’t get to much since it’s not in New Paltz. D wondered if we could go somewhere else instead. I glanced through the list and realized there was nothing urgent about it. I was just looking for a reason to go to that particular store.
We bagged the shopping trip and ended up going to a friend’s house for a spontaneous playdate. What a treat! I went grocery shopping later that evening after Mike got home, and ended up saving $20 in coupons that I didn’t have with me earlier that day.
As I wrapped up my shopping tonight, I started feeling “poor me” about working so hard to save that much money with no one to notice; wishing I were a more savvy shopper like all of those frugal thrifty moms that appear on Oprah; being up so late, again!; and having so much to do before going away with the kids for a couple of days.
Suddenly I realized what I was doing, and stopped myself!
I started to turn things around and stopped beating myself up. Stopped being a downer in my own life.
I took a moment to celebrate my hard work in the store tonight and honored the fact that while it took a long time on this trip, this type of careful planning and purchasing would continue to get easier. And as far as anyone noticing, of course it will be noticed! It will be recorded in black and white in our household budget records, which Mike and I will be checking out at the end of the month!
I thanked my body for being willing to work hard and late, two nights in a row, all due to important, productive work.
I appreciated that we even have the opportunity to go somewhere fun, different, and FREE with the kids.
This way of thinking feels good, and it’s easier to feel this way when I’m not struggling to take a break from busyness or stress. What a concept!
