Why is it so difficult? I keep asking myself this question lately. Why do I find the simple things in life to be difficult? Things like going grocery shopping, keeping the house clean, shopping for winter clothes for the kiddos, work, life - why is it that the simple things seem difficult and almost overwhelming at sometimes?!
I then ask myself these questions....
Do all people feel this way at times in their life?--answer, I suppose they do.
Do I feel this way because I am in Jordan and still adjusting to my surroundings?---I am certain this is part of the frustration.
Would I feel this way in the US at times?---I am quite sure I would, and even more so at times (since I lived far from family and didn't have a maid to help out once a week).
Do I feel this way because I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old who are in constant need of my care and this constant demand for my attention distracts me from what I am trying to do?---Yes, this is part of it.
Do other Mothers of little ones feel the same way I do?---I hope I am not the only one.
My final question goes like this....What can I do about it?---change my ways.
Why is it so hard to change?---I don't know, but I am going to work on changing a few things.
Things I am working on changing:
1-Diet. I am not going on a diet, but going back to my old ways of eating. No more KFC, BK, McDs for me or the kids -Yanal is grown and can decide for himself :o). Actually, together, we decided to start cooking vegetarian again. I felt SO must better, healthier, alert when I was a vegetarian. I went shopping today and started filling my cupboards with the basics. I opened my vegetarian cookbook tonight and has success with a new recipe...! Okay, change is good (converting to old healthier ways is great)!
2-Sleep. Need more sleep. Hmmm, realistically, I won't be doing this. I love my late nights to myself. It's the only time I get me time. The rest of the day is Mommy this, Mommy that. Honey this, honey that. Bethany this, Bethany that. Ahhhh, everyone is in bed....I am loving my late nights....until the morning, then I hate myself...LOL!
3-Prayer and reading. Need to focus on the important things in life, so the distractions are nothing more than distractions.
4-Getting out. Started a playgroup with a bunch of great ladies. We have been meeting weekly to hang out with each other as the kids play with one another. Next week, Paint Your Own Pottery" here we come! Sounds like a tone of fun! Also, need to get out of the house more often. Difficult or easy, the kids and i all need to get out more. Need to find fun places to go, to do things together, to learn about things, to grow and to get some fresh air!
5-Exercise. Should, but never have before. hmmmm. Inshallah! Hubby has started going to the gym at 600am before work....that's inspiring....! Inshallah!
I like my new goals. I hope that I can make them reality. I plan to make them reality. I feel so bogged down with whatever sometime-I am sure we all do at times. Inshallah this will make me more clear, focused and give more energy and stability to myself and the kiddos!
Questions for you-
Anyone have good vegetarian reciepes they want to share?
How would you answer my questions, if you were asking yourself?!
Any other change suggestions that worked well for you?!
Well, the Serenity Prayer works wonders for me and we say it daily at work...
ReplyDeleteGod, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
It sounds like you are realizing what you CAN control to make improvements in your life/mental well being (better self care). The tricky part is remembering what you cannot control and not stressing over it all day.
If you lived here I would totally be your work out buddy.
I am curious if Aisha eats the vegetarian dishes??
Love ya,
Linds
having veronica in school has made such a huge difference. we have a better routine. she is tired at night and goes to bed w/o a fuss. early. that makes us get miles to bed early. so we have about 1 1/2 hrs of peace and quiet at the end of the day. i have to give myself a time to "punch out". everyday is different but i try to tell myself "OK, tonight it's 8:30. No more cleaning, no more laundry, etc." just relax. men do it. why is it so hard for us? colleen b.
ReplyDeleteI just wanna say that although I am not a mother myself... I do find these tasks waaaaaaaay more challenging in Amman than any other place imaginable. I'm not quite sure why? Yeah, OK, Arabic isn't my first language - but I manage, and maybe I have blonde hair - I'm getting used to the stares... but really I think it is the constant stimulation of new things around me all the time. And really I don't think ignoring them helps. So I think if you and I banned together in our "buck-up" attitude we would just get over that it takes more time to do most anything in this country and find out it's not so hard.
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