This post is part of the One Little Word Blog Hop where members of Ali Edwards’ OLW class share their monthly assignments or something about their word. Each month, on the 1st of the month, I’ll participate and then give you a link to the next in line (see the full list of participants at the end of this post).
I decided early in March that I’m going to try to forget my expanding to-do list most of the time and simply be mindful of the time I do have for myself and the things I do accomplish. I’d been constantly running from one task to the next and never quite feeling satisfied. That resolution, in combination with my new mindset about my daughter and parenting, has really set me free.
I have enjoyed two weeks of reconnection with my sweet husband, of appreciation of all that I have in my life (friends who mean so much to me, a beautiful home, a supportive family, health, etc.), and of pure FUN with my daughter. Her imagination and creativity astounds me and it is just hilarious and oh so enjoyable to watch her play. Many of you have reminded me that these days are fleeting and I have taken it to heart.
I am not the type of person who will ever have a finished to-do list. So I’m prioritizing, limiting myself, remembering to take it easy, and focusing on the birds and flowers and sunshine rather than the traffic and weeds and rain.
Catch up on my month of mindfulness if you like:
- That to-do list in my back pocket 3/20
- 3am ramblings about time 3/19
- Make every day joyful 3/18
- Prioritizing self care: put the big rocks in first 3/13
- This self-care stuff is hard! 3/12
- Self-care for the novice (me!) 3/9
- Make time for nothing 3/6
I’m so glad to be part of this blog hop! Some of the artwork these ladies do is just incredible! Now, hop along to the next OLW post. She (and each thereafter) will send you on down the list from there until you’ve seen them all. The rest of the participants are listed below. I encourage you to visit every blog for more creative fun.
You can read other posts related to my OLW here.
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Margie http://xnomads.typepad.com/blog/one-little-word
Monica http://scrapinspired.com/
Jenn www.studiojenn.blogspot.com
Kara http://iwannabemewhenigrowup.blogspot.com
Cheri http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com
Catherine http://myview-catherine.blogspot.com
Nikki www.inkyart.com.au
Cindy http://www.cynthiacrysdale.com/
Lisa http://backtoallen.com/category/one-little-word/
Donna http://holimess.blogspot.com/
Coley www.coleybelle.blogspot.com
Naomi http://poeticaperture.com <— You are here.
Stephanie http://playinghouseinmaryland.blogspot.com <— Go here next!
Ruth http://suburbansahm.blogspot.com
Eydie www.whatwecreate.net
Janet http://lifeinsideascrapbookroom.blogspot.com
Orange Gearle http://orangegearle.blogspot.com
Amanda http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com
Melissa S http://blog.mshanhun.com
Kaylea www.myscrappylife.com
Missus Wookie http://www.mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.co.uk/
Cindy http://seriousplay.typepad.com
Beth www.thesingularlyordinary.blogspot.com
Tere http://terecontodomicorazon.blogspot.com/
Kelly http://mindingmynest.com
Just a few minutes ago, I started a blog post about this very subject. I’m constantly struggling with wanting to do more than the hours will allow. At the moment trying to right an imbalance by scheduling time for two important things–writing and reading–and letting the rest fall in as it will. Off to write-perhaps I’ll have time to finish the blog post later : )
I can completely relate; even though my to-do’s and my responsibilities seem to be mutiplying exponentially, I’m also choosing to take a step back and just be ‘there’ sometimes. Funny how all those things that seemed so urgent wait patiently when given the opportunity 🙂 So glad you’re on the hop.
So true. Thanks for commenting, Lisa.
Thank you. You have pointed out something so important for me: “Focus more on accomplishments than to-dos.” If you don’t mind I would like to use that in my own OLW.
Of course you can! You should!
Thanks for reading and for the encouragement!
Thank you.
So cool that you are blogging on your word throughout the month! I need to do that too!
Thanks, Melissa! It keeps me focused.
Mindful is such a great OLW, but hard to do something concrete. Glad that you were able to figure it out for this month’s assignment. Glad that the excercise helped bring your word home and find meaning. Thanks for sharing and hope to see you next month as well! -Amanda (Scrappnbee)
Being mindful of accomplishments is something I’m getting better at doing and it’s amazing the difference it makes.
Great post Naomi!
[Fitness, Health and Happiness]
Thank you, Jill. So true! Thank you for reading.
I love your post Naomi. I too suffer from the to do list mania. I have felt so bleak as it seems to be growing and never ending. I have embarked on a campaign of doing a little at a time in the hopes that over time I will have results – no question I have had to re-adjust my expectations but so much better than never feeling accomplished. And, hanging with your husband and daughter is just awesome! Enjoying the moments is what life really is about. Congrats!
Thank you! I’ve definitely adjusted my own expectations but it’s been a good challenge to face.
this is so great naomi. i too have an ever-growing to-do list that sometimes gets me down. 🙂 so glad to hear how you’ve enjoyed reconnecting with your husband and how you are learning new techniques for parenting.
as a mother to a freshman in college, i’ve done my own share of looking back at how i parented and how might have done things differently. and not that i think i was a bad mom, but all that hindsight business ya know?? 😉 after alot retrospection, i have to come believe that even though i wasn’t a perfect mother, my daughter knew/knows that i love her unconditionally. and in the end, that matters.
it takes an immense amount of courage to not only 1) admit that there are possibly better ways of doing things as a parent that might be different than what we’ve come to learn from our own parents or own ways of thinking but 2) share your experience with the world. i applaud you for your honesty! love,kelly
It’s interesting to me to hear you say that you’re looking back and wondering if you’d do anything different. I am in the trenches and often forget that I’ll be in that space too one day. Some days I struggle just to get through. Last night, my sweet girl told me she loves me “ever” (forever, I think) and even when I go away. So sweet! Thank you for writing, Kelly. I often need another perspective.
I found this to be an inspiring and positive post, thanks for sharing.
So nice to hear of your mindfulness and enjoying your family – have you ever read Getting Things Done? It helped tremendously in shortening my to do lists and setting up ways of ensuring I remember there is exactly enough time to get the most important things done! Thanks for sharing.
Noami,
I love your thoughts on your OLW, mindful. I love how you are slowing down and enjoying the moments. I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, how you have redirected your mindset about your daughter and being a mom . So happy for all the JOY you are experiencing with your beautiful daughter.
I have read every one of your postings (since the first one I read) even though I have not left recent comments. I usually read them in the wee hours of the morning, and intend to get back to them to later in the day to comment. Seriously, where does the time go? I loved your series of writings on “Time”. They really resonated with me.
I have a lot of thoughts I want to share with you, and I promise, I will soon.
XOXO
Eydie
Eydie,
I’m so glad. Remember how Liv spoke of imagining your ideal reader? YOU are it for me!
I look forward to hearing your thoughtful, middle-of-the-night ramblings! Do share.
Love,
Naomi
Naomi,
I can’t even begin to tell you how good I felt when I read your words. And, YOU are it for me!
I have been caught up in the abundance of “overwhelm” lately. I will tell you more. Real soon.
So happy to have found you, my soul sister.
XOXO
Eydie
“Will focus more on accomplishments than to-dos.”
I think that is a great philosophy!
Thanks, Coley. It helps guide me and keep me sane. 🙂
The Power of Now is the best book ever written!