So, as you may know, or not if you've never been here, I am chronically tortured by having multiple interests. I started out with an art degree, moved into clothing design, then graphic design, filmmaking, motion graphics, web design....you get the picture. Speaking of, I even tried my hand in photography. Oh, & THIS BLOG! Btw, I've even considered personal training. Hence the name "Restless Housewife"...which results in a "Rest-less Housewife";-/
Anyhoo, I recently searched desperately for a book that may help me cure me of this agonizing deliberation.
Thank you Margaret Lobenstine!
I am only 4 chapters in, & already I feel as though I am clearing a path in my jumbled up brain.
Not only does this book NOT make feel like a complete ADD freak, it reveals the advantages (yes! advantages!), & misconceptions of being multi-passionate.
I thought lightning would strike & I would all the sudden know which of these endeavors I should pursue & stick with. Well, lightning DID strike. But I can't say it gave me a direction in my career.
Lobenstine has several exercises (I'm sure throughout the book - but I'm only 4 chapters in, so I'm not sure:/), for self-examination that absolutely help in clearing the path. The 1st exercise is call "Five from Fifty", in which you choose 5 values out of the 50 she has listed that are the most important to you.
It didn't take long for me:
Family
Home
Meaning
Creativity
Relationships
Not necessarily in this order.
I really thought about it. What legacy do I want to leave behind? What do I want to be remembered for? Will I be on my deathbed saying "I really wish I was a better graphic designer"? "I wish I would've created more websites"? And lightning struck. I am exactly where I want to be. No, I will want to be remembered for being an awesome mom, wife, daughter, & friend. THAT is the legacy I want to leave behind.
This constant battle in my mind has always been there, but for sure got worse after becoming a Stay at Home Mom. We are conditioned to think that being a mom is not a job. That it is not enough.
It is enough.
It IS enough to be your child's #1 influence. It is enough be at home for your 3 year old so they don't have to be at daycare every day (not that if they do go it's a bad thing! subject for a whole other post!) To have the energy & time to volunteer at your 6 year old's Fall Festival, & to be the 1st on the call list for the teacher to call in case of a cupcake emergency. To prepare/& or be in charge every meal they eat (except for pizza day at school of course). To be home on the days they are sick instead of having their Nani be the one to nurse them to health. To witness every word exchanged between a strange new playdate & the precious innocent ears you so need to protect from horrific stories of a "boogyman stabbing someone in the stomach" (yes, this happened. & yes, I nipped that in the bud real fast). To be THE ONE to potty train them. To be THE one to comfort every cry.
SO, in conclusion, I will focus on being an awesome Mom.
Because it is enough.
(While continuing to learn web design, making clothes, maybe jewelry?... taking photos ;-/...God, I'm a mess)
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3 comments:
Love this post! I can relate. I have described myself as restless many times over the years. I think restless is how I found you - a Google search for restless housewives such as myself. I, too, am trying to embrace motherhood as enough (but I'm always scheming for more). Anywho, your post made me smile. Good luck! Update your book review if/when you finish. :)
Hello Valerie!! Thank you so so much for reading & commenting!!! It's been awhile since I've had comments & I miss it!! It's so nice to know that I'm "not the only one"! Thank you, good luck to you as well & hope to see you again!:-) (btw, I will def update my review when I'm done:-)
Oh my goodness, hi friend, I thought you were gone forever! I was so happy to see you pop up in my email. It made my day!
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