Putting Me First

For the last few years my life has been about my beautiful girls. They are my world, just as I have been theirs. But now they are a little older, spending some time in a wonderful centre each week and happily spending time in the care of good friends and family on occasion, it is time that I take some time to focus on me and find my inner sparkle - the thing that makes me tick that isn't motherhood, the thing that is for me because I want to do it and it makes me happy! My focus this year is on simplifying our lives as a family in order to take the pressure off me as a mum, and finding the things that bring me joy. I sat and thought about what would bring me peace, joy and happiness outside of motherhood and these are the things I thought of:

- veggie gardening
- yoga
- time to write and reflect
- studying to further myself personally and professionally
- time with, or talking to, friends and family
- learning a craft (I'm so keen to knit or crochet!)
- learning to cook healthier, more interesting meals!

I also realised how much our environment is impacting on my mental health - I am constantly listing things that need to be done - painting, fixing, tidying. I'd like to get on top of those things this year and clean up our space, putting the personal touches onto a clean slate.

Taking time to clear my own head is becoming more and more important too. I'm finding myself emotionally drained by the events around me. At my age things such as death and divorce start to happen more and more often; friends struggle through illness, relationships change and kids are involved, and in general life can be just a bit more stressful. I'm realising that if I don't have a clear head space myself, then I can't help those around me. I also realise that I feed off the emotions of those around me and find myself feeling swamped. This is a huge focus for me this year as I head into studying social work. Distancing myself emotionally (without becoming an emotionless zombie!) so that I can leave work at work is incredibly important.

Lastly I'm focusing on whole, healthy foods as a means of improving my physical and emotional wellbeing and improving the lives of my family. This means focusing on my crunchy side - natural health remedies etc.

This blog is a way of me sharing my journey, but mostly it's for my own personal benefit - to reflect on my life and how to improve it and find my inner sparkle!

Feel free to share what makes you sparkle!