I have been a stay at home mom since Sophie was born in September 2010. So for the last 3+ years I have put most of my focus and energy into my family and home. I am by no means complaining because I am fully aware of how lucky I am to be able to stay home with my kiddos. It’s just very easy to lose yourself in the day to day of being a mom and forget that before you had kids you had interests outside them.
After a particularly difficult first year with Benny I knew I had to do something for myself. In October I finally took the leap to start this little business of mine and it felt so good. The most difficult thing in that time has been finding the balance between being a mother and wife and having my own business.
Sean is very understanding and encourages me to pursue my interests while also has the expectation that my main job is to be a mom and wife. While I may be resistant to that sometimes when it comes to folding the laundry or doing the dishes I have to respect where he is coming from.
As 2013 ended I started to think about what I wanted for my my marriage, my role as mother, my business and my free time. How do I fit all of those things into my day while also maintaining my sanity?
As I was thinking about all of these things I came across the #boldbrilliantbeautiful project that a group of amazing bloggers were doing and it struck a chord with me. How could I spend the next year encouraging myself and others to be more bold, brilliant and see the beauty in ourselves and the things around us. I love a good list so this seemed like the best thing to do, come up with a list of my goals for the year.
Goals for 2014:
Marriage: Plan regular date nights every month and spend quality time with my husband every week. We spent a lot of time in the same room but not as much time doing things together. This year I will make my main focus my marriage.
Kids: Find ways to have intentional playtime with my kids by stepping away from the tv and get outside to enjoy the amazing things around us.
Home: Take pride in my home by keeping up with the day to day tasks and finding joy in the things like folding laundry and unloading the dishwasher. I am lucky enough to have a roof over my head, clean clothes and food on our plates, why not celebrate that instead of dreading it.
The Nest Creations: Create a collection of digital wedding invitations and other wedding paper goods. Revamp my blog to include sewing tutorials and free printables. Complete a course on Completing PDF Patterns such as the course being offered soon by Pattern Workshop.
Myself: Complete my first half marathon. Learn more about my camera so I can take better pictures of both my kids and for my business. Love Life!
What are your goals for this year? How do you think you can be more #boldbrilliantbeautiful in your every day life?
Sounds like you’ve got a solid plan there! It is good to hear you have an understanding husband. I’ve been staying at home since my daughter was born at the end of 2009 so I hear you. If you find joy in folding laundry, would you let me know how? I still avoid it like the plague. 😉
Love this Kimberly! My husband and I do the same, be in the same room but not “together”. I’ve been trying to consciously put my phone down or computer away and look him in the eye when he speaks to me and ask him to do the same. I’ve noticed we’ve gotten bad with that but it’s time to change it! I’m excited to see your accomplishments this year, especially that half marathon!!
Kimberly, It takes a lot of stuff to write what you did. I know your mother/self pains well and your need to just be ok with whatever process you choose to be in. Instead of feeling like it’s chosen you. Yes Ma’am. So I lift an imaginary glass of Prosecco, or Mr. Pibb, to making more sense of ourselves this year. Congratulations.
Love,
Shalagh
Awesome steps!! These are great goals and I relate with so many of them – spending time with my husband, with my kids and with myself. Im excited to watch the journey. Proud of you for starting on this adventure. Good luck!