Over the past few months, I wrote on my baby blog, I read baby books, I watched baby documentaries, I took baby (swimming, massage, yoga, herbalism, etc.) classes, I bookmarked baby activities and projects...
I'm surrounded by a group of awesome mom friends who enjoy drinking coffee while chatting about...baby stuff (well, not all the time).
Also, when I talk to my family, I get to repeat over and over again the same "baby record" because even if babies evolve at a fast rhythm, they generally don't change that much in 24 hours!
No wonder that sometimes my head spins and all I can think is baby-baby-baby!
So I thought about a friend of mine who goes to a "silence retreat" at a monastery to "recenter himself". Baby and monastery retreat would not go well together and I'm not at all looking to isolate myself from Alice or my husband. However, I could create settings that will help me get centered physiologically and physically.
This is my plan for the next 4 weeks:
Finishing spring cleaning
(a clutter free home is less stressful)
Limiting social activities to a minimum
Cleaning up my social media
(no need to follow a gazillion blogs or Facebook friends)
Cutting to a minimum my use of "screen" technology
(Screen-Free Week anybody?)
Reading a book that is not baby related
(any suggestion?)
Sewing for me and for Alice
Taking one 30 minute walk each day with Alice
Doing a small yoga session each day
Drinking 8 glasses of water each day
Following the Canadian Food Guide
(and hopefully add some extra pounds!)
Taking my post-natal vitamins
Drinking "real" homemade herbal tea
Having a positive attitude and avoiding negative discussions
Picking my "battles"...if any!
(won't waste time on futile things)
What do you do to "center" yourself?
* * * * *
note: Alice has her own "Montessori inspired" mirror in her bedroom (don't worry it is very baby friendly) and, as you can see, she really enjoys it!
note: Alice is full of scratches. She is climbing on sofas, walking faster and faster and getting more active everyday...awesome but slightly "dangerous".
* * * * *
ali: A dirty kid is a happy kid.
vanessa at lynn david: Alice loves the swing. You should totally go!
paula kiliclar: Don't tell me that ;)
red boots: The doll is from Ella at Little Red Caboose. However, I don't think that she makes them anymore.
núria: OMG, thank you! This is AWESOME. I will order it asap.
sarahgreen: Thank you so much.
4 comments:
Many good ideas there Claudia! I've taken up running in the past 6 months as my 'me' time. It's something I really look forward to. Also, i love my sewing class I go to.
Paul Auster, always, Paul Auster! I also recently enjoyed Cloud Atlas from David Mitchell.
Date night? That usually helps as well. Or going to a movie on your own, to an early show. Audiobooks also are great when I walk with baby and dog. Knit (something for YOURSELF)!!! Enjoy! :)
As for the book I strongly recommend you 1Q84 from Haruki Murakami or any other book from this author. He is a genius!
Good luck!
Tibi
Claudia,
I think this is a wonderful list of "re-centering" goals and I applaud your choices. I don't believe it is any coincidence that I see so many things I too would like to focus on on your list; I just do not know where to begin some days!
As for centering myself:
I'm trying to take in more water each day (I find I have more energy when I'm well hydrated); take at least one 30 minute nap a day (this is very difficult as I have trouble "switching off" my brain; knitting more; sewing more (I have a pile of "to do" projects for Mia and myself); getting outside and working my vegetable garden; reading more novels (I used to read a new book every 2 weeks); taking a few minutes each day to truly appreciate this time of my life. I find I get caught up very easily in the whirlwind of things I feel I need to do and it takes over and makes me a nervous wreck (and not a very pleasant person to be around ); writing on my poor, neglected blog (1 post a week should be do-able).
Good luck with your list! I look forward to reading about your progress!
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