Hi Mama!
I am fresh from an inspiring talk on Amanda Ewin’s podcast! Have you ever felt like time’s sprinting while you’re still stretching? As a mom of lively twins, I get it!
Our chat wasn’t about clock-watching but embracing life and joy by rethinking our relationship with time. It’s about quality moments, not just endless hours. And guess what? It’s not mom-exclusive; it’s for everyone feeling the time crunch.
We shared real-life hacks — redefining values, simplifying, and, yes, the magic of delegation. Ready to swap high-stress levels for smiles and reclaim your time? I’ve got some gems for you!
Stay tuned; we’re in for a joyous journey!
Mornings in my household blend chaos and ritual, brewing like the perfect coffee amidst my energetic twins’ antics. After years of poor sleep quality, these early hours transformed into a cherished sanctuary for contemplation and tackling demanding work tasks, all in the company of my trusty coffee cup.
I’ve learned to embrace the imperfections in my daily routine, finding joy in simple indulgences that fuel my day and excitement for upcoming projects. It’s not just the morning rituals but the anticipation of new opportunities and plans that truly motivate and energize.
Life isn’t about perfection; it’s about enjoying the messiness and small victories along the way. So, let’s celebrate our imperfect lives, acknowledging that these moments are what make life rich. To all navigating life’s rollercoaster, let’s raise our mugs to honor our beautifully chaotic existence.
Motherhood, especially to twins, reshaped my view of time management. It makes me see it’s less about squeezing more hours out of the day and more about a mindset change. As a psychologist, I understand time’s role in our overall mood and satisfaction. Juggling work and parenting emphasized the need for effective time use, not just for my sake but for the happiness I wanted for my family.
This path led to profound questions about whether our daily activities truly match our core values or if we’re just meeting societal expectations, often at the cost of burnout. I recognized the necessity for discussions about real self-care and healthy boundaries, topics many don’t consider until they are overwhelmed by adult life demands.
Time management shouldn’t focus on doing more but on living intentionally and contentedly. To those constantly pushing themselves, especially women feeling stretched, it’s crucial to remember that self-care isn’t selfish. We must reassess and realign our time with our true values. So, are you ready to join this essential conversation?
I’ve realized that the concept of a time mindset is profoundly undervalued, yet it’s the key to harmony in my life. Time, I see now, is like water—it fills the spaces I give it. I can create a symphony of perfectly synchronized moments by aligning it with my core values. I’ve learned that there’s no sense in battling the clock. Instead, I let my values choreograph the dance, turning every interaction and emotion into an instance of time well invested.
This philosophy isn’t just about my interactions with the world outside; it’s equally about valuing the connection with myself. I’ve found that allowing time for solitude and introspection doesn’t equate to loneliness. Instead, it provides an opportunity for the most profound conversation I can have—with myself. It’s about letting this inner connection guide my time, ensuring every moment counts, not by the clock’s ticking but by the meaningful experiences I weave into my day.
In the end, though I operate in a world that’s always in motion, I’ve understood that the deepest connections I make are the ones within myself. It’s essential for me to pause and reflect, to cease racing against time, and instead let my values take the lead. When my internal compass is in harmony with how I allocate my time, the resulting melody is nothing short of celestial.
I’ve always been a social butterfly, but an overwhelming visit to a trampoline park made me confront my sensory limits. Escaping to a café, I pondered the pressure, especially on mothers, to be constantly involved and enthusiastic about every aspect of familial life.
Adjusting parental duties with my husband, who loves high-energy environments, lightened my emotional burden and improved my roles as a mom, wife, and friend. This shift emphasized the necessity of respecting personal boundaries for mental well-being.
We must stop equating constant activity and self-sacrifice with love. Recognizing our sensory needs and opting out when necessary isn’t a flaw; it’s self-care. In our demanding world, sometimes peace is found in a quiet spot with a comforting drink.
Picture this: a quaint villa in Wellington, complete with a garden that would make even the most seasoned florist turn green with envy. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, that’s what my husband and I thought we signed up for. Weekend visions of us, sun hats on, gardening tools in hand, basking in the glow of the morning sun as we tended to our botanical paradise. Pure bliss!
But here’s the kicker: reality set in, and it turns out we couldn’t stand gardening. There, I said it. Between the creepy crawlies and the relentless weeds, our dreamy weekends quickly became episodes of “Survivor: The Backyard Edition.”
It took a muddy pair of boots and one too many arguments about whose turn it was to play a warrior with the lawn mower, but we finally admitted it: we loathed gardening. And guess what? That’s perfectly okay! Understanding what you don’t like is just as illuminating as knowing what sets your soul on fire.
Our “aha” moment? We loved being cradled by nature, just not in the caretaker role. So, we did something that felt almost radical: we uprooted our lives (pun intended!) and found a new home in Auckland, nestled in a majestic native forest. The best part? No garden, no lawn, no outdoor chores hanging over our heads. Instead, we got our weekends back and the serenity of living in our very own treehouse.
This whole experience taught me something monumental: elimination is liberating. Sometimes, you’ve got to prune away parts of your life that don’t serve you (another gardening metaphor, who am I?!). And it’s not about giving up or admitting defeat. It’s about honoring your true self and making space for joy, peace, and contentment.
Feeling guilty about hiring help or ditching the things you “should” love? Flip the script! By outsourcing tasks you’re not keen on, you’re giving someone else a chance to thrive in their passion. That’s right; your lawn could be another person’s canvas!
In the grand tapestry of life, understanding what to eliminate is like finding the threads that don’t belong. It’s a skill, an art form, and a pathway to authenticity.
So, what’s the takeaway? Know yourself. Honor your likes and dislikes. Don’t clutch onto activities or things out of obligation. Create the life you love, even if it means breaking up with your garden.
Many of us, particularly parents, have set aside pastimes we once cherished, but these passions aren’t gone, just latent. They can be rekindled by taking small steps towards what we love, like short local trips if we’re into travel or brief workshops for hobbies we’ve missed. It’s about relishing without the commitment pressure.
Curiosity is our guide back to these joys, encouraging us to try things out without strings attached. Social hesitations or age misconceptions shouldn’t deter us; group activities offer more than skill acquisition—they’re gateways to community and intergenerational wisdom. Embracing these can unexpectedly enrich our lives.
The path to rediscovering our passions means discarding narratives that limit us. Your interests are waiting, ready for revival. By answering this call, we open up to a world of vibrancy, creating space for daily joy and ongoing exploration.
Starting a new hobby, especially one where we seek perfection, can be intimidating. The key is to focus on progress, not perfection, and begin with manageable steps. Eve Rodsky’s “Unicorn Space“ promotes a liberating concept: concentrate on creating a series, welcoming growth and imperfection, rather than a flawless masterpiece.
Amanda’s storytelling adventure embodies this idea. She’s committed to a year of evolving tales, not perfecting the first attempt. This approach, celebrating gradual improvement over instant perfection, can be universally applied in any creative field. It’s about dismissing self-doubt and recognizing that creations need not be grand initially; small beginnings are equally valid.
The true value in any creative endeavor is the courage to start and the pleasure derived from the process. Overcoming self-imposed limitations and focusing on the journey allows for personal growth and joy, irrespective of the project size or scope.
Unicorn Space is your personal realm of passion that ignites the soul, an essential retreat often overlooked amid life’s chaos. Yet, it’s not a mere indulgence but a necessity, fostering happiness and making us better individuals across every relationship.
Reclaiming this space demands intentionality. It’s about identifying your true passions and carving out dedicated time for them, using reminders or unique alerts to guard these moments. The emphasis is on creating time, not just expecting it to appear, making this self-commitment essential.
Embrace your passion, regardless of the mess or changes involved. The challenge is identifying and claiming your Unicorn Space, allowing yourself to connect deeply with your interests. It’s about asserting, “This is my passion, and it deserves space,” and witnessing the ensuing magic.
I recommended “Boundary Boss” by Terri Cole to Amanda for its practical, real-world advice. Cole’s engaging style offers readers direct scripts for asserting boundaries in everyday scenarios, like handling persistent small talk when you’re seeking quiet.
Amanda brought Rebecca Ray’s “Setting Boundaries” into our conversation, highlighting the personal yet universal nature of boundary-setting. Our connection with these authors, particularly women, underscores their unique ability to address the emotional and relational complexities often faced by females.
However, becoming a “Boundary Boss” is a continuous journey, not a destination. It’s about embracing imperfections, learning from missteps, and understanding that establishing boundaries is an ongoing process of self-discovery and empowerment, with new challenges always around the corner.
Ready to transform how you view time, stress, and joy in your life?
Dive into the “Bounce Out Of Bed: The key to unlocking more time, less stress and boundless joy in your Life” podcast! Discover the secrets to unlocking a life brimming with more moments that matter, less pressure, and an abundance of happiness.
Don’t just chase the hours; learn to live them fully. Tune in now and enter a world where every second is a gateway to boundless joy. Your journey to a more vibrant, stress-free life starts here.
My heart-to-heart with Amanda Ewin unraveled the profound layers of time management, self-care, and personal growth, emphasizing that the journey to a fulfilled life is not about perfection but about embracing imperfection and realigning our lives with our true values.
Life is a delicate balance of managing responsibilities and pursuing passions, a continuous dance that demands we listen to our inner selves and respect our limitations while nurturing our desires.
So, are you ready to embark on this transformative journey? To challenge societal expectations, to prioritize your well-being, and to make space for what truly ignites your soul?
Join us in this essential conversation and commit to a life that is less about racing against time and more about savoring the moments that make life worth every second. It’s time to reclaim your joy, nurture your passions, and live a life true to yourself.
Start today, and let’s make every moment count!
All rights reserved @ empowermums | 2022
Empowering Mums to Thrive in Motherhood
All rights reserved @empowermums | 2022
