Hi!
My name is Jaime, and I have a boutique online shop that sells modern baby bedding – Lavish Lamb.
As a mompreneur with a 3-yr old and one more due in December, I am constantly pulled in different directions. If it isn’t my son needing something, it’s a house emergency (did I mention we are renovating our 100+ year-old house?), or it’s an issue with the cats (I have 2 elderly cats that require some dental work, and it costs, well…too much!) Oh, and maybe once in a while I’d like to do something for myself – does that make me a bad person? (You other mommies out there know what I mean!)
I guess lately, I’ve been struggling with the growing fatigue of the pregnancy, and have been trying very desperately to stay active and motivated. I must admit, many afternoons when my son is napping, I can barely lift myself off the couch! (I use the term “napping” loosely…some days, my son’s “nap” consists of an hour of “mommy, Mommy, MOMMMYYYYY” from his bed. Currently, I am resisting his “no nap policy.”) So, while my son is safe upstairs in his bed, and I am incapacitated on the couch, I have had some time to think. And think. And with me, excessive thinking leads to pondering, which leads to dwelling, which inevitably leads to worrying. (I can’t be the only worrier out there!)
And then, my son is up, and we are back at it. He is so excited to get up and play. So happy to just, be awake. I have begun to wonder, why can’t I have some of that passion for everyday life? Where did it go?
Just think about it – as kids, w didn’t really focus on what we didn’t know, or what we couldn’t do, or just how overwhelming things might have been. We just did what made us happy. I don’t ever remember worrying about things, or being fearful of not being able to do something. Our imaginations always propelled us forward, skinned knees and all.
My son, just in the past month or so, has started asking “why”. A lot. Even when I think a topic is all “why-d out”, it apparently is not.
“Why do leaves fall off the trees?”
“Because it is Autumn, and many trees lose their leaves before the winter.”
“Why?”
“Because the leaves help nourish the ground and help make new soil. The trees grown nice, new leaves in the Spring.”
“Why?”
“Because that’s how the seasons affect the trees. It happens every year.”
“Why?”
(Are you serious, child?)
I scramble for something else to say…”Because that’s how Mother Nature wants it.” (Not my finest, I know.)
“Why?”
At this point, I have started to contemplate all sorts of smarty-pants answers, but opt for a quick “hey, isn’t that your car under the couch?” That tactic seems to work.
I am told every kid goes through this phase. They’re trying to figure things out. Children always seem to be curious, and challenging, and growing. So, maybe instead of always talking, all of us boring adults should ask, and listen, and ask some more. Maybe that would jumpstart our waning enthusiasm. When is the last time I went to bed really excited about something…not nervous, but excited for tomorrow?? (Oy…I dunno..) Maybe being truly excited is the best remedy for the common illness we all experience from time to time – “I’m-getting-old-itis.”
So, I am pledging to try the following:
1. No dwelling on past mistakes. I will learn and move on.
2. I will focus on what’s good now – not what was good then, when I was younger, thinner, and not so darned tired.
3. I will ask questions. And I will really listen.
4. I will try to be excited about something every day. Even if it is something little.
5. I will keep connecting with other businesses and mompreneurs. I figure that the more positive people I know, the more interesting things I will from them!
Now, I suppose if I follow these little rules, “you’re acting like a child” isn’t really an insult.
Sweet.
Jaime
*See them on other social networks:
-Facebook: Lavish Lamb
-Twitter: lavishlamb
-Blog: www.lavishlamb.blogspot.com
Great inspiring article Jaimie! I’m going to follow yours pledge too!