Grateful for Wisdom
I start every year just like many of you. There are things in my life I would like to change and improve upon and they run wild in my mind but I begin to feel overwhelmed almost immediately. While I know the right things to do, make lists, set goals and believe me I’m really good at doing this, where I fail is with follow through. Sadly, when I take a look at every single area of my life (work, family, this blog) it’s all the same; every area that is causing me stress is lacking the same things! My focus, my time, my desire to be 100% committed.
It is always a great reminder to me of God’s love when he continues to put messages in front of me at just the right time. Our service yesterday was all about becoming wise. If you were here last week you know my 2016 word is Receiving so opening my heart to hear God’s word is definitely a first step. Our pastor is great at delivering a message and we often have fill in the blank type handouts to keep us interested and awake. When I first looked over the fill in the blank questions I was almost certain this was not the first time he was giving this message. In fact, I’m a little ashamed to admit I flipped it over and wrote this is a repeat and showed it to Keith. For real…I did that! Well let’s just say I definitely have been present to hear this message before but yesterday I received it!
Be very careful, then, how you live not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. – Ephesians 5:15-17
Yikes! Here’s the deal. I struggle every day with getting out of the house on time. It’s always rushed, always stressful and I hate it. It often transcends to work and the next thing I know my good intentions of starting fresh and knocking out a productive day has turned into frustration and sometimes anxiety as I lose my focus. Back home and I’m again stressed to see the house is not quite in order or there isn’t a plan for dinner. Everyone else is in bed by 9pm and I find myself up until midnight working on picking up or reading or a blog post and you know what? I’m stressed and unfocused and tired but I push on and the next thing I know I’ve passed that magic time when I can fall asleep. Now I’m restless and will start the next day feeling sluggish, rushed, and unfocused.
You know what I tell myself all the time? I make excuses! I can’t (can’t never could), I’m not a morning person, if my husband worked in town, if I was a stay home mom….over and over I tell myself these things and they are all just excuses. The message in church laid out several statements to get me thinking about what is the wise thing to do.
In light of my past experiences? Stressful mornings, unfocused workdays, restless nights
In light of my current circumstances? I do work outside the home and Keith does work out of town!
In light of my future hopes and dreams? Being a mom who appears to have it together and isn’t rushing around like a crazy loon every morning, producing my very best, error free work at my job, creating thoughtful, well planned blog post which are inspiring to others; these are all a small part of my hopes and dreams. I want to look my best and feel my best so I can be my best in every area.
The wise thing for me to do is so simple and I know it. I need a night owl conversion. Keith wakes up every single morning between 4:30-4:45. It stirs me and I grumble but I typically go back to sleep. A few mornings a week I get up around 5:15 and I head to a workout and then the rush begins when I get back home. What I need to do is shift my schedule to match the schedule the rest of my family is already on. One thing about 4:30 in the morning is the house is quiet and my head is completely clear. Do you know how much better you think when your head is completely clear?
So here we go! I always love starting something new on a Monday don’t you? I’m laying out my plan and hope to look back on this post for a little accountability. Here are some of the ways I hope to improve my day.
- Rise each morning at 4:45 and start the day with quiet time while Keith is getting ready.
- Set a time limit for working on the blog, reading or responding to emails
- Head to workout
- Dress without any other distractions (stopping to check social media, answering text, etc)
- Make bed, pack lunch, eat breakfast all before taking time for anything else
- Start the day focused and on time!
- Set boundaries during the day for social media both at work and at home
- Workout/kids activities/time for social media and blogging
- Dinner (meal plan on Sundays), homework, family time and then turn in to bed at the same time Keith does and catch an episode or two on Netflix.
- End the day relaxed and feeling accomplished
"Being a mom who appears to have it together and isn't rushing around like a crazy loon" – key word "appears". I saw a quote the other day that I liked – "Don't compare yourself with other moms…we're all a hot mess, some just hide it better than others." We can all improve on every area of our life – you are always so good at setting goals and keeping them. I have no doubt you'll reach these goals that you've set too!
It drives me crazy that I "appear" to have it all together to everyone but my family..and they are the ones I want to look up to me most!! Get it together..haha
I love this so much!!! I am the same way, not a morning person, and it causes me so much stress trying to get my kids ready and to school on time without looking like a complete hot mess. Can't wait to hear how things improve for you, you got this!!
This is such a wonderful post! I definitely make excuses myself and it is time to stop doing so and accept my circumstance and work with it! Good luck with everything!
Such a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing on Meetup Monday!
Honesty here. Sheer honesty. Love it. You are the voice for so many other women who feel this same way. Too much to do, not enough of hours and our guilt when we can't accomplish it all and still manage to have time for ourselves. Keep going Shelly, you can do this, even if it is only changing one thing. That one thing can make all the difference. You have some awesome comments on your Connect With post so head there when you need a lift. You are loved!
Great ideas, lady. The morning is always tough but once you get into a get up early groove things start to take shape nicely. GO YOU!
This is great advice! It's hard to break the habits we've become set in over time, but it's always good to tackle the day with a plan. Thanks for sharing on the grateful heart linkup!
OMGosh!!!! Ok so, Gordon gets up everyday at 4:45am….4:44am to be exact (he says he wants to start the day with a three of a kind….Poker guy) anyway….I, like you wake up and think I really should just get up…..but I go back into a much deeper sleep and when my alarm goes off I hit snooze about 5 times (embarrassed) and then I rush like a crazy person to get out of the door. I do not have the children anymore to get out of the door like you do; however I still would like to spend time with the Lord and even maybe exercise….but I don't which leaves me feeling poor about myself. Gosh, I wonder if this girl who LOVES to sleep in could actually get up that early….hmmmmm something to ponder.
One day at a time….it's still not easy getting out of bed but I have definitely felt more productive and less rushed this week! I'm blown away by all the kind comments…checking back every day. 🙂
Thank you Christine and thanks for hosting!
Thanks girl..always hard to get my butt out of bed but I have definitely felt more productive and less stressed this week. Have a good hump day!
So true Lecy….and it only takes a month to get a new habit going so here's to becoming a morning person. 🙂
You totally could! And if you decide to you can start meeting me at the gym. 🙂
Excuses are so my thing Emily! This week I have felt so much better just from getting up extra early and I hope I can continue. I need to work on getting into bed earlier now.
I know this is the answer for me Karen…..just 3 days in and I'm already feeling more productive and less stressed…but I've got to get better about going to bed earlier!
This was a wonderfully honest post! The one area I struggle with is making intentional time to spend in the Word…either with a devotional or journaling. I use the excuse that I do not have time, but I have time to check my social media, work on my blog, and watch TV. This year I am trying to make time each day to meditate on scripture. Good luck with your schedule!!!
Mary….I totally get it. I do the same thing almost daily but this week getting up early has sure helped me. I also have the First 5 app and there is a way to set an alarm when a new one post. It literally only takes 5 minutes to read and it's a great little devotional.
I had had several people recommend that App, so I will have to try it! Surely I can spare 5 mins!
I love your word and your pure honesty. Best wishes to the new year in all you do.
Thanks so much! Wishing you the best as well. Happy 2016!
Gosh, reading this was like reading someone typing out my thoughts! This is so my life! This said, I have made the decision that rather than gripe about not getting things done, that given there are a finite amount of hours in the day, and I cannot bend time to my will (much as I try!), that I have to get up earlier to start my day for some me-time. I am basically forcing myself to be a morning person! Good luck, stick to it, and thanks for linking up to #AllAboutYou
Me too! Every morning it is still a struggle but I have totally pulled myself out of the bed anyway. Bonus I'm feeling so accomplished.