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Mar 2009

Time for reflecting.

March 30, 2009 By 12 Comments
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reflectas i sit down to write this afternoon, the breeze whispers in my ear… “sloooow down”. do you take time to slow down? i know i don’t take enough of it. the hustle and bustle of life creeps its way in, and before i know it – i am swamped with not only to-dos, but so many i-wants. my list of things to get accomplished could probably stretch a mile, and the list of fun things i’d like to do would stretch even further. how do we get to all of theses things while still keeping our sanity?

i am certainly one of those who takes things a step (or two) further than necessary, committing to far too many things than i can juggle, and ultimately feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. it is a curse i tell ya. i crawl into bed each night exhausted and wishing i had done this, or that, or even that other thing i wanted to do. take it a step further, and my mind goes to the multiple times during the day where my kids went unheard. that little voice asking to play playdough, the cry to just be cuddled. life is tricky like that… however focusing on the should’ves and could’ves gets me nowhere – how about you?

so what are we to do in this day and age where electronics run our lives (speaking for myself here!)… when we over commit our children to activities we can not stay caught up with… how are we to handle the “favors” asked of us, or the many (oh so many) items on our lists?

ready for an admission? i know all about being productive. i’d venture to say i’m the queen of organization (bet you don’t believe me after this post eh?). i have all the books on it, and all the great articles i’ve read on leading a productive life are bookmarked right here on my laptop. i’d venture to say it takes more than reading a best selling book, or taking notes on a great article i read online (yes i do in fact do this) ; ) it takes commitment, it takes ahem [time], and it takes trusting in someone greater than ourselves to help us learn this task of being still.

i suppose i should be writing today about something super creative, yet, how are we to allow ourselves to be creative in life when we can’t find the time? so yes, every so often you will get an outpouring of my heart here on the creative mama. if we can’t be real, why be at all?

i would absolutely love to hear how you my readers friends find the time to be still? how do you carve moments in your day for the things you love, while still being present for those you love? do share, please!

About Angie


Angie is the founder and editor of The Creative Mama, who lives in the beautiful Bay Area, CA. She also blogs her own personal journey at angiewarren.com. When she isn't writing or taking photos, Angie can be found having tickle fights with her boys and frequenting the local Starbucks.

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  • Becky

    I don’t get time to myself period. My house is not perfectly clean but I like to call it lived in and cozy. My daughter demands alot of attention and Id rather play with her then scrub the kitchen floor. She doesn’t nap long just short cat naps and I prefer to spend that time checking e-mail or trying to read a book. I do find myself stressed thinking what I should have done but both my husband and my life is crazy enough during the week with work and school that the time I do have I like to just spend it as a family and only do the necessities. When our baby doesnt get up 4-6 times a night and I feel semi rested I try to get her and I out of the house on a day when its just the two of us.

  • http://aprincesaerica.blogspot.com erica

    My “me” time starts when Emily takes a nap, or when she goes to bed at night. During her first morning nap I try to study scriptures.. There’s usually housework to be done, but it’s not as important to me as getting in some personal study time. Then, after Emily goes to bed and dinner dishes are done, I feel like that’s it. If the house isn’t sparkling it’s okay.. I deserve a break just as much as my husband, so I veg out doing digital scrapbooking, watching tv, or reading a book.

  • Kika

    first of all, I too am a super-organized person and love to read even more about organization, productivity, etc. And I, too, hear the constant voice inside of me warning “slow down, be careful how you spend this time… you can’t get it back!” I cannot survive joyfully in disorder so the work must get done but I am choosing to live with “good enough” in certain areas of life and also to trust that all the work will get done even though I stop to cuddle on the couch with my toddler or read aloud great novels to my older kids. Likewise, when I slow down and spend time with God, the rest of my day tends to flow more peacefully. This is a constant battle within me and although I’ve grown tons in the past years there is still much more growth in me needed! As I get older and loved ones die or I see my friends losing people they love this encourages me further to seriously consider the choices I make in life. Oh dear, I could write pages on this (and won’t) because it is something so often on my heart and mind.

  • heather

    Hmmm … This is a hard one for me. I try to enjoy the moment and be still and I have gotten better at it but here’s my problem… I later obssess about what I should have done instead of being still.

  • angie

    wow, i absolutely love hearing how others spend their time! it makes me feel more human, and encourages me in that we all struggle with this from time to time.

    kika, i love your “good enough” theory, certainly something i need to work on! i also agree that when we make our time with the lord a priority, the day in fact does run with a different tone. again, something i will be working on.

    keep your thoughts coming ladies!

  • http://clumsyclover.blogspot.com Carly

    I’ve been really, really busy lately. It seems the only way I can find alone time is to plug my headphones into my computer and listen to music. I’m still working while I’m doing this, but music has the ability to transport me into my own world.

    Over that past few years I’ve also learned to say “no” to people. I’ve been a “yes” person for most of my life, but it got to the point where I was just spreading myself too thin. Pleasing 100% of the people in your life 100% of the time is just not possible.

    When the weather is nice, my ultimate alone time is me, a location and my camera. Once I start shooting I can easily forget my to-do list, appointments and stresses.

  • http://theakohlhepp.blogspot.com Theadora

    WOW! Ok, so my “alone” time is now…kids are in bed. I use to try and get up ear;y to do quiet time before others arise, but too hard. So I switched to spending time alone at night with GOD. What better way to go to sleep that talking to our creator! No matter how many things I had planned for the day, I can rest knowing that God’s plans were met without my help :)
    I found this verse tonight and just had to share…Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails!” I am so glad that He takes care of the details. :)

  • angie

    theadora, did i ever need to read that verse tonight! thank you for sharing! i am on the fence – do i try to get up earlier than the boys (this time can vary!) or do i make time before bed… will share soon, lol!

  • Becky

    i currently cannot get up before my daughter or stay up after she goes to bed lol i go to bed when she does since shes up half the night. but the plan when she is sleeping better is to get up 30 mins earlier then i already do to work out on my elipitcal and have me time.

  • Roseann

    I have three children 3 y/o and under. Amazingly they do all nap at the same time. My house is rarely as clean as I prefer, but I have learned that I am a better mom if at least the first 30 minutes that they are all napping is MINE and MINE alone. I often use this time to read my Bible, but sometimes I just lay on the bed and do nothing at all. This renews my energy and gives me the strength I need to make it until bedtime.

  • angie

    roseann, glad you shared! how wonderful it is that you have them all napping together, and that you are making that 30 minutes a priority for “you time”! hugs!

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