Why I stopped trying to go to the Gym and why you should care

why i stopped trying

 

There’s so much pressure out there.  So much pressure to be, act, look and do things a certain way.  I’m convinced that no one understands that more than a working mom.  I look back over the last year and think to myself, what did I ever do with all of my free time (as I wipe the food from the floor for the umpteenth time today). If you’ve clicked on this post than I know you are right here with me sister, it seems we all are …

Right on the verge of perfection and nervous breakdown.

As I walked the dog, pushed the baby and listened to my favorite business podcast the other day I realized something.  I realized that I NEED three things everyday.  I need to be outside, I need to cuddle my babies and I NEED me time.  When you say it out loud it seems extremely selfish and is almost always immediately followed by, “you’re the one that asked for all of this”.  And I did.  I actually prayed for 15 years that one day I would get to be a Mom.  After my divorce, I prayed I would find a Man-of-God, who would love me though and through.  I prayed to be good businesswoman who did something powerful with the gifts I was given.  But somedays, ya’ll, somedays I pray just not to loose my mind…

This is where “me-time” is vitally and forever more, critically important to you and me being the best versions of ourselves.  We are not machines and the more we push and push the less good we actually are.  This really hit me square in the forehead on my 3rd trip back to the gym nursery where my beautiful baby boy had found yet another way NOT to have to be in there.  Maybe its the fact that he’s with me almost 24/7 or maybe it’s the fact that he has my exact personality (like yes, you do get it all back when you become a parent), but if that sweet child of mine doesn’t like something, you are going to know about it immediately.  So, I apologized again to the spin instructor for disrupting the class and left in a hurry with a very stinky baby, drenched in sweat and wobbling because my legs hadn’t quite adjusted from being on the spin bike.

I gave up that day. I mumbled under my breath as to why they couldn’t change a diaper and thinking to myself, if they only knew how much I needed that time of no business, no wife, no mommy, no thinking.  Just putting the petal to the metal (literally) to some amazing 80’s rock music and working out a week’s worth of just life. Sometimes though its those exact moments of utter disappointment that the amazing brain we were selectively given as woman kicks into full gear.

I need to be outside

I need to cuddle and play with my family

I need me time

So, we went to the park. As simple as that. Just a fun mini-sized playground for the baby, the beautiful radiant sun and good-ole vitamin D and just a little bit of me time.  It wasn’t perfect but we had so much fun.  So I decided, I may not be able to fit the world into my needs but I can certainly fit my needs into the world.  So at least twice a week, we grab the stroller, the leash, the smoothie and the podcast and we walk … and we play.

I still like going to the gym on occasion and I love a quick yoga workout in my backyard but what I love the most is the harmony.  Harmony of the must-dos blended with the harmony of my song.  As woman we are created to be all of the things, but we can not be and do it all if we don’t take care of ourselves, our hearts, our minds and our bodies.

In case you need to hear this, you have permission to take care of yourself and put out into the world your love song and see what she sings back…

Kelly Howell wedding photographer mompreneur

Kelly Howell wedding photographer mompreneur

Kelly Howell wedding photographer mompreneur

 

 

XOXO,

Kelly

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