Success!
by Kym on August 28, 2008
With such a title as that you may expect that I’m about to make some grand announcement. A weight loss goal achieved. A project completed. Alas, it’s nothing quite so exciting as that. Not in the view of an outsider’s perspective, anyway. To me? This is huge.
I got out of bed this morning. And I showered. And I dressed. And I did my hair. I read some blogs. Tidied up a bit. And all before the kids woke up. That, that is the momentous bit. In my four years of being a mum I think this has happened maybe three times. As a stay at home mom I’ve been able to use my children as my alarm clocks and, being of the lazy unmotivated variety, have chosen to do so. Often with disastrous consequences.
Like not getting around to showering and dressing till much later in the day, and sometimes answering the door in my pyjamas. Or having all manner of cataclysmic messes take place during my afternoon shower as the kids run amok unsupervised.
There was even a time in our marriage, only about two years ago now, when Neil would be pleasantly surprised to come home and find me dressed. Bit shaming to think back on that, though the factors influencing that period of our life together were many and varied. It’s rather neat to focus on the positive in this instance. To think of how far I’ve come from the woman who used to sit and read or cross-stitch all day long.
Slowly I’m shaping a life where the events of a single day actually mean something. Where basic duties are tackled instead of neglected. Where I have meaningful interactions with my children and get to feel that I’m teaching them things that matter. While I still have languishing in my pyjama days they are less frequent now, and as a given day draws to a close I often pause to reflect smilingly on the accomplishments of the day.
Yes, the laundry hasn’t been put away and there are spiderwebs on the loft railing. I haven’t filed paperwork for a couple weeks and the girls’ bedrooms are in desperate need of vacuuming (I’ve lost my vacuum by the way – how bizarre is that?). There are packages to be put together and mailed that I ought to have sent months ago. I’m not exactly a model of housewifely splendor here.
But. Oh that lovely but! How far I have come. How clearly I can see my way forward now, here in this one precious moment of clarity brought on by overcoming myself.
And I can’t help thinking that if we were truly selfish, a life of productivity is what we would seek out. Happiness isn’t found in sitting on the couch, or whiling away hour after hour on the internet in an attempt to avoid living. It isn’t found in book reading marathons or in dedicating every spare moment to our various hobbies. There’s something about doing what you know you should be doing that feels simply joyful.
I hope I can embrace that feeling and seek more of it. And I pray that the inevitable backsliding won’t carry me too far back.
26 comments
I love reading about your successes because then I am insired to try again.
I’m on it today.
by Dedee on August 28, 2008 at 4:25 pm. #
You are so inspiring, Kim. Really. I think it’s very important to celebrate every success. I toast to YOU!
by Jenna Consolo on August 28, 2008 at 4:48 pm. #
Sleeping until the kids get up has been one of my biggest downfalls. Hooray for you for conquering it today!
I love the line: “There’s something about doing what you know you should be doing that’s simply joyful.” (Sounds like something the wise and delightful Marjorie Hinckley would say, actually).
by charrette on August 28, 2008 at 5:09 pm. #
WOW how true is that post!
I am all too guilty of lazing around in my jammies and getting not too much accomplished. Although with the routine of school coming up I am looking forward to getting a lot accomplished!!
Great post!! Great reminder that there is more to life than wasting it away!
by Louise on August 28, 2008 at 5:35 pm. #
I was up before 2 of my kids… does that count? I don’t think I could beat Baby Girl up each day. She gets up and plays in her room till she’s hungry. I’m not even exactly sure what time she gets up….
by Melissa on August 28, 2008 at 5:57 pm. #
I can really connect with you here. As I was laying in bed, covered in kids, thinking I need to get up and do something with this day.
by Dapoppins on August 28, 2008 at 6:50 pm. #
Yes, inspiring once again. I too feel so much better when I get out of the pj’s and get something done.
I don’t think I’ll race to wake up before the baby though, he gets up at 5 or 5:30am. EW.
by Heather of the EO on August 28, 2008 at 6:52 pm. #
oh, yay for days like these!! that soul-full act of upkeep that leaves us free to explore other things with a free and clear conscience. Zen and the art of motherhood…finding spiritual fulfillment through simple tasks. Everyone needs days spent in jammies….and when we have everything (or occasionally nothing) done we can cherish them as cozy, self pampering times.
by Jenn on August 28, 2008 at 7:13 pm. #
That’s huge. And isn’t it amazing how if you actually put those things first, that you have more time for the little things you want to do, like reading and stuff.
by the MomBabe on August 28, 2008 at 7:18 pm. #
First of all, Congrats to you on your accomplishments and your clarity. But what I wouldn’t give to sleep just a little longer. I can sometimes be found up HOURS before the kids! And then need time when they finally go to sleep for “me”
Oh Well!
by Blog Stalker on August 28, 2008 at 7:41 pm. #
Success is such a grand word. I even enjoy typing it, it brings a smile to my face!
Congrats on your success this morning! I am still too lazy to want to get up early, but next week school begins and I will get back in my routine. Until then, I have a few days left of morning bliss :) !!
by An Ordinary Mom on August 28, 2008 at 8:59 pm. #
Wow I wish I was at a place where I could write this post. But sadly I’m still in the pj’s all morning, maybe I’ll shower, maybe not, the kids are lucky if I remember to feed them phase of motherhood. Someday though I’ll get up earlier, exercise and shower before they wake up. That seems like such a simple goal, but it’s really not. :)
by KieraAnne on August 28, 2008 at 9:29 pm. #
You are absolutely right (but then again, you usually are). I find that the days I actually accomplish what I’ve set out to do (or anything at all, for that matter) are the days that end with me in the happiest of moods. I have been trying desperately to get out of bed when I first wake up rather than rolling over and just going back to sleep until Aidan tells me she needs breakfast!
You are such an inspiration and you are motivating me to be a better mom and better person in general. Thank you for your candor and honesty. You are lovely : )
by Erin on August 29, 2008 at 1:18 am. #
Success, indeed! :) You go girl . . . being in your 30s seems to love you! ;)
by Kate on August 29, 2008 at 1:21 am. #
Look at you with that little strut in your step. Brava! :)
by stacey @ happyarewe on August 29, 2008 at 1:41 am. #
You rock sister! I love a day where I can look back with the satisfaction of having accomplished something. Love it. thanks for the inspiration.
by Julie Wright on August 29, 2008 at 3:53 am. #
You write so beautifully. I feel like a silly blogger capable of nothing but inane posts next to you. But I don’t mind. I’m glad there are bloggers like you. I’ve only been lurking for a short while, but in that short while you’ve made me laugh, and you have inspired me. Thank you and congratulations on your successes.
by GrumpyAngel on August 29, 2008 at 4:36 am. #
This is so empowering Kim. I feel the energy of shaping this life you have always been grasping at. And now you are touching it and loving the feeling. It is really beautiful to hear.
Your vacuum? That is very strange. I would love that excuse too. Maybe I’ll ask Mattie to hide mine for a bit.
Keep on keeping on. It really does inspire. Thanks.
by Jan on August 29, 2008 at 4:43 am. #
Hurrah for days like this!
And you lost your vacuum? Hmmm…I’m going to try that one on my husband! ;)
by mindyluwho on August 29, 2008 at 4:56 am. #
My kids get up at 6 AM. EVERY STINKIN' DAY. I have zero desire to wake before they do.
I'm still working on the whole showering every day thing, let alone putting a timetable on it ;>
by Sue on August 29, 2008 at 3:50 pm. #
ooh, i wanna lose my vacuum, too!
although i sense that was not the underlying theme of your post.
just read a cool quote that sort of pertains: It is our responsibilities, not ourselves that we should take seriously. (Peter Ustinov)
i’m workin’ on that.
by Nic on August 29, 2008 at 5:29 pm. #
Hee hee, we’ve had a few pj days this holiday. I would love to be in the habit of getting up early and having breakfast with Mr B before he goes to work, and then have time to do stuff in the mornings, but it hasn’t happened yet. Sighhh.
by Jo Beaufoix on August 29, 2008 at 7:28 pm. #
Oy, I know what you mean. I feel so gross when I realize it’s 10Am and I’m still sitting there in my bathrobe and my kids are running around in their pajamas. I’ve been trying to work on that. I’ve got it down to 9AM now. Blah.
by Memarie Lane on August 29, 2008 at 9:43 pm. #
you lost your vacuum?
first, john mccain can’t remember how many houses he has.
and now you’ve lost your vacuum.
what are you people on that continent ON?!?!!
see how i nicely linked you and john mccain via geography?
yeah, i thought you’d like that.
you don’t really care, do you.
by holly on August 30, 2008 at 12:57 am. #
Cool.
Does this mean, then, that there is hope for…say…me?
(How does one get out of bed in the morning unless there is someone pulling you out of it, anyway?)
by wynne on August 30, 2008 at 5:49 am. #
Hear, hear! SO proud of you, doll!
by Luisa Perkins on August 30, 2008 at 11:00 am. #