Sometimes I have a little trouble balancing things. I’m no good at doing one load of laundry every day. I have good intentions, but I typically end up doing most of it all at once because we’ve run out of underwear. Another thing I do? I wait too long for ‘me’ time, and then when I get it, I hoard it like a starving dog, worried I may never get it again.
Perhaps it’s because for the last six years, it has been mostly about them. Now that I have two days a week where they are all in school, I’m not sure what is allowed. Can I spend the entire four hours on my favorite introverted activities like reading and musing and chatting at the sky? Do I need to be productive and clean the house from the top of the fridge to the baseboards? Shouldn’t I finish that project? Write that book? Learn a new language? Save the world?
I’m still trying to find that happy place between living restfully and being productive. But today I have put all that aside because I have made a hair appointment. Then? I’m going to lunch with a real-life girlfriend. It seems so indulgent, those things. Still, they are the very things I always say are so important, yet very rarely schedule for myself.
Sometimes its the little things, the daily things, the ordinary things that I need to notice and celebrate. Today I am celebrating a different kind of gift: permission to be indulgent.
And one more thing. See that necklace I’m wearing? It’s a Lisa Leonard piece. And it could be yours. Come back tomorrow. Just thought I’d throw that out there.
What are you celebrating today? Link up below and tell us all about it. (If you are reading from a reader, you will need to click over to see the links.)
Granted, the “mom” title hasn’t officially been bestowed yet, but if you ever need an example of indulgence, come over. And do nothing. I’m really great at it.
And totally random, but maybe your other commenters might find it helpful, we got three cheap-o laundry holder things from Ikea for like three bucks a piece. Since we can automatically sort the clothes by color, I just do a load when one container is full. Or we run out of underwear. Anyway, enjoy your day of indulgence, and if you get bored, come sit under my tootlidge. I have no idea how to spell that word or if it’s even real, but I think I’ve heard someone with a British accent say it before, so we’ll go with it.
it does feel like a guilty pleasure… taking time for just me. but i have come to learn (or learned to justify?!) that the little time i carve out for just me is a necessity. it is necessary for me to be the mom God wants me to be. it is necessary for me to be the wife He planned i would be. and He tells me that i am worth it… and i deserve a little time to just be dawn. so enjoy your day. push asied those thoughts of laundry and crumbs on the floor. they will be there tomorrow, waiting for you. yep… i learned that, too!
BALANCE COMES WITH PRACTICE… REALLY. KEEP TRYING, YOU’LL GET IT.
YOUR TODAY, SOUNDS LIKE A WONDERFUL START
HUGS FROM MAINE
Aren’t we always trying to find balance in everything? Time, food, sleep, activities~
It’s a constant battle of “balancing”!
2 days free…you may be able to save the world!
sandy toe
I think I’ll have to read your post every day for like 42 years before the message really sinks in! I’m such a slave to my “obligations” and “responsibilities” — even when I have a moment or two of free time. I’m working on being still…thanks for the reminder that it’s a “should do,” too!
Michelle
A hair appointment and lunch in the same day? Good for you.
Isn’t it funny how much moms struggle with this part? “Care” comes pretty easily to us. “Self-care,” not so much.
A blessing upon your day, dear Emily.
Enjoy your special day for YOU!!!
Sounds like a fantastic day, enjoy it all
You’ll find that happy medium, I have faith 
I struggle with this all the time. For so long I have seen ‘me’ time as being selfish but everyone around me tells me it is a necessary time to regroup and revive so that I can come back and have more to give. Still working on incorporating it into my life, finding that balance. Someone asked me about 8 months ago who “I” was and I am still working on figuring out that answer. Thank you for posting this, it is nice to know I’m not the only seeking balance in this area.
I can so relate! Balance seems to be a delicate something that I often have trouble getting just right.
I hear you!! This is my first time in years to have 2 mornings where all mine are in school. Yes, definitely indulge a little, think of it as giving your kids the gift of a mom who is in a good mood when they come home!
I think it’s wonderful to be indulgent occasionally. It feeds your spirit like nothing else. Enjoy!
i struggle with that ALL the time! i was just talking about it last night with my hubby. i try to do at least one day a month where i do nothing but lunch with a friend/get a pedicure/etc. usually i splurge though, and do a “me” day once every other week. it’s hard not to get bogged down with the needs of the moment: laundry, dishes, errands, etc. glad to know others struggle with this too!
I hear you! I am a person who NEEDS alone time in order to refresh and maintain my sanity. Yet, I don’t schedule it. I feel guilty about taking the time out for myself when my little family needs me. But my husband always reminds me “if you don’t take care of yourself, you eventually won’t be able to take care of your family.”
Sometimes..I hate it when he’s right. =) Enjoy your day!
I struggle so much with balance. I tend to indulge myself way too much, and then freak out because there is so much that needs to be done. Seems if we could meet in the middle we might both be a little more balanced, huh?
Enjoy your day out!
There is so much in this post that I relate too, I too need to find my balance. I hope you found yours today (and had lots of fun!)
today, balance is not trying to post on my blog!
So glad I could be that “real life girlfriend”. You don’t know how bad I needed it. Especially today.
Time will definitely help you get in a routine. Enjoy!!
Oh, and I did it. Posted my Tuesday blog!
(And I’m ignoring that it says “Che” instead of “She” on the Linky thing. Progress! ha)
My in laws have been taking my children recently one day per week and I always feel like I have to fit a million and one things into my day to make it “count”. It is so hard to just indulge…but ya know next time, I think I will
I’m struggling with balance too. My son is now in Mothers’ Day Out 2 days a week, and I never know if I should be kicking my feet up and relaxing during those 5 glorious hours or cleaning the house like a madwoman. I’ve had days of each and days of both (if that make sense). Balance is a tricky thing, for sure.
efree. you look BEAUTIFUL! i love you.
I have learned that taking care of myself (including indulging every now and then) is a must if I’m going to be able to take care of my family. And getting together with a girlfriend doesn’t count as an indulgence — it’s a necessity!
So I just got back from a visit to see my little sister and her new baby girl earlier this evening. The piece I linked up to I actually wrote a day earlier, but it is really a perfect unwrapping post, so I thought I’d join in in the late hours of this Tuesday anyway.
Kinda figured you might relate to loving your sister.
so glad you set up such a great day for yourself. Post some pics of the new haircut when you get the chance!
My contribution to the indulgence was a pumpkin spice latte. Sounds like you’d have a whole list of “good things” for today.
Gosh, why must we have that guilt of having “mommy” time?! It ‘s nature I suppose, but SO very true. I actually highlighted my hair this past Saturday evening at 11:00 pm b/c I was sooo tired of paying the big bucks to get it done (over 100.00) at my salon. I’m glad you went and had your hair done and had some girl time, I love that.
I also REALLY like that necklace!!
somedays i wish my kids would go to school for a few hours (or anywhere) so i could have a few peaceful moments. i’m sure i wouldn’t know what to do with myself.
I am constantly fighting the battle of finding balance, too. I am a mother of five and love being a stay at home mom. Recently I found the following quote and hung it on my wall to remember what’s important: “Enjoy the little things in life…for one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.”
I just discovered your blog last week and have to tell you it inspires me. I love your writing style and the pictures of your beautiful home and family!
Just joined the fun of “tuesdays unwrapped” – - – another thing to balance in the blogosphere!
TeeHee.
I’m celebrating…familiar. I linked up this week!
I didn’t post yesterday but so enjoyed reading everyone. Thank you again for doing this, and I hope you enjoyed some Emily time !
I get a bit overwhelmed too, when “free” time opens up, by all the possibilities. Somewhere there’s a balance of productivity and enjoyment and just sitting still, but I’m certain I haven’t found it yet!
Hope you thoroughly enjoyed the morning out!
I just clicked over to your blog via Jenny B. Jones. I absolutely love your layout! Elegant and gorgeous and all connected. I can’t wait to read more of your posts
I hope you were able to spend the whole day reading and writing. Word indulgence is the best 
I can’t wait to read more of your blog.