Last Saturday I had the best morning, and the funny thing is, I didn’t do anything particularly revolutionary or amazing. I just spent a few hours doing things that make me feel good. One after another, back to back. It’s been a loooong time since I had a morning like that.
It was really just random happenstance because El Hub decided to take Connor to her very first movie, so they left the house at 10 a.m. to watch the new Mary Poppins together.
Me being me left to my own devices, my first thought was, “I should probably clean the bathroom, and then organize the pantry and pay some bills.” Thankfully, I came to my senses before it was too late and revised my plan to “EFF IT.” Instead, everything I did for the next three hours was something that makes me happy.
So I ran a few miles on the treadmill, did a pilates video, and took a shower.
SAY WHAT? Yup, I normally have to wait a few hours (as the sweat dries on my skin and I feel progressively crustier) after a workout before I can shower because there’s usually something pressing to attend to, like work or answering an email or making lunch or cleaning something.
This time, I played some Lizzo, jumped in the shower, sang, did a hair mask (GASP) and shaved. Then I put on jeans, a tee WITH NO HOLES IN IT (sigh, this is my life now) and hoop earrings.
I also blew out my bangs, plucked my brows and waxed my upper lip hair. And I actually did my nails — both fingers AND toes! (Essie Gel-Couture in Pre-Show Jitters)
Next, instead of putting on sunscreen and running out the door to run a quick errand, I lazily filled in my brows, curled my lashes, and, instead of putting on the usual nude lip, put on MAC’s Girl About Town.
I also spritzed a spray of perfume (Byredo Gypsy Water, my old friend) for the first time in ages.
Seriously, I can’t even begin to explain how great it felt.
Man, when people say that everything changes after you have children, they are not playing. It’s hard being needed by someone else all the time. I mean, I wouldn’t trade this phase of life for anything, and I know it’s fleeting, but it was so, so nice to feel like the me from my pre-baby life.
Sometimes I’ll catch a glimpse of myself in the rear view mirror in the car and think, “Who the heck is this person?” I don’t recognize her, except for every once in a while, like last Saturday, I’ll see myself and think, “There I am! I know her!”
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Dang, girl. I could not relate more! My son is 2.5, and when I get a minute to do something that reminds me of my pre-baby self, it’s like visiting an old friend. I was just telling my husband that I don’t remember the last time I wandered in and out of shops and browsed leisurely. I’m usually trying to wrangle a toddler.
I felt a lot more like myself after I stopped nursing and pumping. And I’m starting to feel more like myself lately because my son is at an age where my husband can take him somewhere fun, just the two of them. I’m sure we’ll look back and miss these stages, but I feel like I can slowly rediscover the person I was before I had a baby.
Hi Michelle,
It really is like visiting an old friend. 🙂 It’s a good feeling, isn’t it? I mean, I know I’ll never quite be the same person I was ever again (my hips are wider, and I’m constantly thinking or worrying about Connor if she isn’t near me), but it’s so, so nice to do all the things that I love to do.
Do you think you guys might have another little one? I’m pretty sure I’m done. SHOP IS CLOSED! lol
I think we are done. Part of me would love another baby, but I turned 40 last year, and I’m not sure it’s the right choice for my body.
I know lots of women do it, but the idea of having a newborn and a toddler scares me. I think I could rise to the occasion (because really, you have no choice), but I think the stress on our marriage would be a lot.
I know a few people who have or had toddlers and newborns at the same time, and I, too, have no idea how they handle it. I can barely function as it is with one child and a cat, LOL!
You know what’s been a delightful surprise, though? How fun the toddler stage is. It’s challenging, but it also has so much magic.
My youngest will be going to college next year and you know what, I still really miss having “me” time. My husband was not helpful when the kids were young and I have to say that given the choice, I’d rather work than be a stay at home mom. I don’t care what anyone says, but that is the hardest job ever. It’s 24/7 and totally under appreciated. My favorite “vacation” is still being alone and not having to worry about whether anyone is uncomfortable or hungry. Lol–I am clearly a terrible mom.
Glad that you had some personal time. It sounded like a great little vacation!
Hi, Kelly! Congrats on getting your youngest one to college (that’s one of my goals in life right now, to get Connor across that stage to pick up her college diploma). It’s such a hard job, and I never anticipated just how difficult it would be. These days I’m watching the baby and also still doing the blog, and most of the time I feel like my rope is frayed at both ends. She does have pre-school on Tuesdays and Thursday for 6 hours, but it never, ever feels like enough time. Anyway, yeah… I know there will come a time again when she won’t need me as much, but it seems a long ways away. P.S. Where is your youngest going to school?
It’s definitely challenging and difficult to find a balance especially when you’re working at home. I did some contract work from home after my second child and it didn’t work out. I thought I could work during nap time but it was just too stressful–trying to work and do everything else. For that to work out, I would have had to have someone come in and watch my kids just like a regular day at the office.
My daughter is still deciding–Washington State, University of Arizona, SDSU are on the shorter list right now. We’ll see!
btw, I was up in San Rafael this past weekend. What a cute town. I didn’t have time to do any exploring but I would love to come back.
When you come back let me know! I’m about 10 minutes away in Novato (when there’s no traffic, 101 is KILLER) and would love to meet up.
Good for your daughter for getting into all those great schools! Does she know what she wants to study? If I was in her shoes I would choose the school with the best weather, LOL!
And yeah… It’s been a challenge figuring out how to work with Connor in the house. I used to be able to kinda do stuff when she was awake when she was younger, but now that she’s a full-on toddler I can’t get anything done. I’ve found what works for me is doing things when she’s asleep. I do a block of work time in the morning, from 5-8:30, and then again during nap time, from 1-3. It’s not nearly enough time, ever, but it’s better than nothing.
Karen, Karen you always make me smile and laugh. Whether about Coy or fab Tabs. I read you before anyone. Here and IG. Today you made me smile and cry. My older sister also my VERY best friend for my life died a lousy nasty b-%%#h of a cancer in 2016. Jess ALWAYS wore GAT the lippie not the gloss. Man she could rock it the way you can. I’d forgotten about it until just now. What a special color. What a flood of good memories came flooding in. Thank you you shaven, raven, maven of a woman ! Xox Peg. AKA Ninasmom1010 at IG.
I miss her every day !
Hey, Peg (aka Ninasmom1010… I recognize your handle from IG). I’m sorry for the loss of your sister and best friend. Thank you for sharing the memory you have of her and this special, special color. ❤️
I’m glad you got some time to look and feel like your old self. It’s really necessary for keeping one’s sanity, I think.
Thanks, Rachel! I should really schedule more “me” time… It’s amazing what even just three hours does to improve one’s mood.
I’m happy you were able to do things you enjoy! It’s definitely nice to recharge. We’re at the stage where we’re almost terrified of what will happen when the kids leave. We do lots of things with friends, etc, but our focus is always on the boys and the family. Even when they’re not around, we’re talking about them. All the things we enjoyed doing with them over the years will never be able to be repeated and that’s what breaks my heart. But you’re motivating me to think of things that I like that don’t involve them. Unfortunately working out and cleaning are NOT those things. HAHA! I wish they were!
Oh gosh, that phase in my life is SO FAR AWAY. They boys are what, juniors now?
I’ll tell you, when the kids were young, I used to joke with them all the time, saying “when you’re 18, your butt is out the door, Mister!” We would always laugh – but now I don’t even like to think about it and I can tell the kids are cringing over the thought of me bawling like a fruit loop when we drop them off at college. HAHA! Sometimes they say they’re going to live with me forever and I’m like GOOD! They just laugh and roll their eyes. 🙂 They’re sophomores this year but it’s going by faster and faster. But I do sympathize with what you’re feeling now. When they were Connor’s age, it was exhausting. And I remember being so happy to take a long shower!
So, El Hub makes fun of me because I spend a ridiculous amount of time in the shower. He’s like, “What the heck are you doing in there?” And all I’m doing is LITERALLY EXISTING. HA HA HA!
When you drop them off for school, don’t forget the waterproof mascara. *sniffs*
HAHA! Don’t you love that? And the menfolk forget we have more than an inch of hair on our heads that needs washing AND conditioning, plus Clarisonic time and (sometimes) we need to shave all over! It’s like they use one product, lather everywhere, rinse and call it a day. Sigh. Plus, just existing is definitely valid when you have a young one. 🙂
Ugh, I know. It’s going to be Ugly Cry. HAHA!
YAS! What a time! I’m glad you came to your senses and took some time for you. ? Being a Mom doesn’t offer that chance too often! Whenever I can, I indulge in a spa’d-out bath. It involves a bath bomb or salts, scented candle, glass of wine, magazines, some google play jams, scalding hot water, and NO KIDS. ? It’s my little slice of sweet release every week (that and my runs).
We did an impromptu Fun Day on Saturday. I got up, got a shower, rolled Mom and the girls out of bed, then we went to town. Lunch and shopping, no plans, no schedule, no errands. I can’t remember the last time we did that. We didn’t do one single thing that “had” to be done.
you look great! and I LUV the pink lippie!
so glad you had some time for yourself!
I gotta know… Did Connor Claire like the new Mary Poppins? did el Hub?
LOVED this!! Good for you & plan to do this again soon and on a regular basis!
Oh Karen! I soooooo totally could relate and admittedly, I was living vicariously as I read your post! Lol, I could almost feel your joy and peace as you described your events that morning! Good for you for not cleaning or organizing. I have those same thoughts and then I realize, WTF, what am I thinking? The cleaning never ends. Anyways, that lip color is gorgeous!