About ten years ago (yikes!) I told myself I was going to start getting up early in the morning to exercise. On the first day of my new “routine”, I drug myself out of bed, put on my tennis shoes and hit the treadmill. I hated it, everything about it, so it ended there.
Ever since then, I have just written it off as something that I can’t do – the whole getting up early thing, in order to work or have “me” time. Crazy that I assumed that it would still not work for me without even giving it another shot. I was afraid I would let myself down if I tried again because for some reason I feel like if I do something, I should make it a routine and do it everyday. Not sure where that came from.
3 weeks ago I gave it another shot, with some changes. At 5:30am I went straight to my teakettle, and with tea and water canteen I headed to the studio to paint. Tiptoeing on the quietest feet, so as not to wake the sleeping children upstairs.
From the first quiet sip of tea, I knew I would like this. I painted silently for nearly an hour before I heard the first yawn and stretch of my soft warm boys upstairs. I finished a painting, and finished another one the following day (I had two that I was having trouble putting the finishing touches on during the busy days).
Another difference about this new try is that I am giving myself permission to miss a day – if I am up in the middle of the night more than once with my kiddos, I give myself permission to turn off the 5:40am alarm. Because I am being kinder to myself, I am finding that I look forward to standing at the sink while my wonderful electric teakettle works for me – quickly steaming me up a serving or two of tea water.
This experience has been eye-opening for me. Getting my “me” and quiet time out of the way early helps me to be a better mom during the day. Getting some painting or writing (I’m writing a book, but who isn’t?!) done early helps me feel some success.
Ever since then, I have just written it off as something that I can’t do – the whole getting up early thing, in order to work or have “me” time. Crazy that I assumed that it would still not work for me without even giving it another shot. I was afraid I would let myself down if I tried again because for some reason I feel like if I do something, I should make it a routine and do it everyday. Not sure where that came from.
3 weeks ago I gave it another shot, with some changes. At 5:30am I went straight to my teakettle, and with tea and water canteen I headed to the studio to paint. Tiptoeing on the quietest feet, so as not to wake the sleeping children upstairs.From the first quiet sip of tea, I knew I would like this. I painted silently for nearly an hour before I heard the first yawn and stretch of my soft warm boys upstairs. I finished a painting, and finished another one the following day (I had two that I was having trouble putting the finishing touches on during the busy days).
Another difference about this new try is that I am giving myself permission to miss a day – if I am up in the middle of the night more than once with my kiddos, I give myself permission to turn off the 5:40am alarm. Because I am being kinder to myself, I am finding that I look forward to standing at the sink while my wonderful electric teakettle works for me – quickly steaming me up a serving or two of tea water.
This experience has been eye-opening for me. Getting my “me” and quiet time out of the way early helps me to be a better mom during the day. Getting some painting or writing (I’m writing a book, but who isn’t?!) done early helps me feel some success.
I wonder how often we keep from giving experiences a second chance because of an earlier failure?
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Love & Sincerely, Katie
Love & Sincerely, Katie
I can so relate to this post, I've tried the early up to exercise thing and I hated it too heheheh, I do manage it later in the day now but I like the idea of perhaps doing some art early in the morning while my little ones are still asleep, perhaps I'll give this a try too one day! :0)
ReplyDeleteLove the painting too, Beautiful!
Oh I love getting up early when the sun just starts to peak through and wander about in my garden or get up and sculpt. It is the most beautiful time of the day.
ReplyDelete<3 Michelle
Thank you Nicola, the time in the morning seems a quiet time to just "be", I love it. And good luck with your early work, if it works, if it doesn't that is completely fine, too :) remember.
ReplyDeleteThank you Michelle, your ladies are intriguing and seem to have quite a story to tell :)
have a great weekend you two!
Love, Katie
love the pix of picking up when all asleep!
ReplyDeletei think all moms can relate to needing ME time- and if it's time to have a cup of tea and paint- wonderful!
hi Nicole,
ReplyDeletethanks! Pause is one of my favorites, and so true to my life :) Have a great weekend!
Sincerely, Katie