Living in the Moment: A Hands Free Mama Journey

I know that it’s been a few months since my last Hands Free Mama update, because all I can say is…the holidays!  Did the holidays throw anyone else completely off their schedule?

The good news is that we are all back in our groove and I am here with an update! I am still on the journey. A journey to living in the moment, being present  right now, and being a hands free mama! Although I have not been as diligent as I would have liked, I have learned a thing or two about myself.

What I Learned

Okay, so I didn’t actually learn that I am a perfectionist. However, I did learn that my Type A, perfectionist personality does hold me back in some of the areas in life that I am trying to change. In order to change that, I am going to be challenging myself each month to let go of my perfectionist ways, but more on that later.

We, as a family, also had a “woo-hoo” moment on New Years Eve. As my husband and I were waiting for a table at a local restaurant, we observed a family of four walk in, check in with the hostess and all take a seat on the bench across from us. Within seconds, all four of them were lost in their electronic devices. They didn’t even glance at each other until the hostess call them to a table. My husband looked at me and said, “I am so glad that’s not us, I don’t want to EVER be like that!”

That experience, that comment was the fuel I needed to jump back into my hands free journey with both feet. I know that I am more cognizant of when and how I use my phone or Ipad. We, as a family, try to be aware of our “usage”. Electronics are never allowed during family adventures or during dinner (no matter where we are). But I also know that I still have room to grow!

This months topic (or last month’s really) is all about living in the now. The goal is to take advantage of each moment and every opportunity you can. To not let your to do list get in the way of hugging your children goodbye as they head off to school …

Living in the Moment Struggles

 

So, here’s why living in the now is such a big struggle for me, I love a clean house.

I like clean floors, clean bathrooms, and the smell of a clean house. My kitchen must be clean, counters wiped, and dishes washed before I go to bed. I like laundry folded and put away at the end of the day. I don’t like junk on my counters. Toys should be put where they belong and I don’t like clutter.

I have such a hard time just sitting down and enjoying myself, my kids,  or anything else when all of those things are not done. But let’s be realistic, when you have 3-5 kids in the house under the age of 5, plus a dog these things are never to going be done or stay done!

I must embrace this season. I must learn that my house will not always be spotless. That sometimes sitting on the floor to do a puzzle is more important than the mountain of laundry that needs to be folded and put away.

Something else that really resonated with me was the act of stopping what I am doing and looking my girls in the eye when they are trying to talk to me.

To be honest, that was never anything that I really thought about or made a focus. Don’t get me wrong, I focus on my children and give them my attention. But how often do I really stop, look them in the eye, and give them my complete, undivided attention when they are talking to me. Not. Too. Often.

Goals

All of this lead me to these goals for this month:

• Stop, look, and give my undivided attention to my girls and husband when they are talking to me
• Push the boundaries on my perfectionist ways
• Remember to “live in the now”

I’ve taped a few quotes or friendly reminders in places that I will see throughout the day (above coffee pot, by kitchen sink) to remind me what matters most and to seize the moment!

What strategies do you use to let go of your to-do list and seize the moment?

I can’t wait to hear how you live in the moment! Check back soon for Ways to Let Go of Your Perfectionism and next month’s update on my Hands Free Journey!

Have a wonderful day!