But I know that awful feeling that life is passing you by. Or, more accurately, your life is being poured out to your husband and kids and you fear that you have nothing left for yourself. And you want something for yourself. I get it. That's why I insist on blogging even though I can't find the time and energy for it now that I'm so busy. I still keep going at it when I can because it's mine. It's my little space in the world—my thoughts, my voice, my convictions.
If you're thinking about how to make your life more fulfilling, there are several things you could do to be happier.
Find New Hobbies
Having things to do in your spare time should help you feel like there's more in your life that you can enjoy. Okay, moms usually don't have spare time, I admit. But if you look very hard, you can find little pockets of time you can devote to something only you can enjoy. Your hobbies can help you learn new things, meet new people, and perhaps even make things that you're proud of.
I love watching home shows on Netflix, for example. It's my new thing. And I'm picking up a lot of helpful information on tending plants, arranging furniture, design ideas, and even making your home earn money! I'll blog about this soon!
I love watching home shows on Netflix, for example. It's my new thing. And I'm picking up a lot of helpful information on tending plants, arranging furniture, design ideas, and even making your home earn money! I'll blog about this soon!
Volunteer Your Time
If you want another way to make the most of your free time, consider finding a way to volunteer. There are lots of ways to volunteer your time to causes that you want to support. You can volunteer to drive the carpool. You can help out at your church events. You can hug kids at an orphanage. You can bake or cook food for the street kids. You can also use your professional skills to mentor students or new college graduates or help a charity or nonprofit.
You don't have to even leave your house to donate your time. I support World Vision. I don't have the time to actually go and distribute school supplies to our less fortunate students. What I do have is a blog and writing skills, so I help World Vision spread news or calls for help whenever they ask me to. It's just a few minutes of my time, but every time I finish a blog post about my World Vision advocacy and share it with my followers, I feel very good inside!
You don't have to even leave your house to donate your time. I support World Vision. I don't have the time to actually go and distribute school supplies to our less fortunate students. What I do have is a blog and writing skills, so I help World Vision spread news or calls for help whenever they ask me to. It's just a few minutes of my time, but every time I finish a blog post about my World Vision advocacy and share it with my followers, I feel very good inside!
Travel with Your Kids
Okay, travelling with kids is not fun haha Moms find it very stressful because we have to book hotels that are family friendly, buy the cheapest plane tickets, plot out a child-friendly itinerary, look for restaurants that have a kids' menu. The list is endless!
But travelling is a great way to expand your children's world view and try lots of new experiences. In fact, minus the stress, I enjoy travelling with my kids because my old and jaded eyes see the world through their eyes and so I get a fresh perspective on people and life. And that's always a good thing!
Because travelling for a family of 5 can be expensive and stressful, I don't even plan on going to another country. I just bring the kids out to visit a museum, a park, a city out of town. We eat street food (on the street!) or check out a new themed restaurant. Whether your trip is near or far, you can always see and do interesting things. You'll meet a diverse range of people and see life from lots of different perspectives too—and doing this with your kids make it all the more meaningful.
But travelling is a great way to expand your children's world view and try lots of new experiences. In fact, minus the stress, I enjoy travelling with my kids because my old and jaded eyes see the world through their eyes and so I get a fresh perspective on people and life. And that's always a good thing!
Because travelling for a family of 5 can be expensive and stressful, I don't even plan on going to another country. I just bring the kids out to visit a museum, a park, a city out of town. We eat street food (on the street!) or check out a new themed restaurant. Whether your trip is near or far, you can always see and do interesting things. You'll meet a diverse range of people and see life from lots of different perspectives too—and doing this with your kids make it all the more meaningful.
Change Your Career
If you need to work to live, your career might as well bring you fulfillment. It's a big part of your life and your time, so it's worth making sure that you enjoy it. Some of the most rewarding careers can be found in the nonprofit sector, where you can do worthwhile work.
"That's why I insist on blogging even though I can't find the time and energy for it now that I'm so busy. I still keep going at it when I can because it's mine. It's my little space in the world—my thoughts, my voice, my convictions."
ReplyDeleteThis is me! Also, why I buy new lipsticks and facial mask sheets on a regular basis without remorse even if we're basically depending on a single income because I know I deserve it and more.
Agree ako sa travel with your kids. Hindi sya nakaka enjoy, nakaka stress minsan, but ang husband ko always want na kasama namin ang mga kids, dahil it is still quality time. Kasi the kids will remember those daw, yung mga moments na kasama namin sila, kahit ang hirap mg travel with them, ma appreciate nila in the future.
ReplyDeleteI agree sa last part, change your career. Atleast at the end of the day may masasabi kang fulfilling hindi lanh sa pagiging nanay pero sa kung sino ka at ng kakayahan mo. :) Kaya ako mas naniniwala ako na kung mahal mo trabaho mo, hindi sya maituturing work for you kundi happy place o kumbaga hobby :) Dahil sa hilig ko sa mga damit dress and baby clothes at ukay ukay. Hindi na ko nagwork dahil sa kailangan din ako ng mga anak ko, at the same time gusto ko pdin tumulong kay partner. :)
ReplyDeleteOne of my dream is to travel with my kids. it's included in my bucketlist,to go to Disneyland, fr we truly love mIckey and friends :) , Will push through it, will work harder para makaipon momshie :) basta para sa kung anong makakapagpasaya sa mga anak ko, I'll do it for them :) Their smile makes me isnpired to work hard a lot
ReplyDeleteyour life is being poured out to your husband and kids and you fear that you have nothing left for yourself.
ReplyDeleteSame feeling 😢❤ Not complaining though but sometimes thats me. Pero i find din kasi happiness reading blogs of moms na trying to connect us from the outside world ❤
Salamat sa mga tips. And yes to travelling. And yes to nakakpagod pero pero id love to kasi kasama sila and the memories are something worth our time ❤❤❤