Why New Mommies are so Sentimental
Being a mom, especially a new one, we’re always looking for ways to capture these fleeting occurrences. Before they arrive we are capturing their essence with 3D photos and maternity shoots. We preserve their first outfit from the hospital and every outfit after that, scrapbook every new milestone, and have become mamarazzis for our little ones.
As IV’s 2nd birthday quickly approaches I can’t help but want to do something special. A big party for someone who doesn’t understand the concept of “Happy Birthday” seems silly. Having a party at all is kind of ridiculous. He can barely say Happy Birthday. Let me give him more credit. He can say it, but he doesn’t know what he’s saying! It’s just another day to him. He’ll wake me up at 7am just the same, eat his breakfast, watch Calliou, beg to play on the computer with me, fuss about napping, nothing would've changed in his eyes. So why celebrate a toddler’s birthday?
It may be just another day for him, but for me it’s a moment to reminisce on these past two years. I get to appreciate how much he’s grown. I may still be changing diapers, but we’re a long way away from sleepless nights from feedings every 4 hours. Today the village gets to share all the special moments we’ve had since he’s come into our world. It’s a moment to count the numerous blessings that creating a life brings. It’s a moment to be sentimental. And new moms never miss a sentimental moment.
Mamarazzi at it's finest. I did IV's entire newborn photo shoot
Being a mom, especially a new one, we’re always looking for ways to capture these fleeting occurrences. Before they arrive we are capturing their essence with 3D photos and maternity shoots. We preserve their first outfit from the hospital and every outfit after that, scrapbook every new milestone, and have become mamarazzis for our little ones. They are the light of our lives and God forbid we let them forget it.
But how much is too much? I can’t help but wonder will IV read the journal I wrote in everyday during my pregnancy? Will he cherish the scrapbook I create that entails everything from stories of the first hospital scare, to an actual leaf we found walking during the beginning of Fall? He may find these things sweet, but will he care?
As I organize the homes of many who struggle to let go of things, I can’t help but be understanding. These so-called things represent feelings, some beautiful, some awful, but they are dear to us. But they are only dear because of what or who they are connected to. That’s where the true bond lies, in the relationship, in the experience, not in the thing itself. If I were to toss the journal, the scrapbook, and the gently worn newborn onesie, would my son feel less loved? Would my love be diminished? Will our bond be any less magical?
It's pretty clear what the answer is. As I sift through these pictures for a diy project for his party this weekend, I’m reminded that it’s just another day. It’s another beautiful day that I get to love my son. And that alone makes today sentimental and every day after that.
Happy Birthday Boobie.
Love,
A Sentimental Mom
If you’d like to learn how to create this number cut out for your little one's birthday subscribe to Feel Free TV. New video tomorrow on how I did it, and most Thursdays after that 😉 #feelfree
The Sweet Satisfaction of an Empty Inbox
It’s funny how much we resist the very things we want. We want to get up early and be more productive, but hit snooze every time. We want peace and happiness but over complicate our lives and over commit ourselves to things we don’t enjoy. We want to meet new, interesting people but hesitate having conversations with those who aren’t like us.
It’s funny how much we resist the very things we want. We want to get up early and be more productive, but hit snooze every time. We want peace and happiness but over complicate our lives and over commit ourselves to things we don’t enjoy. We want to meet new, interesting people but hesitate having conversations with those who aren’t like us.
I’ve been wanting a clean email box since the beginning of the new year. That’s right, 2017 Melissa wanted to be on top of her email once and for all. That meant folders for each category, an empty inbox, and responding to messages within a respectable 24 hour time frame. It sounds small but it was a real challenge for me.
See, I have four different emails and my oldest one was giving me the headache, while the other three sat looking pretty. Maintaining my email wasn’t difficult. Working through the overwhelm from letting it get out of hand was the actual challenge. I had fallen too far off the cliff. I was over 2000 emails in and there was no way I was going to get it under control without wasting 10 hours of my life. Honestly, spending that much time cleaning email was not something I was willing to commit to.
I had two choices.
1. Get comfortable having thousands of emails in my inbox
Or
2. Sit my butt down and get to work.
Neither decision was better than the other, but either way, I had to be comfortable with my choice instead of carrying it with me daily.
A lot of us try to fool ourselves into saying we’re okay with how things are in our lives. Being overwhelmed has become a new normal. Being too busy to care for your home is just another Saturday. Who are you if you’re not rushing somewhere trying to do something, remember something and say something. On the outside we’re keeping it all together but knowing deep down that if the ball drops, that’s it! It’s a rap. There’s no making it to the other side. So instead we tread lightly, desperately shushing the voice that knows what’s best for us as we try to carry on.
As a cry for help, I ask advice on how to get my email under control from an email genie I know. I admire his ability to simplify such a redundant task. No matter how many emails come in, he's always at zero. I needed to know the secrets, the tips, the tricks, the shortcuts to EMAIL HEAVEN!
We’re always looking for these hacks to get what we want when the answer is always just do the damn work. That’s basically what he told me, and that’s exactly what I did. With Sade playing to keep my mind at ease, a sleeping baby, and pure will, I began to delete and delete some more.
As I write this I’m happy to say my inbox is at zero. You read right, zero baby. It didn’t take me 10 hours, more like 2 (Don't we love to over-exaggerate when we don't want to do something?). It wasn’t as painful as I thought, but I did get sleepy. I actually got a rush once I saw the numbers drop. Texting my friend each time I reached a milestone. 700 left…531…227…22..done. 1 pee break and 2 "Mommy put me back to sleep" calls later, and there I was: sweet satisfaction.
It’s true we need motivation to get started on something that’s overwhelming, and it’s true it will take some effort and time. But that’s it. No blood. No tears. No near-death experiences. The only thing waiting for you is self-satisfaction, and I can’t think of anything sweeter than that.
What's the Point of Getting Organized?
I’m leaving a client’s house and before I could reach the car, she calls out,
“Melissa, what’s the point of all this?”
I say, “You tell me.” She is the one who called; she should know right?
“Because I’m transforming!” She laughs, smiles, and waves good-bye.
I don’t mean to get deep, I’m just telling you what happened.
I’m leaving a client’s house and before I could reach the car, she calls out,
“Melissa, what’s the point of all this?”
I say, “You tell me.” She is the one who called; she should know right?
“Because I’m transforming!” She laughs, smiles, and waves good-bye.
I don’t mean to get deep, I’m just telling you what happened.
Why Do People Get Organized?
When people are ready to get organized there’s a transformation taking place. Something is shifting in that person’s life, and it’s usually them. Everyone I meet is going through something different:
Upgrading into a new home
Downsizing
More time on their career, less time on their personal life
New baby
Just married
Growing a business
No matter the scenario, they all have one thing in common: transformation. In the end, getting organized is the solution.
How Does Getting Organized Help in Transformations?
Getting organized is all about order. When life is turning upside down and unexpected situations are adding chaos to our usual mundane tasks, gaining order feels like a breath of fresh air. During transformations, we’re looking for a sense of relief. To not lose our cool or crumble under pressure, getting organized is exactly what the therapist would prescribe.
How does Getting Organized Benefit You?
There are numerous, if not hundreds, of reasons to how getting organized benefits our lives. Here's a few of my favorite since I’ve been adulting:
-Reduces Stress
(most important benefit in my opinion) Stress is the cause of many physical, emotional, and mental ailments. Although some stress is good for us, prolonged stress affects us in a negative way. It then impacts every area of our life- relationships, careers, self-esteem etc.
Here’s 41 Random Facts You Didn’t Know About Stress
-Better time management skills
-Able to manage the responsibilities and demands of life more effectively and gracefully
-Increased confidence in a clean and beautiful home,
not only to you but company as well.
-Peace of mind knowing where everything is,
and being able to tell others where to find it.
-Able to appreciate quality time with yourself and family,
because you’re not constantly cleaning up.
-More money stays in your pocket,
because you’re not buying things you already have.
-Able to be more spontaneous and flexible.
-Increased positive image of yourself-
felt by you and others.
The benefits go on and on.
Back to the question at hand. What’s the point of getting organized? It’s about experiencing more beauty in the short life we have, at least that’s my answer.
