I sit down this morning feeling refreshed. Yesterday I did some soul searching. I read through all your (amazing) comments, which really made me think (and scribble down a few books to look into as well). I took time to really consider my priorities and I wrote them down. I thought about what was out of sync that was causing my unwarranted stress. I think I figured it out.
My top priority is my family (my personal well-being included) and during the day that means caring for and hanging out with the girls, myself and my home. Y’all are right, Hailey and Kaitlyn are at precious ages and it’s flying by. So I started looking at what was taking away from me focusing on/enjoying being mom during the day and a lot of it is, you guessed it, technology. All this time I thought I was a multitasking master, but my constant divided attention is slowly wearing on me.
For me, I think the mom guilt of getting to do what I always wanted, which is being home with my babies, led me to feel like I always should be doing more. So I created more for myself to do. This blog started as a fun hobby, but soon started taking over more and more of my time. Partially because I love it, but also because everyone told me that you needed to treat your blog like a job for it to grow. So I did. But here’s the kicker- it’s not my job. It’s my connection, my outlet, a thing just for me that I love, but it’s not my job.
So my new plan is this: between 5am-7am every morning is me time. This chunk of time is for writing the blog, editing photos, responding to emails and comments, attending to my Shaklee business, responding to social media, checking stats, etc. I love this time because it is cathartic, empowering and exciting.
But when Kaitlyn wakes up around 7, I’m putting it all away. My day as mom will begin. That means being fully present; enjoying the breakfast chaos without checking emails. It means nap times are for relaxing, not computers. It means hitting up the gym, play dates, strawberry patches, cooking and soon, the pool! (And laundry, bills, dentist appointments, repair men, vet visits and all that too, of course)
However, this set up means that my blog format might change a little bit. More posts will be simple, light posts about our day or a topic that’s been on my mind or something amazing I ate. Some of you might like that but I also realize I might lose readers that prefer more structured posts. I’m most likely going to be slower at responding to emails too, but I will still certainly answer them all. And if a morning comes where I’m just flat out exhausted, I’m going to let myself sleep, even if that means no post.
Right now I want, I need, to get back to a style that fits my life rather than making my life fit the blog. It is a Healthy Slice of Life after all, and this season of life demands more presence from me, so my other interests are going to need to adjust accordingly.
This new planned dawned on me yesterday as I was eating lunch with Kaitlyn. I accidentally left my phone in the car so I just sat with my salad on the playroom floor watching her push her stroller, then sit down and clap for herself. I realized how important these moments are to me and developed my plan. I’m not exactly easy breezy, so I even wrote it down and as I did, I felt a sense of relief and excitement flood over me.
At nap time, I grabbed a book and curled up with Koda.
When the girls woke up, we planted the garden and went on an adventure walk.
Besides the pictures, I kept my phone on silent in my pocket. My hand twitched multiple times as I thought about grabbing it to check email or twitter, but I resisted. I think it might take me some time to adjust to not being connected 24/7, but it’s exactly what I need.
When David got home I wasn’t worn down. I felt refreshed, rejuvenated, and I danced around (Uptown Funk is my current jam… how behind on the times am I?) while we made dinner.
Will this plan fix everything? Shoot, I don’t know, but I do know that the idea of it feels really good right now. I feel it better matches my days with my priorities while still letting me have time for the things I get joy from. And though I know I don’t owe y’all any explanation, I wanted to let you know how much I appreciated all your comments yesterday. It’s so nice to know we’re all figuring this thing out the best we can whether we’re juggling full time jobs, first pregnancies, moving states, quiet struggles, etc and I appreciated the advice you sent my way. I read it all and plan to take a lot of it to heart. Thanks so much for reading and contributing to this little spot of mine and I do hope you’ll stick around.
Tiff says
Love it. I wish you luck and happiness following your new plan. May you babies continue to sleep until 7. 🙂
Karen says
Great to hear you have a plan. You won’t be loosing this reader. And I will know that if by mid morning there is no post from you that must mean you and your girls are having some type of amazing fun:)
Good luck and enjoy your new found freedom!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
I love this! I find it so hard not to constantly pick up my phone to check it – it’s addicting!!!
Our current jam is Uptown Funk too – Emerson gets down with her bad self every time I play it. 🙂
John J. says
Nice adjustment! Your rejuvenated spirit shows through well.
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says
I think this sounds like a PERFECT plan 🙂
Christine McGregor says
Don’t worry about losing me either. That’s the fun part of following bloggers as all of our lives have transformed. We’ve gone through being single ladies, to wives and then to mothers. It’s been great seeing how everyone has readjusted to their new roles and making everything fit as best as they can. No ones perfect and that’s just great because I’m not either. I work FT, I’m a Stella & Dot stylist and a wife and mother to two small boys- 3 and 1. Some days I really feel the grind of working and the parenting part that my stylist business, that I started so I could have some fun, be social and have something just for me, falls to the wayside. But I’m trying to learn to balance everything so that I can be recharged and be better for my family. Do what works for you and the family and we’ll be here to cheer you on!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
Glad to hear you are feeling refreshed!
And as far as your blog is concerned, I think you should do what works for you. Sure you may lose some (very few) readers, but most of us who read your blog do so because we like hearing from you – no matter what the format!
Sherry says
Sounds like a wonderful plan. Hope you can stick to it. I’m so excited to be leaving the country for a week so that no one (except family) can get in touch with me–no texts, emails, or phone calls for business. Just my wonderful hubby and me 🙂
Lindsey @ Simply Lindsey says
This is such a beautiful post and the reason why I love your blog so much! I’ll certainly be sticking around no matter how often you post! Hope the transition goes smoothly for you. 🙂
Brynn says
Beautiful post. Taking a step back to asses, regroup and get a plan always helps me find clarity.
Tiffany says
Love this! You are doing exactly what you need to do and I was literally thinking “you go girl!” as I read this post. Also, Uptown Funk is also my jam right now! I found it on a cardio playlist on Spotify and I love it. My 3 yr old loves it too. She was watching me workout on the treadmill last weekend and then asked to “run” on the treadmill with “that song you were listening to.” She keeps singing “don’t believe me just watch!” I’m dying from the cuteness.
Josephine says
Sounds like a perfect plan. Enjoy the downtime with your girls and don’t feel guilty. I will be sticking around for your light and breezy posts, even if you miss a few.
Hollie says
I love your blog; even more so when you take the time to reflect on your current priorities (as I am currently doing the same!) I too have discovered the wonderful world of being techno-free during the day with my little one. It’s liberating, refreshing and allows full focus on those that matter. I personally love reading all your little updates, even if they are just small goings-on. This reader is here to stay! Well done, Brittany!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
Good for you, Brittany! I’m so happy you came to this realization. It is so important to soak up those moments with your young daughters. Soon enough they will both be in school and you’ll have a lot more time for blogging (if you still want to do it). Plus, your readers will still totally be here. If they aren’t, well, they weren’t really long-time readers anyway. 😉
Kathy says
Good for you!!!! You can do it!!
‘For me, I think the mom guilt of getting to do what I always wanted, which is being home with my babies, led me to feel like I always should be doing more.’ Hit the nail on the head–the way I felt years ago too.
I’ll still be reading your blog when you post. 🙂
Abby says
Sounds like a great plan! I am a newly SAHM with a 2.5 year old and a 3 month old and I constantly feel like I should be doing more too, I think any plan to enjoy your precious girls more is a good one. Cute story, my 2.5 year old calls uptown funk ‘hot bam’ and LOVES it. We have lots of dance parties to it and we aren’t correcting her take on the lyrics 🙂
Marnie @ SuperSmartMama says
Brittany – I hear you. I love your plan! I have thought of doing the same ever since my second child was born. Perhaps when she is a little older, I will have to do the same: carve out a block of time that is set aside for blogging and then leave it at that the rest of the day. I hope you will update us on lessons learned and how your plan goes!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
This post made me really happy to read. Good for you!
Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life says
Good for you, Brittany! Multitasking is one thing, but multitasking when babies and kiddos are around is a seriously tough thing to do!
Katie says
Yay!!!! My phone is always on silent, unless I’m waiting for a specific important call. Its such a great way to check in when you want to, and not just because you heard a beep.
Natasha says
Hi Brittany, I dont comment a lot…well maybe not at all at times, but I do love hearing from you and reading your exviting blogs, even when you think your post means nothing, it feels like catching up with a friend.
I also feel stuck in a rut these days, its just work, home, eat and sleep and tomorrow it all starts over again. And lets not forget the work at home that neess to be done. But I am changing my mindset on that, cause even though it is work, we have stuff at home to do work with…sorry…blabbering now.
I am excited that you came up with a plan that will hopefully make for a better feelig you. It is amazing how technology can take over our lives sometimes.
I just wanted to pop in totally unrelated as well to say thanks for being such an inspiration, I hope that one day when we finally have little ones, that I will be just as an amazing mommy as you.
Now go have fun playing with your girls and sweet Koda 🙂 I am prepping a healthy meal inspired by you, LOL. I sound kinda stalky dont I? Sorry…
Kathleen says
You won’t lose this reader! So happy that you are feeling so rejuvenated and focused, and I can’t wait to see whatever you have the time/energy/desire to post 🙂 On a side note, you said Uptown Funk and all I could think of was this treadmill dance routine haha http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/17/uptown-funk-treadmill-dance-video-carson-dean_n_6888268.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000023
I hope you’re having a wonderful, technology-free day with your girls and Koda!
Paulina says
Yes!! I love this post 🙂 My favorite posts are the day-to-day updates where you’re love and passion really seem to come through. When blogging isn’t fun anymore, it’s time to shake things up.
As for trying to stop checking the phone… I recently designated a ‘phone basket’ that we set our phones in when we walk in the door and don’t pick them back up until after the kids are asleep. It helps us be more present in the evenings.
Klara says
Like many others, I too LOVE reading your daily life/what we’re up to type posts (so don’t worry about losing me!!). I just enjoy you sharing some of your positive energy and watching your beautiful family grow!
Edye says
Love this post! It put a huge smile on my face 🙂
Caitlin says
Not going anywhere! Seriously you need not worry. I think this is a great plan
And hey I don’t know if you follow run eat repeat but her posts are super short but it’s just as enjoyable! I actually prefer to read something quick than like a book (ain’t nobody got time for that!) I’d rather just read a book 😉
Tracy says
Bravo! As a mom of 4 teens currently petrified at the thought of my kids all being away at college soon, enjoy those little girls!
I will enjoy reading every single unstructured post 🙂
Angie says
What a wonderful plan! I will continue to follow your blog no matter how many times you post in a week. I respect you for taking the time to evaluate what is best for your family and then putting it into practice. I think there are many children that long for their parent to put down the technology and look at them!
Julie says
I’m just so glad you’re not going to stop blogging! I love your posts! If there’s not one every day, that’s certainly not the end of the world. But having you stop altogether would suck big time! #mebeingselfish Glad you have a plan that is already making you feel better. That should tell you something in & of itself. I hope this works out the way you want it to; I would really miss your blog.
LaToya says
Good job!!! I think you’ll be quite relieved and start to feel not as stressed out. Sometimes I have to take Facebook hiatuses.
Sarah says
i love it. I’m a mom of 2 around the same ages as your little ones and decided that blogging was no longer life-giving for me. I plan to take it up again one day, but for now, I enjoy reading blogs likes yours. You’re not losing me as a reader, and I applaud the changes you’re making for the health of yourself and your family.
Maria says
I would question any blog that doesn’t grow and adapt with a changing blogger and their family, because the product would probably feel forced or inauthentic. Good for you for doing what’s best for your family and realizing what’s important for you to function to the best of your ability. We’ll all still be here if you need to change things up a bit with the blog. Remember that being a SAHM IS a full time job and an important one at that!
Lauren Brennan says
Of course I’ll stick around! It sounds like a lovely plan and I’ll enjoy reading whenever you find moments to share life with us.
Belinda says
Woo! Go Brittany! I won’t stop reading 🙂
Tracy says
I have read your blog for a long time and never commented. I have two little ones, similar in ages to yours. I work full time outside of the home, so I don’t have all of the same adventures or struggles as you, but it doesn’t matter. I love this post. I love your writing. I love how relatable you are. I love how funny and goofy you are in and how you laugh at yourself. So, as a long time reader, I just want you to know that if your blog format changes a little because you are focusing your attention on something else (a pretty important something else…the girls!), that’s ok. You are still you, and I will still love reading whatever and whenever you post. Thanks for being so honest.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hugs! The plan sounds good to me. You won’t be losing this reader. 🙂 I hope the new plan helps you feel more peace and sanity. XO
Nicole says
I’m so happy to hear you came up with a plan! It may not be what works forever but if it’s what gets you through right now, it’s great! I always try to remind myself, the world can wait. Our girls are growing up so fast and it’s just a matter of time until we’re having to work to find things to fill the time we don’t have now!
Lots of love and support from a fellow mama!
xx