When I first started drafting this post, I was headed in a different direction. I thought about doing a fun, quick little recap for you of all the fun I had this weekend via Instagram.
But as I went through the pictures and really put my thinking cap on, I realized that I've made a few changes in life recently. You can call it a new years resolution or a 2012 goal. Or maybe it's just sort of an epiphany. But the gist of it? Stop and smell the roses. Take small bites. Make life approachable.
our Saturday hike, Black Rock Lake It used to be that I would come home from work each night and attempt to attack an insurmountable to-do list. Finish painting hallway. Catch up on 97 blog emails. Call Nana for her birthday. Finish stitching pillow case. Watch Gossip Girl. Draft a guest post. Mail three thank you notes. Load dishwasher. Write three blog posts for the week. Fold laundry. Take pictures of a project for the blog. Bathe Tucker and Maggie. Go to bed by 10. Yeah right... and that was the kind of list I thought I could accomplish in one night after working all day.... And on the weekends? I shudder to think about those to-do lists. Of course, David is incredible and does his fair share (or more!) helping around the house.
But still. All of this? It was just too much. I put too much pressure on myself to get it all done and get it all done ASAP, which, of course, never actually happened. So by the end of each night, I was left stressed, exhausted and disappointed. And weary of the fact that the items that didn't get done would have to go on tomorrow's to-do list. Now that's a vicious cycle.
But still. All of this? It was just too much. I put too much pressure on myself to get it all done and get it all done ASAP, which, of course, never actually happened. So by the end of each night, I was left stressed, exhausted and disappointed. And weary of the fact that the items that didn't get done would have to go on tomorrow's to-do list. Now that's a vicious cycle.
So lately, instead of trying to be superwoman, I've really made it a point to scale back my to-do lists. Again, the word for me is approachable. It's time to bring my expectations of myself back down to reality. Now in the evenings, my to-do lists (which my Type A, OCD personality can't really stray away from) have only two or three items on them... and usually that includes items like "eat dinner with David," "finish drafting design article" and "do yoga for an hour." Now that is a list I can accomplish. And the funny part is that everything gets done. All of the projects, the household chores, the personal time, the blogging... it all gets done! I just have to slow it down and do it in smaller bites of the apple.
my weekend reading list And I feel better. Not only am I more relaxed and more well-rested, but I'm having more fun! Like this weekend, for example. I realized it's kind of nice to hang out for an extra thirty minutes in bed, cuddled up with the hubs, the pups and a stack of magazines.
our Saturday drive to the mountains
David and I also took a drive up to the mountains on Saturday and spent our afternoon hiking around a lake and just lazily enjoying nature... the way nature should be enjoyed. Top that kind of day off with a big meal from our favorite mountain southern BBQ joint and life couldn't have been much better.
Black Rock Lake
Of course, we did tackle some things around the house. I promise you the whole weekend wasn't sweatpants, watching the rain and lazy hours by the fire. But a lot of it was : )
watching the rain on Sunday
And we loved every minute of it.
Since I realized that I haven't shared any 2012 goals here on the ol' blog yet, let's call this mine. In 2012, I want to take a deep breath, step back and make sure that my life is not crazy or hectic or lost in the frantic moments of crossing things off of a to-do list.
Rather, in 2012, I want for my life to be approachable.
