Target tee; jeans; bag and sandals; Curious Creatures necklace (similar); Threads bracelets; c/o Max and Chloe love bracelet.
Can we discuss the fact that every single piece of clothing I’m wearing (down to the shoes and tote) are from Target in these photo’s? Guess you can see where my money has gone lately;)
The dilemma of being a “fashion blogger” of sorts is that there are a zillion instances where I don’t really wear anything that exciting. I like simple, comfortable pieces that I can push kids in a tire swing in, or grocery shop, or cook, or clean, or (insert 6,398 other menial chores,) that I do daily. I do like to look cute when out and about, but sometimes a girl just needs a simple, colorful tee shirt and ripped jeans, no? Oh, and the gladiator sandals I wears every single day and some turquoise jewelry to add some pick me up. You know, just simple, simple stuff. Hence the average, soon to be 33 year old, mama on the go look above. Head to toe Target, which is embarrassing when you go there wearing all items from there. Fail.
On to better things.
I wrote THIS POST last week about how I haven’t been being the best mom I could be this summer. I’ve been yelling, and short tempered, and we haven’t done half the stuff I planned on doing back when school got out in May. I mean, we moved and that settling in process has been a bit more life changing than I thought. It still feels a bit like a vacation and not like home yet, but we are slowly creating a new normal for ourselves and that feels good. I recently read THIS POST by Casey Wiegand about how saying yes more in her life with her children has changed so much for her. I know she has been away from her husband for a bit as I do from time to time as well, and this creates a dynamic that is often frustrating. Being the only one here to divert the pressure of raising children on a daily basis can be hard and draining. I find that I say no far more than I ever say yes. Partly out of boredom, or laziness or just because I said it and can’t go back. Little moments throughout the day where I say no far more than I say yes.
Which brings me to this weekend.
On Saturday morning I decided to say yes more. If one wanted peanut butter on their toast and the other wanted jelly, I said yes. Dancing after a movie to the music? Yes. Going on a nature walk for 30 minutes? Yes. Can you push me on the tire swing before dinner? Yes. Spending extra time walking through the toy aisle at Target? Yes. (Buying toys, no, but looking? Yes.) Little moments that I typically say no to because I’m busy cleaning, or doing something non important and not saying yes because I was being lazy. Or saying no because it was automatic.
I can’t believe how easy it is to say yes more and how much happier I am in the end. It isn’t that difficult to let them sit in the cart together and pile groceries on top of them, or take two seconds to spread a different topping on their toast, or to spend 20 minutes putting a puzzle together. In fact, I feel more free and less hectic. I am taking the time to be there for them and spend that time, so when it comes to the end of the day I am happier as well. Four days later and the power of yes is slowly transforming my outlook from one of rushing and battling, to one of smiles and a lightness of heart that feels good.
I’m not talking about saying yes to crazy things, like eating chocolate for dinner or anything related to safety, but saying yes to moments where you can really connect with your children and make their life better. Who wants a cranky mom that always says no for no’s sake? I was that mom, and she is still inside me, but I’m pushing her to the background. I’m amazed at how my outlook has improved in these four short days, and how I amazed I am by the power of one little word.
Just say yes. I promise it will change your life.
