I've been a little stir crazy lately. I don't know if it's that I'm starting to come out of the fog that surrounds me when I have a newborn, or because it's springtime and that's giving me a creative itch in need of serious scratching, or because I'm needing a little break from 24/7 children. Whatever the reason, there's something that I need to do, that's just for me, and I can't quite figure it out. I was talking to a friend yesterday, and the feeling seems to be going around.
I've been losing myself in my momminess lately, and I find I'm missing something. I do a lot around the house, and I enjoy some of it. I cook most nights, and I enjoy it mostly. I have a new Manicotti recipe to try this week that I'm excited about. I have a garden that I'm constantly trying to get things to grow in. I have compost bins to tend. I have an interest in living green, and I have some things I plan to try in that area in the near future (more on that later). I like to write, and I'm pursuing that right now mostly through this blog, as that's what I have time for, but I have some fiction pieces in the editing process right now that I plan to start sending out. I'm also planning an epic shopping trip in the near future when I lose the rest of this baby weight (7 lbs to go!). I'm getting back into working out a lot right now, which I love, and really helps me unwind.
But there's something missing. I'm not entirely sure what it is, but I know it involves me getting out of the house for a couple hours by myself. I took a creative writing seminar in the fall at the local college that was great. I got out of the house for three-ish hours, including the commute, once a week. I wrote, got writing prompts, listened to other's pieces, read things I had written. It was a truly creative and supportive atmosphere, very intimate and anonymous at the same time. A small group of strangers, reading a lot of memoir type pieces, sharing their thoughts, and then all going back to our regular lives where we had no interaction with each other. It was personal and impersonal. Perfect for me. I plan to take that class again when Penny can be put to sleep without nursing. In the meantime, I'm looking for something. Something to remind me that I'm me, and not just Mommy.
Any suggestions? What do you do just for you, or what would you like to do?
Aw. If you can't go away once a week, keep one day to yourself in two weeks. I know it's really easy for me to say but maybe you could try it out. You could get a sitter, even for a few hours and do whatever you want. You deserve it.
ReplyDeleteMy best friend and I are incredibly busy and can't see each other for months if we don't schedule. So every first Sunday of the month, we go out for brunch and coffee. There is no re-scheduling this day. This is truly the one time when I unwind as the conversations goes from everything to nothing.
I hope you get your break soon :)