When you’re a mum, sometimes it’s the smaller things in life that make you smile. And it’s easy to get bogged down by the humdrummery of life. A constant cycle of laundry, changing nappies, a lack of self care, potential isolation, missing “normal” life. The list is endless.
I knew my life was going to change, but I wasn’t really sure how. Would motherhood make me a better person? Would I run out of hours in the day? Would I get bored?
Now I’m back at work it’s easy for me to look back on the first few days of early motherhood in fondness. Nature has a wonderful way of helping you block out the negatives in life.
So, as I sit on a bench by the side of the Thames, I’m thinking of all the reasons I choose to be cheerful. It’s important to bear yourself in mind when you are in a constant cycle of looking after other people. The days are long, but they end.
I’m in my third week of full time working at the moment and I wanted to remind myself of some of the reasons I’m cheerful – and grateful!
- BB has learnt a new word. In typical toddler style, his new word isn’t pronounced correctly. It took me a long time studying where he was pointing before I realised his new word – “boose” meant bus.
- My connecting tubes matched up perfectly today. As I walked up the stairs to the train platform, a central line pulled in. Then when I reached Mile End, a district line train pulled in.
- The sun is shining.
- I finally got in to a pair of size 16 skinny jeans.
- I had a good hair day on Sunday.
- The laundry baskets are nearly empty.
- BB slept from 6:30 to 7am and woke up cheerful.
- Someone at work said how happy they are that I’m back.
- Mr went out and picked my lunches up for the week
- This is a four day week….
I have to stop there, because as I began my list (I love lists) I realised there was so much to be cheerful about. And it may seem small, and inconsequential in the grand scheme of things but for a few seconds, if not a few minutes, a sense of happiness took over and I realised that it’s easier to be thankful and cheerful than miserable.
We had a fantastic weekend and I’m definitely enjoying quality over quantity at the moment!
Alex
