Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve taken an intentional hiatus from pretty much anything that seemed too stressful or work-related. My neck was hurting from sitting at the computer so much, and I was exhausted all of the time even though I wasn’t really doing anything physical.
A week or so before Christmas I decided to just let it all go and focus on myself as well as the people and things right in front of me. There were several days in a row that I didn’t look at one social media site, and everything was okay.
When we get older, marry, and have children, sometimes we let go of activities and hobbies that once meant a lot to us or were fun and made us happy.
Since Christmas, we have spent quality time with friends and family. We’ve relaxed and gone out to breakfast. Case drank OJ out of an adult cup and spilled half of it on my lap, but he giggled instead of cried, so I didn’t mind too much.
My sister and I spent an entire day going to lunch and enjoying time at a spa. Great Christmas present, mom. We got massages and pedicures and had our eyebrows waxed. We talked and laughed and remembered childhood memories. She was my first friend and is my best friend, and I hadn’t talked to her for that long in quite some time.
My husband, Todd, dusted off his old bike which had been sitting dormant in our garage for eight years. Something he rode every single day in college sat lonely for almost a decade until about two weeks ago. Now Brooks has a buddy to ride with.
Growing up, I was a pretty avid snowboarder going on the weekends and after school as a teenager then traveling to Colorado and Canada multiple times in college to hit the slopes. Until yesterday, I had not been on a board in more than ten years. It all came back to me, and flying down the mountain was exhilarating.
I don’t want to one day wake up and wonder what happened to the Susanna that once existed, the young, carefree girl who had a lot of hobbies and loved adventure. In fact, that is the person I want my boys to know and hopefully admire.
As the new year rings in tonight, one of my goals is to have fun and be happy this next year. To smile often, exercise more, sweat only the big stuff, and be adventurous.
I understand why people experience mid-life crises. We often do lose sight of who we are when trying to “be adults”, but really, can we not have it both ways? I think we can.
Love this post. My daughter recently has been the catalyst for me picking up some of the activities I, one time, could not seem to live without. Feels good to journey back to my roots. Thanks for sharing.
It certainly does feel good to journey back!
Great post! I came across your blog on the mom it forward group. I think it’s important that we make time for ourselves, and the ones we love. It’s very important, and you’re right when we get older we do sometimes let go of activities we once enjoyed. This post was a great reminder to why we need to let go of our hectic schedules, and daily duties.-And just enjoy these moments right in front of us!
Thank you! I’ve been doing a lot of self-reflection lately. It’s nice to do that from time to time. Thanks for leaving a reply. I look forward to staying connected with you in the blogosphere.
Looking forward to it as well. 🙂
This is a great post. I think as busy parents, it’s so easy to forget about ourselves and get lost in the stuff we have to do as opposed to taking the time to enjoy the small things.
Sometimes we REALLY need a break, and it sounds like you had reached that point! It sounds like you had a great week. Now keep it up and continue to make time for yourself throughout the year! 🙂
Kudos to you for taking charge over the life choices you’re making! It’s definitely easy to get caught up i life. Funny how the relaxation and memories made during the holidays bring those feelings back. Here’s to a great, full 2014!
Taking time for yourself is so important for emotional and physical well being!
What a great post. Sometimes it is hard to carve out those few moments for ourselves.
Good for you for taking the time off when you needed it. I really need to focus on that more this year. Yeah, my house may be a mess but the kids are home and we should play! Thanks for the encouragement to step back and live life!
Sometimes we really need those computer breaks. It’s hard to disconnect from everything online (especially for those of us who consider our blogs a business) but it’s so necessary every now and then! Glad you could take some time. PS- you are so gorgeous!
You are so sweet! So are you.
I so agree! Some times we need to disconnect to re-connect with others around us!
i’ve been feeling and thinking many of the same things. and taking the same actions. its refreshing. and i love the fun timse
Way to take time off and renew yourself and your family. It’s a great way to start off the new year!
When my kids left for college, I really felt like I didn’t know who I was. That led to blogging which renewed a sense of self for me, but yes to keeping up with your interests all the way through instead!
Also, how fun is a spa day with your sister?!
If I could have a spa day once a month with my sis, all would be well with the world!
You seem to really have things in perspective for the new year. It’s a goal of mine to work less and have more fun.
Good for you! It sounds like you have been living life! I really want to take a step back off online for 2014 and focus more on my family!
You can certainly be both my friend, and happiness looks good on you! Keep it up! Can’t wait to hear about the next adventures you share!
You are certainly both, and with finesse I might add!
Our stories are so similar. Approaching christmas I was exhausted, so incredibly burned out. I took a haitus to just refresh and I’m looking at 2014 with new eyes.
Good for you! I hope it served you well.
It is good that you decided to find time for fun. Often as adults we forget that we work in part, so we can enjoy life.
I am so glad you found time for fun with your family. I was quite busy starting my blog last year, so I plan on putting an emphasis on my family this year.
I think it is wonderful that you were able to take a nice break for yourself! I enjoyed my small break as well!
You snowboarder you. How cool. I’ve been taking a break too. Especially from Facebook — it’s been great to plug into family.
Absolutely! Hope you are well, Jamie.
Great post and thanks for that reminder. Being an adult really sucks sometimes.
It’s always great to find time for the little things that you enjoy. It’s even better when those little things are things that you use to enjoy but just haven’t had the time to get to lately 🙂
This is a great reminder to me becuase I am often too busy to just “be me.” I think I will resolve to make 2014 a year of coming back to me too.
I really love this post. It hits home for me. I had some marriage issues last year, and much of it, I believe, was from losing track of all the fun we had as a couple because of focusing on our adult lives. Now I’m back to making time for me and us and I know it will be better. Best to you as you continue to get in touch with who you are.
That is awesome! I hope refocusing serves you well.
I need to take out more time for myself. Its great you got some time away from social media, I need to do that as well.
Beautiful post, Susanna. You should check out the new book, Hands Free Mama. I’m reading it right now and it’s helping me with some of the same issues I’m trying to to focus on for the new year!
I love checking out new books! I will certainly look into this one.