Truth is, life has been a little off balance for me. I fit everything in that I needed to do for my Etsy shop business and design team responsibilities, but I haven't been taking the time to do some other important things in life.
Yesterday, I had that *ahhhh haaa* moment slap me in the forehead from a comment that my mom to me. We took my dad to meet Eric in the city. From there, Eric and my dad headed to the airport. My dad is now on his 25 day adventure to China! My mom and I stayed back because my mom doesn't like the airports and she gets all nervous. I thought we would just head home because she usually doesn't want to go shopping because the arthritis in her back causes her too much pain to walk around. And she's slow moving. Like Tim Conway slow sometimes. But yesterday she felt good. So good that she wanted to go to Kohl's, Sam's, Walmart, Target and the fabric store! I told her to just take her time and that we had all day. She said, "Wow, I thought we'd have to go home so you could work. You are always too busy to do stuff like this."
Wow. Too busy. Too busy to spend a day shopping with my aging mother? That's when it hit me that I'm making some good decisions for myself by re-adjusting some things in my life. I got to thinking about what my mom said and she was right. I've been too busy trying to balance my work load that I was putting other important things in life aside. Definitely not my girls and their activities. We are always on the go with their events. I'm talking about other things in life whether it be personal items like home decorating projects, working on a quilt, exercising.....or professional goals like learning a new computer program, growing my Etsy business, or exploring other aspects of this crafty industry.
I think many of you reading this today can relate with me. If you work in this industry, it's very hard to draw the line between work and pleasure. We love what we do so much that working those extra hours doesn't seem like a burden. We love to create. We love to share. So much that sometimes we let our lives get off kilter a little bit. I'm happy to say that I'm on the right track. It's all about simplifying your life + making room for other interests. The balancing act.
I'll leave you with a great blog post from Becky Higgins that she posted yesterday. Lots of food for thought........blog post here.
P.S.....As for my sweet mom? While my dad is away, I have lots of fun activities planned. I'll be posting this week about her big surprise my dad got for her before he left for his trip.
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30 comments:
Good for you! Enjoy!
Your story is so true! Thank you so much for your hard work - now it is time for you to enjoy the important things in life!!!
You are putting you first, and that is what matters! Enjoy the time with your Reds and I hope to see you using some of my stamps in action soon...not because you HAVE to, because you want to! XO
enjoy your time with your mother! and give her an extra hug. how exciting that your dad is in China - what stories he will have to share. can't wait to see what he got your mom!
we all need to take the time to take the time....
Mish, you warmed my heart with what your mom said. I'm glad you will be able to spend more time with your mom and dad (and other areas of your life too) as you re-prioritize stuff in your life. Good for you. Hugs.
So proud of you for having that moment with yourself when she said those words. I've just passed the one year mark of losing my mom(far too young- she was only 69) and I would love to have a bit of time with her. And I know from being a long time reader of your blog that you already are familiar with a loss in the family. So, please know that we will always be here, but enjoy that time with the things you've put aside. We only get one chance to live life- and it shouldn't be in front of a computer :)
You brought tears to my eyes when I read that, because it could have been my words that were speaking the truth. I am going through the same unended balance right now between work and family. I also made a choice this week, and not that it is made, boy does it feel great!
We start this crafting world as a hobby and somewhere it takes over and you miss the mark on so much because you are busy making and selling to others. When I realized I had sewn and sold over 50 Halloween bags, but didn't have one for my own son come that night, it all sunk in.
great for you for making the change! All the best on the new phase of your journey.
I'm so glad I read your post. Because I too love to craft. People are always telling me to try to do it professionally. Sometimes I see you and the others that are on designs teams and think to myself I should try to get on a team. Love Papertrey. But I don't like to be stressed with deadlines. I also have a sports oriented teenage daughter and an elderly mother that I like to do things with. Made me feel better reading your post. Thanks Mari from Iowa
That is wonderful...those moments with our aging parents. I had the same a-ha moment, although my dad didn't say it to me...I felt it more from God. But it helped me see, that I need to give him some more happy times! I didn't get the feeling you weren't already spending time with your family, just that you had to readjust things for more balance! Good for you!
Sounds like you'll be building some fun memories with your mom. I've been trying to do better at balancing my crafty life and REAL life. Lol. Thanks for sharing.
I am so happy for you that you had this ah ha moment while you are still young enough to make the necessary adjustments to live a life with no regrets. This will be so important to you later in life. In the last two and a half years, I have lost my dad, brother and husband. I spent lots of time with them and did the best I could to take care of them. Fortunately, I have no regrets except for missing them.
You are so very brave Mish. I wish you the best.
I wish you well Mish, it is so important to spend time with your family and Mum, in a blink of an eye your kids will have flown the nest and will be leading their own lives, and your Mum is'nt getting any younger. sometimes we forget what is important in life.
My daughter is often too busy juggling family and work too.
You can always go back to your work commitments later, when you have more time.
Wish you all the best Mish!
I am not even on a DT at the moment, and I completely relate with you. I work hard to keep my blog busy as I would *like* to work for a DT again at some point, but it's a balancing act. My kids are still so young I don't want to miss a moment with them. I do what feels good for me, and craft as much as I can without taking away from them. I am happy for you, and look forward to seeing future goodies from you, but completely appreciate that the blog comes last after family! :) All the best to you Mish!!
I can't be sad about you stepping down after reading this!! : ) So happy for you and will still regularly visit your blog!!!
The unregretable decisions are the best ones! Enjoy!
Joshua 24:15
Proverbs 15:27
She's actually doing it so she can help me cut more firewood...LOL..Love ya babe
Cracking up about your hubs comment above...
have fun!
*giggle*
I HATED cutting wood when I was younger...
loading, unloading, stacking...
and don't get me started on my insane fear of snakes!
YIKES!!
But I'm so glad that you are taking more time for your family...
putting things in perspective before it becomes hindsight and too late.
You've always been very active with your girls...
I love those posts...
but knowing that you can now just enjoy that time too...
wonderful!
I'll miss all your release posts...
but I also know you're not going anywhere and will still be posting...
just maybe not as often.
Though I'm going to assume that your big announcement is not that you're preggers??
Seeing how you're going to be cutting wood and all...
*giggle*
Good for you! I'm glad you are making some changes. It's funny how things happen and happen for a reason. And your mom just happening to say what she said to you. I like your idea of expanding your Etsy store down the road. Do spend the time with your mom. Both my parents are gone, but I wish I had done more for my mom before she died. She went before my dad. So the time I had with my dad before he went were different than they might have been. We got to know each other better and I was his main caregiver when he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. I do have some regrets that I should have helped my mom more, but I was also not in a good place then. Anyway, you enjoy!
I love your post... lots of food for thought. I'm retired now, but there was a time I went through the same thing. I was running my own business, helping my husband with his, home schooling our four kids and traveling nearly every weekend. It can get too complicated... you sound like you're headed the right way.
Hugs!!!
Thank you so much for being honest and sharing. I am sure many of us can relate. I know I've been doing lots of thinking about where I need to cut back and what I need to do to find a better balance.
crafting should always always always be about the fun first. when it becomes work it's time to re-evaluate. my wonderful hubby taught me that and he helps me keep it all in perspective.
I am so happy for you that you have a chance to spend this time with your precious family! I am a long time stalker of your blog and I read every post but rarely comment. this one was too good to pass by though..... you inspire so many of us, but your family must always come first! :)
enjoy! and we'll be here watching when you can post. :)
So true so true.. Family First. Hugs.
I will miss you so much on pti...but so happy for you...nnothing is more impt. than family...Mom's won't always be there, so cherish the time you have with her. Kids grow up way to fast and you don't want to miss those special times...you have inspired and changed my hobby life. I am addicted to pti since I saw you in Orlando. Thanks for taking care of YOU!!! They all need YOU!!!
Mish, you are wise way beyond your years. You will never regret that you took a step back and made adjustments in your life for the good of those you love. I believe you will also find a new joy in crafting without the tight deadlines. You are setting a great example for your reds, as well. It's good all around!
Kathy McDonald,Seattle
I've had a few of those "a-ha" moments recently myself. Glad you were able to enjoy the day with your mom.
It goes without saying that you and your PTI projects will be missed. At least we will see a few PTI goodies from you, so that is good.
You have made a very wise choice though. I'm glad that you will have extra time for projects with your mom. My mom has been gone since 1998 and to this day, there are so many times that I wish I could call her on the phone for some chatting or jump in the car with her to do some shopping.
Good luck to you and mom on getting those quilts made. Big {{hugs}} to you!
I totally get what you are saying and good for you for being able to re-adjust. It can be really hard to step back and give up something - even when we know it's the best thing. I read your blog all the time - sorry I don't comment much - but wanted to take a minute to cheer you on!
I'm just catching up on this now :-(. My kids have been on mid-term so time on the pc has been kinda sparse :-). I'll definately be sorry to see you go, you will be missed but you are SO doing the right thing. Family first. It's not the end of the world. We can follow you here and in your Etsy store too. It takes a brave person to step down when they are on the top rung of the ladder!
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