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Shattered in Tatters, But No More Maniac Mondays

Filed Under: BLOG, Life in General, One Word Challenge, Summertime Tagged With: , , , ,

Logically I know I should be beaming, or at the very least feeling all warm and fuzzy after the past week of celebrations.

See July is a month of remembering some of the most important times in our family’s lives.

4th of July Fireworks 2015

Right after the 4th of July, my husband and I celebrate our wedding anniversary on the 8th, next up is another anniversary of sorts with our first date that occurred only 4 days after, but three years previous to our wedding day on the 12th.

Dancing Away Happily Ever After!

Dancing Away Happily Ever After!

Then only a little less then a week later, it is our oldest daughter’s birthday on July 17th.

Emma Turning 6 and Making Chocolate at Her Party

Emma Turning 6 and Making Chocolate at Her Party

Yet, here I was feeling like this lump was growing daily in my throat and the tears were being swallowed back from flowing freely after all is said and done.

I was never one to worry or feel down about time being of the essence, but as each honored fete had passed me by this month, I couldn’t help, but note that all the good and wonderful to come from each amazing moment in time, but still my heart was feeling oh so heavy.

Why was I so glum?

I think as I was recalling the past and all the happiest moments in my own life, I began to realize that they were just that and in the past.

Shattered in Tatters, But No More Maniac Mondays

Don’t get me wrong, I do have so much to be overjoyed about, including with a handsome, smart and fun loving husband, as well as being mom to two perfectly beautiful growing girls.

But time is for all intents and purposes flying right by me.

I made a solemn vow as most know to take more time off this summer after three long, grueling summers of working right through all the crazy, yet daily goodness right there under my nose.

I missed out and jibbed myself of some of the most precious times with my family in summers past indeed.

Basically I went through the motions and was there physically, but mentally I was somewhere else worrying about things I couldn’t control, including work, which as a freelancer would and could wait for another day.

“Shattered in tatters and battered”, as Mick Jagger and The Stones once penned.

I have bemoaned finding more of a balance with work, life and family often enough here.

If there is one thing I have learned in the last few years of working from home is that time is seriously of the essence.

What may seem oh so important right there in the moment with an article needed to be written, a client thinking they might need something urgently, social media time warps and more, truly not what matters in the long run.

These will all be there the next day and if they aren’t, then as my grandmother always would have said, “There weren’t mean to be.”

Maybe it is because I am inching my way closer to 40 and beginning to get wiser, as well as more pensive.

I have given myself permission to break and enjoy this summer.

And so far I have done just that.

You might have noticed me being less present here or socially, which for me had felt a bit odd at first, but slowly I have grown to embrace and enjoy it so completely.

See Maniac Mondays have become as The Bangles once could only dreamed of my “Funday” just like Sundays sleeping in, time more on my side and overall the weekdays, in general, are less frazzled, such as playing hooky on Friday afternoon to take in the summer 3D movie hit, The Minions.

More memories are being made on the smaller scale overall lately and still yet soon on the larger scale with a Disney week long vacation in only a week or so here.

I make no promises.  I will be more or less on this scaled back and laid back mode for at least another month until school is back in session for my girls and summer vacation comes to an end.

Emma and I Celebrating Her 6th Birthday

Emma and I Celebrating Her 6th Birthday

Until then, I am out and about making more lasting memories.

[Tweet “What are you shattered about? #1word @TheGoldenSpoons”]

Don’t get me wrong, you aren’t getting rid of me that easily, but still…

Isn’t that what it is all about?!

****On a side note, I am on the Today Parenting Team Challenge: Back to School with my article, 4 Killer iPad Apps to Help for Kindergarten Readiness.  If you haven’t checked out my article over there, please do so and would truly appreciate if you could click the top lefthand button to “VOTE UP” my article, too.

This post was written for the One Word Blog Linkup that is hosted by Lisa of The Golden Spoons and yours truly, too.

The words for this week are: Shatter or Whisper; Please feel free to linkup and join us this week.

[inlinkz_linkup id=548564 mode=1]

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About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Robin (Masshole Mommy) says

    I am happy you are enjoying the summer. It’s a busy time around here, too. My birthday is in July and both of my boys have August birthday!

  4. April G says

    I’ve completely taken a step back, even without trying so much. I knew I wanted more, but things started to get hectic and I had burned myself out. I’m trying to seek comfort in that this time is short and my girls will be in school soon enough.

    I hope you really are enjoying your summer.

  6. Seana Turner says

    Summer is precious and fleeting, so enjoy it as much as possible. It is hard for freelancers and entrepreneurs because there is always “more” we could be doing. But a well-ordered life includes priorities that feed all parts of our lives, not just our professional lives. Hope you get some time on a beach with a pina colada (which is my idea of an ideal day!)

  7. Diane Roark says

    Janine,

    I love your heart in this post. Life is so short and sometimes I get so busy and stressed that I let it pass right by. I am so proud of you for taking off and making precious memories with your family. I pray you have the best vacation ever at Disney.

    Many Blessings,
    Diane

  8. Estelle says

    Janine, Happy anniversary. We are July as well (18th). It’s good that you realize you need to take some time to unwind this summer. It’s half over and school looms ahead, so why not be good to yourself now!

    • Janine says

      Aw, Kim I am seriously so glad it isn’t just me as I have been walking around feeling down, but knowing I have so much to be happy and look forward to still yet. Hugs to you 😉

  12. Bill says

    I for one think it is crucial that we make time for the truly important things in our lives. We blink and it’s all gone, so make darned sure we enjoy them when they happen. Happy Summer to you, Janine. Give those girls a hug for me.

  15. Deborah Weber says

    What a thoughtful post. I’m glad to hear you’re giving yourself the gift of a more family-time focused summer. It can be so challenging to balance all the things our lives ask of us, but truly finding ways that fill our hearts is so essential. Wishing you a wonderful rest of the summer.

  17. catherine gacad says

    yes, enjoy every minute of your summer and your family. that is the most important thing. a friend of mine (46 years old) passed away suddenly and unexpectedly of unknown causes yesterday. was at a bar, went to the bathroom, and didn’t come out. he was an amazing man who lived an amazing life surrounded by amazing people. he always wore t-shirts that said “life is good.”

    • Janine says

      Oh my god, Catherine seriously I am so sorry here this about your friend. Major hugs and definitely thinking of you right now. But this is a huge reason, I feel as I am getting older that I don’t want to waste a precious moment and then end up just gone in the blink of an eye. Still, my heart goes out to you and you are in my prayers.

  20. Heather@hungryforbalance says

    This is a wonderful post that speaks straight to my heart. I just started my blog a few months ago and in that time I have been so aware of how much time blogging/networking/picture taking takes away from my family.
    Thank you for posting this.

    • Janine says

      Aw, you are so welcome and I know I have been blogging for over 3 years now and am amazed at how much time this has taken away from my family in the last few years myself.

  22. Tamara says

    I found myself feeling glum this year with the kids turning three and six. I feel like I don’t have babies or toddlers anymore and I don’t really know life as a parent without that. I’ll learn, I suppose!
    I’ve been taking time off too but it’s truly hard for me to do that and relax. I hope I learn!

    • Janine says

      Tamara, I truly heart that we have this in common and I know I hope I will learn from this summer more than anything now how to step back and relax when I do need to 🙂

  24. Kenya G. Johnson says

    To the tune of “I asked you to do ONE THING…”, I had ONE GOAL for this summer and it’s now July 29th and I don’t see it happened. Time goes by extremely too fast. Why is that. Summers lasted forever when we were kids. I’m being a total whiner saying August is in a few days and then Christmas!!!

    Anyway your July sounds like our December. Except our Anniversary is on Sunday 😉

    Happy Anniversary to you. I’ve seen The Minions, you’ll have to tell me what you thought. I think I could have fallen asleep. Maybe I was tired. It was cute? 😉

    • Janine says

      I know Kenya, time seriously just keeps flying on by. That said, I definitely don’t want to think of Christmas just yet though. And we loved the Minions, but it was just Emma and I, who saw it, because the last two Disney movies found Lily crying getting scared of something and Kevin was at work, but still he keeps joking that he should have been at a movie, where the main star was his namesake! Happy Anniversary to you, too 🙂

  28. Bev says

    Good for you for taking some time off! I’ve really been enjoying blogging just once a week this summer. It has felt like a vacation! I think we need to try to enjoy the time with our families while we can. Now that Eve is active and able to do things, it’s really nice to go out and and do things with her. It’s been an adventurous summer!

  30. Kristen says

    I feel you – I do. I’ve been super introspective lately and written things I’d never publish. I think sometimes you just need to feel it, dwell in it, and let it be. Then remember how lucky you are when you’re done!

  31. Aunt Gloria says

    Time is definitely marching along too quickly! I am having a hard time realizing Aug. 1 is almost here and half the summer is over! That always makes me sad. So, as you say, you have to take advantage of making the most of each day and enjoy the time you have with your family….just as you have done this summer. Good times and happy memories are worth everything! I know Disney is coming up and I’m sure you are all excited. Have a wonderful time. Love you….and love to all.

  32. lisacng @ expandng.com says

    I can’t believe Emma is 6 already!
    I totally hear ya on feeling glum even after celebrating lots of happy occasions. Maybe it’s the post-celebration blues. Nevertheless, you’re right that we could all use some slowing down to enjoy the moments that are passing us right by.

    • Janine says

      I know I am still kind of shocked that Emma is already 6 and also agree about the let down in the post-celebration blues. Hope you are enjoying the moments so far, too this summer Lisa 😉

  33. Eli@CoachDaddy says

    This is where I need help. I think that I should keep typing away and plugging away to get that elusive freelance check that never comes quickly and that I have to chase and write more for, and before I know it, it’s bedtime for the kids and I’m left with the keyboard.

    Grace came to me right before sundown the other night. “If I can find a football, wanna play catch?” I couldn’t close my laptop fast enough. We didn’t find a football, but we played around outside until way after dark. I’d probably not have initiated that. I need to. I can’t get the days back.

    • Janine says

      Eli, trust me I am still a work in progress, but I am seriously getting better and even least night I walked away and we got Italian Ices at Ralph’s instead of me plugging away once again after dinner. Felt good and I plan on doing this as much as I can while I can, too 😉

  34. Kelly L McKenzie says

    I salute you, Janine! It is such an addictive thing this blogging and writing is it not? It doesn’t seem to get any easier either as the kidlets grow up. Hmmmm. Horrid mommy that I am, my two are waiting for me to get off the computer so we can get the necessary chores out of the way and they can get on with their days. I’m going to try and take a page out of your book … Thank you.

  36. Leslie says

    So glad you’ve been finding more time to spend with your girls this summer Janine. I just realized the other day that we’ve only got 3 weeks left to our summer vacation, and I feel like so much of it has been wasted. You really make me want to step back and enjoy those last few weeks a bit more.

  37. Zoe Rohr says

    Good read- I can totally relate, although I feel like I am at the beginning of my parenting journey…. but it still feels like it is going so fast and it is hard to find balance between everything!
    Thanks for sharing 🙂

  39. Kristi Campbell says

    Ah, the elusive balance. I so get it. I get being there but not being present and then being sad about it. I’m glad you’re going to take some time with the girls the rest of the summer. I think I will make an effort to do the same.

  40. Stacey Gannett says

    Amazing and absolutely beautiful post Janine! There are no better memories than those that are made with family! I wouldn’t have traded the week long vacation and experiences that we had together as a family. I was away from the net for most of that week, and it was worth every minute! Have a great weekend, Janine!

  42. Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says

    I never regret serving a simple dinner, not cleaning as much, not doing an extra blog post… but I always regret when a day passes and I haven’t spent as much time as I would have liked with my kids.

    Enjoy your lighter schedule. We’re always here for you friend.

    Wishing you a lovely weekend.
    xoxo

  43. Rea says

    That is exactly what we need! I’m glad you’re taking your needed break Janine!! And yes, other things can wait. I guess it’s really a matter of getting our priorities straight. 🙂

  44. Stephanie @ Life, Unexpectedly says

    I’m absolutely with you, Janine! It took me the scare of losing Calvin and developing severe migraine from prolonged stress to decide that enough is enough. As much as I love my job, I love my family more, and in order to be the wife and mom I want to be, I need to take better care of myself. I am still committed to my job, but I am no longer the person everyone can drop their crap on they don’t feel like doing themselves, and I am happier now with that decision, even though there are people at work now that hardly speak to me any more. Not my loss!

  46. Chris Carter says

    GOOD. FOR. YOU!!!! I am so so glad you have been able to let go and find your peace in doing so! I felt the same way, Janine. At first, I really struggled with letting go- like I was going to miss out on SO much- but as time went on, I felt more at ease with it all. I’m still trying to let go for a few more weeks… I MUST focus on what is truly MOST important in my life.

    Thank you for that reminder! (I went and voted!! And I loved your other piece on preparing for Pre-School too!! I couldn’t find a place to comment or share… if I am missing something, please let me know!! I want to always support you, sweetie!!)

    ENJOY the rest of your summer, my friend!!!! XOXO

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