Your essay reminds me--I took a somatic therapy class recently, and one of the teachers is a mom who suggested to another mom that she use that precious window of naptime not to frantically get everything done, but to...rest. It's idealistic, but I appreciated the permission to prioritize the most important thing, rest and rebuilding capacity.
Yes! "Sleep when the baby sleeps," it's such a cliche and absolutely something we should do more of. Hustle culture has definitely infiltrated into parenting and mothering and it feels kind of revolutionary sometimes to just. stop.
I'm not sure if you're familiar with https://thenapministry.com/? Thinking of rest as resistance definitely strikes a chord with me.
I've never heard that expression! Maybe because I'm only a mom to feline children? That book looks incredible. I quit caffeine during my class and it has completely changed what I expect to be possible in a day.
Yes! I’ve given it up a few times and even after the withdrawal effects are gone I just felt so tired. I think that means we’re probably all relying on caffeine to go past our normal limits...but that’s another whole conversation. I read “This is your mind on plants” by Michael Pollan and it definitely made me understand my relationship with caffeine better. I’ll probably take a break again in the future but I honestly just don’t like the decaf version of me as well. 😂😬
I actually hadn't seen this one yet, how lovely! I also really like her poem, "If I should have a daughter." I thought about it a lot when I was pregnant with little one.
Not sure about the seeds but it's likely! It definitely gives me hope that Spring is beginning.
I hope you have a lovely day with June! That was my grandmother's name and she was just the best person ever.
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. <3
Writing on a rainy Sunday morning from the same chair I work in all week, with a cup of coffee and getting ready for a drawing group. While our contexts (or points in life) may differ, so many of us understand your words about the hustle and the fear.
Thank you for sharing, Amy! What kind of drawing group is it? Learning how to draw is something I've wanted to do for so long! I have some jugements about not being any good but I need to get into "beginner's mindset" and just let it be playful!
Thank you for sharing, Sofia! That's one reason I started this newsletter- I realized even though I was becoming a stay at home mom, I still had this wave of anxiety Sunday afternoons, thinking about not having enough time to get things done or do what I wanted to before Monday started a new week.
I'm still working on it, too! Our nervous systems can take time to relax. I'm learning that holding more compassion for myself helps.
Thank you so much, Korynn! It really means so much to receive encouragement from parents who are a little further ahead on this journey. It can feel like such an isolating time but so many of us have gone through it or can relate in some way.
Helensburgh sounds lovely! I've always wondered what it would be like to live close to the sea. Growing up (and now living) in the Midwest, I'm surrounded by a sea of...farmland!
I love the Artist's Way and definitely need to make some time to revisit it. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts! Wishing you a beautiful week ahead . <3
Your essay reminds me--I took a somatic therapy class recently, and one of the teachers is a mom who suggested to another mom that she use that precious window of naptime not to frantically get everything done, but to...rest. It's idealistic, but I appreciated the permission to prioritize the most important thing, rest and rebuilding capacity.
Yes! "Sleep when the baby sleeps," it's such a cliche and absolutely something we should do more of. Hustle culture has definitely infiltrated into parenting and mothering and it feels kind of revolutionary sometimes to just. stop.
I'm not sure if you're familiar with https://thenapministry.com/? Thinking of rest as resistance definitely strikes a chord with me.
I've never heard that expression! Maybe because I'm only a mom to feline children? That book looks incredible. I quit caffeine during my class and it has completely changed what I expect to be possible in a day.
Yes! I’ve given it up a few times and even after the withdrawal effects are gone I just felt so tired. I think that means we’re probably all relying on caffeine to go past our normal limits...but that’s another whole conversation. I read “This is your mind on plants” by Michael Pollan and it definitely made me understand my relationship with caffeine better. I’ll probably take a break again in the future but I honestly just don’t like the decaf version of me as well. 😂😬
I very much hear you on that. If this depression and torpor don't lift, I may have to incorporate a green tea at the least.
Thanks for sharing with us. I 100% empathize with the hustle. You got this. Don't stop!
Really enjoyed your poem as well. I listened to Sarah Kay on TED radio hour yesterday. Reminded me of her story.
https://youtu.be/54ST8bwOVyc
I'm sure you've probably already seen, but maybe some others haven't.
Were those seeds from sycamores? We've had them falling all over in Ohio!
Writing from my couch, on a nice day off, with my five year-old nugget, June. Who always brings things back to earth.
-s
Thank you, Sean! I appreciate the encouragement.
I actually hadn't seen this one yet, how lovely! I also really like her poem, "If I should have a daughter." I thought about it a lot when I was pregnant with little one.
Not sure about the seeds but it's likely! It definitely gives me hope that Spring is beginning.
I hope you have a lovely day with June! That was my grandmother's name and she was just the best person ever.
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. <3
Thank you for the same! Hope you had a great weekend!
Writing on a rainy Sunday morning from the same chair I work in all week, with a cup of coffee and getting ready for a drawing group. While our contexts (or points in life) may differ, so many of us understand your words about the hustle and the fear.
Thank you for sharing, Amy! What kind of drawing group is it? Learning how to draw is something I've wanted to do for so long! I have some jugements about not being any good but I need to get into "beginner's mindset" and just let it be playful!
lovely poetry here
Thank you for sharing, Sofia! That's one reason I started this newsletter- I realized even though I was becoming a stay at home mom, I still had this wave of anxiety Sunday afternoons, thinking about not having enough time to get things done or do what I wanted to before Monday started a new week.
I'm still working on it, too! Our nervous systems can take time to relax. I'm learning that holding more compassion for myself helps.
Thank you so much, Korynn! It really means so much to receive encouragement from parents who are a little further ahead on this journey. It can feel like such an isolating time but so many of us have gone through it or can relate in some way.
Helensburgh sounds lovely! I've always wondered what it would be like to live close to the sea. Growing up (and now living) in the Midwest, I'm surrounded by a sea of...farmland!
I love the Artist's Way and definitely need to make some time to revisit it. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts! Wishing you a beautiful week ahead . <3