1. Exercise. I am my best self when I am able to exercise daily. Exercise makes me happy and provides me with opportunity to accomplish something while also being able to either listen to music (see #4) or get lost in thought (and I have lots of thoughts!). My exercise typically comes in three forms, all of which I am obsessed with: CrossFit, yoga, and running.
 What’s better than Crossfit? Crossfitting with an amazing group of mamas, while our children watch us model healthy habits. These girls are part of my village. |
Om.
 Running + my music = bliss |
2. Quiet time. I have always required quiet time to recharge. I spent countless hours as a child reading in the woods, up in a tree, on a swingset, or holed up in the quiet of my room. My life now, as a mom of three young children, is much louder but I still squeeze in quiet time to recharge. If anything, I need it more now. Every day, my little poppies and I enjoy an hour of quiet time in our own space. You can nap, you can read, you can create, you can invent, you can sing “Let it Goooooo!” on repeat but you have to do it in your room. If I don’t get that hour, my patience plummets.
 Heaven is: a good book, a comfy spot, and silence. |
3. Reading. This often happens during my quiet time, but I need to read daily or I get crabby. Just ask Schizz.
 My nightstand. |
4. Music. The only instrument that I’ve ever played (much to my chagrin!) was the recorder. I only took one year of Irish Step dancing circa second grade. I do not claim to be a talented singer or dancer but come 4 o’clock-ish, my little poppies and I rock out and dance in the kitchen.
 NOT my kitchen, but you get the idea. |
5. Nature. One of my all time favorite books is Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv. When I was a little girl, our property bordered conservation land. I spent my childhood running around in the woods, making forts, and reading books hidden away in some filthy little nook. As an adult, I cannot fathom how people can spend an entire day indoors. I get antsy after just a few hours cooped up inside the house. My children are notably happier when they have been outside running free. As I’ve said before, I tend to judge the success of our days by smiles and the amount of sediment in the bathtub at the day’s end.
 No caption needed for these! |
 Mini CrossFitters. |
 Little yogis. |
 Love. |
3. Reading.
 One of my favorite photos of Leo and I, doing what we love to do. |
| Dancin’ in the kitchen! |
 Enjoying nature. |
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You go girl! Love your attitude!
Thank you 🙂
I’m living the same life, but a stage ahead of you. Three gifted, INTENSE boys, but my oldest just became a teen. And then there are the rest of life’s myriad obligations. You so nailed this. Thank you! for the reminder. It’s just what I needed to hear today.
I’m glad it spoke to you, Annie! Cheers to you for mothering intense boys … and a teen! Dare I ask how intensity plus teenager is going? 🙂
Not as bad as you might think! Have hope. The more he comes into his own, the easier it is for him to channel his intensity. Mine seems to be moving from intense to awesome. There is still a real need for mothering, coaching, nudging, and there is still worry and exhaustion at times, but I can see good things coming.
Loved reading this! I do have hope because I see so much of my husband in him, but I have more hope after reading your response. “Intense to awesome” is wonderful, and exactly what I wish for. Glad good things are headed your way 🙂
This is lovely. Great photos and important information. Yes to dancing in the kitchen!
Thank you so much, Paula!
What a delightful post! The photos bring all of your ideas to life. Music is a big one for me. It’s surprising how much I can manipulate/adjust my own mood simply by listening to certain songs or playing the piano for awhile.
Thanks for the feedback, Lisa. I completely agree about music and man do I wish I had learned to play something because I’m sure making it is even more relaxing!
You really summed it up - exercise, quiet time, nature, music - all of the important ones. Great post and great photos.
Thanks so much!!
I should really learn from you! I definitely need to do more exercise. Reading a book in the hammock? I must try that at least once.
I wish I could say I read in a hammock daily. Alas, those photos are from summer vacation at my in-laws’. No hammock here, but the exercise is my number one self care need. It (almost) makes up for a lack of hammock! :-). Thanks for reading!