Friday, January 08, 2016

Falling off the homemaking wagon

January 7, 2016

It happened, last year.

One thing I've always been so proud of, was the fact that I love homemaking and love doing those tasks that so many others seem to find annoying, frustrating, useless.  I won't lie, there are certain aspects of homemaking that I like less than others, but overall, I love being a homemaker.

With the move last year and everything that was going on, I kind of fell off the happy homemaking wagon.  It's as if one minute I was trotting along quite happily and the next we hit a huge rock on the path and everything went willy nilly all over the place.


Since then, my homemaking has been mediocre at best, just being done because it has to be and often times tackled with the same inspiration and motivation of someone walking the green mile.  Truly!!!

I've let it slide, always with the excuse that there was so much going on, this is temporary, you'll pick it right back up soon.  But folks, it's been a half a year and now that things have finally calmed down, it's time to get my butt in gear, hop right back on that wagon and continue plodding down the path.

January 7, 2016

I guess what I'm trying to say is that even I, have my days, or in this case, months.

It's ok to not always enjoy being the homemaker, to not always approach it all with a big smile on our faces, we're human and sometimes as moms and wives and homemakers we feel so much pressure to please and to have everything so perfect, that we forget about ourselves and what we need.

The trick here, for me at least, has been to sit back and allow this process to work itself through.

First it all happened because of the move, 4 months separation from my hubby, followed by the cross country move with a broken down car on the side of the road somewhere in Colorado, the influx of family activities and places we needed to be, family reunion, trips here and there, and my body trying to catch up with it all.

Then I just told myself that I needed time to relax and calm down and de-stress, so to speak.

What followed then were the past two months where the holidays kicked in and as much as I wanted to jump back on that wagon I told myself "why bother, there's too much going on, just let it slide".

Let me quickly explain something though, I hope I'm not confusing anyone by making them think when I say I let it slide or fell off the wagon, that it means I stopped cleaning my house or homemaking in general.  No, no, no.....it means, I stopped caring about the little details, about making things for my home, about trying my best to keep it all cozy and warm and cute.  I just did what was necessary for that day, dishes and cooking etc.

Didn't go the extra mile, so to speak!!!

Beginning of this year, about a week ago, I started feeling this overwhelming need to go back to my roots.  It didn't help that I've been going back on my blog and reading posts from prior years where I was like the perfect little homemaker, always on top of everything.  It made me feel good to read these posts but it also made me feel somewhat like a failure?  Like what is wrong with me that I stopped caring, stopped doing little things for the house.

January 7, 2016

The more I read, the more I realized how much I miss that structure and routine, and the more it became apparent to me that I have got to get my butt in gear and jump back on that wagon STAT.

Not because it's what is expected of me, or what others may want, but because it's what feels right and because it's what I love, and because I miss putting on my apron every morning and going about my chores, and making homemade bread, and preparing lunches for my children, and crocheting pillows for the couches and little doilies or jar cozies.

January 7, 2016

I miss plants in my house, I had so many back in Idaho and couldn't bring them with me and the house feels so empty without them.  I miss my herb garden back in Arizona, and my vegetables too.

I miss doing the dishes by hand and seeing all the pretty dishes drying.

I miss setting the table all pretty and sitting down for a meal with my family.  Oh we still have meals together but it's usually a quick hit and run, plates and forks and knives, a napkin and there ya have it.

I miss lighting candles and sitting down on the couch after a long day with my crochet.

I miss a house that is fully finished, not having to worry about moving boxes that have yet to be unpacked (I always unpacked everything within a few days of moving, not this time).

I miss being organized and staying organized.

I miss me.

January 7, 2016

The me that had time for everything, the me that would do laundry almost daily and not leave it for the weekend, the me that had a spotless kitchen and not dinner dishes in the sink in the morning, the me that made the phone calls that needed to be made and the appointments that needed to be set. 

We can be our biggest critics, that is for sure.  I know I am, but instead of going on about this, I had a nice long talk with myself. 

But now the talking is done, and I am sitting down today to work out a plan of action, a routine, a way to get me back on track without feeling overwhelmed. 

Truth is, and I'm sure you all know this already, but when you fall of the wagon with regards to anything, it's mighty hard to get back on, and mighty hard to not feel completely overwhelmed in the beginning.  Trick is to get past that, to push through.

So, I'm saying this in here because I need to be held accountable, and what better what for me to do that than to put it down on my blog where I will see it, and read it, and know what needs to be done.

There will be no more tackling household chores with a sense of dread.  
There will be no more rushed meals to get on the table.
There will be no more boxes in closets waiting to be dealt with.
There will be no more lists of things to do collecting dust.
There will be no more dragging myself through the day, counting down the hours until bedtime because I feel exhausted.
There will be no more skipping blog posts just because it's too much effort to get on and write something, it's not that I don't have things to blog about, it's that I didn't have the patience.

There WILL be the old me, back on it, back being the homemaker that I always took so much pride in.  I miss her, so very much and am thrilled to have reached this moment where I'm ready to make a change.

Past year has been absolutely miserable for me, I haven't been very happy to be honest, and not because of anything outside of myself, but because I wasn't being true to myself or my family or my house.

I know this post is long and I apologize, but I needed to vent and get my ideas in order, and if this in any way helps other homemakers out there, then even better.

I guess ultimately what I'm trying to convey here is that we all go through these moments and just as easy as it is to fall off that wagon, it's not impossible to get back on.

So if you've been feeling as I have, just know that it's normal and that you can start to enjoy your role as a homemaker, and when you do, taking care of the family and the house won't seem like such a difficult, frustrating task to do.

If you've made it to the end of this post, thank you, thank you for listening and reading, I so appreciate it :)

16 comments:

Carol said...

♥♥♥ I totally understand this! That's how life is, though isn't it? You fall off a wagon, then remember why you were on it in the first place, so you get back on and keep going. Here's to enjoying all the little things that make a house a home :-) (And PS: I did totally steal your idea -- I found that basket at Family Dollar and I'm using it for the same thing. Thanks for the inspiration!)

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

I've been deep cleaning, so I can be completely ready come planting season. It motivates me to stay on track I think. I'm making lists for winter work that we can do indoors to prepare for spring goats too. As for rushed meals, sometimes that's what happens in our lives. I look at rainy days as a time to tackle all the jobs I can't do when I am working outside. Two new pups are my new alarm clock, so I am up at 5am almost every day.

threesidesofcrazy said...

Welcome back to the wagon train my friend. It's a great place to be emotionally and physically. For some reason the holidays being over and the prospect of a brand new year is what helped me get it all together attitude wise. As you know I know EXACTLY how you feel and very much appreciate what you're saying. I will finally get a range next week and a kitchen sink later today so am really excited to be back to enjoying being a homemaker!

Unknown said...

Good morning, I completely understand we moved into our new/old house last January. It needed alot more work than we thought especially plumbing so that took alot of decorating budget away. Sometimes I sit and look around and think what in the world have we done! But it is slowly coming together. I get exhausted from painting, flooring, every room cleaning, outside painting, fencing etc. not all done probably take 2-3 more years to complete, but like you I'm gonna keep on keepin on! Thankful for being blessed to be able to take care of our home. You and your blog are an inspiration so thank you :)

Wendi said...

I don't know anyone who hasn't been there. I am glad that you coming out of the fog that a busy, overwhelming life sometimes leaves us in. Welcome back! I have declared this the year I thrive and not just survive. Here's to a great year!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

I understand too, as I've felt the same way since losing my dear husband in Dec. 2012. It's hard to just do for me, but I'm slowly getting into my new groove and I am thankful for each new day.

You inspire so many people dear Sandra. Just take life one day at a time.

Love, hugs & prayers ~ FlowerLady

Linda said...

I always enjoy reading about your journey, Sandra. I hope you get back in the flow in order to suit yourself. This phrase has really helped me keep from feeling overwhelmed: Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can. (Arthur Ashe) Best wishes and looking forward to more updates.

Stacy at Exceedingly Mundane said...

I understand and I relate. But I must reiterate, Sandra, don't beat yourself up about it. You do a great job, I imagine, day in and day out and you guys are happy, healthy, clean, fed, etc. It is something you love and it will come back, in time. Don't forget what is written is Ecclesiastes: "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven". That's one valuable lesson I've learned as I age, life is truly about seasons. It comes, it goes, everything changes, and just going with it and recognizing the season you are in and that God is with you through is enough.

Have a blessed day! :)

Amy at love made my home said...

I hope that you can get back to enjoying your homemaking and approach it with enjoyment too. xx

Naomi said...

Oh Sandra, this post has come at the perfect time for me, just the encouragement I needed to get back to it with a smile not a grimace!

I was in such a home making funk last year - I guess because of pregnancy/demanding newborn and serious sleep deprivation for 6 months or so - but now that is all passed and it has just allowed me to form lazy habits :-( I've not even been keeping up with my blog reading but I'm so glad I clicked over to you today!

I hope you are soon able to get back that joy in homemaking you once had :-)

Naomi xx

Kara said...

Oh, I feel your pain so much! I've been in the trudges lately too, and I'm just now starting to see the light, slowly but surely. Always nice to know that others feel the same sometimes!

Unknown said...

Same! I really lost myself in 2015 and I've missed it so much. Here's to a better year! ;)

Crista said...

Don't forget to give last year's Sandra a warm hug, and thank her for keeping everything together under such difficult circumstances as you wave goodbye and move forward into 2016. She weathered some storms on the journey for sure! Here's hoping this year allows you to settle into the routines your love.

Unknown said...

As you can see from these posts, you are far from alone. I think many women often feel loss of self since we are responsible for so many things, so many activities, so many other people. Even if it isn't homemaking, we all have our 'things' that make us feel more ourselves. For me, it's that time for self - to read, journal, listen to music...and I have periods of time when I get drowned out completely by everyone and everything else. No wonder we get depressed and crabby! Hang in there - you can pull yourself back on track!

Jen said...

Hey girl. Im totally with you. I miss dinners a the table too...I miss plants. I have a list and buying an aloe vera plant is on it. Im getting ready to re pot my poinsettia. Madison will be gone next year...makes me sad to think about it.

GranthamLynn said...

Sweetie we all fall off the wagon sometimes. I'm sure we all have different reasons.
And, we might not even know why. I 'get' what you've said. I have felt the same way this year. For me I know it is work related. My job was killing me. I had no energy left when I got home. I was barely able to walk up the stairs. My last job was also emotionally draining. Praise the Lord in Dec. I found another job. It's still physical but the emotional drain is gone so that helps.
You are a wonderful mom and wife. I love that you've share yourself and your family here. You are an inspiration. You may not know it. But you are.
I'll be praying for you. I need your prayers too.
Thank you for Happy Homemaker Monday. I've only been back a few weeks but it is a structure and routine that I need.
Thank you for blessing me each week.