Being brave

Blogging about new motherhood often ends up leading the way to a lot of self-reflection and comparison. I've heard that comparison is the thief of joy, which I somewhat agree with. I agree comparing your life to another's can lead to negative thoughts and self-doubt, however it can also lead you to be brave and do something out of your comfort zone.

I'm being brave and have signed up to do the Spartan Race with a few friends. I have been looking at pictures online this week and somewhat regretting that decision. Fifteen obstacles? A rope climb? Oh my, I am going to be soooooooore afterwards. You may be asking, “why on earth would you sign up for something like that?” I am doing it for a few reasons: I like to see how fit I actually am (though I am sometimes disappointed with the results), I want to show The Babe you can do anything you put your mind to (even if it means finishing further back than you would like) and I also want to try something different from my usual solo running and swimming. I may regret this, this being brave thing. I may injure myself. I may cry, throw up or get yelled at by my teammates (you know who you are). But I'm going to try, and that's half the battle.

There are some other people in my life who have recently been brave and I'd like to applaud their efforts here. A family member and his new bride are choosing to leave their known life here and make their way in France, a daunting venture which can only be done with the open minds they both have. To leave all you know for the unknown in another country is extremely brave, so kudos to them! I’m hoping they blog about their adventure so we can keep up with them from across the world.

Two people close to me are studying for new careers, a decision not easily made by anyone - to leave something you know can support you, to learn entirely new industries full of risk and reward. Well done my dears and keep up the good work!

A mom I know chose to recently leave her job to be a stay-at-home mom, something not as embraced as the opposite in this 21st century world we live in. The balance between work, life, and family is different for everyone and finding your own balance and embracing it takes conviction. Recognizing what's good for the goose isn't always good for the gander and supporting that recognition is something I constantly work on as a friend and family member.

So, if you don't hear from me for a while, it may mean the Spartan Race didn't go as I planned. Or you may hear from me a lot more if it goes really badly ;)

Wish me luck!

~ H

Having trouble staying motivated

With life. With fitness. With sleep training. With budgeting. Apparently with blogging too, judging by the date on my last post. I love starting things. Developing a new project gets my blood pumping. But I always need an extra push to stay motivated. At work I don't seem to have problem, but perhaps that's because no one can fire you from your own life. Add a baby into the mix and now I almost always have an excuse not to finish things. Didn't do the dishes? The Babe was fussy. Forgot to work out for the last week (okay month)? The Babe was teething so no one was getting any sleep, hence the lack of energy to exercise. Haven't blogged in a week? That's because I can't sort out what to blog about. And the Babe was fussy ;) Maybe it's because I'm a Taurus, or a Dog, or a little scatterbrained. Or all of the above. But when the adrenalin wears off, I'm usually the first to hop off the productive bus.

So I have asked for help, because motivation doesn't always solely come from within. I've signed up for stroller boot camp, ugh. Every week for the next month I'll be twisting my mouth into a grimace at a local park. Please help me group fitness instructor, to return to a summer body I can love. I've made a budget and asked the husband to help me work the system I've created. Please help me BabySteals by not posting anything cute or exceptionally well-priced for the next month. I'm blogging tonight while the Babe sleeps, so there's two things done. Please help me readers, by commenting on my posts ;p

~ H