Since the beginning of this blog four years ago I have had two children, moved four times between two states, bought a house, and seen my business grow; yet, there is still one of life's projects that I have been neglecting: me.
There's only one of me, and I'm the only me I'll ever have for the rest of my life. That has to be the most self-centered sentence that I've ever written, but it's true! I want to be healthy and happy well into old age, so that means taking action and taking care of myself now.
I gave birth twice in 14 months. I became an emotional eater, finding comfort in sweets and other goodies anytime I got stressed. I was the mother of two babies in a state where I had no friends, and with a husband who worked 60+ hour work weeks with a 2 hour daily commute, I didn't get out much. My appearance, sense of self, my body's health, and my mental health were not doing so great.
What I want out of Project: Me
I want to enjoy exercise
I want to end my addiction to sugar
I want to enjoy more vegetables
I want to drink more water
I want to discover my own personal style
I want to take time to cultivate creativity - to create art that is just for me again
I want to FINALLY lose that 30 pounds of baby & marriage weight
I want to start sleeping more
I want to put more effort into keeping my home clean
I want to look back at my 26 year old self someday and think, "those were the days."
This isn't just about weight: this isn't going to turn into a dieting a fitness blog. This is about me, inside and out. This is about finding my own personal style. This is about unleashing the creativity in me that has been lost for a long time. It's time I find out who I am at 26, outside of my role as a mother.
This is going to take a lot of effort.
I will post my progress, my projects, my tips, my tricks, and my resources. I've decided to make this project public so that somebody can hold me accountable! I hope that you all can encourage me along, because I will need it, and if you need it too, I will encourage you right back.
Now, it is time to let go of the past. It is time to let go of the reasons I became who I am today. It is time to forgive myself for my mistakes. It is time to focus on who I know I can be, and why it is important that I liberate her.
Go, Ashley! I can relate, especially to goals 1,4 & 5. My kids are spaced a wee bit further apart than yours, but I know how lucky I am to have my mother close by. Best of luck to you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Faith! It was really hard in Chicago, but now that we're back in Michigan, help is only an hour away, and it's made such a difference!
DeleteAshley, I have never gotten to know you as well as I'd like, but I admire you so much. I know it was hard going so far away from home, but you've done so well...and those two babies are amazing! You can become anything you want....
ReplyDeleteThank you, Grandma! That means a lot to me :)
Deletethis is a good project, and thank you for sharing it. I can totally relate (I have two little ones and so little time to work on myself). I stay home every day and it's sometimes hard to be motivated to get dressed and try and look good for anyone (even myself). P.S. love your paper goods!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jane! I know what you mean - sometimes the only motivation to get dressed is the idea that UPS might knock on the door - at least in the Winter, anyway :) I hope you are able to find the time needed for yourself as well :)
DeleteI think it's so easy to forget that you need to take care of you when everyone else needs your attention. You spread yourself thin. It's interesting that you wrote this blog because I was just thinking of the same things that you said just the other day. What I wanted to add also was to make sure I could have a girls night and a date night with the hubby. I need time away from the kids and just to hang out with the ladies and do girly things. Also, I want to rekindle the fire with the hubby. I don't ever want that to go away. :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck and thank you for sharing.
You're so right, Jenny. Once you take care of the kids, the house, the relationship, a business or blog, there's not much time left in the day! Girl nights are really important too, I think. We moved here in late summer and I still haven't met anyone to have a girls night with Those kinds of relationships only get more important through the years.
DeleteGood for you!!! I love your blog and you seem like a really wonderful person. These things seem totally attainable- and when you get these things within your control, you'll feel great and everyone around you will share in this joy.
ReplyDeleteashley m