Yesterday afternoon was a whirlwind. The clock was ticking towards 5 p.m., and I was deep into a work project while my 3-year-old, Lila, demanded my attention like it was her job. Our dogs were off the rails, barking and bouncing around like they’d just had a double shot of espresso, and our house looked like a tornado had hit it. As I made my way from the living room to the kitchen, I could almost hear the dramatic music playing in my head while tumbleweeds of dog fur rolled by. Lila’s freshly washed and folded underwear, which I had proudly organized days ago, were now strewn across the living room floor. The kitchen island resembled a graveyard for half-finished coffee mugs.
When my partner finally got home, he whisked the dogs away for a walk, giving me a precious moment to wrap up my work. With the house still in chaos and my mind racing, I poured myself a glass of red wine and headed upstairs, ready to indulge in a rare luxury: a hot bath. I created a bubbly paradise (using dish soap, because, you know, priorities) and was about to slip in when Lila bounded back in, seeming to return from the world’s shortest walk.
“Mom, are you taking a bath?” she asked, eyeing my wine glass.
“Yes, I am,” I replied.
“Cool! Want one of my bath toys?”
And just like that, my stress melted away. How could anyone be annoyed at a little one offering bath toys? So, she stayed in the bathroom, happily playing while I enjoyed my wine and soaked away the day’s chaos.
Every day brings its own challenges, and yesterday was no exception. As I sat there, still in my pajamas and with unbrushed teeth at 5 p.m., I took a look around at our messy home and thought, “Just toss it in the forget-it bucket.” My partner once reminded me that nobody can manage it all, not even me. And sometimes, we don’t even need to manage half of it.
What to Toss in the Forget-It Bucket
Laundry? It only gets done when I’m down to my last pair of jeans or clean underwear. Forget it.
Cleaning? My partner often quips, “Nothing cleans like company!” because that’s the only time we truly tidy up. Forget it.
Lila seems to be stuck in her phase of fearing everyone except our immediate family. She gets shy and covers her eyes in public. I’ve run out of excuses and no longer apologize. So, I probably look like I’m raising a little terror. Forget it.
Our dog, Max, has taken to digging holes all over the yard and nothing I do seems to deter him. Forget it. I’ve managed to kill every plant in the house from sheer neglect, as my attention is consumed by Lila’s constant hunger cues and Max’s relentless nudging. Forget it.
I watched four bananas slowly rot on the counter without even making banana bread. Forget it. We’re trying to retrain Lila to sleep in her bed, but I’ve crawled out of her room more times than I can count. Forget it.
I owe responses to countless texts and emails from friends and family, but honestly, I’m lost on where to begin. Forget it. It often feels like I’m juggling fifty balls, but I only manage to catch a few. The rest? They land squarely on my head. Forget it.
And yes, I know someone will read this and think, “You think that’s bad, try having…” oh please, just forget it!
Here’s the reality: while we’re all navigating this journey together, at the end of the day, we’re each doing it on our own. Choose what goes in your forget-it bucket. It’s yours, and you have the freedom to fill it however you wish!
You may prioritize a clean home more than I do (and let’s be honest, most people probably do). But as long as you’re not living in conditions that warrant a social services check, you’re doing just fine in my book!
Everyone has their own set of priorities, and it’s essential to keep your focus on your own list. What’s significant to others may not hold the same weight for you, so don’t let someone else’s checklist distract you from your own. And maybe, just maybe, consider tossing out all those “How to…” articles into your bucket too. Instead, start a dialogue with yourself that begins with “How I…”
If you’re interested in more insights, you might want to check out this post on Cervical Insemination for more tips. And for those looking into at-home insemination kits, Make a Mom is a great resource. Finally, Rmany offers excellent insights into pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, embrace the chaos, prioritize what matters to you, and don’t sweat the small stuff. Sometimes, it’s all about what you choose to let go.