Another day, another early start for this mama.
I am clinging to this quiet time in the morning at the moment, relishing a window to myself while the world and my tribe slumber still.
September is here, and with it, change beckons. Our eldest starts Reception at “big girl school” next week, our second following suit a few weeks later with starting nursery. And with these new starts will come a new rhythm to our everyday, a faster pace and fuller schedule for all. The changes are positive ones, and we are all excited for what lies ahead. But this summer has been good to us, so I am also sad to see it go.
It has been so liberating to not have to be anywhere or do anything other than the plans I handpicked over the last few months. I deliberately kept the pace slow, having given myself permission to not keep up with the (perceived) more adventurous mamas. And once again, life in the slow lane has been just what we needed. Our baby has had the space to settle into a happy napping routine, which has made life easier for all of us. I have stopped barking out orders in the morning to “go go go” and have been able to play with the girls more before we head out the door. My daughters have become even firmer best buddies, which has been pure joy to watch. And we’ve been able to work on a few rogue issues that were driving me nuts by the end of the summer term, like getting them to tidy their room daily. Most importantly, I have rediscovered mornings to myself, that sacred early hour of “me time” carved out to read, write and get my tank ready for another day of overflowing into my family.
The next few months will be full, and the planner in me is mentally racing ahead. What will it be like for my girl to be at school for two thirds of her day? Will she like it? Will she make new friends? Will I? How will our sweet second daughter take to nursery? Is two mornings enough for her? How will we spend Christmas and our littlest’s first birthday? Questions and wonderings and hows and whats and ifs and whys, all swimming around this mama’s head and heart.
Yet while the new season beckons, the old has not quite departed. We have a handful of summer days left to indulge in. So I will reign myself in from racing ahead, again. I will focus on our present tense, on more slow mornings, slow play, unhurried walks, spontaneous snuggles and reads, and on all of my precious girls being together.
Because ultimately, all I have is my right now. And to mentally race ahead is to miss the point. I cannot be here fully if my questions and concerns keep pulling me five steps ahead.
So I will purpose, again, to not be anxious, to let tomorrow take care of itself, for it has enough worries of it’s own. And to enjoy my right now, in all of it’s glorious imperfections. I’ll keep you posted on how our transitions unfold.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done”. (Philippians 4:6)
If you liked this, you might also enjoy:
- My Everyday Matters newsletter – you can sign up at the top of this page.
- “Make Over Your Mornings” 14 Day Course
- In Praise of Slow
- Tell Your Time – How to manage your schedule so you can live free.
- Learning to love the in-betweens