Stress LESS

It is no secret that I have been a huge supporter of Crystal Paine's book Say Goodbye to Survival Mode.  I felt like it was Christmas all over again when I received my paper copy in the mail.  It has completely changed my day-to-day life, especially as a stay at home mom.  The words came out best in an email I sent to a local business, suggesting that they add Crystal's book to their Mom's Book Club.  I wrote, "I am not a paid spokesperson, just a mom who loves this book and wants to share the joy with other women."  It couldn't be more true.  But I experienced another truth this past week, and I thought it was important to share. 

After you finished the book and implemented Crystal's tips, you have officially said goodbye to survival mode.  Felt great didn't it?  But saying goodbye to survival mode doesn't mean you have said goodbye to all stressful days.  She says it herself in the subtitle: 9 Simple Strategies to Stress Less, Sleep More, and Restore your Passion for Life.  You might have eliminated the things that were causing you the most stress, but the fact is, you are bound to have a bad day every now and then.  It's just the way it goes.  Last week was particularly challenging for me, for instance.  Regardless of setting a morning routine and being more organized, you can't prepare for your kids to get up several times in the middle of the night.  This was something that was completely out of my control, but something that affected me physically and mentally.  I. Was. Exhausted.  And so were my kids.  Which made for a very cranky combination.  We played, we did crafts, we tried to get out of the house, but somehow it always came back to someone yelling...myself included.  And naturally I began to beat myself up about the way the week had gone.  I felt guilty that the house wasn't clean and that there were things left undone on my to-do list.   And I really felt guilty about ignoring my kids to work on a rapidly approaching fundraising event.  (Where was this book before I said "yes" to being co-chair?!?).  :)

By the afternoon I was officially in breakdown mode and desperately needing a nap.  Then I received a text form a good friend who was also going through her own (breast pump triggered) breakdown.  I immediately told her to let it all out.  That it would get better and she was a good mom.  We had a heart-to-heart via text, and it was just what I needed.  Then, as if on cue, my sister came over to give me that extra little push.  She witnessed my growing lack of patience, and eventually saw the tears form in my eyes.  Even knowing my sister wouldn't judge me, I felt like the worst mom in the world.   But she told me the same thing I told my girlfriend.  "We've all been there.  It will get better."

We can take all the steps in the world to stress less, but we are bound to have an off day every now and then.  And that's ok.  Embrace the bad days.  Cherish the good days.  Thank God for every day.  And be sure to have a good girlfriend or a sister on standby!!  :)