For the most part, I'm an extrovert. I feel rejuvenated and revived after social interactions and by being with other people. It's not to say that I don't need my quiet time to myself, because I do, but being social recharges my battery for sure.
Because of this I like to make friends and spend time with them. You've probably noticed by now that the girls and I are often on outings with other people. But lately things have been changing due to sickness, conflicting nap times, and newborns, and I find myself feeling lonely and drained a lot more.
I'm not one to sit around and be sad though, so I decided to continue our outings with or without friends.
And I've learned an important lesson for me. We obviously love our times with friends and I would probably shrivel up and die without them but I've found that these adventures alone with my girls are also just as recharging. When I'm with them I am fully focused on them. I don't worry about other crazy kids or if any mama is stressed. I'm not frazzled as I try to have adult conversations while also refereeing sharing time. We don't rush and worry about anyone's time schedule. If Hazel wants to walk this way and that way, we can do that. If June wants to sit and examine something, we can do that.
During one of our mountain adventures, June wanted me to drive up as high as we could go so that she could "be on top of the world and see grandma and grandpa's house."
It was kind of windy up there.
So we went lower and found the river and lots of rocks.
And I realized that these were the times when I am truly present and in the moment, creating the kind of memories that gift me with a past that I am proud of.
I come away from these moments feeling full.
And I'm not lonely one bit.
5 comments:
So much fun,. I usually prefer to go places alone, especially our forest. Max (a massive extrovert) is always inviting people to go places with me and he has a hard time understanding that I like to go alone! haha! That being said, I still love interaction, especially with my closest friends.
PS, I love that June wanted to go to the top of the world!
I feel the same. I love being with friends, but doing things with Elora alone has resulted in some of my favorite memories. It's nice to have no time table and just do whatever she wants to do.
This makes me happy :)
I just figured something out! A lot of times I read your blog and feel like I am such a lame mom because I didn't take my kids on outings very much, and you are always taking your kids cool places. But I am a total and complete introvert! It all makes sense now and I don't feel quite so lame!
Yep, each choice has its challenges and it's rewards. I guess you need to show June a satellite map of our house and how she can see it from the air and then zoom in and she can see it from the road hopefully. She certainly did have a great idea.
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