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Mom Stress : Is trying to be Super Mom stressing you out?!? Part 2


Continuing the conversation of Blessed but Stressed, Stressed but Blessed! 

In 2009, I learned I needed to block my time but not just in tasks, but also energy. Began writing out all the things I needed (and wanted) to get done in a day from house care, family needs, kids schedules, hubby needs, to volunteering at the school and the church, even praying for others and my Quiet Time with God. You don't realize how much there is to do, until you do!

So, to see what my day really looked like, I created a calendar in a word doc and copy/pasted everything over in to it. This even included names of people I wanted to pray for each day. I realized it was impossible to get all the things done I wanted to as quickly as I wanted to when I also considered the energy required to complete certain things.

It was in this season, I also recognized my need for time off. Moms never really clock out. We can't. Even when we step outside the door to have coffee with a friend, it never fails someone is texting looking for the TV remote, their wallet, a missing paper or wants to know what's for dinner. Mom Guilt + No Boundaries meant I always watched my phone for messages and responded to them. Then, I realized I wasn't teaching honor. Not only did I need them to honor my time to rest, I wasn't honoring myself in the process either. 

So, here are few things I did:

1.) 30-60 min Break in the afternoon.
I gave myself permission to rest. I began setting aside a time each day before the kids came home where I could give myself a time to take a break, guilt free and reset myself for the other half of my day. I let my family know my phone would be on silent mode with an alarm for me to know when my time was done and I would check messages at that time. Having this conversation is important. They will forget, and you will too sometimes. It's okay. We are always one choice away from course correction and grace!

2.) Rise Early .for a Coffee Date with God
I also started getting up before everyone else to give myself time to pray, meditate and prepare for the day.  This was NOT my personal Bible Study time, just to be clear, I know some people can get their brains going first thing but I found the afternoon time a better time for me to do that type of thinking and absorbing. 

3.) "Day Off"
It's true that a Mom's work is never done, but I needed a "Day Off" just like every other working adult. Thursdays became my Guilt Free Day Off. Let's be real, Moms never really have a day off, but to set aside a day to play is important for our hearts and souls. This topic could be a whole other blog! I will come back to this another day!

It took time to adjust. In the beginning you can't stop thinking about all the things you could be crossing off your list...all the things waiting for you when you get back. Once you learn to surrender to the day and you feel the refreshment, it becomes easier and enjoyable.

The blessings abounded when I started implementing these things. I felt like I had a plan. I felt like I was accomplishing everything I wanted and needed to get done. I didn't feel guilty for taking time for Me. I was not longer consumed by my days, instead, I consumed my days with intentions. 

This allowed me to reset my heart, mind and soul. A depleted heart has nothing to give but fumes and eventually those fumes burn out the internal heart motor. 

If this sounds familiar and you wish you could find you again, I see you! I was you. Maybe I will dig up those old templates to share, but in the meantime, I encourage you to write down every task personally and professionally you wish to or need to accomplish each day/week. Then, allot the time it will take you to accomplish the task. Next, consider the energy needed.

Seeing your days on the calendar not only helps you, but it also shows the family what is happening when. It helps them honor you and your time too when they see all that you do. I don't know if you've ever heard the words, " What did you do all day?!" Well, now you have a calendar / schedule for them to check out themselves!

Seeing all you plan for is a good visual for them to understand the need to give you ample time to help them with their needs and minimize the last minute emergencies because they for got to tell you something. I would encourage them to implement the same process for themselves. 

I created a chore chart and calendar for the family too, I set up all our To Dos for us in the kitchen where teveryone could see what was happening each day from house things to school things and after school stuff! With 4 kids, it ws a lot to track and be mindful of. 

They were able to see full picture of what was needed done in the house and how we all had a part in caring for it. Nothing was unfair. Everyone had a place to serve, contributing to the whole! Here's where you can create any system that works for YOU and your family. 

Oh, printing out How To's with chores is also helpful and posting it in the place it makes most sense, like in the bathroom or bedroom for Cleaning the Room Instructions. I learned that from my friend Vickie! Brilliant!

I hope this helps you in your overwhelm. You don't need permission to take control of your time and energy or to run your home like a ministry / business / mission house.. It's something I found helpful to do, not because you are not a Super Mom, but because you are the COO, the Mom, the Care Taker of your home. Our homes are our workplace, our ministry, our training ground, our resting place. Let's structure it as so!

Here's the first part of Stressed but Blessed if you missed it! 

Big Heart Hugs Mama Friend!
Michele


If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
 in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!

Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
I am so glad (and honored) you are here! I have been blogging since 2009 as a way to journal out my thoughts as I pray God would use these story shares as practical heart encouragements for YOU TOO! We all need to recall and share those Living Stone moments.
Feel free to look around and make yourself at home! 

If you're looking for Journals & Books, check these out over on HeartsFromGod.com too!!

If you are looking for an Online Sister Community 
?Are you an Introvert Rising?!? If you are looking for a Community of HEART Centered, Jesus Lovin' Sisters ready to rise up over their insecurities and seek after the Heart of God?!?  Meet us here! 

I share encouragement over on the Facebooks on my personal profile as well as the Encouragement Page Livin’ Where Faith Is on too.

I have two free resources for you: 
1.) If you'd like some help sharing YOUR story or testimony, here's a link to grab the fill in the blank PDF I created to help you get started sharing YOUR heart with others! There's a video that goes with it over in the But God Sister Squad Community on Facebook.

2.) www.CreatingSpaceforGrace.com is PDF I share the things I have done (and do) the help guard my peace on the daily!!! I get asked about this all the time, this is my practical resource guide!

Heart Hugs and Blessings,

Michele"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Ephesians 3:14-21 ESV


Pssst...by Law, I have to share there are affiliate links in here where I earn money from your purchase when you make a purchase! it's affiliate marketing and I love not having to sell stuff! And you know me, I am not gonna sell anything, but I will share everything! I love it! 

A Little About My Heart

 
Born and raised in the church, a Christ Follower, Kingdom Encourager, Wife, Mama, and an Overcomer! GLORY TO GOD!!

I lived most of my life fearful, anxious, and insecure.. I found myself always hiding but serving, striving for perfection in my less-thanness, as a way to earn my worth to self, God and others, sacrificing in the name of serving, hospitality and humility...putting others needs before my own from a place of hiding in my lack, and trying to earn value rather than serving in the space of grace, confident faith and overflowing love. 

Never attaining, only to lead a life of more insecurity, overwhelm, anxiety, and panic, screaming to break free from this bondage, to be that actual strong, courageous Christian Woman everyone else seemed to be, but me. 

BUT GOD.

In 2009, Where Faith Is was born as a blog, learning my voice behind the safety of a keyboard, building courage to speak my truth behind the screen...and here all these years later, Little by little, God is expanding my heart boundaries as He reveals more of His to me. I am so excited to share so freely! 

I especially love being an encourager to other encouragers in the faith who know they are called to encourage yet they themselves struggle with their value and ability. Isn't that how the enemy works? He tries to disqualify us in the same area we are called to shine! What an irony!  

I believe if more people let go of fear and insecurity, surrendered to grace and BELIEVED their value, their spark for life will return to a roaring fire that lights up wet wood! 

When women choose to walk courageous and strong in body, mind and spirit...they step out of the boat and walk on water as Peter did, part the waters like Moses and set more people FREE in His name through their Divine purpose to the Glory of GOD! We are each a Light House of Strength on the shorelines of Grace . 

Friend, you may not believe it, but you are meant for more than eat/sleep/work/repeat. You are also equipped with good works to serve and bless the Kingdom Body, and the world with His Love, through YOU! You've got to surrender your fear and let Him lead you.

You are more able than you think you are and most likely, the thing you feel is the weakest part of you is the strongest thing about you!

If you are an introvert too and want to be a part of our newly launching online community, we are here for you!! Let's Connect! It's an honor to encourage the Encouragers.

I am H.I.S. (Heart In Surrender & Service).

Hugs & Blessings, 
Michele

"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:1-4

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