A Moment of Creative Inspiration Captured

The Journey

This journey is mine
And it's mine alone
Your journey is yours
And it's yours alone.

There are times where
Our paths will intertwine 
While there are others
We'll leave each other behind.


Ebbing and flowing
On our quests through this life
Doing what's right for us
Perfect in that time.

Know in your heart
The connection we share
No matter what happens
I'll always be there.

Sometimes I hold my hand out
To see if you still care
Then I gently remind myself
This is not a time we'll share.

This journey is mine
And it's mine alone
This is a journey
I must travel on my own.

The Juggle Continued .....

After hitting publish on my last post, I realised there some other things I want to shed some light on, yet failed to. I think they warrant an additional post to explore a little further, after all this juggling thing is multi-faceted.

No amount of scheduling, planning or discipline seems to abate the "Mum guilt". It's always there hanging out in the background. I have learned that just because it's there, doesn't mean it needs to be paid any attention. Quite often a simple acknowledgement of its presence is enough to keep it at bay.

I have come to love the variety each day brings. This is a pretty big thing for someone who has always needed certainty and comfort to feel safe in this world. Perhaps it's because I am experiencing variety in the comforts of my own environment, otherwise I may be penning a different story.

I love the freedom of making my own rules and deciding how I will spend my time, rather than being dictated to by a clock. Something I was reading the other day, indicated that there's a massive shift away from the traditional format of office work and a rising trend of flexible, own businesses, working from home. It's about time the rest of the world caught onto reality.

Spending time with my kids is one of the greatest gifts I've experienced. Simply just being available to listen, to talk, to play, to cuddle, to laugh, to comfort is a whole new concept and a wonderful gift to be cherished each day. I see just how far I've come this time around, how different things are. I've realised that a mother grows into her role just as her children grow into each size of clothing.

Please do not look at me and think that I am a Super Mum. I am not. I am simply someone who has a passion for more than one thing and have been fortunate enough to work out a way to do it all. And most importantly in my own space and time. While may bank balance may not indicate the wealth I have around me, my life is full of abundance and richness across the board. I do not want for anything. All my needs are met. And for me, that is happiness, bliss and achievement all rolled into one.

If you are looking for a way out, a way to escape, a way to create your own reality then start day dreaming. Start writing down your deepest desires and wishes (I'm well aware this may seem awfully airy fairy, but if you don't know what you want in life, how will you know when it shows up on your doorstep?) Dream and dream big. Dream vividly and in full colour. Start thinking "what if?"

When you know what you want in life, the universe has a funny way of conspiring to make it happen. How would you love to spend your days?

The Work From Home Juggle

The end of May marked the end of 12 months maternity leave. It also marked me committing to working from home permanently. I left the tenures of my "permanent" employment status and my payroll details now have casual lodged beside them.

In some ways this was very freeing and in others very freaking scary. For the first time in a very long time, I have backed myself knowing that I am good enough at what I do to be able to support working solely from home ..... on one of my passions.

For those of you who have been following and reading my story for a while now, you'll be aware that I have a few things I am passionate about in this life. Committing to casual home user in my travel agent role has allowed for a lot more freedom and flexibility in other areas, allowing space and time to pursue those passions.

It also means that I am well aware of the struggle of the juggle that happens each day. Being at home in my environment is warm, cosy and comfortable, not to mention full of distractions. I can go to the fridge whenever I choose, make a coffee, switch on trashy tv or put on an audio book at my leisure. The world is totally my oyster!

It also means that I am well aware of when the house is dirty, the washing is piling up and dinner needs to be prepared. I have an almost-walking just shy of one-year old heartbreaker who is still very much dependent on me for all his needs and a Little Miss Prep who needs to be ferried here and ferried there. Plus I have my other desires pulling at my heart strings for me to pay more attention to them. My hands are always full, quite often overflowing!

So how do I do it I hear you ask? Most of the time.... not so well. Some days it works and some days it doesn't. Some days I can plough through my to do list and have my tasks completed by lunch time. Other days I barely get to touch the list. And I'm getting cool with accepting that.

What have I learned?
Flexibility is the key - nothing ever goes to plan. One email can change my whole day. I do what I can when I can.

Doing what I can when I can - I make the most of moments as they appear. If bub is sleeping, I am in work mode. If bub is awake, I am in Mum-mode including him in what I am doing.

Being kind to myself - the thing with working at home on your own is that there's a lack of cheer squad there to give you a pat on the back or a pick me up on the days you need it. If you can get it done that day, great. If not, it can wait, The world isn't going to end if it's not completed today.

Being in the moment - wherever I am in my day and whatever I am doing, I am wholeheartedly making an effort to be "ALL" there. My attention totally focussed on that task at that moment. Yesterday has been and tomorrow will come. Here and now is what matters most!

Each day is an opportunity to begin again - just because I tried something yesterday and it didn't work doesn't mean I can't try again today or attempt to adapt my strategy. It's important to change things up to avoid falling in a rut, Fresh air and sunshine cure EVERYTHING!

If one way doesn't work, try another -  a favourite quote of mine is "5 +4 =9. So does 6 +3." Different methods, same results.  There's always another option, an alternative, a different choice. Embrace flexibility!

So there you have it, from one mother to another. Do you work from home? How do you manage the struggle with the juggle?