Make sure your goals are specific and do-able. For example:- Losing weight (be specific on how much you want to lose and when you expect to reach your goal weight);
- Learning the art of Scrapbooking or developing any other interest or hobby;
- Learning to dance (this could be a fun activity both you and your husband can pursue);
- Becoming a swim instructor (Perhaps so that you can work from home and teach people to swim, using your own swimming pool at home);
- An overseas trip;
- Growing green or
- Growing your own vegetable.
Stick to your plan
Don't be too strict on yourself but allow yourself a reasonable time to accomplish what you set out to do:
- Buy that exercise bike and start exercising, or go walking in the evenings;
- Go to that hobby workshop or evening classes and then set time aside for you to practice your hobby, to study or exercise.
Take a definite lunch break
Stop whatever you are doing at 12pm or 1pm and take a lunch break.
Make some yummy sandwiches or crackers and cheese and enjoy it with juice or tea on your living room carpet or on a picnic blanket outside.
Your kids will love this special hour with mom and you will enjoy the break.
Love what you have
Focus on what you do have, instead of on what you don't have.
Often we are down and "depressed" because we compare ourselves to others.
There will always be someone better off than you - who drives a better car, has fancier clothes or a better paid job.
"But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load." Galatians 6 verse4 - 5.
Stop wasting time on what if or if only. Don't say things like:
- When I get that job I'll be happy;
- I'll be happy once my kids are older ;
- I'll be happy when I get that new car, dress or new house or
- If only we had more money.
This will only make you morbid and tempt you spend money you don't have.
Focus instead on all you do have :
- Your health;
- Your faith;
- Your husband;
- An ability to appreciate the simple things in life;
- The joy of having your kids at home with you ;
- Friends and family who love you
- And a roof over your head and food to eat.
Bring your petitions before the Lord
"Take my joke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my joke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11 verses 29 - 30.
Bringing your cares and concerns before God in prayer and trusting Him to undertake will bring you Peace.
"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" "And the Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4 verses 6 - 7.
Exercise
Try to find 15 to 45 minutes, depending on your own set of circumstances and available time, to exercise two to three times a week:
- Take the dog for a walk ;
- Meet a friend twice a week and walk briskly around your neighbourhood or
- buy a second-hand exercise bicycle and cycle while watching your favourite program on TV.
Exercise will help brighten your mood as it releases endorphins as one of its many benefits - which is a mood enhancer.
Have some ME time
I feel tons better after I've spent a bit of time by myself. A bit of
ME time,
once a month or perhaps even once a week, can go a long way.
At the end of the month, you won't feel that it was just all about your kids and husband.
- Take time out and read a book (perhaps do this every Sunday afternoon);
- Take that Sunday afternoon nap [after your book reading ;-)];
- Meet a girlfriend for coffee or have her over and chat up a storm;
- Make time to do your make-up and car for your hair . Even if you spend most days at home - if you look good, you'll feel good too or
- Apply that once a month facemask.
Make time for each other
Falling in love doesn't take much effort but loving someone takes much effort.
Love needs nurturing and care to survive - like a tender flower.
Make time for your husband and strive to be his number one fan and supporter.
It is important to know that through difficult times you have his back and he yours - so that even if the whole world is against you (as it will sometimes feel), you know that your husband stands by you.
Time and money doesn't always allow regular date nights but once in a while, this can be fun but little acts of affection can also go a long way....
Years ago I heard about the "love jar", and thought it was a fabulous idea:
Cut out 24 or 48 strips of paper, depending on whether you want to do a two-weekly or a monthly draw.
Each partner takes 12 or 24 strips and, in private, writes down on each strip of paper something they would love to receive from the other person.
The idea is that you fold these notes and place them in separate "his" and "hers" jars and then once a month, or every two weeks, each of you take one note out of the other person's jar - don't tell your partner what is written on that note. You now have one month or two weeks, until the next draw, to make your partner's wish come true.
You can write anything down - obviously within reason, budget and your husband or wife's abilities.
One of the things my husband asked for was - "make coleslaw" (thinly sliced cabbage and carrots with mayonnaise) - what a simple request.....but he loves it and making it was my "love-act" to him.
Other possible list ideas :
- buy flowers;
- dinner and a movie;
- cuddle in front of the TV;
- a walk on the beach;
- picnic for two;
- a weekend get away (this could also mean leaving the kids with your parents for a weekend and spending time together at home) or
- Scrabble night.
Frugal Family Fun
My heart soars when I see my children having fun and enjoying each other's company.
I am so grateful to be their mommy and have them as part the family.
Having fun as a family is important for bonding and for stress relief. I have previously written about frugal fun where I gave ideas for affordable and or free family fun.
Below are a few fun things you can do with your kids at home. If you are looking for more frugal fun ideas then please take a look at my
Frugal Fun page
.
- Camping at home
Set up camp in your garden and have the kids spend the night complete with sleeping bags, camp food and camp songs.
We have a friend who plays the guitar and have ended up singing songs late into the night.
- Garden skittles
Put some sand or water in 4-6 two-litre plastic bottles and play skittles in the garden using a tennis ball or cricket ball.
- Games night
Board games can be great fun and you can develop a love for it in your children.
Set aside one night a week or once a month with no TV and fun food and spend the evening as a family playing Monopoly, Cluedo, Pictionary or even just a simple game of snap.
- Play-play garden
My boys love this one.
Find an old tray or try to get hold of empty beer boxes - often liquor stores will just give it away. A shoebox lid or old cat litter tray will also work.
Let the children fill it with sand and create their own miniature garden - creating trees with twigs and leaves, flower beds with flowers from your garden and whatever else their imaginations come up with.
I hope you have found these fun attitude adjusting activities helpful and that they will help in some small way to put a smile back on your face.
Blessings!
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