Reflections From The Trenches: Choosing To See The Beauty

I am writing this from the trenches.  The exhausting, overwhelming, and yet beautiful trenches of motherhood, and I am going to admit it: Some days I am worn out.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids.  They are the best little people to have come into my life and I feel honored and privileged to be mommy to these perfect little ones, but sometimes I am tired.

From working moms to stay-at-home-moms, I  know we’ve all experienced it.  The dishes are stacked, the laundry is piled, and everyone is needing ten different things NOW.  This is when I start to question myself and wonder if I am doing a good enough job, and I can’t push aside the feelings of being  overwhelmed and just plain tired. I get worn down by the little things and I forget to look at the bigger picture.

Despite these feelings, I’ve decided to change.  I am reclaiming motherhood, and I want to thrive.  I am fighting the exhaustion, and I am going to soak up the rays of this messy thing called motherhood.

Instead of focusing on the exhaustion, I am trying to take a step back and reflect on the importance of motherhood.  We are life changers. We are raising the next generation of movers and shakers.  We are molding the character of the next generation of world leaders, and we are raising the future mothers and fathers of our grandchildren.

I am also trying to focus on the beauty.  I will see the beauty in the late night nursing sessions.  I will relish the sweet moments of messy dinners and dirty faces.  I’m choosing to overlook the crayon covered walls and messes, and instead I’m focusing on the wet baby kisses, tiny voices, and little hugs.  They will only be here for a few short years, after all.  This beauty that I take advantage of pales in comparison to any of the tiredness I could feel.

I am not saying that the exhaustion isn’t real.  It is.  Every mother has experienced the unpleasantness before.  However, I am trying to change my focus to appreciate the wonderful moments that I will only have the joy and privilege to be a part of for so long.