Journey 2 Zendipity

I can’t remember when it was, where I was, or the why but I remember when my kid was much much younger (toddler younger) a lady I didn’t know told me to leave the dirty dishes for another day. I’ll explain in a bit.

So at this time in my life my son was a toddler and I was a single mom working 2 jobs and going to school to get my degree. I slept very little, I used all my free time to sleep for a couple of hours, spend time with my kid, and mostly clean. I would do homework during my work breaks, while my son napped in between daycares and caught up during whatever time I could take off.
Point it.. I was stretched thin.

OH, and I somehow still managed to make it to the gym. I have no idea how cause now I actually have the time and zero motivation but on 30 min of sleep I was ruling my world! In all fairness, I didn’t want to wake up my son too early in mid-sleep to take him home so I’d go to the Gym to kill some time between his pick up and the next job.

Anyways, I think I was at the grocery store. Not sure why but I really think so and I remember talking about having to go home and clean. Now, this was a total stranger ( that I DO know), an elder lady who clearly didn’t know what was truly going on and asked if she could say something.

She proceeds to tell me that the kids grow up too fast, of course, I had heard this. Then she tells me if there was anything she wishes she would have heard sooner was.. leave the dishes for another time. The house is YOUR home, if it’s messy.. it can be messy so as long as you are comfortable but those memories with the little one only come once. They will never be today’s age again. They get older by the minute and the cleaning will be there.

I know someone reading this will think it was literal to the T but it wasn’t about that. The point was, being overly picky about all the stuff that needed cleaning at that time was unhealthy. I was alone raising my kid, the days were passing, the memories were happening fast, I was already missing so much of the time and my already pretty clean home was stressing me out to the point where I was missing out on LIVING and truly ENJOYING my kid. I mean shit.

So fast forward and it took a lot for me to get to the point where I could leave something on the counter without it driving me nuts, or not be picking up all the toys after him, or fidgeting over the smallest shit. Eventually it got easier as I reminded myself, a KID LIVES THERE! lol a Toddler at that.

IF guests came over, they were GUESTS. They did NOT have to come over if they didn’t like the place how it was. I barely was even home anyways so even on its worst day it was probably cleaner than it felt at the time, plus it was my sons home too. Not just an adults. It was just me and my son. So why not leave his mess to an extend somewhere and let him feel comfortable too?!

So that’s what I started to do. Instead of cleaning every minute I had, I started setting certain days. Well first certain chores for certain days. I set days that NO cleaning was allowed.

Let me tell you, I do not care what absolutely anyone says, it was the very best thing I did at that time.

I was less stressed, I spent just a bit longer with him, I enjoyed the mess ( a little) because it was him making memories, I learned to appreciate the living conditions of a toddler ( again.. a little) and seeing him excited to wake up to one of his toys as decoration (just on the floor) was pretty damn awesome.

❤

So why am I writing this? Let’s be real… I have no f*ing clue.
I started 3 other topics, went down multiple research rabbit holes, spend an hour on funny videos, came back to writing, heard an awesome line (all the way at the bottom), and finally.. ended up here.

Usually, when this happens, It’s either something I need to remember so I can adjust something in my life to better align myself OR someone else really needed to hear this. Whichever it is, I won’t know at this moment.

Make those memories y’all. Today is the absolute youngest you and your loved ones will ever be and the oldest y’all have ever been. It’s such an underrated blessing to have another minute. We all take it for granted, I know I do. I appreciate any reminders to bring me back into alignment with gratitude.

Life really is damn short but it’s not just about life life.. it’s about LIVING life is really short. We spend so much time at work and with responsibilities that we leave the smallest chunk of time for the things that matter. So if we are going to keep living in this ass backwards world then we might as well make sure that when we do have those moments to LIVE, that we cherish it.

Put that damn phone for a bit. Just breath. Not just for those around you but for yourself. You are a person deserving your own love and time.

Sending you all so much love and positive thoughts for your next memory.
-K

Just randomly heard this. Must be for someone:
“While waiting for that open door from him, praise him in the hallway.”