I know I’m supposed to be writing about things I love this month but do you have any love/hate situations?
You know, you hate to do them but you see the benefits so you love them?
4 come to my mind that I confess to hate:
1. Exercise.
2. Household chores.
3. Cooking.
4. Shopping for clothes.
What well-respected 41 year old woman, wife of 16 years & mother of 4 makes those confessions? This woman. They all seem superficial when I type them out but there are moments during each week where I say to myself or out loud to a friend or my husband {he is such a patient man!} my hatred for them.
Yes, I know the benefits of each, how they’ll make me a better person & my family will be healthy & I should be incredibly thankful for the funds to buy clothing. Let’s just be honest, with each addition of a child in our family, the love/hate relationship with each of these increased.
During this 31 day journey, I’ll share with you how I’ve managed to tip the scales towards loving #3 & #4. I’ll share a few recipes that Greg & I have perfected. I’ll also talk about how using a personal stylist has helped me big-time with taking the pain out of clothes shopping. {hint: Stitch Fix!}
Today, we’ll punch through #1 & #2.
Exercise – it seems this one has been my nemesis since college. As responsibilities increased, the time on the schedule for exercise decreased. It has been a roller coaster battle ever since. I have shared this battle with you before – how it helps to have a friend, & when life is crazy, one of the best things I can do is exercise...but clearly, it’s a battle. I decided a few years ago that I wasn’t going to allow myself to feel guilty about it but apparently I’m slacking in discipline.
How am I starting to love it? During this new season of my life, I am taking some classes at the local gym & starting to build some relationships with the other women that attend the class & that will make a big difference.
Household chores – 6 people in a 979 square foot house generates a mess very quickly. There are no closets to throw the mess into and shut the door. It’s all out in the open.
Also, I’m married to a man that loves it when things are neat & tidy. I love my husband dearly, but he’s so neat that he rarely needs a napkin to wipe his mouth when he eats. I’m serious. My napkins are always a huge, crumpled mess at the end of a meal. I’m not saying I’m messy, but I enjoy my meal! 16 years ago, I said yes to his neatness & he said yes to my mess. We have been growing in love & patience of those characteristics ever since.
His no need for a napkin at a meal doesn’t mean he’s a neat freak but I know he likes a clean house. I do to & sometimes the piles of papers & the mess of 3 boys sharing a bathroom {ick!} & the dust & the finger smudges on the fridge that you just cleaned 5 minutes ago & now the entire house is a mess again & that can be overwhelming thus making me hate household chores. Deep breath.
What has tipped the scales towards loving household chores? Kids! Thankfully, now that the kids are older, their responsibilities have increased! They have always had chores but now there’s a little more elbow grease involved. I’m doing my part to train them for their future families.
Thanks for listening to me babble & allowing me to confess these love/hate situations & how I hate to love them…or is it that I love to hate them? {smirk}
Now it’s your turn. What are your love/hate situations?
{This is a series of posts for 31 Days of Love & Hate. To read the other posts, click here.}
Greta says
I hate to mop. But I love the way it looks and smells when I finish the job. I agree with all of your list except chores- something gives me joy about clean. 🙂 But the repetition of it can wear on your soul. I also loved the comment you made on another post about socks. If I had 2 more children I can see how it would overwhelm me because I detest flipping the socks as well. (even if I am guilty too)
Love the honesty!- and you!
caroline says
oh! eden loves to mop. she doesn’t get every nook & cranny but that’s ok! and the socks! oh my. i put them in a big pile now after they’re clean & let them sort.
Rachel G says
I can definitely relate to having things I love/hate. Most of the ones that come to mind are healthy foods that I just don’t like–but I believe that they are good for me and I feel great when I do eat them! It’s a problem. 😛
Rachel G recently posted..Why Don’t I Make Money Blogging?
caroline says
Me too! It’s bananas for me. I hate them but there have been a few times when I’ve made myself eat them because I need a potassium boost.