Work, Love and Play

Do you guys read Gweneth Paltrow's Goop?  I really don't read on a regular basis, but every now and then something really catches my attention.  Last week, her words on "Ending the Mommy Wars" really jumped out at me, especially with the timing of Mother's Day.  If you have a minute, you may enjoy her interview with Brigid Schulte, author of Overwhelmed: Love, Work and Play When Life Gets in the Way.  (Warning, the interview is a bit lengthy, and although I don't necessarily agree with everything that the author suggests, it really is pretty interesting and eye opening.)

Of course since having Virginia, my thoughts on work and mothering have definitely changed.  I often evaluate how and spend my time, making sure that I make the most of it.  Even if you're not a mother though, I think you would have a few take aways from this article.

A few things that really jumped out at me:

• "...the richest and fullest lives make time for the three great arenas of life: work, love and play."
• "...busyness has supplanted leisure time, joy and refreshing the soul."
• "...what society expects of mothers today is more than we've ever expected of mothers.  We expect them to be ever present, to cater to a child's every need and to do it all alone."

and my favorite,

• "...flip your to do list.  Realize that not everything is going to get done.  There'll always be more stuff.  So put the most important stuff first.  Joy first.  Fun and Play.  Taking care of yourself.  Those should be daily to do items for living an authentic and happy life."

So what do you guys think?  Overall, I've been really good this year in not sweating the small stuff, and just enjoying Virginia during my non-work hours, but I'm going to make even more of an effort to flip my to-do list and schedule fun and self care.  I'm going to really make a point to have something fun (even if just simple low key fun) take place every weekend.  I'm also going to make a point to say no to some stuff in order to avoid the busyness trap that's so easy to fall into.

~Mary Keller

p.s.  I know I shared this photo yesterday too, but I can't help it.  I just love this sweet girl and her Mother's Day card too much!