I’m often a little too hard on myself I think, which is why my Hubby is such a blessing to me because he keeps me a little more sane. For Christmas he gave me a whole bunch of books I’ve been wanting for ages- I’m desperate to read them, but until today I hadn’t even picked one up. Which of course led him to ask why, and presume that I must not have wanted them at all. To which I had to reply, no I really really do want them, but reading is a luxury I just don’t have time for. At which point he laughed at my ridiculousness and ordered me to relax today and do no work.
Honestly there are two things I love my Hubby telling me I “must” do : Shop & Relax.
But isn’t it silly that I need someone to tell me to do that?? My problem is that whenever I sit down my mind immediately jumps to all work or chores that are as yet undone, the errands I have to run, or the constant feeling I have that I haven’t played with Bunny enough that day… so I feel guilty and get up. I just hate idleness. I’m a list maker, cronic organizer and a painfully hard worker, and it just seems so self indulgent to spend hours reading. Growing up I never saw my parents sitting for more than a few minutes, so the concept just does not compute. I guess I need to get over myself, and learn it’s okay to take more time for myself. (Someone please tell me I’m not the only crazy nut like this!!)
So this is what I’m doing today – reading Elizabeth Gaskells North & South (seriously if you love Pride and Prejudice you will LOVE North and South!) and playing with Bunny… thats it. It’s going to be awesome. The dishes will remain unwashed, the laundry is in a big pile, the house is a mess and the bills have not been paid – but I’m learning to be okay with that, at least for one day!
Reading – Elizabeth Gaskells North & South
Cardigan – Made by me (get the tutorial here)
Leggings – Refashioned from old trackies by me (get the tutorial here)
Flats – From a HK Market
Broach – Swarovski gift from a friend many yrs ago
And yes I am still wearing that cardigan and the leggings… told you I would be! Just want to give a quick shout out and thanks to the link love that’s been happening with my cardigan tutorial. Thanks to:
Sorry if I left anyone out, these are just the ones I know of :)
Oh yes, I absolutely know what you mean. I feel guilty all the time when I sit down to relax and even when I didn’t, in the evening I sometimes think about all the things I didn’t get to do during the day. I can really drive myself crazy that way. But luckily I, just like you, have a Love who orders me to sit down and relax sometimes. And silly enough, when he tells me to, I suddenly can. I guess I should be grateful that he’s promised to be with me the rest of our lifes, or otherwise I probably would be very, very tired at eighty years old ;-)
I’m a librarian, and I can definitely assure you: reading is not idleness! You’re fueling your brain, and best of all, modeling a love of reading for your little girl. Kids learn by example, and if you show her and your new little one reading is an important part of your day, you’ll be raising lifelong readers!
I love P&P, so I’ll be sure to look into North and South. Thanks!
ha! my husband is just like YOU! I on the other hand, have NO PROBLEM sitting around putting off things for later…my parents were both huge readers – reading til way past 2am most nights…i’d wake up and still see their lights on…although now that i have a little one – playing w/ him does compete w/ my reading time!
Reading is nourishing for the soul and mind and helps one to refuel; so you’re doing a good thing.
We women take on too much and expect so much of ourselves; I am no exception.
I know what you mean about trying to relax! It’s like I have “multi-task” on HIGH all the time. I seriously need to learn to chill out. :)
I love to read (and knit and sew) and, as a mom to 4 kids, it can feel self-indulgent to sit down and do the things I enjoy. But I think it’s important, too, to strike a balance. I find myself listening to books when I can multi-task – when I’m sewing and knitting, in the car. I have a book by my bedside and stacks in our family room.
I recently discovered Elizabeth Gaskell when I picked up the Cranford DVD at the library. (I now own it because my husband bought it for me for Christmas!) That was complete indulgence to watch the 5-part series! I read/listened to Cranford, Wives and Daughters and recently Ruth. I have not read North and South yet and I think Mary Barton is the next one on our Ravelry Group read-along. Her writing draws you in and I love the characters. I would highly recommend Ruth – the story of a single mother.
Enjoy!
Oh, I just love what your wearing. So comfy but yet so fashionable at the same time! *dreamy sigh*
You are the 2nd lady in my blog-o-sphere that is reading North and South! It is a great book. You need to read Wives and Daughters and as well – I think I might even like it better. Having just read Jane’s post above me, I will have to check out those books as well!
Ah, it is nice to have someone around to tell you to relax! I’m usually the one telling others to do that…I think I’m an essentially lazy person. :)
Glad to hear I’m not the only crazy one out there!! It’s good to have someone in your life to keep you normal!
Michelle – you are totally right! My hubby is also a book nut, and I’m convinced that’s why Bunny’s favourite thing to do is sit with a book and “read” it to herself (she’s 18mths old), because she’s sees books being read all the time.
Jen – Thanks! Wives and Daughters is definitely on my list! I have the BBC miniseries and loved it
Jane – That’s how I discovered Elizabeth Gaskell too! My MIL gave me the complete DVD set for my birthday and now I”m obsessed! Thanks for the other recommendations, I’ll definitely try those too :)
Lorchick – Thanks :) Am trying my best to stay comfy now I’m near the end, without cracking out the sweatpants – I think I will die if I have to do that!
Clothes Horse & Lyn- I think need to be more like you! Knowing when to chill is an important skill I haven’t yet acquired!
I completely understand not taking the time to just relax. Before my daughter was born, reading was one of my pastimes. But nowadays, it’s hard to find time to read. I feel guilty about relaxing when there are things that need to get done during the day, and after DD goes to bed… I want to spend some alone time with DH. I think it’s the curse of mothers to not take enough time for themselves.
Don’t worry, motherhood will cure you of this me thinks! You’ll positively RELISH a moment to yourself if it was anything like my experience. Of course, I was a single mom so maybe a teensy bit different! ;)
Enjoy as much as you can,
Pam Hoffman
http://mycre8tivelife.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/PamHoffman
p.s. found you thru the Wardrobe Refashion site just now – cool sweater redo!
[...] And I can’t wait to wear my new pieces! As I’ve told you guys before – my two favourite things for my hubby to “command” me to do are resting and shopping. Which is why saturday rocked the kasbar – because I spent the whole [...]