My church is big on the word grace. We talk about it a lot, especially in how God extended us grace when He saved us. We also talk about knowing when to extend grace to others.
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But have you thought about when to extend grace to yourself?
I ask this because I’ve had a hard fall. As I entered December I had a plan to drive in really hard, have serious school until this coming Friday, and then somehow miraculously get all caught up with the things we hadn’t finished earlier in the semester.
Instead of printing the same week of Illuminations 3 times in a row, I as going to suddenly get everything done all at once. Like 4 weeks completed in 2 weeks time.
Then the first week of December hit and we had some minor illnesses, and by Tuesday of the second week I threw in the towel.
I decided to extend grace to myself. I wasn’t going to beat myself up because I didn’t get all of the work done.
I wasn’t going to keep trying to make new schedules to get done.
I wasn’t going to worry about writing or things like that because my health was starting to be affected by my stress levels.
Instead, I played with the kids.
We made wrapping paper, and I didn’t care that the floor still has paint from our first round of paper.
I cleaned rooms long overdue in cleaning. Thus reducing my stress level.
And I’ve made time for starting to write again after almost a week of not writing, and instead just staring blankly at a computer.
But, I’ve set myself free from the worry of not getting it ALL done, and life has been better. Except for the poor sick boy who looks absolutely pathetic right now.
Amen! We did the same thing. I need to learn from this and block in a bigger section of time for our Christmas break.
That’s what I learned from this year as well.
aww I hope the poor sick boy feels better quickly!! Yay for giving yourself grace!! You are so right it all doesn’t have to get done!!
I’m hoping so too, unfortunately now, all 5 of us are sick, and poor Princess is missing her AHG party because she’s sick. I feel sorry for her.
ohh no poor Princess!! Sammy and I have a cold and I am so hoping its better before Christmas!
Being kind to ourselves is SO important! I hope you all feel better soon!
I’m always amazed at you great homeschooling moms that get so much done…you included even if you don’t feel like it right now. Moms definately need to give themselves some grace, especially this time of year. Hope your little one is better soon. Merry Christmas.
Kelly
I think you are very wise!
And I hope everyone in your family gets and stays healthy soon!
My favorite phrase these days is a quote (or almost quote) from Gone With the Wind – “Fiddle dee dee…I’ll think about that tomorrow!”
Hope everyone is starting to feel better around there! I am terrible about not extending myself grace and then pressuring those around me to do too much because I am stressed out by my own self imposed to-do list! I am working on it even if it means school or cleaning may take the hit!
Glad you made time for some messy fun. We were in town today and I said to C(10) it felt like we’d been through some kind of “Christmas portal”. Everything just feels different this side of it. It was a precious time for us though, getting together with so many loved ones. I hope yours was special too.
Very good post! We are so hard on ourselves!