Showing posts with label kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kids. Show all posts

Monday, April 9, 2012

I ♥ Pinterest

Now that I recognize the "Control Freak" within, I've been looking for ways to channel this dominating part of my personality to enhance the positive effects and minimize the negative impact in my life.

First, I had to figure out the root of this trait (The "Why").  Why was the need to control so much more prominent in my life these past few years? Well, most mothers... working mothers... all women, period, can agree that the many "shoes" we wear in our daily lives can sometimes be almost impossible to juggle without a misstep.  

There is no such thing as a "to-do" list because most of us have more than just one or a list that has multiple "subcategories."  There's a list for the kids (sometimes one per child), one for the house, one for the others who rely on our "expertise," and then finally a list for ourselves (which often remains unchecked). 



With all this mental clutter, it can be a daunting tasks to manage all the things we have to do, need to do, and want to do.  All the plans we have to make, need to make, and want to make. And on top of that, some things I personally don't have the mind-space or mental capability to figure out how to get everything done in the most efficient time saving manner.
 



Then came Pinterest...

What is Pinterest?

Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard.

Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.

Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.





For ideas to help with my need to be organized, neat, and put everything and everyone's stuff in our house, I have...



For my need to save money on things I can do myself but not "right brain" enough to think of, I have...



For my need to remind myself of the things I like, need, and/or want for my kids, I have...



For my need to make cooking less of a pain in my busy schedule, I have...



For my need to focus and enhance my sense of style and spark my creativity with limited time and  funds to always buy new and high-end, I have...



For my need to have a frame of reference for ideas for design and decor for our new home, I have...





Pinterest is my virtual holding tank for all the things I just can't keep in my brain, but want to have on hand if and when an opening comes up. 








Yeah, I know, this new Pinterest habit may be just another manifestation of my Control Freak gene, but at least it's essentially harmless... I hope?  Check out my personal pins and boards. You might just get hooked too :-) 

Follow Me on Pinterest















Latifah

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Control Freak Be Gone

Baby powder + a curious toddler =  THIS!!!

Type A.  That's what most people who know me would call me.  Being in control of every aspect of my life has been somewhat of an obsession. 

After years of trying to engineer every thing and everyone around me (more failure than success), one major thing has been my "wake up call" in realizing the happiness that comes from letting go and not having to control everything - my kids.

Not that I was willing to relinquish and surrender to the reality my children brought to my life, but after years of walking around uptight, on edge, and STRESSED OUT about every aspect of their little lives... something had to give.

I'm quickly learning the difference between raising my kids and controlling my kids' lives.  Understanding success comes from failure and life lessons are necessary for them to face the world with confidence, I am learning to let go of things that really don't matter.

So, I'm learning not to freak out and think my son's future is bleak just because he brings home a less than stellar report card. As my hubby reminded me, just because I was a straight A student doesn't mean my son will be or has to be.  OMG... he's right. How unfair it is to my son, and myself, to have this expectation. One report card does not equal complete life failure.  Get it together, Latifah

So, every day I'm learning to let go and take life as it comes. It's kinda crazy. My kids have made me tighten up but loosen up at the same time.

Still not completely free of my inner control freak, I'm learning to channel my need for order to make sense of my world and the world around me in a way that doesn't make me or those around me CRAZY!!!

Yes, we're flawed. But admitting our flaws and attempting to self-correct, makes us so FABULOUS!!!











Latifah