What makes you happy?

What makes you happy?

It’s just a simple question, really…

But…do you know the answer?

What do you like to do, really?  What are your hobbies, your interests?  What do you do in your spare time?  What makes you, you?

If you quit your job tomorrow or got a full time nanny and you actually had time to yourself, what would you do?  What lights you up?  What makes you happy?  

No guilt, no shame here, remember?  But what would you do – Just for you?  What would you do? Remember that adorable little five year old self, what would she do?  What did she love? Something lit her up from the inside out – do you remember what it was?

Don’t know – neither did I until about a year ago, but I am getting there, and here’s why it’s so important that we all figure it out…

For years I don’t allow myself time for any of that.  I made everyone else my priority and put myself last, dead last. I couldn’t possibly do anything for myself because I would first have to relearn what I love then decide what to do about that.  But who has time for that?  

I have cooking and cleaning and cuddling and researching healthy foods, and helping that latest friend or family member with their latest aliment.  And now it’s summer, so it’s weeding (which I am terrible at – I prefer to call my gardens “areas of growth”) and repainting patio furniture and whole host of other things that give me less time to do the things that I need time for!

Or is there?

We can talk all day long about all of the things that we SHOULD do – all of the things that everyone NEEDS our help with, all of the food that HAS to be cooked, the health issue that NEEDS to be investigated, the new appliance that we NEED to research before purchasing, the bathroom that NEEDS to be cleaned…but what if it didn’t?

What if we tell ourselves they are because we are scared shitless of what’s really important?  And what if what’s really important is finding our own happiness?  

What if the issues we tell ourselves are the most important things to do really aren’t? Click To Tweet

Our own happiness?!  Oh hells no!  That would be selfish and terrible and our children would think we wouldn’t love them and the other mothers at school would think we were slackers and our lives wouldn’t appear as perfect as we want them to?!  Oh god, what if?

Well it’s time for what if…

What if you took the time to find out what lights you up?

What if, for once, you did something that shows your children that you are more than “just a mom,” that you are a human being with thoughts and feelings and interests and heaven-forbid even passions?

What if by choosing to light yourself up from the inside out, you were really showing them that the key to happiness is finding that joy within yourself and what if teaching them that was the key to their happiness?

What if…?

Sit with that for a little while and see what comes up for you.

Are you scared shitless and don’t know where to begin? -No worries mama, I sure didn’t…

Check back next week and I’ll show you how to find that fire that is still alive within you (I promise you it’s in there) and just how important it is to yourself and your family. You can also sign up for my email list to get weekly updates on how to bring your happiness back, or how to remember the you that’s inside of you.

So today, do one thing today that makes mama happy – just one small thing.  Lemme know what it is in the comments below, and follow me on Instagram so see my #justonething for today. I love hearing what lights other mamas up!

Now, go – be happy – and I’ll see you next week with the how-to’s.

XO,