Guess who's back?

Guess who's back? Back again? The blog is back. Tell a friend.

I've had some of you asking when I'd make another e-ppearance.

 

Well, I was growing (& then, raising) a tiny human... who turned ONE yesterday. (Was I really gone THAT long?) Anyway... WE. ARE. BACK.


Here's the thing... It took so long because, well, I do not want this to become a mommy blog. That wasn't my intention when I started this (See Naked Not Ashamed), and although I could talk about my kid for the rest of my life... I'm not going to... on HERE. However, I can't pretend my life hasn't significantly changed in the last year. I will be writing about those changes and including lessons I've learned in this new season of motherhood.

I am a mother.  Although that has become a part of my identity... It is not my identity. It is not who I am to the core. It is a role I play, amongst many other roles.

It's one of the most significant roles I've ever had. I have a tiny human relying on me for e-ve-ry-thing. That's pretty significant. It's currently my full-time role... as in, I’m a stay-at-home-mom right now. When I do begin working again... it will still be a full-time role… because motherhood, whether you’re a working mom or a stay-at-home mom, is more like an ALL-the-time role with no sick days or vacation time. Even when I'm not with my child, I'm still a mother. If I'm honest, it's also one of my favorite roles I've ever had to play... One that demands much of my attention, much of my energy, much of my love. 

But I was ME before my daughter came into the picture... And I will be ME when she's out of the house and off to college.  Even when she's off to college, I will still be a mother. (which, at this pace, will feel like tomorrow! How is my kid ONE already?!) I digress... 

Stick with me here. I have a point I'm about to get to. 

I have other roles that I must continue to play despite this wonderfully, significant, ALL-the-time "mother" role thats been added to the list. 

I'm a mother, indeed. I’m also a wife. I did not stop being a wife when I became a mother. I am a mother & a wife... AND a believer of Christ, a leader, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a mentor, a mentee, a dancer, a fighter, an avid reader, a runner, a blogger... & SO. MUCH. MORE. Not necessarily in that order. Each of these roles require a different amount of attention. Each of these roles needs to be prioritized differently. They're all roles that I play that make up who I am... down to the core of who I am. Sometimes I have to put one role on pause to focus more on another. 

Most people find their identity in one specific role that they play that takes up much of their time and attention... at the expense of other roles that should be equally significant. 

Some people are doctors, social workers, entrepreneurs... And their jobs take up so much time... and money... and energy. Your job is not WHO you are. It's a role you play. Who would you be if, God-forbid, you lost your job? Don't neglect your other roles as a parent, as a friend, as someone with other interests and hobbies because of that one role.

Some people are proud girlfriends (or boyfriends). All of their free time, their conversations, their emotion is consumed by that one role... sometimes at the expense of other relationships and other roles.

Some people have been the victim of abuse. Victim. It's a role you've played too. But it's not who you are at your core. Some people have screwed up big time. They play the role of a failure. You are not the mistakes you've made either.

Those are all roles. It's not who you are to your core. You would still exist without that specific role.

Take a few minutes before the year is up to reflect. Identify the roles you are currently playing. Write a list if you must. Now start scratching some off the list. Start putting some on pause. Step up to the plate for others.

Just slow your roll people, and remember that the roles you play make up who you are, but cannot be where you find your identity. 

Being a stay-at home-mom will probably not last too much longer. I am savoring my time with my Avery Joy  (the ONE YEAR OLD kid I've been referring to), and I'm enjoying these last few weeks of playing the full-time, ALL-the-time role of being a mother. 

But I wrote a list recently. I’m making time to step up and take on some of the roles I’ve scratched off the list this past year. Guess who's back? Back again? The runner, the reader, the dreamer, the blogger... they're all back.