As I lie awake at night contemplating the list of tasks I didn’t accomplish, I often ponder how I spent my free time before embracing motherhood. It feels like a distant memory, as if I’m trying to recall a language I never fully learned. “Free time” – is that a term from a different culture?
On those rare occasions when both of my little ones manage to nap simultaneously, I find myself tackling mundane chores like dishes, laundry, or taking a shower. Whether it’s scrubbing yesterday’s dishes, dealing with my partner’s laundry, or attempting to reclaim some semblance of hygiene, there’s always something demanding my attention.
Looking back, I can’t help but chuckle at the activities that once filled my hours. On nights when my partner was away, I would indulge in a glass of wine and simply watch dust particles dance in the light—oh, the trials of yesteryear!
Here are some of the seemingly pointless things that occupied my time before I became a parent:
- Nail Painting: I spent an hour meticulously painting my nails and waiting for them to dry. Now, I can barely find a moment to use the restroom, much less watch paint dry.
- Hair Styling: My round brush, once used for curling my hair, is now a toy for my toddler.
- Spray Tanning: I would apply spray tan and prance around in my underwear, careful not to touch anything until I was perfectly bronzed. Now, I can only imagine the chaos if I tried that with my kids around.
- Hair Trimming: I used to trim split ends one by one. Nowadays, my children often pull out my hair, so I’d be better off super gluing it back than trying to manage it.
- Delicate Hand-Washing: I used to hand-wash delicate items, but now, washing my children and the fancy dinnerware is more than enough.
- Alphabetizing: I used to organize everything alphabetically—books, DVDs, you name it. Children have a way of curbing such tendencies.
- Ironing Baby Clothes: While pregnant, I ironed clothes for my future child, believing it would be a new norm. It’s laughable now.
- General Ironing: Ironing has become a rare occurrence; wrinkled clothes are now the standard.
- Hanger Swapping: I spent two days replacing wire hangers with wooden ones for aesthetic reasons. Now, I just wonder why we even have hangers.
- Cooking Lengthy Meals: I used to prepare meals that took over 45 minutes. Now, the microwave is my best friend.
- Makeup Application: I would spend an hour applying makeup while listening to music. Now, it’s just the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme on loop as I rush to apply mascara.
- Face Treatments: My beauty regimen has been reduced to a simple wash and moisturizer.
- Morning Meditation: My stretching now involves reaching for a coffee mug, and my patience is thoroughly tested by mid-morning.
- Sleeping In: The luxury of sleeping in is but a distant memory.
- Going to Movies: A spontaneous movie outing is now a carefully planned event, with potential babysitting crises looming over it.
- Grocery Lists: I used to meticulously organize grocery lists by store sections, but now it’s a chaotic scramble through the aisles.
- Recording Pet Videos: I once filmed my dog thinking she was the center of my universe. Fast forward, and I find myself recording my kids’ adorable moments instead.
While I may no longer have the time for these activities, I’ve gained priceless moments in motherhood. Just yesterday, I spent an hour with my children working on puzzles, hearing my son invent new phrases and watching my daughter take her first steps. These moments, once mundane, are now the highlights of my life.
In retrospect, perhaps those 17 activities were not as essential as I thought. I never really enjoyed face masks anyway.
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Summary:
In this article, I reflect on the seemingly trivial activities I engaged in before becoming a parent, contrasting them with the meaningful moments I now cherish with my children. From beauty routines to leisurely pastimes, motherhood has shifted my priorities and filled my life with moments that truly matter.
Keyphrase: Parenting and Free Time
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