Happy Fall, friends! The weather in the great state of Colorado has been sunny and glorious (aside from that one day when we got a few inches of snow!) My body has done what any good 28 year old body would do – and got nice and sick. So now I can spend my weekend observing the lovely weather from my window. yay. So now we can look back at these photos from a healthier fall weekend when I was cough-less and galavanting through the 65 degree city with my gorgeous babies. Because what better way to preface a post about mom overwhelm than pretty fall fashion and pretending that you live in a fairytale?
Fall is my favorite season. Followed closely by summer. But only now that I live in Colorado, I hated summer in Florida. Also, fall in Colorado is like… jaw-droppingly gorgeous, so that helps (you can click here for photographic evidence 😉.)
This fall, Zoey started kindergarten. That means that 2/3 of my kids are gone most of the day. That’s okay, because I work full time now and they both love school. But this is the modern world and I know so many of my fellow moms are judging me for finally leaving my role as “homemaker” so that I can finally start to chase my career dreams. For nearly 8 years my kids were my world – but now that world has expanded to include interests beyond them.
It’s a difficult line to walk. I’m still trying to master it. I’m lucky because my boss is awesome and is super understanding of those of us at work who have kids. It’s pretty awesome that I can even bring the two older kids to work with me if I’m ever in a childcare pinch.
But some days I am simply overwhelmed by the desire to have both. To be a mom and have a real career. It makes sense, since society basically tells you that you can’t. You’re either indirectly punishing your children by having a career or you’re unable to be a dedicated employee because your children consume so much of your time. What’s a girl to do?
Remembering that the negative aspects of society are usually wrong helps. Also, reminding myself that perception is everything. I work with a few badass women who also have children and I find them inspiring.
Then some days I find myself stressed about not having progressed far enough in my career. Logically, I know this is silly. I’ve only been working full time for about 9 months. But when I observe friends or others in my age group having found so much success in this area of life I can’t help but be jealous. Again, this phenomenon is not backed by logic. I know that had I spent my 20’s building my resume instead of rearing children, things would be different. And most days, I’m okay with it.
Occasionally, I get sick and I’m forced to stop running around like a mad woman, and I throw myself a pity party. Like today. Usually I keep busy enough to be so distracted that I don’t really have time to do this much overthinking. Not that most could tell – I don’t keep my house meticulously cleaned nor do I have my shit together enough to even fake it most of the time. Oh well. I’ve learned that most of us don’t and quite frankly… I’ve just got more important shit to do. #sorrynotsorry
I suppose the only point of this post is to show other overwhelmed moms that they’re not alone. I used to be a Pinterest Mom and now I’m an Amazon Prime Mom. I used to be about homemade halloween costumes and lots and lots of baking. Now I’m about ordering costumes from my phone while in my sweatpants BAM and they’ll be here in 2 days.
And that’s okay too. I’m learning that there are different seasons in everyone’s lives. Each one serves a purpose… I’m sure of it. 😉 Some seasons are for survival while others are for thriving. Each phase has value… I’m also sure of this.
Now on to more important things… Like these high waisted Lucky Brand jeans. They are the first pair of truly high waisted pants I’ve ever owned. I’m still undecided about them. Some shirts make me love them. Others make me wants to burn them. So basically I like them as well as anything else I own. HA!
Seriously though.
Lucky Brand jeans are my new favorite. I bought one pair on clearance at Marshalls and immediately went back about bought two more. They. are. so. comfy. They’re the softest denim I’ve ever felt. And I can wear them like 5x between each wash and they maintain their shape without becoming saggy. LOOOOOVE.
American Eagle jeans are still a close second fav and waaaaaayyy more affordable option. Disclaimer though: I have purchased ZERO of my Lucky Brand jeans at full price. My Marshalls always has a huge variety of them!
I dressed them for fall with this black and white cold shoulder shirt from Target. I wore a pretty bralette underneath in my favorite army green color. I’m not sure why… but I totally dig this color lately. I wore it because the straps are decorative and pretty but also because I have big boobs. And strapless bras are the bane of my (and I’m sure other big-boob-havers) existence. And no… I’m not sorry about this either.
These booties are my jam. They’re peep toed (because most of fall isn’t actually that cold) and they have thick block heels making them pretty comfortable considering the height of the heel. I looooove the camel color and I think you could make them match maybe-probably-quite-possibly everything.
They just make any outfit a “fall outfit” with a gentle click of their heels. 😉
I realize this post was a bit all over the place; welcome to my scattered brain. But I’ve learned to use style as a form of self expression that helps me feel better when I’m feeling down and crappy. We all know by now that mommin’ ain’t easy and whatever helps to keep you feelin’ good on this journey then YOU DO IT MAMA.
Sometimes navigating the storm of overwhelm is the toughest part. There’s always so much out there telling you that you’re doing it wrong no matter how you’re doing it. You work too much. You work too little. “You only get 18 summers” and 18 Christmases. You’re not allowed to be stressed, you must always show gratitude. But I’m here to tell you… F all that noise. Feel what you’re feeling and then do whatever you know will make YOU feel better.
