Do you ever imagine a different version of your current life? Like if you reorganized your schedule and priorities and replaced your personality and drive with something else? I do this often. I plan out my days with some ideal version of myself, that I would probably hate if I met on the street. It would never work out if I tried to implement these changes. I would lose focus just about the time the alarm clock went off.
Here is my pretend life.
Wake up at some unpleasant time in the morning, long before my kids get up. Put my slim and toned self into cute, matching work out clothes and go out for a fast paced, easy run. Come back and start some amazing breakfast, hop in the shower and use amazing smelling products. Get dressed, putting on very expensive jeans that fit perfectly that I happened to get on a great sale so I get a sense of triumph while wearing them. I will have good hair and nice make up on and a cute shirt on that isn't too much like a t-shirt but just casual enough that I don't feel bad wasting it just ithe house. I floss my teeth.
I come downstairs to my immaculate livingroom and finish up the breakfast prep, setting the table on place mats that don't have a spot of food on them. I walk easily into my kids room to wake them up, not worrying about stepping on a random car or Barbie shoe. They get dressed and ready without any fighting or arguing. We all have a delicous breakfast together. I have already put most of the dishes in the dishwasher so it is a fast clean up. I pack Ava's lunch of all healthy, fresh foods and we are out the door with time to spare.
I come home from drop off and spend the day not trying to undo messes, but really just doing deep cleaning tasks. When I do laundry it is all folded and put away that same day. I don't have bags for Goodwill laying around my house because I never put off bringing them downstairs and actually dropping them off. I play with Rhys and take him to some class at the park district.We have a delicious healthy lunch and I once again clean up the kitchen. Rhys takes a nice quiet time, I spend it doing a Bible Study and beginning dinner prep.
I make a delicious dinner and dessert. I am always trying new recipes and we never are missing just the one key ingredient. Ava has a nice healthy snack to come home to....
Ok. Fantasy is over. I just got tired making that list. Here is my reality. I woke up and checked my email on my phone. I got Ava up and argued with her to get out of bed for 10 minutes. Rhys had his coat and shoes on before Ava got int he shower. We had cereal for breakfast in the last three clean bowls in the house. Ava ate in her underwear because I forgot to put all of her uniforms in the dryer last night. Ava couldn't find her shoes and kept messing with other things when she was supposed to be putting them on. Rhys took off his coat while Ava was getting her shoes on and refused to put it back on. We walked out the door with Rhys crying and me wearing pajamas and boots. Ava got to school 2 minutes before it started. I came home and did a load of laundry and dishes. I then lost motivation and decided to browse recipes because that is productive, right? Then I wrote this post.