It used to be that I could handle stress – I was cool as a cucumber, grace under fire, calm personified. Apparently not any more. My body has started some sort of coup d’etat – it aches, swells, my food sensitivities have returned and my mouth has erupted in ulcers. Its not a pretty site here.
I know all the things I have to do to get this back on course – change my diet, exercise, BREATHE but the reality is that right now, in the grips of depression and during one of the hardest times of my entire life, it’s going to take more than I have to make the change.
I’m hoping that after the move (in just over a week) and then the handing over of the house (just over 2 weeks) that I’ll be able to start taking better care of myself. I know, I know, I SHOULD be doing it now but I don’t have anything left – a shower is a success these days.
Strangely, amid the chaos there have been some brilliant moments. Maisie and I have been playing and dancing together every day and her laughter is truly infectious (and her bum dancing is HILARIOUS!). I’m also seeing where I want to take some of the things in my life – things I want to let go of and others I want to race forwards with. Perhaps the fact that I’m frozen in place and literally taking stock of my house is allowing me to see things in a different way. Bear with me over the next few weeks will you?
And in the meantime if any of you have moving tips or tips for living in a small apartment (especially after living in a large house) please let me know!!!
*Photo from the Flickr stream of Seabamirum, used under creative commons.
Tips for living in a tiny place – reduce your stuff (I know sounds obvious) we are in our smallest house yet, tiny kitchen, no eating space, 2 tiny bedrooms, and we have tossed a lot of stuff from our life. Hang in there hun, moving is super stressful and then with the PPD on top of it, you’re doing good just keeping your head out of the water!
Duck´s last [type] ..The end of the blog line
Living in a teeny-tiny place was a really good thing for J and I when we were starting out with a little one. (We have the opposite problem now, but that is beside the point.) I always think downsizing is good for the soul. With a BIG move on the horizon, downsizing is probably prep. (Can you send some stuff over in advance?) More than anything, I think embracing a small place is about attitude: are you cozy or cramped? And luckily your kiddo is at an age where anything and everything is a toy, still. (Um, batteries??)
Twitter: RosieScribble
Oh, no wonder you’re stressed if you are about to move. I’d make lots of lists and use it as an opportunity to have a bit of a clear-out, if you can. Good luck with it.
Rosie Scribble´s last [type] ..Mummy- I want a sister
Twitter: AmberStrocel
I don’t really have any tips. But I can say that, under the circumstances, it sounds like your reaction is probably pretty reasonable. I hope that, in a couple of weeks when things settle down a little, you find the room you need to breathe.
Amber´s last [type] ..I Didn’t go to Kindergarten
Twitter: Apartment_Mama
Oh man! When I have had busy shifts at the hospital, combined with lack of sleep from being a mum, my body starts to hurt and I feel aches and pains. My only solution is to figure out how to get more sleep. Adequate sleep is such a big part of mental and emotional health. It allows the body to recuperate and recover. Clocking in the ZZZ’s also helps me feel calm. I notice when I am going on a real sleep shortage that I am more emotional and am quick to feeling tense and angry. Even if it means I didn’t do something on my ‘to do’ list or skipped a load of laundry, I always feel so much better focusing on a good sleep.
Mama in the City´s last [type] ..Deep Fried Oreos and Family Fun
Ugh. I’ve been there. Not with a little one, but with moving and work being crazy and traveling and my body hating me. Hang in there, there is a end somewhere.
Be really honest with yourself about what you can do without. Figure out what you haven’t used/worn/looked at/etc. in the past few months and get rid of it — clothes, books, DVDs, cooking utensils, food that’s been in your cupboard for a long time. It’s really hard and kind of emotional to do a big purge, so pace yourself, but in the end it’s very freeing. If you need inspiration, read apartmenttherapy.com — it’s geared toward people who live in tiny places.
The Modern Gal´s last [type] ..On love- life and death
We’re raising 5 children in a 1500 square foot log home. Seems like clothes are big Clutter Breeder in houses with children. Pare down the wardrobes drastically, and if you have bags of hand-me-downs coming in, sort on the porch and be ruthless about what comes into your home. Something in, something out. I also keep a cardboard file box for each child- the certificates, treasured artwork, and other keepsakes go into these.
Twitter: The_EmilyB
Wow! I can already see that with clothes & have bought some storage bins for outgrown stuff but we’re also borrowing a fair amount so I’m hoping the fact it can go back to its original owners will help! Thanks for stopping by!
Twitter: The_EmilyB
Great tips MG and OMG apartmenttherapy.com is gorgeous!