Newbie yearbook staffer (practicing interviewing skills): So, Ms. H, what do you do in your spare time? You know, when you're not teaching?
Me: Ha ha ha - that's funny.
pause...pause...pause
Me: Oh! That was a real question?!
Spare time? What do I do when I'm not at work? Hmmmm. Well, I'd love to be able to say that "I travel extensively" or "I volunteer at local animal shelters and food banks." I'd like to say that in my spare time "I cultivate my own organic vegetables" and "I paint watercolor landscapes." Or at the very least that "I blog regularly."
I'd like to say those things. But I can't.
What do I do when I'm not at my full time teaching gig? I'm unbelievably busy at my other full time job: being Izzy's mom. Is that time considered "spare" time? Probably not. Though it is the most IMPORTANT way I spend my time, and I get more joy and more reward out of being a mommy than I ever have at any job I've ever had. Still, it isn't "spare" time.
There really is very little time to spare, when I think about it. Nope - I cannot spare a square of it.
So where does this leave me? Is there room for just little ol' "me" in TIME?
It's difficult at best. I'm just now learning to seize the opportunities when they occur. If I get to blog once a week - awesome! If I get to read a chapter of a good book for half an hour - hooray! Even if I just get 15 minutes to browse through Pinterest - I'm stoked. I'll take these "spares" when I can get them and relish every second.
Heaven knows they are rare.
And if I'm not traveling the world right now - or saving it - that's okay. The time I have will have to do and I'll do my best to make the most of it.
Because really, who has time to spare worrying about spare time?
Smiles,
Today's Gratitude List:
- Homemade oatmeal cookies
- A little spare time to blog :)
- Pantry full of groceries
- My husband's big strong arms
Hi Niki,
ReplyDeleteLove your photo today! Don't want to sound cliche, but being a mother is definitely the hardest, yet most rewarding 'job' in the world, isn't it? If you have the luxury of spending quality time with your child, consider yourself lucky. I am so thankful that I did and returned to tutoring when she was in junior high. Enjoyed this post, thanks for sharing!
Poppy
Hello Niki :)
ReplyDeleteEntertaining post. I often think about all the plates most of us have spinning and feel sad that modern society sees fit to guilt us into taking on more. I mean, every woman I know is a multi-tasker, but the pressure to do more and be more is ridiculous. It should be enough to say "any time I am not in the classroom (or board room, etc.) I make a point to do nothing but be a mommy." You can 'save' the world one little person at a time by giving your child/children quality one-on-one time. You'll blink and they will be packing for their dorm rooms, so enjoy every minute. You can do organic gardening and volunteering then!