Introducing… THE MOM LOFT!

-

In my last post, I talked about my spiritual quest. Incorporating a sprinkling of spirituality into my life has really been a game changer for me. Maybe one day I will write more about that, but for now it’s something I keep closer to my chest.


Today… Today I want to introduce everyone to my pride and joy. THE MOM LOFT!!! 




Being quarantined off and on for the past year, we all have spent a lot of time in our homes. If you’re a mom, very little of that time is ALONE. Even with the purest intentions of keeping the house orderly, my daughter’s toys are EVERYWHERE. I am pretty sure if you snuck into my house right now, Elmo & Grover would be hanging out on the kitchen table. Minnie & Mickey Mouse have taken over the couch. It's toy anarchy!! Where the hell do I go to unwind after surviving another day as a working mom of a toddler, managing diabetes and all the other fun stuff the last year has thrown at us?!


Back in the fall, something deep inside me cried out. My soul needed a place, all my own, to heal. Sitting on the couch in the living room just filled me with dread, reminding me that I SHOULD be cleaning, doing laundry, or something else productive. I would “Doom Scroll” through my Social Media to distract myself from the things I felt I SHOULD be doing. But in the Mom Loft, I could just exist. Meditate. Read. Be the me I really wanted to be.


It’s interesting, because that’s how the Mom Loft started off, but it’s become bigger than a room in my house. It’s a mindset. Peace. Acceptance. Just sitting with yourself. Feeling the feelings! (See what I did there!) *WINK WINK NUDGE NUDGE*


Now, when I find myself struggling outside the Mom Loft Oasis (think screaming toddler, unruly patient, random high blood sugar), I try to tap into the Mom Loft Mindset. I take a deep breath, and envision myself later on, sitting and reading. Or listening to music. Whatever will meet my needs that day. I’ve even started taking decor originally intended for the mom loft, and sprinkling it throughout my house and office. Having a little crystal skull staring at me makes me smile, and reminds me of all the good in my life. What is your tiny crystal skull? What brings you joy? Bring more of THAT energy into your life.



I know I am truly so lucky and blessed to have the ability to create this sacred space for myself (i.e. Privileged). I realize not everyone has the time, money, or space in their home to curate an entire Mom Loft. But I truly believe you can develop your own Mom Loft. Or Happy Space. Whatever you want to call it! In turn, that space will help you with your mindset. Could you turn a little corner of your kitchen into a reading nook? Add a space to meditate in your bedroom? Even lighting some candles while you’re showering can really lift your mood. Make the ordinary extraordinary. 


Find what brings you joy. Sprinkle it throughout your day. You’re worth it. I promise ❤️

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dear Young Type 1

-
Image
A few weeks back, I started a very cool research study for those with type 1 diabetes, who also struggle with their body image. I initially came across it and did not qualify because I was over the age range they were looking for. But recently, I got an email about them expanding to 35 years old, so I JUST made the cut. I'm so thankful I did and I plan to write more about it in the future. Each week we are given homework assignments. After taking a break from blogging when my Grandma passed away , this has inspired me to get back to writing. For now, I wanted to share my homework from the first week. Writing is really cathartic for me, getting it all out on the page. We were asked to write a letter to a younger individual with type 1 diabetes who is struggling with their body image about the costs of pursuing the "thin ideal". Here is what I wrote: Dear Young Type One- I am so sorry you’re struggling with your body image, considering chasing the impossible dream of the “
Read more

Grieving Halloween

-
Image
With the final hours of Halloween coming to an end, I sit in the Mom Loft  thinking about what Halloween means to me. Sure, I love spooky stuff, skulls  and witchy shit (cue Stevie Nicks), but Halloween is so much more to me. Some say Halloween is when the veil between our world and the next is at its thinnest, allowing us to connect with loved ones who have passed. Día de los Muertos is another holiday this time of year that revolves around connecting with our dearly departed. The way they build ofrendas for their deceased family is so beautiful to me. I do something similar in my home, displaying pictures of my ancestors on the wall. It makes me feel connected to the bigger picture.  This year, Halloween just hit differently. It was one of my Grandma B.’s favorite holidays. She would always dress up at work, with her quirky earrings and funny costumes. I ended up inheriting most of the earrings, and wore them proudly the last few weeks.  I miss my Grandma B. so very much, it hurts
Read more

Lost in the Woods

-
Image
Lately I've been feeling like I’m lost in the woods, or in some sort of weird limbo. This is the best I have felt in a long time, but it’s not what I had been anticipating. There are these fleeting moments when I start to feel like a true human being. Not the shell whose life is dictated by so many external factors: the Zombie Jess . Sure, I am better able to talk through and then go into situations that generally give me severe anxiety, but something is missing. I’m not entirely sure what. I’m making small, but sustainable changes in my life, while also celebrating bigger milestones, like being alcohol free for almost 8 months . That should be a bigger deal, but I’ve been hesitant to celebrate it. Not that I plan to drink again anytime soon, if ever. But I guess I thought I’d be “better” by now.  "Cured". I’d finally heal what had been ailing me. Anxiety. Depression. Self-loathing.  Sadly no, they were there the whole time, alcohol just suppressed them, allowing the woun
Read more