One of three factors that contributed to this moment.
I was recently honored to have my story entitled “A Life Changer” chosen as part of the launch for a new non-profit wing of the hugely popular parenting blog, Scary Mommy.
In the days that followed that first post at Scary Mommy,
a window opened …
a friend sent me an article …
and my child wrote her name on her closet wall.
As a result of these three factors, I hopped on the treadmill (also known as my “writing desk”) and wrote a story. Upon completion, I sent it to several people for feedback. This is what I received:
My ‘editor’ (my husband) whose typical feedback is: “That was good,” promptly emailed back saying, “I LOVE this post!!!” And then he forwarded it to a colleague that he knew would love it, too.
My cyber-friend, Kristin, who I have yet to meet in person, happily reported she no longer sees me as ‘saintly,’ delighted in ‘hearing’ me swear in print, and decided we MUST hang out soon.
My mom said she laughed and cried all the way through the post. (That’s nothing new for her.)
But most importantly, they all said, “This could be your best post yet.”
Some things just happen at the right time. For a reason.
This is just me, Rachel; there is no halo. And this is my story …
Indeed we MUST! I already adore you, my fellow tank-top wearing, overweight male cyber-stalker. Ha ha! You are a star.
One of the unexpected, beautiful results of posting my journey online for the whole world to read has been meeting people like you!!! Thank you for supporting me and encouraging me from day 1.
I’m visiting from Scary Mommy and I loved your post today. It was great. I am always so focused on the 52 weeks and 52 weekends we have every year, I worry about wasting them. I can’t believe I never thought to add them all together. I can’t believe we only get 936, that’s so scary. Thank you for this post, it was fabulous.
Thank you so much for reading the post and coming over from Scary Mommy! Your message means so much!
I too found you from ScaryMommy. Thank you so much for this article! I really needed to read this. I cried and cried while I read it, realizing how much time I am wasting instead of focusing on what really matters. I am so thankful to have found your website and I look forward to reading more.
Thank you for taking the time to click over to my blog, read, and share this lovely comment! I am grateful for your honesty. I remember the day I became “aware” of all that I had missed, and it was painful. However, that awareness brought change. It was the first step to living a more “Hands Free” life. I cannot wait to hear about the progress you make in letting go of distraction to grasp what matters. I am so glad you’re here!!!
Congrats on the guest post … it’s always crazy how the universe aligns at the right moments to bring us to a new intersection. I enjoy your posts here, there or anywhere. : )
Thank you, friend. I love your posts, as well, you so often write the things my heart needs to hear. So happy to be on this journey to grasp what matters with you!
Hi Rachel!
I was first introduced to your blog probably right months ago when one of my Facebook friends shared your post, “the important thing about yelling.” It struck a chord with me. So often in my life as a mother had I felt out of balance and like I was spending too much time on my phone, on the computer, working on personal projects, etc. I thrived on productivity. I needed to cross things off my to do list. I needed to impress others with how much I could do in a day. I had three kids, aged 4 1/2, almost 2, and 3 months. I loved them so much, but I hadn’t really changed my pre-mom life nearly enough to let to of my personal ambitions to spend more time with them. Your post was exactly what I needed. This time, things needed to change, and for good.
I talked with my husband and set limits for myself on phone and computer usage and stuck to it. I reported to him each night. Sometimes I was so restless in that time without my phone in my hand. I didn’t know what to do with myself. I didn’t know how to play with my kids. But it got easier, and at the end of the day I had so much more life satisfaction when I could look back on the day with no regrets. It was amazing. I had no idea I could feel so great as a mother. I read one of your posts every single morning after I read my scriptures and before I start the day with my kids to help me gain the perspective I need. I can’t thank you enough.
This post in particular struck a chord with me though, and I wanted to comment and tell you why because I think you could understand in a way few others can.
Like I said, when I first started to go hands free, my oldest was 4 1/2 and due to start kindergarten about four months later. I had gone back and forth over whether or not to send her as she would be the youngest in her with with a birthday just nine days before the cutoff. I had decided to send her, but when I went hands free, I felt like keeping her home an extra year gave me the chance to get back some of the time with her that I had lost and wasted. It gave me the chance to make up for it! I withdrew her kindergarten registration and was so excited for an entire extra year with her.
Then three days before school started, I found out that she got into a very good charter school. It was a great opportunity, and by her accepting it and attending, her two little brothers would also be guaranteed admittance into the school. I bawled my eyes out but decided to send her. For about two weeks, I mourned that lost year so much that I couldn’t even hide it. I cried at the drop of a hat. I was SO SAD to be losing an entire extra year with my girl.
I still mourn that lost time, but instead of walking around crying all the time, I’ve decided to make the very most of what time I DO have with her.
Thank you SO much for encouraging me to be a mom who can go to bed most nights without regrets about how I spent my time. I may have less Saturdays with my oldest than most people get, but I’m going to make up for it in quality. 🙂
Longest comment ever. Sorry! 😉
Kate, I so appreciate you taking the time to share how my story has impacted your life. My writings are fueled by messages like this and yours is the kind of message I will re-visit time and time again for encouragement. You have given me such a gift today. I am grateful for you sharing this journey with me! Together, we are not alone. With love & thanks, Rachel
Yes, let me join your crying and laughing choir. An outstanding post! Thank you, Rachel.