Pursuing your passion, has been a hot topic around here lately. You know that thing that gets you excited…so excited your brain won’t shut off at night, because there are so many ideas about that passion?! You are constantly talking about it, or thinking about it. Your heart even starts beating quicker when you talk about it! Chris Ann and I believe wholeheartedly that everyone should pursue their passion. We shared with the ladies (and man) at BlogLove Minnesota our belief. We even teach our kids this life motto!
For sixteen years, Chris Ann and I have been stay at home moms. We have cooked countless meals, potty trained too many people, folded enough clothes to cover China and used enough cleaning supplies to start our own landfill. Anyone who is raising kids knows there’s very little time in the day for “pursuing your passion”. In fact, most mamas fall into serious crisis identity. Who am I? Who will I be when my kids are grown? Do I even have time to take care of myself? For fourteen years we road that roller coaster. There were times we’d peek through the cloud of motherhood to make a homemade card for someone, or cut some fresh flowers from the garden and take care to arrange them. Every now and then, there would be time and inspiration to re-paint a room and decorate! Honestly, those were the little creative moments we held onto that kept us in touch with our passions.
(Quick disclaimer…I fully believe that raising children can be creative in and of itself! That it is also part of pursuing passion…but, for just a moment, I’m speaking from a very internal, personal place.)
So, two years ago, we found ourselves at a place of total inspiration…and with reality bearing down on us that we were only a few years from putting 9 kids into college! Chris Ann and I set out on pursuing our passions…the passion to create, make things beautiful and gather people.
I would like to be able to end here and say it’s all been a bowl of bliss and we are like dancing fairies in a colorful meadow, but that would not be honest.
We found ourselves on the first night at BlogHer ’10, feeling like utter failures. Why? We’re not really sure. But, somehow we both landed there at the same time (which usually never happens!)
You see, this “pursuing your passion” gig comes with hard work and sacrifice. We are still raising our kids, making meals, doing laundry and playing taxi driver to all of them…but, there is a new strain and it’s called “mommy’s working”. There was already no time in a day and now we are borrowing time from them. So, there is a constant tension of trying to find that balance of “pursuing our passion” and not missing a moment of our kids growing up. Pressure!
Ok, so we found ourselves that night saying we could throw the towel in…go back to just keeping house and raising kids. We could steal many moments snuggled up on the couch reading books. We could. We’re good at it! We did it for 14 years. But, then wouldn’t we be hypocrites? We tell our kids to pursue their passions! Heck, we even drive them countless hours a week to and from their pursuits!
This past couple of years have stretched us and our families. It has been uncomfortable at times. We’ve wanted to give up. But, the thought of turning off the flow we’ve started, would be devastating. There are years of creativity and ideas that we’ve unleashed. Even our husbands say, “You two are too creative and motivated to just be stay at home moms.”
So, as we enter a new school year, with new schedules…we are trying to implement a few guidelines for ourselves to create balance. The honest truth…we want it all! Really it’s what a LoveFeast Lifestyle is all about. Enjoying the precious moments with our kids, while devouring all that life has to offer. It doesn’t come without sacrifice…be it investing in family or pursuing passions. But we think it’s worth it.
I can so relate to this post! I went back to work out of necessity before my kids were in school full time. I’m grateful that I love my job as a blog book designer, but I hate that it takes time away from my kids. There is potential to grow my business, but I hesitate to do it in this season of life.
One day at a time!
Completely!
I love your post! I just took a job teaching Microbiology to nursing students two nights a week. It will stretch my family a little, but will also let my kids see another side of me, which I think will be good for all of us. Keep on following those dreams and getting inspired!
As you well know, I can completely relate to this post on so many levels! So brave to put it all into words… Just makes me love you all the more!
you girls ARE inspiring! your dreams are evolving and they will lead you…and you will look good doing it! (and isn’t that the most important part?) lol
I think it’s a wonderful example to set for your children, working hard and finding your own interests worthy of exploring. No one else is going to carve time out for us; it is up to each mom out there to find that precious chunk of minutes that she can use to nurture herself.
Good for you!
I love your blog, and I’m selfishly glad you are continuing to pursue your passions! I was 100% with you until the end, when you quoted your husbands. I know you realize one needs a ton of creativity and motivation to “just” stay home, and I’m being picky, but that statement caused this creative mama to bristle.
Abby…there in lies my disclaimer. We defended staying home for years! We were just as passionate about that as we are about this new season in our lives! We are on a new chapter in our lives…that’s all. One’s not better than the other…believe us and our combined 32 years of “just” staying home time…it’s a gift to be able to say we were supported in our choice to do so!
~Kristin
Thank you for your honesty. You know how much I agree with what you said – and it was beautifully articulated, by the way. I’m right there with you two. You inspire me to press on both in my mothering pursuits & my music … even when I feel like I can’t handle it, which is most days!
I echo the earlier commenter who said she’s glad you’re continuing to pursue your passions. I would miss your beautiful posts too much if you stopped!
And those pictures are lovely!
Love this post
Oh boy does this post strike a cord. I have always worked & found balance with my boys but I gave up my art to do so. These past 9 mths I was unemployed so I started a blog for kicks, to let family & friends know that I was fine. Now I love it! It’s my happy, creative place. This week I started a great new job with a company and the pressure to be a grown up again and set my creative side on the back burner has reared it’s ugly head. How on earth will I be able to do it all and be a good mom? I don’t know but I will! You are so right, if we don’t lead by example with our kids how will they ever go out on a limb and reach for the stars? I am so glad that I stumbled across your blog today ladies