Happiness | My Non Negotiables

What is happiness? Happiness means something different for everyone. We can’t and won’t all fit into the square peg that is the definition. Some of us are too round, some of us too big and others would fall straight through, missing the idea completely. What is happiness for me? What am I not willing to negotiate on? Well, it turns out quite a lot and maybe it’s time for a change.

Hannah from Hi Baby tagged me to do this post. The idea is that you make a list of things in life that you won’t compromise on and hold yourself to it. So here goes..

Make Time For Me

Can this ever happen when you’re a mum? Does it ever happen? I really need to start making time where it doesn’t exist, just so I can have some me time. Currently, the only time I get to myself is when I’m at work and I think that’s what I enjoy so much. I love being there because I don’t have to think about a thousand things at once, I can just focus my mind on one thing and it’s far less stressful than being at home.

I’d love to have a day to myself where I don’t have to talk to anyone, the boys are out, Jamie is out and I’m just here tackling the front bedroom and sorting out the house in general where I then just go and have a nosey round town, maybe pop in to a cafe for a lone cuppa and come home to the kids in bed, and I can just get in mine and have a full night sleep. That’s not going to happen any time soon, so what can I actually do?

I want to take half an hour out of each day to do some exercise, too. I’m signed up to a gym but I literally don’t have the time to go. My auntie’s going to be bringing my weighted hula hoop back, so when Ted’s in bed and Toby’s watching Scooby Doo, I can stand there and get those hips moving. I might even take up Couch to 5k – especially since I’m doing the Pretty Muddy run in May, eek! I also really need to start making more of an effort with my hair, make up and clothes – I’m always concentrating on the kids!

Get The House and Garden Sorted

This is a big one for me right now. We’ve basically completed the redecorating jobs downstairs, there’s nothing much left to do, save for the few homely bits we could do with buying; pictures on the wall and so forth. But the upstairs, my goodness it stresses me out. Our front bedroom is one big junk room, one that we literally just shut the door on. I never have a chance to go in there and start sorting it all out. I really want to make this into Toby’s bedroom so that he has lots of space and storage for his toys which can then free up my living room which looks like a toy shop. I’m desperate to get the bathroom sorted as well – just a freshen up of what was here when we moved in. Oh and the garden needs sorting too. I need a money tree for all this! And time! I’m going to make a start on this pretty soon.

Spend more time outdoors

I definitely don’t get outdoors enough with the boys because I’m always worrying about the state of the house and so I usually stay back and try to entertain them as well as trying to clean. The problem is we then end up like a bunch of caged animals running up the walls. This is especially true for Toby, but with the better weather coming I intend to make the most of it. I want to get out of the house nearly every day, maybe not so much on rainy days, but definitely when the sun’s out.

Get Organised and Stress Less

I am always so tense and stressed and I hate it. Until something is finished I’m really moody about it and let it affect how I am during the day. I just need to learn to chill out, so rather than stress about stuff I can’t get done, I’m going to focus on what I can get done, or what I have done during the day. I’m going to make a rota for what I need to get done, and if I can’t do it, I won’t feel bad about it. I’ve got two little ones who I’d much rather focus my attention on. We’ve also decided to invest some money in a cleaner to help take a few jobs off our hands. It’s the things that don’t take that long, but when you’re trying to do it with two kids at your ankles, it’s not easy, and I’d rather pay a bit to reduce my stress levels and increase the happiness ones!

Make the Most of Rainy Days

As it stands, I’m not very crafty and so the boys haven’t really been exposed to a life of painting, or drawing or much else other than puzzles, books, toys and TV. I really want to get them involved doing hands on things and so once a week I will sit down with them both and do something where we might get a little bit messy. This will be easier with the warmer weather hopefully coming as we can get out on the decking and in the garden and do lots of cool stuff out there too. Must invest in a tuff spot!

Treat Myself More

Just one little thing a week would be good. Something like flowers will do just fine, but just something for me to say well done. It probably sounds a little bit silly, but hey! Or, I could treat myself to a nice new wardrobe and a good pair of shoes! Because mums totally need a great pair of shoes, right?

So, I now nominate these lovely bloggers to do the same and tell me their “non negotiables” and what they’re going to do to keep their happiness levels up!

Chantal from Milk and Nappies
Faye from Tales and Tea
Ami from My Mummy Spam
Stacie from Parker and Me