THIS PAST WEEK I heard a powerful message on child rearing that has stuck with me and given me more joy in my everyday life. The message was essentially to ENJOY our children and stop obsessing over the To Do list.
Really this message can be for all of us with or without children. What if we made a conscious effort each day to stop obsessing about our to-do lists and just made it a priority to have some fun!
We all have daily responsibilities and sometimes these responsibilities can weigh us down and leave us feeling deflated and flat. Sometimes I am so consumed with keeping my home organized and the laundry done that I forget to just sit down and spend an hour reading books with my son. Taking time to simply enjoy him and play together infuses my spirit with warmth and gratitude.
Don’t wait for vacations or weekends to enjoy your life. Make it a priority to enjoy the small things. Instead of stressing about the day ahead of you at work, spend the drive to work without the radio, focusing on the scenery around you. Nature is a natural antidepressant and antianxiety medication side effects are increased peace and a heart of gratitude!
Another small way to add some joy into your drive to work is to think of a few things you love and say them out loud. It can be as simple as loving a good cup of coffee, or a favorite meal. Don’t overwhelm yourself trying to find more joy, simply add a few new habits into your daily routine that help remind you of things that make you happy!
When is the last time you had a belly laugh that made you lose your breath and your eyes water? If you can’t remember, find some clips online that will make you laugh. I am always amazed at how good I feel after laughing hysterically at something absurd.
My go-to laugh is to think about the time I beeped my horn loudly for the car ahead of me to go through the green light, only to realize I was beeping and yelling at a funeral procession. When I told the story to a friend we laughed hysterically and gasped. We both had tears running down our cheeks and my nine month pregnant friend thought she may go into labor. It is so much fun to share a laugh with someone you love!
Recall stories that brought you to your knees with laughter and watch your mood elevate immediately. Research shows that laughter actually boosts our immune system so protect yourself from flu season with a daily dose of laughter!
Learning how to have fun and enjoy your life may be a challenge for you. Perhaps you grew up in an unhappy home full of stress and anxiety and fun was not something that was taught or valued.
Instead of recreating that unhappiness in your adult home, break the curse and make a conscious shift to add some joy to everyday life. Your family, especially children, will know whether you enjoy them or they stress you out. Give the people around you the gift of enjoying your life.
Nothing is more destructive to a child than an unhappy parent. Children are born with the natural desire to please their parents and make them happy. When a child grows up with an unhappy, joyless parent, they will try to fix the parent and eventually blame themselves for not being able to make the parent happy.
Give yourself the gift of healing and get the help you need to begin to enjoy your life.
YOU ARE WORTH IT!
Meghan Fritz is a psychotherapist practicing in State College, PA. For more information email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
