Joy Jot #20: Good job, everybody!
Watching my sophomore son walk into the school for the last time this year, I reflected on being his mom. I didn’t know when I had my first child, a piece of my heart would be outside of me. I’m not sure what I thought being a mom would look like, but the emotional component of mothering has taken me on a great ride. On this day, I had finished my final year of the 10th grade and it felt good.
To all the moms out there, way to make it through May!
May—also affectionately known as “May-hem” or “May-cember”—can really put moms through the ringer. So, whether you are still standing or laying flat on the ground now: way to go!
I can think of two great accomplishments as a mother of little people.
Getting the dishes done
Getting everyone out the door (to school, to church, or to…anywhere)
A few years ago—before I understood the power of cheering for myself—I created a little celebration scene in my head when I finished the dishes or launched everyone successfully out the door.
Picture one of those carnival games, the kind where you slam a hammer down and try to ring the bell at the top. Like, it’s hard to hit the bell. You have to be super strong. Well, apparently, I am strong. Because after I complete one of the two great accomplishments, I imagine myself hitting the button and the thing goes up and rings the bell. In celebration, I jump up and bang the bell with my hand myself. Boom, baby!
You are strong, too. You are doing hard things. You deserve a cheer! Woot, woot!
What does a little cheer do for you? It links positive emotion to your experience. It builds motivation to do it again.
What accomplishment could use a good cheer? What would your cheer look like? Maybe stuffed animals will fall from the sky.
Welcome, summer. Good job everybody!
With love,
Amy
References
Fogg, B. J. (2020). Tiny habits: The small changes that change everything. Harvest.
