Fill Your Cookie Jar -- Part 3: Tear Down Walls and Let Yourself be Filled

We've been talking about taking time to "fill my cookie jar." My mentor insisted it wasn't selfish to do something I loved because I would be more able to give to my kids if I was filled. I came home and talked to Dan about being "filled" by something other than motherhood. That's wrong, isn't it? Motherhood is what we live for; the essence of who we women are. When Dan asked, "what would fill you besides motherhood?" I couldn't think. I couldn't picture anything. I realized in that moment that I had built a wall -- a mental block -- that I was going to have to tear down. This wall had been growing for the last few years and it was emotional to think of something I really wanted to do. For me. For my own enjoyment. I take on lots of projects, but did I let them fill me? With tears in my eyes I just thought as he supported me.

Finally, I realized for me it was something physical. Working out was a break from the kids. It was something creative, maybe painting or decorating. I think those are two things that fill me. Yours will be different; where I felt like I had to stay home to be a "good mom" you might think you have to be out, yet you long to stay home and lead a simple, productive life mostly being at home. I realized I need social connection; I thrive when learning from and talking to others. Some women gain energy from reading a quiet book at home or pondering, mine comes from the synergy of talking with friends and mentors. Today I went to the gym, dropped my girls off at child care and danced my heart out at zumba. You know what? They were happier; Milah left the gym skipping. I was more able to give to them the rest of the day because I took a little time out to be filled. When you give every ounce of energy to your children you can become emotionally drained. So do something you love today!