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Erin
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Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Nov 05 2011 at 6:15pm | IP Logged
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Angie Mc wrote:
MNMommy wrote:
I have started realizing that part of my problem is not being fulfilled with my role as homemaker, mom, and teacher.  I need something more or different, but I'm not sure what that is. Maybe I just need a good friend. |
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I need good friends and I'm willing to work for them. And I have to admit that I need little happy making things in my life on a regular basis that don't appear to be directly related to my vocation but none the less help me to fulfill my vocation. That's why following baseball, foodie fun, Twitter, and learning about craft beer are so appealing to me! They don't replace my highest priorities...then help me to meet them with a happier heart. |
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Jennifer's sharing really strikes a cord with me. Last year, I was still re-covering from burnout, but so longed to be in a better place. I realised all of my spare time and interests revolved around mothering, home education and home management. Whilst I LOVE my vocation and truly treasure these years, I wondered, what was my identity beyond these roles? I guess you could say I had an identity crisis.  
I started considering what really spoke to me, me as the person, not the mom/teacher. It wasn't long before I realised I really needed to develop some new hobbies and further develop other interests I already had. Having other interests created a healthier balance and I had more to give. As Angie shared, these other interests do help me to better fulfil my vocation.
I've embraced my passion for books further, put more energy into developing as a writer and toyed a little with gardening. Mostly I have been conscious that it is important to nurture some form of creativity in myself.
Has anyone else experienced this? If so, what interests, hobbies do you have, are developing? If you are feeling a need but haven't begun to decide, please feel encouraged to share your thoughts and ideas.
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Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
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MichelleW
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Joined: April 01 2005
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Nov 05 2011 at 8:30pm | IP Logged
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While I was working through some things the year before last, I found I was drawn to creating art. It was a meditative time for me, and if I started with a question, I found that the Holy Spirit often offered a peace in that question while I created.
I have never been trained in art, never even knew I could make art, but I shared the joy of finding the Lord in the whirlwind with a few trusted friends. Somehow out of that sharing followed a series of truly remarkable events: I taught a class on worshiping through the arts, I designed several projects that involved the congregation in my church in worshiping God through art, and am now my church's art director! I feel inadequate to the task and humbled everyday, but I feel the same way as a homeschooling mother.
The other thing I did was to start running. I ran for a year, and this year, I didn't. I am a better, nicer person when I run. I need to start that over again.
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Michelle
Mom to 3 (dd 14, ds 15, and ds 16)
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Nov 05 2011 at 8:55pm | IP Logged
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Erin-
This is a great question to ponder. If I am not careful I find myself using all my time just to do mom things: take care of the house, the kids, do the grocery shopping, etc. That can get old quickly with no other outlets.
In the past I have enjoyed crafting- sewing and quilting especially, but lately I have not felt drawn so much to that, maybe because they take time and concentration, which can be hard to muster with kids interrupting.
So I continue to ponder what it is that can bring me "more" .... I look forward to reading more on this thread.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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guitarnan
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Location: Maryland
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| Posted: Nov 05 2011 at 9:49pm | IP Logged
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I love crafting, but still don't have the time for it.
Happily, dd and I have discovered Irish traditional music...we participate in sessions most Fridays at her dance school, and the Irish way of learning tunes (totally by ear) is challenging us and developing our skills. (The performance part is still scary, but I'm trying to cope!)
My other new thing is photography. I need to improve my skills for my freelance work, so I am continuing to work toward improved images and better choices of subjects. I still enjoy my writing (and wish I had time for much more) but I am surprised at how much I love taking "good" pictures!
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Interests that Enhance You
