Hibernating Moms

I’ve been in my cave for the last few months, well huh I guess its almost 5 months. When the temperature starts dropping, and the days get shorter I find myself inside more than anywhere else. 

I’m in my cave. 

Yesterday was the first time I had gone grocery shopping in months. I have had my husband doing it most weeks, or a Walmart pickup here or there. But I don’t come out unless its totally necessary. I go out for work, church and an occasional family gathering. 

I’ve hardly done any play dates, or even a spontaneous shopping trip, anything extra. Just living the same day over and over. The weekend comes and I feel like I have nothing to look forward to, just blah. 

I have to push myself to get outside a bit. I always feel better when I do, but it’s hard to motivate myself to get out. 

So, I made a rule. 

Get outside, don’t exercise. 

Just be outside. Get a chair out and sit in the sun. 

Listen to the birds. 

Watch the squirrels maneuver there way around in the tree tops. 

Let yourself just be, have compassion for yourself in these cold and dreary months. 

Whenever I put pressure on myself to exercise I would shut down even more.

But yesterday when my 3 year and I took a little walk in the woods I noticed the snow was melting, the creek was running and it is beginning to feel like spring. 

I couldn’t help but think how many other moms were feeling the same way. So I’m offering you this…

Spring is coming, come out of your cave. It’s safe now. 

I was walking pretty slow, I always have this thought In the back of my mind I need to fight off. It goes something like this…

‘Come on, swing your arms, get moving you need to get your steps in.’ 

I have to remind my brain, no we are here to enjoy the beautiful nature, listening to the sounds of the creek running and the birds chirping, smelling the fresh spring air and turning my face to the sunshine any chance I can, to feel the warmth. 

But it is interesting that even in a simple walk in the woods my brain wants to offer me, ‘you’re not doing enough.’ 

That’s why I always tell my brain, “get outside, don’t exercise.” 

Just be. 

Sometimes I just sit on the porch for a few minutes when the sun is out. I curl up in my Adirondack chair with a blanket on my lap and close my eyes and just feel the warm sunshine on my face. 

That simple act does so much good for me. 

So ladies, I’m telling you it’s safe to come out of your cave.