#notjustamom

[7-percent]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

A masterpiece of miniatures... ten years in the making and not done yet by @notjustamumj on tumblr, notjustmom on Ao3.

What I love about finding a series like this - so late - is that I now have 348 one-shots to enjoy dipping into whenever I need a pick-me-up. Best tonic in the world!

[morethanjustamother]

Everyday, Do Something You Think You Can’t

As I'm reading more I came upon this title in a well known book. I'm surprised that before today I never thought to challenge myself more to do things that I've always wanted to but never thought I could. It's the simple fears of embarrassment and failure that hinder one's self from truly breaking out of the old habits of self doubt. I always thought "Oh that takes so much time and money I'll never be able to achieve those goals." Then four years went by and I still hadn't done the things I always wanted to, still viewing them as a distant dream. Then when I had my First child I continued to think that "I wont be able to shower, or do the things I want to, like go on a peaceful walk." It was honestly not the case during the Newborn stage, but as My child transitioned from Newborn to Toddler I had manifested the negative. I didn't shower as much as I wanted and I wasn't able to even focus on anything productive, and I wasn't putting enough effort towards educating my child and doing more stimulating things with him. The fact that I had already told myself that I couldn't do it made me miserable, and I had made myself that way. I watched through social media other mother's thriving and still doing the things that they wanted or achieving dreams and goals. Then it hit me. They didn't let the challenge of motherhood stand in their way. So I stopped putting a negative idea of what motherhood felt like and I started using motherhood as my super power. I started by changing the habits of daily life with my child. Instead of putting on Cartoons to distract him and fill the day I started playing music and calming sounds. Instead of sitting on my bed all day and being on my phone scrolling through social medial feeling down about my situation, My body and My work life. I started sitting with him and doing puzzles and reading him more stories and taking him outside to enjoy nature. Instead of confining him to his bedroom with a small baby gate and limited space to play, I got a bigger gate so he could freely run through the upstairs part of our house avoiding the stairs and playing safely. As My child grows I learned to grow with him and I found myself doing something everyday that I thought I couldn't. It was so liberating and less stressful and we enjoyed our day together. My child had more freedom and was more stimulated and that gave me more freedom to sit and work, write, read, and do the other hobbies that I enjoyed from the comfort of my home. Motherhood has honestly taught me so much about myself and what I'm truly capable of. I'm not saying go out and have a bunch of kids in order for you to change but by changing my habits I changed my life circumstances. I stopped letting the fear of embarrassment control my mind and life. I'm happier with the outcome and I'm glad I've taken this advice. I will offer this simple advice to everyone, even to peers who don't have the challenging day to day life with children. Everyone can benefit from it. I hope you choose to do that thing that you think you can't because you can. 

[amidoingthiswright]

A picture because when I say I got HOT for my night out, i meant it. Like forreal proud of my looks tonight. Literally though my son is almost 11 months and I've gotten a babysitter for him like 5 times max, so getting to go be a regular human is a pretty big deal for me.

[sarahjones2010]

Happy Sunday ❤ And a very happy fathers day to all the special fathers - grandfather's - stepfather - and mommy's out there like my mom who raised me single handed since I was 5. ❤Thank you for all you have done and do for me ❤ the one who picked me up every time I fell.❤ My strength❤ my mentor❤ ❤my world ❤ I love you ❤ #sj💕🐎 #fathersday #forsomeonespecial #notjustamom #grandfathers #grandfatherslove #singlemom #singlemomlife ❤❤ https://www.instagram.com/p/CBseh5ugLoL/?igshid=5noasb2zfvxv

[amidoingthiswright]

Whoohoooo

So tonight me and the hubbs are going out to my old bar and I am STOKED! It feels like such a long time since I've gone out, and this time we will be around MY people. Most of the time we go out, (which us rarely as is) we are around my fiance's friends and/or coworkers. I'm excited about everything. Ready to get all made up and get HOTTTTTT . I wanna dance and drink a little and take a moment to remember that I am not JUST a mom, but also a BEAUTIFUL, YOUNG, and ALIVE woman.

I need to go ou-ooooooooh TONIGHT