Now that it’s Tuesday and the woes of Monday have worn off, I wanted to reflect on something I came across yesterday when I was in the middle of some heightened anxiety. We had a surprise bill that hit when we didn’t have the money to cover it. So, we scrambled and were able to scrape together just what we needed to get it paid. However, it left me feeling like a failure. I felt like I wasn’t doing enough to provide for my kids, which then started to send me into a tailspin. When I get like this I start to get hyper-sensitive to everything that is going ‘wrong’ around me. I began to snowball into thoughts of how I wish I could do this, give my kids that, buy more of such and such. I thought that I should work more hours so I could achieve more ‘things’. I tried to take a breather, and that’s when I decided to just do some mindless scrolling on Facebook. There was a shared post from someone discussing finances and jobs and family. Although I don’t remember the exact quote it was along the lines of, “Don’t get caught up in what you can’t afford, but what you can’t afford to lose.”
I’m probably butchering it, mom brain, but it reminded me that although we may be financially strained, the moments, the time that I have with my children right now can’t be replaced. The time we have with them is priceless. Things can come and go, money can be earned and spent, but truly the memories you can make and bonds you can build can’t be bought other than through opportunities. Take the opportunities that you can and cherish them. It doesn’t have to be large epic moments. It can be a 5 minute walk around the block, reading a story at bedtime, letting them help you cook, etc.
This message came to me when I really needed it, so I’m hoping it can reach someone else who might need to hear it as well.
