Katie Postel Photography Blog

What Brings You Joy?

My focus for this year is to be more joyful.

When did adulthood/parenthood become a huge to-do list and a million responsibilities? It feels like all the things I need to get done take me out of the present moment and leave me feeling exhausted and ‘blah.’

Well, I’m taking my joy back. Since having my 2 boys, I feel like I’ve lost some of my identity. I used to pride myself on being a runner, a lacrosse player, a surfer, a hiker, your run of the mill adventure seeker. Somewhere in the nooks and crannies of motherhood I’ve lost my luster and zest for life. I also rarely get to do any of those things anymore. (Granted I don’t want to run, so there is that).

Every once in a while, my oldest (3-year-old) does something fun/funny and I’ll say to him, “you know, Mommy used to be fun and cool.” (which fun and cool people probably don’t say) …but I think back to my childhood more these days and remember wanting to be a mom that would run and skip and jump in the mud with my kids.

Like…what’s the point of having kids if you can’t be a kid again along with them? What is it all for if I am just a boring, no-fun parent who needs to do the dishes and laundry and clean and never has time to enjoy the moment with my boys?

So, this week I had a thought. Since I seldom make time for myself (and myself alone), I’m going to do AT LEAST one thing a day that brings me joy. It doesn’t have to be a big deal. Just something small, maybe a 5-minute thing that puts a smile on my face or makes me feel at ease or allows me to reset and chill out.

I’m aiming to do this for a week. If I can go longer, then I will. I want to be a fun mom and wife and friend. Who says being a grown up should be no fun? I feel like I’ve fallen into this pattern where I don’t get to fully enjoy certain moments with my family and I want that to change.

I’m here, writing down that I want to be ‘fun Katie’ again. Being silly with my kids, not caring what other people might think, stepping outside of my comfort zone and being joyful.

If I can fill up my cup, imagine the spill over into the rest of the world.

With love,

Katie