Restlessness

There are days where no matter what I do, I just can't seem to be comfortable in my skin.  Some of these days are inspired by lack of sleep, hormones, or simply needing to take care of others.  Other times I wonder what the restlessness is about.

I am a firm believer in pursuing the career that makes you happy - and I'm doing that.  I am an educator, wellness facilitator, wife to a wonderful husband, mom to a sweet pea, and Ph.D. student.  All of these things make me happy.  Plus, I've already acknowledged that too much of a good thing can make me unhappy too.  So what's missing or needed that I'm NOT doing?

Motion.  All my life I've loved to move and stretch and dance.  The past two years have been so full that I've either not been able to or not had the energy to move in an enthusiastic stretch.  In truth, I just wanted to nap if I had the time!  But as the restlessness creeps into my skin, I recognize my need to move.

So, with a joyful heart, I'm off to MOVE!  Let the restlessness dance right out of my soul!

Copyright 2012 Heather Corwin

My Thoughts for the Year

Wow.  It's been the hardest year of my life and I can safely say I'm glad it's over.   I did too much and was not able to find the simple joys as often as I like.  Teaching too much, finding my footing as a new mom, taking the gargantuan and terrifying statistics classes in my Ph.D. classes (that I thankfully passed - a C is failing), and running my private wellness studio all added up to very little time to rejuvenate and enjoy life.  I'm NOT going to do that to myself again EVER.

How am I avoiding over-committing this year?  I've backed off of one teaching engagement so I'll only be teaching at PCC this coming semester, 2 classes.  I'll be taking more normal courses for my Ph.D. that should be challenging in a way I enjoy.  I am going to re-dedicate myself to my yoga practice and GO TO a class weekly to remind my body of the joys of motion.  I'll be seeing more clients in my BodybyHeather practice in my new studio because I'll have more time (without loosing my personal time).  And my husband and I are making a date night at least once a week.

I have much to look forward to this year.  Most of what I'm looking forward to is exercising my ability to choose how my life happens.  Thankfully, I'm really clear on the things that make me happy and how I can incorporate them back into my life.  Now, I just need to do it.

No better time than the present!  I'm off to read a book.  Happy New Year!

Copyright 2012 Heather Corwin

'I Am Ready to Be a Parent' List

If 7 of 10 of these are true, you may be ready to be a parent.

1.  I don't really feel like I need time to myself.
2.  "Sleep?  Who needs sleep?" or "I can sleep when I'm dead" are thoughts I think often.
3.  I don't have to prove myself to anyone.
4.  I am in a loving supportive relationship and/or feel I have the resources to successfully raise a child.
5.  I don't get angry or freaked out often.
6.  I believe I can model good behavior for a child (all the time, not just in public).
7.  I have the humility to recognize when I need help and I ask for it BEFORE situations become hazardous or out of control.
8.  I'm okay with situations when I don't have the answers.
9.  I like being sick and taking care of others.
10.  The needs of others can be more important than my own needs most of the time (especially when infants or toddlers are in my care).

Being a mom is F-ing hard.  Jeez, I can't even swear about it these days.  For Pete's sake!

I'm just now starting to comprehend the awe that I should have for my mother raising 3 children, the second birth being twins (of which I'm one)!  Egads.  In the past few weeks (which seem like a millennium) I have helped my daughter weather 2 vicious fevers (one is still one the outs), another tooth eruption, an allergic reaction to amoxicillin, and many sleepless nights for both of us.

Being alive with offspring means that my time is not mine anymore.  My time is hers first if she's ill because she needs me to take care of her.  Never did I really understand what that would mean in real life.  I used to fantasize about the type of mom I would want to be when that day came.  Well, that day's here and the type of mom I'm striving to be is kicking my butt.  Parenting is freaking hard - if you do it with your heart and soul.

I guess what I'm saying is if you're already a parent, bless you.  If you're thinking about becoming one, think long and hard - it's not all a bed of roses.  It's going to try your partnership, take away the spare time you ever thought you had, and many of the things you'd want to do socially just have to wait until your child's age allows it, or you can get enough sleep to have the energy to go out!

It may not be Mother's Day or Father's Day anytime soon, but I'm inspired to say thank you to the people who raised me.  It's a tough job!!!

Copyright 2011 Heather Corwin

Colds Stink

The tickle at the back of your throat... the itchy and watery eyes... the runny nose...  feeling worn down...  usually these symptoms all add up to a cold.  So what do you to weather the feeling bad, but not so bad that you stop your life and take a day off?  What if you have an audition?

Many swear by teas, echinacea, vitamin C, orange juice, plenty of liquids and chicken noodle soup.  Emergen-C is handy in my bag of wellness.  If you're able to get some doting on my your mom, all the more power to you!  Do you also use petroleum jelly on your nose to stop the red dry and achy feeling the skin around the nose gets from the constant wiping, dripping and blowing?  If you don't use that, what do you use?

And when I have to audition, I don't stop and give excuses.  If they can tell I'm sick, good for them.  If they can't and they just think I have a bit of a nasal quality, good for me.  Either way, I've done what I wanted to do which is to show up, do my best, and give myself another opportunity to work.

After all, when should a sneeze stop me from getting cast?

Copyright 2011 Heather Corwin

The Holidays...Already?

That was my first thought when I went to Home Depot the other day upon viewing rows of Christmas trees and decorations...in October.  Really?  Am I just getting more weary because I'm older or is consumerism, in fact, becoming more pronounced?  Maybe both?  Either way, I started to think about how I want to spend the holidays this year.  Last year I was healing from having my little girl at home; I'll spare you the details.  This year, I am well and can celebrate the holidays with cheer.  But where should we celebrate as a family?

My first reaction was with my husband's family because they're within driving distance.  That was our plan.  But then my husband and I started to think about the travel hassles, how our little girl doesn't love to be still for long (let alone a five hour drive), and how we have weathered a hell of a year.  Our revised plan is to stay home and rest.

While I don't think this plan went over well with our family, it sure does make my heart feel cozy.  Holidays are for creating family traditions and celebrating the gifts we have enjoyed during the year.  My husband and I are new parents with a spectacular little girl!  What's not to celebrate?  We made it through the sleep deprivation and are now on our way to laughing often and looking at every day as a fun adventure rather than something to slog through.  Plus, I'm almost done with my Ph.D. coursework, something I never thought would actually come to pass.  I have one more semester and then it's just writing the dissertation.  Phew!  Then all I have to do is land a professorship!  :-D

No matter how you choose to celebrate your holidays this year, follow your heart.  Life has challenges - so make your heart happy the best you know how.  And if you happen to cringe when you see the rows of Christmas decorations at any given store, know that you're not alone.  Find your reason for the season!

 

Copywright 2011 Heather Corwin

Take Time to Connect

As artistic people, we need to take time- especially in an urban environment- to connect to other people in a meaningful and supportive way.  One simple way that we often overlook is resting WITH someone else.  The truth is, as animals we sleep more soundly knowing that someone is looking over or out for us.  So why not rest in a pack every now and then?

By resting with others, we give our over-stimulated nervous systems a chance to regulate and synch with others at a time when we're all calm.  When's the last time you felt truly calm with another?  What a cozy feeling!  If you're able to, choose a place that makes you all or both feel safe and good like the people in the image above lying on the deck by the water with a fuzzy friend keeping watch.  You might choose in front of a warming fire or on an inviting couch.

Even taking 10 minutes a day to rest with someone else can make a calming difference in your life.  Give it a try.  Isn't it a lovely thought to know that you can bring more joy into your life?

Copyright 2011 Heather Corwin