Project: Life Change: Now it's your turn!

Cross-posted on Sassafrass and Chicago Moms Blog.

Calling all "mama friends," especially those of you who do the work-life juggle every day like we do.

Are you tired? Stressed out? Grouchy? Feeling like you are working too much? Missing out on watching your kids grow up? Too busy to participate in the fun parts of family life? Avoiding the pile of laundry in the corner of your bedroom?  Neglecting yourself? Not making time or money for the little luxuries? Feeling isolated from your partner? Overwhelmed with school calendars, activities, and homework? Longing for more time in your day? Feeling out of control and powerless to make a change?

We're Jessica of Sassafrass and Stefania of CityMama and we're right there with you. As much as we love to bitch about how frustrated we are with our current life sitches to anyone who will listen (and you know we can bitch like it's our JOB), we've decided to do something about it.

In talking with each other about our own frenetic lives, we've realized that many of our mama friends are also overwhelmed with balancing work and family life, and are ready to let those juggling balls and spinning plates drop already. We've decided to make some changes in our own lives, and now we want to support any one else who is ready to do the same.

Recently we both took a look at our busy lives and decided to make one change each that had a tremendously positive impact. Here's what Jessica did and here's what I did. And we're here to tell you: life is not about juggling—it's about making choices that work for you and your family.

Mamas, friends. Now's the time to begin your Project: Life Change.  We're here to help.

First, take a deep breath. Then think about the changes you'd like to make to have more breathing room in your own life.

Hire a babysitter for a date night or girl's night out (or set up a regular swap with friends); quit that crap job like we did! (wait until you find another if you like); turn down that volunteer project; join a cooking or exercise class (get in the tub with a glass of wine and the park and rec catalog and actually LOOK AT IT instead of recycling it immediately); get a massage; find a therapist and work on those issues, girl; set your alarm clock for a half hour earlier and go for a walk in peace without having to push a stroller; ask your partner to take over lunch box duty 2 days a week...

Anything goes, but whatever you do, post about it! We want to know who is in this with us.

1. Write about your Project: Life Change on your personal blog and link back to us (either on Sassafrass or CityMama) or leave a link to your post in the comments. Your post doesn't have to have answers. Just a simple "this isn't working anymore and I'm not sure what to do about it" is enough.  We all started somewhere. We're finding that this is an on-going process and we hope to continue writing about our progress and that you will, too.
2. Help yourself to our pretty, pink Project: Life Change button (thanks, Karen!), and let everyone who reads your blog know that you are in the middle of working on a big life project so that they will be extra kind to you and send you words of encouragement, drinks on Facebook, or chocolate. You can put the button in your posts on on your side bar.
3. Important: Tag your posts "Project Life Change" so we can find you!
4. Check back in with us as we provide food for thought, support, and inspiration by sharing your posts on our sites.
    

Take the Project: Life Change challenge! Let's help one another. Tell your friends. Start a conversation. Blog it out. Let us know you are out there and together we'll build a big ole hippy-patchouli-stank circle of love and support.

In order to further inspire you, we will give you free stuff! We're here for you. We'll read your posts and link love all over them. We'll have fun giveaways! (and not just half-used bottles of nail polish, lip stick colors that don't work for us, or shoes that were an impulse-buy at Payless.)

Join us as we strive to make simple, small, and significant choices to find balance in our work and family lives.

We wish you the best of luck with your own Project: Life Change!

Peace to you,
Jessica and Stefania

Comments

[pamela]

Love your idea. I am in the process of focusing more on my family , less on volunteering etc.I was forced to re-examine my life this fall when my son got sick. I am realizing that I spend a lot of time busy with things and people that do not matter...what matters is family and a few good friends. I am trying to simplify and enjoy more.

[SheilaBD/xiaolinmama]

You ladies really are amazing! I'm in!

[wksocmom/Nicole]

I'm in too. I'm going to write a post in the next few days. Very cool.

[Linsey]

Excellent post and plan! It is hard to keep the right perspective in mind all the time with all of the craziness and business of trying to be the perfect Mommy/wife/working parent/volunteer/person/etc/etc/etc.

[Jessica Ashley (Sassafrass)]

I can't tell you how amazing it is to see comments from women who are feeling the same way I am and want to band together to make personal, professional, small and significant changes to bring peace into our lives. It can only do good. Lots and lots of good. Can't wait to hear more from you, mamas!

[bonggamom]

Count me in..... I'm going to post about Finding the "Me" in "Mommy"!

[Sarah Granger]

I love this idea, but I don't have time to think about it right now because I'm too busy juggling!

Seriously though, after some much needed sleep, I will do this.

[JB/Go-Go Mommy]

Hey mamas. I'm definitely in!! Here's my post - I hope you enjoy it and I've included an invite of my own for you at the end.

http://gogoma.typepad.com/go_go_mommy/

Can't wait to see everyone's updates!

[redsy]

I'm so IN on this, I'm nearly OUT

YAY!!
http://redsy.com/2007/10/12/i-dont-love-you-anymore/

[Bella]

Can it still count if I've already started my "big" life change idea? There are a few more I want to implement over time, and a few things I want to drop soon ... yeah I need a post about this! LOL I'll start my link with you guys tonight!