The last couple weeks I have felt like a total bump on the log. I had all sorts of energy and was keeping up on everything and then CRASH! BOOM! I lost steam. I started sleeping way in and staying up way late. Eating way too much and exercising way not at all. Leaving the dishes in the sink way too often and folding the laundry way too little. Letting my kids watch movies all day long way more than I am comfortable admitting.
I have felt like a total troll. A disgusting human being. I almost can't stand being around myself.
It's a vicious circle with me, you know. I have tons of energy, so I stay up late into the night doing things like painting bedrooms and making curtains. Then I get up early and start more projects and pretty soon my poor body can't handle running on three hours of sleep anymore and the crash is inevitable. Moderation just doesn't seem to be my thing.
But yesterday? Yesterday was September 1st. And that meant I could change. (I am forever teasing my husband about not being able to start any goal unless it's Monday, but really, I'm just as bad.) September makes me so happy. As far as I'm concerned the new year should begin in September. That's when I'm most inspired to make positive changes to my life. January, Schmanuary. Give me September.
So, despite the fact that I stayed up until 2 am the night of August 31st (well, really the morning of September 1st, but whatevsies), I got up early yesterday. While the entire household was sleeping I put my tennies on and I went outside and walked for an hour.
And the whole while I thought to myself, "Self? Why don't you do this every morning?" Seriously, what a wonderful way to start out the day, especially for someone who is NOT a morning person and is generally sluggish and grumpy until noon. I came home happy, though a bit winded (I did have to walk up this hill, you know) and ready to face the day head on and do great things.
And I made a dent in my very long list of great things to do.
I finally cleaned out the girls' drawers and closets and have their wardrobe situation for school all set. I don't know about any of you, but that is the worst job in the world in my book. It took hours, but we got it done!
We threw out all of the disgusting, too small, well worn tennis shoes and went out and bought new ones for the girls. I did some dishes. And some laundry. I even folded it. Well, some of it.
I arranged my schedule for the coming semester. (Not such an easy task when working with the schedules of 18 other people.)
I went grocery shopping and I even used all of my save the earth bags, which I have forgotten to do ever since I moved here.
And a day when I don't have to figure out where to stuff a million plastic grocery bags or feel really guilty about throwing a million plastic grocery bags out? That's a really good day.
Especially if it's in September.
Thursday, September 02, 2010

Lara Neves
Lara is mom to three daughters—two teens and a tween. She loves to share her parenting and homemaking triumphs and failures here at Overstuffed! She was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2015 and has been fighting it ever since. When she isn't working on her mother of the year award, you can find her reading, singing, or taking photos.
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We're totally on the same wavelength this morning!
ReplyDeleteHugs to you my "new year should start in September" friend. :)
Great start to a super busy time of year! Keep it up! I'm swimming currently but threatening to sink. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteYour August is my February. Way to be productive!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I feel this way about September too. But I should probably get on it since it's not the 1st anymore!
ReplyDeleteYou are so like me..... "on Monday, I'll start this, on Monday, I'll stop doing that..." I love September as well, mainly because the weather cools off and my children are in school. That sounds mean, but we all enjoy one another a lot more when we're not together 24/7. And I've got a to do list a mile long.... well, more like a "want to do" list.... :) Happy September!!
ReplyDeleteoh, by the way, my email is lacysusman@gmail.com.... I couldn't get your email link to work (could be my security settings)
Fall always brings new beginnings.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on September. I am no fan of January either. As for the other things....you are not a troll. It's ok to have some lazy days before school starts, it really is. And as for the resuable shopping bags...remember to wash those once in a while, because they get germmy.
ReplyDeleteyou and i are kindred spirits. i love september too!!!!!! you inspired me to pack the babies up in the morning first thing and go walking. so thanks! hope september brings lots of good things for you!
ReplyDeleteI totally get this.
ReplyDeleteOkay, what's the what with the 18 people???? Yikes! That is a task.
I've been walking/running every morning this week and I feel so much better. Why is so hard to get our bootie moving? I have way more energy and I don't turn into the wicked witch of the west by 9 p.m.
I totally know what you mean! My list are getting bigger, the "done" checklist, rather stagnant.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I love September,too. Fall is my fave season!
I've been the same way the past couple weeks! And yesterday I told myself that September was a new month and I was gonna get back to being a good human being instead of a bump on a log. Here's to both of us!
ReplyDeleteSeptember rocks. As do you.
ReplyDeleteI love the start of a new month - I too start fresh with some new goal of some sort!
ReplyDeleteHappy September to you!
And now you know why I like to workout in the AM's.
ReplyDeletei mean, "like" is a strong word, but it does get you goin' .:)
You have a great, honest writing style. So glad Diapers and Divinity recommended your blog. :)
ReplyDeleteI tend to be like you. I have really had to learn to pace myself b/c I can't ever be too low on anything (sleep, energy, sanity) b/c I never know when my Big Guy is going to have some kind of mood swing and totally suck me dry. I guess he has helped me to learn that it's okay to only do half of my list today and the rest of it throughout the week. Still, you have a lot on your plate!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! I LOVE September. I always feel a sense of change in the air.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a great time of year. I totally agree. I love September.
ReplyDeleteIn so many ways, on so many levels, I felt as if you were writing my life out, day by day, the past few weeks. (sigh/sob/whine)
ReplyDeleteSleeping in like a dog. Lounging like a dog. And staying up Way Too Late. Not to mention unmentionables like processed salty & sweet stuff.
My avg sleep per night this past summer? 6 hours. And it's gotten worse this past week with school in now.
My new September resolution (could we call it that?) is to go to sleep by midnight. Tonight will be my first night. (fingers crossed!)
September is my big start over month, too. I go through crash and burn cycles, too. I figure they are a necessary side effect of being a mother. Here's to both our new beginnings!
ReplyDeleteI honestly would love for it to be September all year round. Aside from the having to miss Halloween thing. Yay for you starting anew. That is the best feeling in the world. I think I am going to use this month as a month to change things as well. Thanks for the thought.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great day.
ReplyDeleteWe have a few things in common--staying up until 2 am? Yep. (though more frequently it's 1 am, and I can only do that for a few days until I get a coldsore), then dragging in the morning, and who wants to clean out drawers and closets? Sometimes I do actually fold (but rarely put away) laundry the same day it is washed, and I am often dragging until noon. And then repeat. Again, and again, and again. I need to pick up on the September enthusiasm! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI go through periods of trollishness and productivity too. We can't be on top of our game all of the time. Morning walks really are nice though.
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling. We all have those moments. I live the Summer but I love how September brings a cool relief, not to mention a new school tear. :)
ReplyDeleteYour girls are darling...thanks for stopping by my blog today.
ReplyDeleteHere's to September and new beginnings! Maybe we should start celebrating the "new year's" spririt 4 times a year—just think of what we could get done!
ReplyDeleteI love your savoring of the little things. And, oh, I am giddy about September.
ReplyDeleteSeptember really rocks, doesn't it. It's a magical time of year. I'm with you on the lack of natural moderation. IN fact,I realized the other day that nearly all my flaws are founded in a lack of moderation. I wonder if that's something endemic to the artistic type? Or if being artistic grows out of that condition?
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly! I'll take September over January ANY day.
ReplyDelete