As a homemaker, I struggle with these 6 things almost every day. I think many moms can relate! Do you have any of these humbling homemaker weaknesses?
If you’ve been reading my site any length of time then you know that one thing is for sure: I am not perfect. I don’t have it all together. I’ve been humbled.
There are certain areas of my life and my homemaking where I am more humbled than others. And that’s why I’m excited about digging into some resources to help me strengthen these incredibly weak areas.
Today I’m admitting….
1. I’m frumpy.
Yes, I said it. It’s true. I’ve had 3 babies in the past 4 years. I’ve been breastfeeding or pregnant for 5 1/2 years without a respite.
I was never a fashionista, but on any given day now you will usually find me in sweats or yoga pants and an oversized T-shirt.
It’s not pretty, ladies. Not pretty at all.
I blame part of it in the fact that I hate to shop–and I don’t have the money to purchase myself new clothes. And I just don’t want to take the time to spend on myself.
And so this quote from Trina Holden’s Embracing Beauty really got me good:
“Do you ever feel guilty taking time to care for yourself? You shouldn’t. Taking care of our bodies is a way we ready ourselves to serve with the joy God desires His children to walk in.”
On my must-read list? Embracing Beauty as well as The No-Brainer Wardrobe (and perhaps I should throw in Frump to Pump for good measure!)
2. I’m a horrible time manager.
Yes, I’m laying it all out today. I do not manage time well. I never have. I say I have adult ADD. I will start one task and then think of something and move to the next task and never finish the first task…and then my time has run out, and nothing has been accomplished.
And I’m always running late.
This quote from Amy Robert’s The Homemaker’s Guide to Creating the Perfect Schedule hit me hard:
“If you want a relatively clean home, you have to carve out time for cleaning….Ask God to point out where you are wasting time….And then listen and do.”
On my must-read list? The Homemaker’s Guide to Creating the Perfect Schedule
3. I do not rest.
Ouch. Yes…ouch, ouch, ouch! This one hurts to admit, but it’s the truth!
The past two to three months have been insanely busy. I struggle with saying “no,” fill my plate and suffer the consequences. I’m intentionally making time for REST as soon as this crazy mega homemaking event is over.
Does this quote from Danielle Evans convict anyone else?
“To live life intentionally without practicing necessary pause is a serious contradiction. An oxymoron at best.”
On my must-read list? Honoring the Rhythm of Rest
4. I’m disorganized.
Yep–not going to hide this one. I’ve talked about it before. Left on my own, I struggle with disorganization. I frequently lose things. I forget appointments. I collect piles and piles of papers. (This has gotten WAY worse since I became a mom. Can I get an “amen”?)
On my must-read list? 28 Days to Hope for Your Home and 10 Steps to Organized Paper.
5. I feel like motherhood is hard.
Let’s face it: If you’re a mother, you know this is the truth. Motherhood is not for the faint of heart. It’s just not. It’s hard work. It’s heart work.
I cannot tell you how many moments over the past 5 years when I have thought: “I am just not cut out for this whole motherhood thing. I stink at it.”
On my must-read list? When Motherhood Feels Too Hard and a re-read of one of my favorites, Hula Hoop Girl.
6. I need God.
I’ve known Him since I was 9…and now I’m 32. Honestly? I’ve felt distant from Him lately. I’m sure that goes back to numbers 2, 3, and 4 above–among other things.
He calls me to rest in Him.
On my must-read list? Kept, a study of I Peter.
Amanda Lyles
I have to say a hardy “AMEN” to your list. I allow this world and it’s expectations of me to overwhelm and drowned out God’s call to rest in Him. I often look at my boys and see all the things I’m not doing and allow that to discourage me. It is good to see that I’m not alone in these struggles.
Jen
I agree and say a big ME TOO!! I’m praying these books go on sale again b/c it came at a time that I litterally have no $! I even talked to my hubby about it and usually he’ll say go for it (b/c I RARELY ask to buy anything not an immediate need) but our son was in the hospital for a few days, which not only means more bills, but less income b/c of unpaid time off. But i wouldn’t trade motherhood for anything. 🙂
carmen
Jen, I have asked myself this question before. Has there been one book that I have read that has changed my life, and I am a reader, I love reading books. I have stopped though, because only God’s Word and communicating with God, is living and active and capable of changing your mind, your will and your life.
So there you go, don’t feel bad and life you have to wait to get these books to have a better life. Even though I am sure they are great books and you will love reading them, it is still just a waste of time, space and money. <3
Erin
Carmen, I appreciate your encouragement for Jen, and YES, God’s Word IS the living and active Word capable of life change! But, I do not think these books are a waste of time, space and money. If they were, I would not be advertising them. I only advertise things I can fully stand behind. Just a thought. 🙂
Erin
Hey Jen–send me an email at thehumbledhomemaker at gmail dot com and remind me of your story, OK? 🙂 Can you do that today? Thanks! 🙂
Heather
I give you LOTS of credit! I too had three babies in four years. I know how extremely difficult it is to manage babies, home, commitments to others, & make time for yourself. When my children were little I wouldn’t have dreamed of spending precious time or money on myself & on the rare occasion I did, I felt terribly guilty about it. My children are all teenagers now and we are in a new season of challenges, but as I look back to when they were little & what I would have done differently, it would have been to take some time for myself. I sure could have used the encouragement from Embracing Beauty! I love your list, thanks for posting!
Sarah
I hear you! One of my weaknesses is thinking I can do it all and not liking to ask for help. I’m working on that one.
carmen
I have all of these weaknesses too. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Erin
Thank you, Carmen! And thanks for encouraging others!
Is It Not I
Oh thank you for this. I really needed to see number 5 today. I can’t tell you how many times I have been overwhelmed with the feeling that I am just not cut out for this. We have 5 children, one with very high special needs and there are days when I just don’t understand what God was doing when He chose me to care for His precious children. It is a great comfort to know that there are other women who are fully embracing Motherhood and Christ Centered home making but still struggle. Thank you.
Jennifer
Thank you so much for this post. All I can say is, “Me, too!” I’m right there with you.
Brittany
Yes yes and yes! I am so unorganized, paperwork from school is the worst. I have not even organized last years schoolwork papers and my kids go back in two weeks. As far as the frumpy I was stuck in that rut when my kids were smaller and I finally just purchased matching workout clothes/yoga pants from Walmart and put makeup on very day. It made me feel better lol. I am also horrible with time management. I bounce from project to to project all day and it is even worse because I working on creating a blog/website for my Health Coaching business and I cannot seem to stay focused on one thing at a time. How do you do it?
Lynn
Thoughts from a more mature (read oldert) homemaker. This list is mostly things that are just life. Don’t buy the books and set yourself up for more expectations. You are who you are. If you aren’t organized, you aren’t organized. Your kids will still be ok. Your home will still be ok. Motherhood is hard. So is working. So is life. Stick with number six on the list. You’re fine the way you are. Don’t throw yourself on your own sword.
Erin
Thank you! I wrote this post 3 1/2 years ago and have grown a lot since then! I totally agree with you.