This Moment Without Judgment

Yesterday it hit. The mid-summer slump. The feeling of wanting to run away from home for a while, to be in a quiet place all by myself where I can work without interruption, express an opinion without argument, use the washing machine without moving someone else's wet laundry out of it, and be at the top of my own list.

This happens every summer. I wish it didn't happen because it's no fun, but I'm remembering to just show up in this moment without judgment. Yep, I'm kind of fed up. I feel cranky. 'My dear friend, crankiness, I welcome you.'

Right now I'm not acting very cranky (although it could start happening anytime). I'm patient although I'm speaking up about what I want.

I am remembering to welcome the feelings, to make space for them instead of wishing them away. To be gentle with them. And even to notice and accept the part of me that wants to push the feelings away. To feel them without taking them out on the rest of my family, without blaming, lecturing, or making a stink. And to feel them without covering them up by being too nice, without pretending I'm not fed up. Maybe that's enough.

How's your summer going? Are you feeling the mid-summer parent fatigue? How are you handling it?

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