This blog post is a paid partnership with Halo Top ice cream.
It starts the moment I open my eyes. Not even giving myself a chance and quickly setting the bar to a height that feels impossible to reach.
“I SHOULD”:
- do more
- be more
- work more
- play more
- sleep more
- on and on and on
I was more than happy to get behind Halo Top ice cream’s new campaign: “STOP SHOULDING YOURSELF”. I immediately started work on myself in an attempt change this toxic mindset.
When I dug down into each time I thought I SHOULD do something, this is what I found:
- “I should work on getting him (my son) to sleep in his own bed..”
Says who???! Is he happy? Yes. Do we all get to sleep and as a family? Yes. Will it last forever? No.
- “I should be better about cleaning up”
Translates to: I should be a better house keeper. My mom would be so disappointed.
Is my house spotless? No. Do I make a conscious effort everyday to do what I can when I can with housework? Yes. Can I REALLY be better about cleaning up? No, I already my best. Will I consider bringing in outside help? Possibly. Until then why do I beat myself about it??
- “I should wash my face at night”
Can I wash my face at night? Yea. Will I? Lets be honest, probably not. So why do I tell myself I need to!?
- “I should do more laundry”
Does my family have clean clothes? Yes. Am I grateful for a working washer and dryer? Yes. Do I do my best as it is? YES.
- “I should wait until after I eat food to have ice cream”
Says who?! Desserts shouldn’t be a treat. Especially when I can eat as much or as little Halo Top ice cream as I want and still feel good. If I WANT to eat it, I CAN.
- “I should get down on the floor and play more with my son”
I actually get down and play with him a lot! Who says its not enough? Why do I tell myself its not enough?
- “I should get more steps in”
10,000 steps?! Come on! Who made up that rule? I feel like I walk a thousand miles everyday in my own house with how busy I am.
The truth is these thoughts are completely unnecessary and I am already doing my best every single day. At being a mother, wife, and house keeper. If I wasn’t already trying my hardest, would make adjustments. The change needs to come in my mindset.
I have decided to STOP SHOULDING myself. Will you join me?
Instead, lets replace this thief of a word with phrases like “I can, I will, I want…”.
