What did I do with my free time before children entered my life? This is a question I often ponder as I lie awake at night, reflecting on the endless to-do lists that remain incomplete. It seems that the concept of “free time” has become as elusive as a rare gem, a term that feels almost alien to me now.
Even on the rare occasions when both kids are napping simultaneously, I find myself tackling chores like dishwashing, laundry, or even just getting a shower in. No matter what, there’s always something that needs attention—whether it’s last night’s dishes or my own neglected self-care.
Looking back, the activities I once indulged in seem downright amusing. There were times when my spouse was away on business, and I’d find myself lounging on the couch, sipping wine, and watching dust motes dance in the sunlight. Life was certainly more “challenging” back then.
Here are some of the amusing ways I once filled my free hours before entering the world of motherhood:
- Nail Painting: I used to dedicate an hour to painting my nails and letting them dry—now, I can barely sit still long enough to use the restroom.
- Hair Styling: That round brush I used to style my hair has been repurposed as a toy for my 11-month-old, who now prefers to brush the carpet with it.
- Spray Tanning: I would walk around in my underwear, waiting for my spray tan to dry. Nowadays, if I tried this, my kids would surely leave me looking like a patchwork quilt by the time it dried.
- Trimming Split Ends: I would meticulously trim my hair for split ends, but now, with toddlers pulling at my hair, I’m lucky if I can keep it on my head.
- Hand-Washing Delicates: I used to hand-wash delicate items, but with everything else I manage, that’s just not a priority anymore. In my house, if you’re delicate, you might not survive!
- Alphabetizing: I would organize my books and DVDs in alphabetical order. Funny how children have a way of curing that mild case of OCD.
- Ironing Baby Clothes: While pregnant, I ironed every single baby outfit for my firstborn. I thought that would be a regular occurrence. Yikes!
- Ironing Everything: These days, wrinkled clothes are my new normal, only ironing when absolutely necessary.
- Hanger Swaps: I spent two entire days switching all my hangers from wire to wooden ones because they looked better. Now I wonder why I even bothered!
- Cooking Elaborate Meals: I used to spend over 45 minutes cooking meals from scratch. Microwaving is now my best friend in the kitchen.
- Makeup Application: I once took an hour to apply makeup while listening to music. Now, my bathroom is a cacophony of screams from my two-year-old and the sounds of cabinets being opened and shut.
- Face Treatments: I would indulge in elaborate skincare routines, but now, it’s just a quick wash and moisturizer for me.
- Morning Rituals: I’d stretch and meditate to start my day. Now, I find myself stretching to reach a clean mug in the cabinet, and my patience runs thin before 10 a.m.
- Sleeping In: I used to relish sleeping in. Now, sleep feels like a forgotten luxury.
- Casual Movie Outings: Going to the movies was once a spontaneous decision. Now, it’s a well-planned event, complete with a backup sitter.
- Grocery Lists: I used to organize my shopping lists by store sections. Now, I make a quick list on my phone and wander the aisles multiple times before checking out.
- Dog Videos: I used to watch videos of my dog, thinking she was my baby. Little did I know that a few years later, I’d be watching videos of my real babies, which are infinitely more precious.
Though I may have traded in these activities for the joys of motherhood, I’ve gained priceless moments. Just yesterday, I spent an hour working on puzzles with my kids; I witnessed my son’s hilarious phrases and my daughter’s first steps. These moments, which would have seemed mundane to my younger self, are now what I cherish most.
I may not miss those 17 activities, but the memories I’m creating with my children are worth far more than any of those pastimes.
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Summary
Reflecting on my pre-parenting life reveals a humorous list of activities that now seem trivial compared to the joys of motherhood. From painting my nails to intricate cooking, I’ve traded those moments for priceless experiences with my children. While I once filled my time with mundane tasks, I now cherish the beautiful chaos of raising little ones.