The Habit Improving My Attitude Everyday

Bad habits are easy to come by. Starting this habit will help you have a better perspective everyday, and especially during busy seasons! 

Last night, my husband casually mentioned that the couch in our living room needed to be cleared off because his friend would be staying the night.

This particular couch serves as a bed for overnight guests in our home. It also serves as a landing zone for laundry waiting to be folded. At the time of my husband’s request, there were at least six loads of laundry waiting in wrinkled heaps, preventing anyone from sitting, much less sleeping, on its cushions.

The moment was a reminder of how baby number four is kicking my tail. We are six weeks in, and for all the sweet snuggles and new baby bliss, there are a dozen moments of exhausted struggle.

Life is so full. Even the days we stay home all day are busy enough that there is alllllllways something waiting for me to do next. Keeping up with basic housework and parenting is difficult, and finding opportunities for much extra is simply not happening.

At times, the setting aside of desired pursuits, activities, and even chores, is frustrating and discouraging. All I can see is what I want to do but am kept from doing. I see the things around the house which must continue to sit undone.

Can you relate? Maybe your life is very full right now too. Maybe you are busier than normal and struggling with not being able to get what you would like done.

Starting this simple habit has really helped me– it may be the encouragement you need too. Together we can practice seeing our glasses half-full, rather than half-empty. 

The Habit Improving My Attitude Everyday

Last week when I was particularly discouraged (let’s just call it irritated) and I was listing in my mind the many things we were unable to do, I realized that the problem was not the fullness of my life. Rather, the problem was my perspective in seeing that fullness.

I was focusing on the lists half-finished, the schooling still waiting, the kitchen staying messy too long, and even the quality time I wished I was enjoying with my kids— and it was all OVERWHELMING.

A half-empty life. 

Looking at life this way makes me grumpy and irritable. It adds to my fatigue and sets me against my husband and children– the ones keeping me from my to-do list.

What I need is a habit to change my attitude– and it starts with a better perspective.

Instead of only looking at things negatively (what was lacking), I started to intentionally think about the things that had happened that day.  And when I focused on all the things that were getting done, a weight was lifted and contentment took the place of irritation. 

I may not be able to sit down and finish a meal plan right now, but I am able to feed my baby and snuggle him to sleep everyday.

The school lessons at the table may have to wait a little longer, but my children are still learning in a myriad of ordinary, everyday ways.

Yes, the dishes in my kitchen stay dirty longer than I’d like, but three times a day we sit down together and eat food that fills our bellies and share conversation that fills our souls. 

The family may have to hunt for their clothes on the couch more than usual, but time not spent folding laundry is spent squeezing in special moments with my family or completing the essential chores.

My kids are hugged and kissed and told they are loved.  

The house is a safe and comfortable place for us, scattered toys and papers notwithstanding. 

It is my choice to see my life as half-full even in the busy seasons. It is your choice too. 

When you are writing that list in your mind of what you wished you could do, sit down and write a list of all the good things you are doing already.

We are often more prone to see what we imagine is lacking. What we need is a habit that gives us eyes to see what is already there. 

Does your perspective lead you to see life as half full or half empty?

How do you keep a good perspective in busy seasons?