One Day at a Time: Do What You Can

For the first three months of this pregnancy, I didn't do much. I had no energy, I was nauseous twenty four-seven, and some days I couldn't even get out of bed. I literally only did what was absolutely necessary. Thank God for my husband and other friends and family.

Now that I am in my second trimester, and almost into my third, I am feeling much better and have more energy. I still only do what I can each day, because I still have days when I am exhausted and I still get nauseous on occasion, but I am so grateful that I am able to do more.

Maybe you feel the same way that I do, and maybe you are not even pregnant. I know that there were plenty of days when I wasn't pregnant that I was so exhausted and didn't feel like doing much. I wanted to share with you a few things that work for me, to help my days run smother and don't leave me feeling super drained and disappointed at the end.

For me the most important part of my day is my quiet time, when I first wake up. I spend about a half an hour reading my Bible and praying, with a cup of coffee, of course. Maybe if you aren't a spiritual person, then you can just take some time for yourself when you first wake up. I have some friends who do the same.

After my quiet time, I go for a walk. I only started to do this about a month ago, when I started to have more energy, but it has really helped to lift my mood and I have less back pain, surprisingly!! I guess Newton's Law is true. A body in motion, stays in motion, even if its only for a short period of time each day. I didn't want to be that pregnant person who just laid around all the time, I needed to get moving!

The rest of my day I just do what I can! At the beginning of the week I pick one big thing to get done and three smaller things to get done, and I look to see which days I think would be best to accomplish these tasks. Sometimes, it may take me two days to complete a big task, so I don't overload my schedule with too much each week. I also want to make sure that I have time in my day for my little one and my husband! I found that by doing things this way, I am not as stressed and I actually get more stuff done.

Believe me when I say, I know what it is like to have a mile long to-do list, and feel like you will never get it done. I used to try to do too much each day, and I would get disappointed and stressed out when I couldn't get it all done. This second pregnancy has taught me a lot. God has really showed me what it is that I really need to get done, and what stuff can wait. I created a sign over my bed with this verse and it has become my daily motto.

"Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in You I trust, make me know the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8

Happy Monday and many blessings this week!

Simply Yours,