How Social Media Helped Improve My Family Time

I am a bit of a social media lover. I really enjoy it. Facebook, Instagram, Snap Chat, Pinterest, You Tube, Blogs but not Twitter ( Just don't get it).
Like everyone I follow what interests me from cooking to fitness, parenting to education and the odd home decor and fashion.

I found a handful of people on Snap Chat and Instagram who I really love to follow each day, just a small handful (on Snap Chat) because Snap Chat can take up a lot of time if you have a lot in your feed. They are all Mums with kids similar in age to mine.

I feel so appreciative towards these ladies for taking the time to share a bit of their family life but also useful tips such as meal prep and general life organisation. I love my family and they are everything to me but for so long I would find my mind wandering when it would come to family time. I would get anxious and constantly looking over my shoulder for what I really SHOULD be doing. Almost beating myself up that I wasn't doing something "productive" like the washing or studying or even just tidying. When all along just BEING with my loved ones is that productive thing I should be doing.

A few months back I had emergency knee surgery which took me out of action and that was quite the adjustment. it was around this time a discovered the Snap Chat accounts I watch today. Having more time being unable to busy myself has taught me it is OK to stop, slow down and smell the roses. So I have and you know what, the roses smell good!!
It is an adjustment I'll admit and I still feel my anxiety coming through in those slower times and I fidget or lose track but I am certainly working on being present and not letting unfinished jobs or even non-existent jobs get to me.

I am thankful for the Mums I watch that share some family time because it is always simple quality moments like playing a game, just playing with toys, having a meal or out for a walk. Seeing others enjoy these simple pleasures helps me to understand my own feelings and how to process them. I have never compared my life to theirs, I merely find myself relating and understanding my own situation and how I can enjoy it more. I remember a time when I constantly compared myself to others and if I do that again I will see big red flags and obviously need a kick up the bum!
Let's face it motherhood can be quite lonely and a glimpse into the lives of others can give us a little boost from time to time especially when the only people we have to have a chat with are under 3ft tall! It has helped me to see the beauty in my own everyday life and I am grateful to these ladies for sharing that.

I am now moving forward with the outlook of simplifying my priorities looking after myself and my family. I have a few ideas on how I will achieve that and I look forward to implementing them each day.

So to those women THANK YOU
Thank you for sharing a part of every parents life that is very special and personal. I appreciate and enjoy it so much.

Fi xx